Monday’s seven-game evening slate in DFS is certainly short on quality pitching options. However, there are still a couple of hurlers that stand out as viable targets. Let’s dive into their matchups, as well as highlight some of the hitters who could be in positions to thrive.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/2/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Monday brings a light slate in the majors with only 10 games, nine of which make up the main evening slate in DFS. There may be fewer options to choose from than normal, but there are still some great matchups you can take advantage of. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Corey Kluber vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $11,200
DraftKings = $12,500
Kluber’s last start was a disaster as he allowed six runs in only 1.2 innings to the Cardinals. It marked the second time in his last three games that Kluber has allowed at least four earned runs after having allowed three runs or fewer in each of his first 14 outings. Even with his recent brief rough patch, Kluber still has outstanding numbers with a 2.54 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and a 0.86 WHIP. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (288) in baseball, so look for Kluber to get back on track in a major way.
Nathan Eovaldi vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $8,700
Eovaldi has been inconsistent since returning from Tommy John surgery, but his 4.08 ERA, 4.87 FIP and 0.82 WHIP in six starts is certainly respectable since he hadn’t pitched since 2016. The Rays rotation has been hit hard by injuries, leaving Eovaldi as one of the few healthy traditional starters they have left. He doesn’t have significant strikeout potential with a 6.6 K/9 for his career, but this is a great matchup against a Marlins team that has scored the third-fewest runs (311) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Wilson Ramos vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,900
Chen pitched well in his last start, but he’ll likely be a popular pitcher to stack against Monday with his 6.17 ERA and 1.62 WHIP this season. He doesn’t strike out many hitters with a 6.6 K/9 and has allowed 1.6 HR/9, which is especially damaging considering his WHIP. Ramos is having one of the best seasons of his career and has a .380 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this year, making him a key part of any Rays stack you might consider.
Yonder Alonso vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,800
Junis has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts, giving up at least three home runs in all three of those contests as well. He has a 2.1 HR/9 this year and allowed 1.4 HR/9 in 2017, so this isn’t just an isolated bad stretch. Alonso has hit nine of his 12 homers off of righties and has a .355 wOBA against them this season, leaving him as a viable option at a reasonable price on both sites.
Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion (first base) and Greg Bird (first base)
SECOND BASE
Scooter Gennett vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,000
Shields’ time with the White Sox had largely been a disaster, but he’s shown significant improvement this year with a 4.29 ERA, 4.44 FIP, and a 1.24 WHIP. That being said, he’s still not a dominating pitcher by any stretch of the imagination and will have no easy task against Gennett on Monday. Gennett has a lofty .332 average to go along with 13 homers and a .371 wOBA against right-handers.
Gleyber Torres vs. Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200
There aren’t a lot of great cheap options at second base Monday, so if you don’t want to add Gennett to your entry, Torres is another option to consider. He went deep again Sunday night and incredibly has 15 home runs already after never hitting more than 11 in a season in the minors. Sanchez has a sparkling 2.68 ERA this year, but he’s been a bit lucky considering his 4.05 FIP and .238 BABIP allowed.
Others to consider: Jason Kipnis and Yoan Moncada
THIRD BASE
Max Muncy vs. Nick Kingham, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600
Muncy has played at various positions for the Dodgers as they try to keep his hot bat in the lineup. He was declared the everyday second baseman over the weekend, locking him into a significant role that he has earned by hitting .273 with 17 home runs and a .416 OBP. With his .419 wOBA against righties, don’t hesitate to play him against Kingham.
Matt Duffy vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Duffy doesn’t get much hype, mainly because he has just four home runs this year. He’s played very well for the Rays, though, batting a career-high .321. He was particularly hot in June by hitting .340 with a .394 OBP. Currently on a 10-game hitting streak, he is a great cheaper option if you want to save money at third base, especially on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,400
With Junis’ recent struggles, he’s another great stacking target. Lindor has been not only one of the best hitters on his team, but he’s been one of the best hitters in all of baseball with a .296 average to go along with 21 home runs and 10 steals. He has scored exactly 99 runs in both of the last two seasons but is on pace to blow past that mark with 70 runs already this year. Although he has better numbers against lefties, his .376 wOBA against righties still makes him a great option Monday.
Willy Adames vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,700
With Chen on the mound, it might be a good idea to target a couple of cheap hitters on the Rays who can help you fill out the rest of your lineup with high-priced studs. Adames is cheap on both sites and while he hasn’t taken off yet in his first taste of action in the majors, Chen has allowed a .398 wOBA to righties.
