Thursday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Thursday, May 19 (all stats exclude Wednesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | at MIL | 9 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | vs. SEA | 9 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | at PIT | 8 |
| Carlos Santana (CLE) | at CIN | 8 |
| Justin Smoak (TOR) | at MIN | 8 |
Spend up at first base Thursday night, as Rizzo and Davis each have favorable matchups against right-handers in hitter-friendly parks. Freeman has fared equally well against both righties and lefties this season, and the Pirates will continue to start struggling lefty Jeff Locke. Smoak is hitting over .300 against righties this year, and he has the power to hit one out of Target Field.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Belt (SF) | at SD | 7 |
| Chris Carter (MIL) | vs. CHC | 7 |
| C.J. Cron (LAA) | vs. LAD | 7 |
| Joe Mauer (MIN) | vs. TOR | 6 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | vs. HOU | 6 |
| Byung Ho Park (MIN) | vs. TOR | 6 |
| John Jaso (PIT) | vs. ATL | 6 |
Belt entered Wednesday 4-for-11 in his past three games. He hasn't hit a home run since May 4, but he'll recieve plenty of space for doubles at Petco Park. Carter has changed his approach at the plate this season, hitting .277 against righties. He has also hit 10 of his 11 home runs against right-handers.
Mauer and Park each favor righties, but Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada is well suited for a big park like Target Field.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Marwin Gonzalez (HOU) | at CWS | 5 |
| Joey Votto (CIN) | vs. CLE | 5 |
| Tyler White (HOU) | at CWS | 5 |
| Wil Myers (SD) | vs. SF | 5 |
| Brett Wallace (SD) | vs. SF | 5 |
| Ben Paulsen (COL) | at STL | 4 |
| Adam Lind (SEA) | at BAL | 4 |
| Hyun Soo Kim (BAL) | vs. SEA | 4 |
| Mike Napoli (CLE) | at CIN | 4 |
| Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) | at NYM | 4 |
Gonzalez is hitting .286 against lefties, with one home run and five doubles. He'll meet his match against White Sox LHP Chris Sale. Lind has dominated right-handed pitching over the extent of his career, but he's struggled thus far in 2016, and only a tournament option.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | at LAA | 3 |
| Albert Pujols (LAA) | vs. LAD | 3 |
| Mark Teixeira (NYY) | at OAK | 3 |
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | at MIN | 3 |
| Billy Butler (OAK) | vs. NYY | 2 |
Gonzalez is nursing a back injury, making him a risky play even if he's able to rejoin the starting lineup. The switch-hitting Teixeira has struggled mightily against righties this season. Encarnacion finally homered at home Wednesday, but he'll move to an extremely pitcher-friendly ballpark in Minnesota.
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