.jpg)
The corner positions are historically expected to provide punch to your fantasy lineup. However, it's points we’re after in the daily fantasy world no matter what form they take. Today we look at the first and third base positions using Relative Position Value per Dollar (RPVPD) to determine how we can maximize those points and still be responsible to our overall team budget.
Here’s the RPVPD for tonight’s first basemen on FanDuel:
| Player | FPPG | Raw RPV | Salary | Pts per $ | RPV Per Dollar |
| Eric Hosmer | 10.9 | 0.226 | $3,000 | $275 | 0.258 |
| David Ortiz | 14.3 | 0.606 | $4,300 | $301 | 0.188 |
| David Freese | 8.43 | -0.053 | $2,600 | $308 | 0.168 |
| Hanley Ramirez | 10.2 | 0.145 | $3,200 | $314 | 0.152 |
| Freddie Freeman | 10 | 0.127 | $3,300 | $329 | 0.112 |
| Chris Davis | 11.7 | 0.314 | $3,900 | $333 | 0.1 |
| Albert Pujols | 9.57 | 0.075 | $3,400 | $355 | 0.041 |
| Brandon Belt | 11 | 0.23 | $3,900 | $356 | 0.039 |
| C.J. Cron | 7.81 | -0.123 | $2,800 | $358 | 0.032 |
| Brandon Moss | 9.85 | 0.106 | $3,600 | $366 | 0.013 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 8.2 | -0.079 | $3,000 | $366 | 0.012 |
| Logan Morrison | 7.89 | -0.114 | $2,900 | $368 | 0.008 |
| Adam Lind | 8.15 | -0.084 | $3,000 | $368 | 0.007 |
| Tommy Joseph | 8.02 | -0.099 | $3,000 | $374 | -0.01 |
| Kendrys Morales | 7.95 | -0.107 | $3,000 | $377 | -0.019 |
| John Jaso | 7.91 | -0.111 | $3,000 | $379 | -0.024 |
| Matt Adams | 7.81 | -0.122 | $3,000 | $384 | -0.036 |
| Marwin Gonzalez | 7.53 | -0.154 | $3,600 | $478 | -0.29 |
| Yonder Alonso | 5.8 | -0.349 | $2,800 | $483 | -0.304 |
| Billy Butler | 5.04 | -0.434 | $2,700 | $536 | -0.447 |
And now FanDuel’s third base RPVPD: Not that long ago, Eric Hosmer was a “premium” DFS option in terms of price tag. His recent cold streak in June has hurt his overall status. However, things are looking up! Hosmer faces right hander Mike Fiers tonight and on the year he’s slashing an elite .332/.400/.508 versus righties making him a great value. Ironically, the highest priced first baseman tonight is also one of the most cost efficient. Basically, you’ll pay top dollar for David Ortiz, but you’ll get what you pay for making him a great cash game option if you can work him into your budget. His teammate Hanley Ramirez has also started to come out of his funk of late averaging 20 points over his last three contests. The Red Sox face A.J Griffin tonight who stands as good of a chance as Peter Griffin of shutting down the Sox offense.
| Player | FPPG | Raw RPV | Salary | Pts per $ | RPV Per Dollar |
| Jung Ho Kang | 10.7 | 0.183 | $2,900 | $272 | 0.202 |
| Kyle Seager | 11.5 | 0.275 | $3,300 | $287 | 0.158 |
| Ramiro Pena | 7.63 | -0.154 | $2,200 | $288 | 0.153 |
| Danny Valencia | 10.6 | 0.179 | $3,200 | $301 | 0.116 |
| Jhonny Peralta | 9.15 | 0.014 | $2,800 | $306 | 0.101 |
| Evan Longoria | 11.5 | 0.277 | $3,600 | $313 | 0.082 |
| Cheslor Cuthbert | 8.14 | -0.097 | $2,600 | $319 | 0.062 |
| Travis Shaw | 9.73 | 0.079 | $3,200 | $329 | 0.035 |
| Adrian Beltre | 9.91 | 0.099 | $3,500 | $353 | -0.036 |
| Yunel Escobar | 8.37 | -0.072 | $3,000 | $358 | -0.052 |
| Adonis Garcia | 7.13 | -0.209 | $2,700 | $379 | -0.112 |
| Pedro Alvarez | 8.16 | -0.095 | $3,100 | $380 | -0.115 |
| Luis Valbuena | 7.94 | -0.120 | $3,100 | $391 | -0.147 |
| Justin Turner | 8.86 | -0.018 | $3,500 | $395 | -0.160 |
| Ryan Flaherty | 5.93 | -0.342 | $2,600 | $438 | -0.287 |
This is NOT the best shuffle you could ask for due to the schedule and some injuries to regular third basemen. Still, we must soldier on and make lemonade out of these lemons. The untrained eye would go right to the top given such an unappealing talent pool, however Evan Longoria and Adrian Beltre are merely average in terms of RPVPD. Jung-Ho Kang and Kyle Seager are far more cost effective with Seager getting the slightly more appealing pitcher matchup (vs. Mike Leake). Like Hosmer across the diamond, Seager is crushing righties this year (.308/.394/.582). Danny Valencia has been a terrific daily matchup player all season and tonight is no exception versus the Angels. Despite the cost appeal of Ramiro Pena, this 30-year-old journeyman is too risky and his 8th spot in the batting order too unproductive. Don’t sleep on Jhonny Prealta either. It’s only a matter of time before he gets acclimated 100 percent after missing the first few months of the season.
Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17) is the seven-time best-selling author of the Fantasy Black Book Series for baseball and football. He hosts Fantasy Sports Tonight on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and the Dear Mr. Fantasy Podcast.
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.