Others to consider: Trevor Story and Didi Gregorius
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,300
Simply put, Judge loves hitting at Yankee Stadium. He hit .312 with 33 home runs there in last year and is batting .357 with 15 home runs there so far this season. Don’t worry that he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Sanchez as Judge’s wOBA against righties (.422) is actually much higher than it is against lefties (.367) for his career.
Nick Markakis vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,500
Injuries have forced the Yankees to insert Loaisiga into their starting rotation even though he had never pitched above Double-A. He had an 11.5 K/9 there before being called up and has carried that success over with an 11.6 K/9 through three starts. Two of his three starts came against the Rays and Phillies, so this will be a tougher test against the Braves. Markakis has a .361 wOBA against righties this year, leaving him as a viable option to consider for your lineup.
Lonnie Chisenhall vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,400
Whenever a righty is on the mound, Chisenhall is a cheap option to target for your outfield. He’s only played 29 games this season due to injury, but he’s hit well with a .321 average and a .394 OBP. He still only has one home run, but he has a .368 wOBA against righties.
Others to consider: Joc Pederson and Jesse Winker
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/13/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
There are a lot of games with early start times Wednesday, but since the majority of the games will be played at night, let’s focus on that slate in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Trevor Bauer vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $11,500
Bauer has shown the potential to be an excellent starting pitcher, but he had never finished with an ERA better than 4.18 heading into this season. He has had problems keeping runners off base with a 1.34 WHIP for his career. His WHIP is much better this year at 1.15, leading to a 2.62 ERA and a 2.47 FIP. Opponents have a .305 BABIP against him, so the improvement is not due to him being lucky. He has only allowed five home runs in 86 innings and his 12.8% swinging-strike rate has helped him post an 11.4 K/9. This is a great matchup for Bauer as the White Sox have struck out the sixth-most times (612) in baseball.
Caleb Smith vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $9,100
The Marlins starting rotation certainly leaves a lot to be desired, but Smith has done a great job through his first 13 starts. His 3.70 ERA is supported by a 3.50 FIP and a 1.19 WHIP, even though he does walk too many batters. He makes up for that in the strikeout department with a 10.8 K/9. Although he doesn’t always pitch deep into games, he’s allowed more than three runs in a start only three times. You generally want to play him for his strikeout upside, which is even greater Wednesday since the Giants are tied for the third-most strikeouts (624) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Joey Votto vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Votto continues to hit for a high average at .309 and draw a ton of walks. He is on pace to have more walks than strikeouts for the third time in the last four years. One area he is lacking in this season is the power department as he has only six home runs, four of which he hit towards the end of April. Even if he doesn’t go deep again Wednesday, his ability to get on base still makes him a great option to consider.
Austin Romine vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
Draft Kings = $3,600
Romine is the Yankees backup catcher, but he’s locked in a Sonny Gray’s personal catcher and will start Wednesday. Romine only has 76 plate appearances this year, but he is batting .348 with a 1.027 OPS. That’s obviously not going to last, but he does have 20 RBI and has been great with runners in scoring position. He gets plenty of those opportunities in the loaded Yankees lineup and is a cheap option with upside for your entry.
Others to consider: Jose Martinez (first base) and Tucker Barnhart (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Brian Dozier vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,100
Dozier was starting to turn things around, but he’s hitless in his last three games. He’s batting only .235 this season but has been a much better hitter in the second half of seasons in recent years. This might be just the matchup he needs to get his bat going again since he is 13-for-32 (.406) with three home runs and three doubles in his career against Boyd.
Jedd Gyorko vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,400
Whenever a lefty is on the mound against the Cardinals, Gyorko is someone to target. He has just a 62 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers this year but has owned lefties with a 246 wRC+. Lauer has been awful with a 6.64 ERA and a 2.06 WHIP, making Gyorko an excellent budget-friendly option.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Starlin Castro
THIRD BASE
Miguel Andujar vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,200
The young talent the Yankees have offensively is truly impressive. Their first wave of young stars was Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez and now it is Andujar and Gleyber Torres. Andujar is an excellent all-around hitter and even though he doesn’t walk much, he is still batting .310. He gets a lot of extra-base hits and doesn’t strikeout out much either with a 17.4% strikeout rate. Fedde will be called up to make his second start of the season for Nationals after recording an unimpressive 4.92 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in Triple-A.
