Saturday's First Baseman/DH Value Rankings
Here are theScore's first baseman/DH value rankings for Saturday, June 18 (all stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| David Ortiz (BOS) | vs. SEA | 9 |
| Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | at BAL | 9 |
| Chris Davis (BAL) | vs. TOR | 9 |
| Miguel Cabrera (DET) | at KC | 8 |
The AL-East is filled with power-hitters, and any of the three are worth paying up for. Ortiz is having the best season of his career, hitting .344 with 17 long balls and 57 RBIs.
Encarnacion leads the MLB with 61 RBIs while crafting a six-game hit streak that has seen him score 13 runs and mash six dingers. The last time the Orioles and Blue Jays faced off in a four-game series, Davis crushed a homer in each game. There's a good chance he knocks around RHP R.A. Dickey.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | vs. PIT | 7 |
| Paul Goldschmidt (ARI) | at PHI | 7 |
| Eric Hosmer (KC) | vs. DET | 7 |
| Chris Carter (MIL) | at LAD | 7 |
| Carlos Santana (CLE) | vs. CWS | 6 |
| Joey Votto (CIN) | at HOU | 6 |
| Brandon Moss (STL) | vs. TEX | 6 |
| Hanley Ramirez (BOS) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Steve Pearce (TB) | vs. SF | 6 |
| Justin Bour (MIA) | vs. COL | 6 |
| Jose Abreu (CWS) | at CLE | 6 |
| Joe Mauer (MIN) | vs. NYY | 6 |
| Justin Smoak (TOR) | at BAL | 5 |
| MIke Napoli (CLE) | vs. CWS | 5 |
| Adrian Gonzalez (LAD) | vs. MIL | 5 |
| Wil Myers (SD) | vs. WAS | 5 |
The Cubs' coveted slugger seems to have found his stroke in June after an atrocious May, and is batting .395 with three homers and 10 RBIs in the month. Rizzo has 15 long balls on the season and has raised his season average to .260. With the Pirates sending out southpaw Jonathon Niese, a big day could be in the cards for Rizzo.
With a plus matchup against the White Sox's James Shields, the Indians' bats have been given an increased price across the entire industry. Santana's absurd DFS salary and boom-or-bust approach limits him to just tournaments.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Lind (SEA) | at BOS | 4 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | at NYM | 4 |
| Kendrys Morales (KC) | vs. DET | 3 |
| Mitch Moreland (TEX) | at STL | 3 |
| Ryan Howard (PHI) | vs. ARI | 2 |
| Tyler White (HOU) | vs. CIN | 2 |
Lind is 0-for-11 the past three contests and sports a horrific .675 OPS. Leave him alone.
Freeman and Moreland are beginning to find their bats, but have tough matchups. With better options, it's best to fade them.