Brian Anderson vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000
The Marlins have scored the second-fewest runs in baseball, so they don’t exactly have a lot of players you want to seek out in DFS. Anderson is one of the few who is having a good season as he is batting .311 with a .384 OBP. He’s even hotter right now, batting 25-for-59 (.424) in his last 15 games. He has a .350 wOBA overall this season against lefties and is someone worth playing even with his lack of power.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Mike Moustakas
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,100
Gregorius had a big game Tuesday, finishing 2-for-4 with two home runs. He is only batting .231 on the road this season, but he has a .263 average at Yankee Stadium. He has hit 11 of his 13 home runs at home as well. This is a good opportunity to stack Yankees with Fedde on the mound, Gregorius included.
Jose Peraza vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,400
There aren’t a lot of great cheap options at shortstop, but Peraza is someone to consider if you want to save money at the position. He has at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 games and is 19-for-55 (.345) during that stretch. Hammel allows a lot of baserunners with a 1.44 WHIP and only has a 6.1 K/9, which will only help Peraza’s cause to keep his hot streak going for at least one more game.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Chris Taylor
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,500
Judge is hitting just .197 with six home runs on the road, but he is batting .348 with 12 home runs at Yankee Stadium. He also has a staggering .500 OBP at home. Add in the fact that he actually hits better against righties (.422 wOBA) than he does lefties (.359 wOBA) and he could be in for a big night.
Marcell Ozuna vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,000
Keep riding Ozuna’s hot streak. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI Tuesday and is now 14-for-37 (.378) in his last 10 games. He’s not just getting hits, either, as he has at least one RBI in five of his last six games. His .343 wOBA against lefties this year despite his early struggles makes him another Cardinals’ righty with significant upside against Lauer.
Brett Gardner vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,400
With all the superstars, power bats and impressive young players on the Yankees, Gardner sometimes gets overlooked. He’s having another solid season, batting .263 with five home runs and six steals. He also has 41 runs scored as their leadoff hitter and has an excellent opportunity to score at least 100 runs for the first time in his career. If the Yankees put up a crooked number Wednesday, Gardner hitting at the top of the lineup could be in for a valuable night. His price isn’t great on DraftKings, but it’s very favorable if you are playing on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Tommy Pham and Scott Schebler
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
Outside of a doubleheader between the Twins and White Sox, we’ve got a full slate of night baseball in the majors Tuesday. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Max Scherzer vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,300
Scherzer mowed down the Orioles in his last start, allowing just three base runners and recording 12 strikeouts in eight shutout innings. In his 12 starts this season, Scherzer has allowed one or no runs six times. His 1.92 ERA is supported by a strong 1.94 FIP and 0.85 WHIP. Keeping runners off base continues to be a strength for Scherzer as this would mark his fourth straight season with a WHIP of 0.97 or lower. The Rays have scored the sixth-fewest runs (238) in baseball and won’t have the benefit of the designated hitter either, so don’t hesitate to pay up for Scherzer.
Sean Newcomb vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $9,200
The Braves rotation has been much improved this year with Newcomb becoming one of the best pitchers on the staff. Other than a 4.3 BB/9, there is a lot to like about his numbers. In his 11 starts, he has a 2.73 ERA, 3.13 FIP, and a 1.21 WHIP. He’s only allowed three home runs in 62.2 innings and is getting plenty of strikeouts with a 9.2 K/9. His numbers are even better on the road, recording a 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 10.8 K/9 across seven outings. The Padres have struck out the second-most times (581) in baseball, leaving Newcomb with the potential for a valuable performance.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland vs. Artie Lewicki, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Moreland is now locked in at first base for the Red Sox with Hanley Ramirez no longer with the team. Moreland is off to great start, hitting for both average and power. Not only is he batting .305, but his .631 slugging percentage would be by far the highest of his career. With a lofty .442 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year, Moreland is an excellent option against the underwhelming Lewicki, who will be making his first start of the season.
Greg Bird vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100
After going hitless in his first game of the season, Bird has at least one hit in each of his last six games. He adds another power bat to an already loaded Yankees lineup as he already has two home runs and two doubles. Estrada gives up a ton of homers, following up his 1.5 HR/9 in 2017 with a 1.8 HR/9 this season. A Yankees stack could provide a lot of production Tuesday, Bird included.
Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Gary Sanchez (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300
Merrifield is a bright building block for the Royals, hitting .288 with 19 home runs and 34 stolen bases in his first full season in the majors last year. He only has four homers this season, but he’s batting .291 with 14 steals. He’s also shown an improved eye at the plate, already recording 26 walks in 258 plate appearances after drawing just 29 walks in 630 plate appearances last year. With a career .389 wOBA against lefties, he’s a prime target facing Heaney.
Jonathan Schoop vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500
Schoop was a force in the Orioles’ lineup last year, batting .293 with 32 home runs. He hasn’t been able to follow that up with a good start this season as he is batting just .238 with five homers. His hard-hit rate is way down at 22.3%, which is almost 14 percentage points lower than last year. Even with all of his struggles, he still has a .320 wOBA against lefties. Vargas has been getting hammered this season, so this might be the time to take a chance on Schoop in tournament play.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Jed Lowrie
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100
After providing reliable production the last two seasons, the Reds locked up Suarez to a long-term deal this spring. He has rewarded their faith in him, batting .297 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI. Although the .297 average is the highest of his career, his .308 BABIP is actually slightly lower than his career mark. His 244 wRC+ against lefties this year is especially impressive, which could make him a tough out for Freeland.
Matt Chapman vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium = Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100
Moore is one of my favorite pitchers to stack against. He is having a terrible year with a 7.85 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He has allowed fewer than three runs in only one of his starts and doesn’t carry much strikeout upside. Righties have a .390 wOBA against him as well, so Chapman is someone to consider even though he has cooled off after a red-hot start.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200
Machado is thriving in a contract year and could end up being one of the highest paid players in baseball this winter. He requested to be moved back to shortstop likely to increase his value, so he’s well aware of the impact an excellent season could have on his next deal. He has a 1.030 OPS this season after never posting an OPS above .876 in his career. You could go on for days about his excellent numbers, but another key stat is that he has a .405 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Brock Holt vs. Artie Lewicki, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,300
Holt is in line for more playing time with Dustin Pedroia (knee) back on the DL. Holt has dealt with his fair share of injuries during his career as well, but he’s healthy right now and batting a career-high .319. He’s been boosted by a .364 BABIP, but his strikeout rate is also down significantly. He has a .350 wOBA against righties this year, leaving him as a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,400
Judge had a day to forget in a doubleheader against the Tigers on Monday, striking out a combined eight times. There’s no question that Judge is going to strike out a lot, but he still has a .271 average for his career. Considering Estrada gives up a lot of home runs and doesn’t have overpowering stuff, it’s no surprise that Judge is 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles against him.
Khris Davis vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900
Davis’ .230 average leaves a lot to be desired, but he hasn’t disappointed in the power department with 13 home runs already despite spending 10 days on the DL. His .248 BABIP is also 30 points below his career mark, so he has some room for improvement with his average. Davis has pretty close splits against lefties and righties for his career and is an excellent option against Moore.
Brandon Nimmo vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400
Cobb was hammered in his first three starts with the Orioles and while he has shown improvement, he has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) in his last 22.2 innings. He has allowed at least one home run in seven of his nine starts as well. Nimmo has played his way into the Mets leadoff role, batting .271 with a .421 OBP. He has seven home runs and six stolen bases and should continue to play every day even when Yoenis Cespedes (hip) does eventually return. Righties have found it very difficult to get Nimmo out as he has a .475 wOBA against them.
Others to consider: Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
After a fairly quiet night on Thursday, baseball is back in full swing Friday and all by one of the games on the schedule will be played at night. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Justin Verlander vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $13,000
Verlander was spectacular after being traded to the Astros last year and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball again this season with a 1.17 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, and 11.7 K/9. He is currently on pace to set new career highs by throwing a first-pitch strike to 65.5% of the batters that he has faced and recording a 14.5% swinging strike percentage. Opponents are likely to improve on their .205 BABIP against him, but he has excellent strikeout upside every time he takes the mound. Verlander held the Rangers in check in two previous games against them this season, allowing one run to go along with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. Expect another productive line Friday.
Marco Gonzales vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $7,000
Gonzales’ 5.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP don’t make him an obvious play Friday. However, he has a 3.08 FIP and has been incredibly unlucky with opposing hitters recording an unsustainable .400 BABIP. He only has a 1.6 BB/9 and has shown strikeout upside with a 9.9 K/9. The Tigers lineup wasn’t great, to begin with, and is even weaker right now with Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) and Leonys Martin (knee) both on the DL. It’s usually a good idea to lean towards a pitcher with strikeout potential when you are looking for a cheap tournament play and when you combine that for Gonzales with this matchup, it only furthers the case for taking a chance on him.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300
Freeman kicked off this series against the Marlins in style Thursday, going 5-for-5 with a home run. He continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball and has almost as many walks (23) this year as he does strikeouts (28). He finally has talented hitters in front of him with Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr., so his career high of 109 RBI that he set in 2013 could be in danger. Get him in your lineup against the struggling Straily on Friday, especially considering Freeman’s .416 wOBA against righties this year.
Ryon Healy vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,700
Boyd has completely dominated left-handed hitters this year, holding them to a .153 wOBA. Righties have posted a .294 wOBA though, bringing Healy into the discussion Friday. Healy also excels against lefties with a .369 wOBA against them in his career. Boyd doesn’t have overpowering stuff either with just a 6.5 K/9 this season, so Healy is a cheap tournament play to consider.
Others to consider: Mitch Moreland (first base) and Mike Zunino (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,000
With all the hype surrounding Scott Kingery, Hernandez continues to be one of the more underrated fantasy assets at second base. He has shown an excellent ability to get on base the last couple of years and currently has a career-high 16.4% BB% this season. He has a nice mix of power and speed as well with four homers and six steals. With a 178 wRC+ against lefties this year, look for another productive game Friday.
Gleyber Torres vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,900
As if the Yankees lineup wasn’t already loaded, Torres has been locked in since getting called up from the minors. Not only has he come up with some timely hits, but he’s batting .344 with two home runs. He was batting .347 in Triple-A before the Yankees called him up as well and it looks like he’ll be manning the keystone for a long time in the Bronx. Graveman is expected to be recalled from the minors to start this game after being sent down due to his struggles out of the gate, making the Yankees an excellent stacking opportunity.
Others to consider: DJ LeMahieu and Alen Hanson
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Ramirez got off to a terrible start this year but is batting .333 with three home runs and three steals through eight games in May. He’s hit at least .312 in both of the last two seasons, so expect his current .283 average to continue to rise. With a 161 wRC+ against right-handers this year, Ramirez will look to keep his hot streak alive against the underwhelming Hammel, who only has a 5.0 K/9 this season.
Miguel Andujar vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,400
Andujar was getting extra-base hits in bunches earlier this season, but he hasn’t recorded one in any of his last 11 games. He has still logged at least one hit in five of his last seven games and has plenty of opportunities to provide counting stats in the Yankees dangerous lineup. Graveman had an 8.89 ERA and 1.84 WHIP earlier this season before being sent down, leaving Andujar as a cheap option with upside at third base.
Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Maikel Franco
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,400
Lindor had a massive increase in home runs last year and although his batting average dropped to .273, that was partly because of his abnormally low .275 BABIP, not because he was sacrificing it for power. With a .315 BABIP this year that is right in line with his career mark, Lindor’s batting average sits at .292. He still has 10 home runs and 11 doubles too, leading to what would be a career-high .913 OPS. Like Ramirez, he has excellent potential against Hammel on Friday.
Jedd Gyorko vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,800
If there is a lefty on the mound, Gyorko is a cheap option to target in DFS. He finished with an impressive .402 wOBA against lefties in 2017 and has been even better this season with a .593 wOBA. This will only be Lauer’s fourth start this season and after allowing a 1.93 WHIP through the first three, Gyorko could provide significant value if he plays. Of note, Gyorko is shortstop-eligible on FanDuel but is listed at third base on DraftKings.
Others to consider: Didi Gregorius and Paul DeJong
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,200
Judge has shown no signs of a sophomore slump, batting .311 with none home runs and a 1.018 OPS. His 28.6 K% is still high, but it is slightly down from last season in part because he has only swung at 22.5% of pitches outside the strike zone compared to 24.7% last season. He is batting .351 with eight of his nine home runs this season at Yankee Stadium, so he could really put up some big numbers against Graveman.
Tommy Pham vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900
Pham recently dealt with a groin injury but returned to the lineup Thursday to go 2-for-4 with a home run. He has followed up his breakout 2017 campaign by batting .330 with a .444 OBP this year. After finishing with a .405 wOBA against left-handed pitchers last year, he’s another Cardinals righty who could provide problems for Lauer.
Franchy Cordero vs. Luke Weaver, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Cordero was one of the rising stars in the Padres organization heading into this season and injuries have opened up regular playing time for him. He’s made the most of the opportunity and is locked into an everyday role moving forward, batting .281 with six home runs and four steals. He’s been deadly when he makes contact, posting a 49.2% hard-hit rate. Weaver isn’t off to a great start and has struggled against lefties, in particular, leaving Cordero as a viable cost-effective option.
Others to consider: Justin Upton and Brett Gardner
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/20/18
Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/20/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
After a quiet day Thursday, Major League Baseball is back in full swing Friday, leaving plenty of options to choose from in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Justin Verlander vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $11,100
DraftKings = $12,000
Verlander was a different pitcher after joining the Astros down the stretch last year and has carried that success into 2018, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 11.5 K/9 through four starts. One of the main reasons why he improved so much with the Astros last year is that he cut his BB/9 down to 1.3 after it was 3.5 with the Tigers. He’s continued that improved control this year with a 1.7 BB/9. He’s done an excellent job inducing weak contact with only a 25% hard-hit rate this season, which is not far off from his career mark of 27.2% either. The White Sox are in the bottom-10 in baseball in terms of runs scored this season, making Verlander an excellent option for your entry on a night filled with aces taking the mound.
Felix Hernandez vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $6,800
Hernandez’s numbers aren’t great overall, posting a 5.48 ERA and 6.15 FIP through four starts. He only has a 6.3 K/9, which would be the lowest mark of his career. A lot of his ERA woes can be attributed to his second start of the season where he allowed eight runs in four innings against the Giants. In his other three outings, he allowed a total of five runs across 17.1 innings. The Rangers are not a great offensive team, currently in the bottom-10 in the league in OPS. Hernandez might not have a high strikeout upside, but he at least has the potential to throw a quality start, making him someone to consider in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Jose Martinez vs. Brandon Finnegan, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,700
If the Cardinals are facing a lefty, Martinez should immediately come to mind as someone you want to target in DFS. He destroys left-handed pitching, finishing with the highest wRC+ (240) against them in baseball last season. Finnegan only pitched 13 innings last year due to injury but hasn’t been good in his career with a 1.36 WHIP. He allowed five runs in 4.1 innings to these same Cardinals in his only start this year, leaving Martinez as an excellent option for your lineup.
Victor Martinez vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,300
Martinez had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2017, hitting .255 with 10 home runs in 107 games. His .280 BABIP was significantly below his career mark of .309, but his hard-hit rate was still excellent at 39.9%. He’s turned things around at the start of this season, batting .314 through his first 14 games. The switch-hitting Martinez has a career .351 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, making him a cost-effective option to consider Friday.
Others to consider: Hanley Ramirez (first base) and Yadier Molina (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Jed Lowrie vs. Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,500
There are few hitters in baseball who are off to a better start than Lowrie, who is batting .346 with six home runs and 21 RBI. His .373 BABIP seems unsustainable, but a lot of that is due to his career-high 41.5% hard-hit rate. He has a career .340 wOBA against left-handed pitching, so you may want to continue to try and ride his hot streak Friday against Pomeranz.
Brock Holt vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $2,900
Graveman is off to a terrible start with a 9.87 ERA and 2.02 WHIP. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff with a 5.2 K/9 this season, which is close to his career mark of 5.6 K/9. He has also given up at least one home run in all four of his starts, which is certainly not good news considering he will be facing the red-hot Red Sox lineup. Holt is 7-for-17 with a home run and two doubles in his last four games, so he could be an option if you are looking to save money at second base.
Others to consider: Asdrubal Cabrera and Starlin Castro
THIRD BASE
Rafael Devers vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,000
As we continue to discuss Red Sox players to stack against Graveman, Devers enters Friday hitting 7-for-14 with two home runs and seven RBI in his last three games. He has a 131 wRC+ against right-handers in the early going and with plenty of men likely on base in this game, Devers could be in for another big performance.
Jeimer Candelario vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,300
Despite still having Martinez and Miguel Cabrera on their roster, the Tigers are clearly in the middle of a rebuilding process. They may already have their third baseman of the future in Candelario, who is 12-for-28 with three home runs and seven RBI in his last seven games. Junis has a sparkling 1.93 ERA this year, but his 4.63 FIP indicates that he has not pitched nearly as well. Candelario might be worth the risk at this price.
Others to consider: Matt Chapman and Travis Shaw
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,200
On a team filled with star right-handed hitters including Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez, Gregorius provides a desperately needed left-handed compliment. He had the best season of his career last year and has followed that up by batting .327 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 2018. He has hit just .237 against Estrada in 39 career plate appearances but has done damage with three doubles and three home runs.
Paul DeJong vs. Brandon Finnegan, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,100
DeJong had a breakout campaign for the Cardinals last year, hitting .285 with 25 home runs in just 108 games. A career .283 hitter in the minors, DeJong is off to a slow start this year with a .231 average and a 42.9% strikeout rate. He did hit lefties very well last year though with a .392 wOBA, so facing Finnegan might be just what he needs to break out of his slump.
Others to consider: Marcus Semien and Eduardo Nunez
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,300
Judge has done his best to set aside any worries of a sophomore slump, batting .339 with five home runs this season. He does have 19 strikeouts in 17 games, but he’s shown an excellent ability to get on base with 16 walks. He was lethal at home last year, batting .312 with 33 home runs compared to .256 with 19 home runs on the road. Estrada has had major issues trying to get him out with Judge batting 7-for-17 with two doubles and two home runs against him in his career. He doesn’t have strikeout stuff, so Judge very well might hit him hard again Friday.
David Peralta vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300
Peralta is hitting .349 so far this season, but his abnormally high .444 BABIP indicates he is a prime regression candidate. The odds of him continuing to swing a hot bat Friday though are in his favor considering Peralta’s .353 wOBA against righties last year. Ross doesn’t have strikeout stuff with just a 7.0 K/9 this season, leaving Peralta as a viable mid-tier priced option.
Mark Canha vs. Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,100
Canha hasn’t done much in his Major League career, batting .237 in 204 games. He has hit for power in the minors though and if off to a great start this season, batting .333 with two home runs in only seven games. The Athletics are in the top-five in the league in runs scored this season, which is only going to help Canha with his counting stats. Against the left-handed Pomeranz, Canha has some upside at this cheap price.
Others to consider: Mookie Betts and Mallex Smith
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18
Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
Several staff aces will be making their second start of the season Wednesday, so it will be imperative to pay up to get one of them into your daily fantasy baseball entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Corey Kluber vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $11,100
If you are playing the early slate, Kluber has one of the highest ceilings of anyone taking the mound. He was fantastic on his way to winning the AL Cy Young Award last season, equaling or setting career-bests in wins (18), ERA (2.25), WHIP (0.87) and K/9 (11.7). Not only did he strike out a lot of hitters, but he showed impeccable control by only allowing 1.6 BB/9. He handled batters from both sides of the plate well, allowing a .251 wOBA to lefties and .230 wOBA to righties. The Indians lost his first game of the season, but he allowed only two runs while recording eight strikeouts in eight innings. He has the potential to pitch a gem regardless of who he is facing, so don’t be afraid to pay up for him Wednesday.
Jon Gray vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,500
Gray was limited to just 110.1 innings last year due to injury but pitched well when he was healthy, finishing with a 3.67 ERA and 9.1 K/9. His FIP was 3.18 and opponents had a .338 BABIP against him, so his numbers could have actually been a little better. He didn’t get off to a good start this season, allowing three earned runs in four innings on Opening Day to the Diamondbacks. It could have been much worse though since he allowed six hits and three walks. Wednesday brings a more favorable matchup against the Padres who still don’t have an overwhelming lineup despite the addition of Eric Hosmer. Gray has also had success at Petco Park during his career, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12.9 K/9 in five starts.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Ian Desmond vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000
There was some concern during spring training that Ryan McMahon could take time away from Desmond at first base, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Desmond has helped his cause by getting off to a hot start, recording a hit in each of his first four games. They’ve been productive hits as well, resulting in two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored. He’ll face a lefty in Clayton Richard on Tuesday who allowed a .377 wOBA to righties in 2017.
Tyler Austin vs. Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,400
Austin has been thrust into an important role for the Yankees with Greg Bird (ankle) expected to be out for at least the first month of the season. Austin has come through so far, hitting two home runs to go along with three RBI and four runs scored in three games. He didn’t see a lot of action in the majors last season but when he did, he posted a stellar 199 wRC+ against left-handed starters. The Yankees lineup is filled with prominent sluggers, but Austin could also be worth the risk in tournament play Wednesday.
Others to consider: Gary Sanchez (catcher) and Matt Olson (first base)
SECOND BASE
D.J. LeMahieu vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,400
The Rockies have a lot of power in their lineup but don’t sleep on LeMahieu. He only had eight home runs in 2017 but batted .310 with a .374 OBP. It marked the third straight season that he has batted at least .300. He has owned left-handed pitchers, posting a wOBA of at least .397 against them in back-to-back seasons. With Richard’s struggles against righties already outlined, LeMahieu is another Rockies righty to consider putting into your entry.
Joe Panik vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,800
The Giants lineup has been quiet so far, scoring a total of six runs in their first five games. Things would be even worse if it wasn’t for Panik, who has already hit three solo home runs and has at least one hit in all five games. He faired better versus right-handed pitching last year, posting a 110 wRC+ against them compared to 91 against lefties. Hernandez also allowed a .363 wOBA to left-handed hitters in 2017, so it might be worth taking a chance on Panik extending his hot streak Wednesday.
Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Yangervis Solarte
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,000
After recording four hits and one home run in his first two games of the season, Arenado is just 1-for-10 in three games since. He could bust out of his mini-slump Wednesday though as he has excellent numbers against Richard, batting .625 with one home run and five RBI in 18 career plate appearances against him. A stack of Desmond, LeMahieu, and Arenado has the potential to be very productive in this game.
Jose Ramirez vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,400
Ramirez was hitless in his first four games this season but finally got on the board Tuesday with a two-run homer. He has batted at least .312 in back-to-back seasons, so it was only a matter of time before he got things rolling again. The switch-hitting Ramirez will bat from the right side of the plate against lefty Tyler Skaggs on Wednesday, which is good news considering his 147 wRC+ against lefties in 2017.
Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,300
Lindor is still looking for his first multi-hit game of the season, going just 3-for-20 in the first five games. He doesn’t have an extra-base hit or an RBI either, but he did already log his first stolen base. Like Ramirez, the switch-hitting Lindor also thrives against lefties, posting a .376 wOBA against them in 2017. Don’t be surprised if he breaks out of his slump Wednesday.
Alcides Escobar vs. Daniel Norris, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,200
The Royals lost Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain over the winter, which is not good news considering they struggled to score runs even with them on the team last year. Wednesday brings a matchup against Norris, who has struggled to keep runners off base with a career 1.44 WHIP. He hasn’t been able to slow down Escobar either, who is 8-for-16 with a home run against Norris in his career. Considering his cheap price, Escobar could be someone to consider if you want to save money at shortstop.
Others to consider: Paul DeJong and Eduardo Escobar
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,200
Judge is still looking for his first homer of the season, but he has a .435 OBP so far. Although he is one of the most feared power hitters in the league, he has excellent protection with Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius batting behind him. Judge was a much better hitter at home last season, batting .312 at Yankee Stadium compared to .256 on the road. Snell struggled on the road last year, posting a 4.76 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 13 starts. He also had a tougher time getting out righties, allowing a .320 wOBA to them compared to .228 against lefties.
Christian Yelich vs. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,600
Yelich has provided immediate dividends for the Brewers, batting .433 with four RBI and six runs scored through the first five games. On the other hand, Martinez did not pitch well in his first start for the Cardinals this year, allowing four earned runs in 4.1 innings against the Mets. Martinez excelled against same-handed hitters in 2017, holding them to a .263 wOBA. He wasn’t as effective against lefties though with them recording a .337 wOBA.
Dexter Fowler vs. Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium = Miller Park
FanDuel = $2,200
DraftKings = $3,300
The switch-hitting Fowler has been more successful batting from the left side, recording a 128 wRC+ in 2017 compared to just 100 when hitting right-handed. He’ll face a right-hander in Chacin on Wednesday, who doesn’t have overpowering stuff with a career 7.1 K/9. Chacin was roughed up for four runs and two homers in just 3.1 innings in his first start against the Brewers this season as well. Fowler can not only help free up your budget, but he also has upside Wednesday.
Others to consider: Giancarlo Stanton and Khris Davis
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Stacks for July 26, 2017
*Austyn Varney*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Stacks – Tuesday, July 26, 2017
*STARTING PITCHERS*
Chris Sale @ Seattle Mariners
Park – Safeco Field
Vegas O/U – 8
How can you really roster anyone else? On this 4 game early slate, we certainly have limited options. The only 3 guys who deserve any consideration are Sale, Severino, and Samardzija. Sale stands out way above the rest and makes for the best option in all formats. If you’ve been playing MLB DFS up to this point, you know how amazing Sale has been. He’s held lefties and righties to a combined .245 wOBA and has done a fantastic job of leaving runners on base. He’s striking out a league high 12.74 and walking just 1.66 per 9 innings. This match-up with the Mariners is fine. With Cano, Seager, and Segura al better against righties, they rely on Nelson Cruz. While it usually works out, I suspect Sale will take care of business. All in all, his price is high but necessary. I don’t recommend fading him in any format on the early slate.
Alex Wood Vs. Minnesota Twins
Park – Dodger Stadium
Vegas O/U – 7.5
The main slate has 2 guys worthy of consideration here in Alex Wood and Carlos Martinez. We ended up on Alex Wood, who hosts the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium. The Twins hold the lowest implied team total of the day at just 2.56. They’ve ranked 20th in the league against lefties at a .310 wOBA clip and strike out 21% of the time. Alex Wood has been one of the top pitchers of this season and his numbers are very close to the likes of Sale, Kershaw, and Scherzer. Through over 100 innings, Wood has maintained a .241 wOBA, while striking out 10.3 per 9. Dodger Stadium is a definite pitchers park at night and Wood has been magnificent there. He’s the top option of the slate and he should bounce back from a rough start last week.
*OFFENSIVE STACKS*
New York Yankees Vs. Homer Bailey (Reds)
Park – Yankee Stadium
Implied Total – 5.50
The Yankees and Diamondbacks are the 2 best offenses on this early slate. Both are firmly in play and I trust don’t have a preference. Let’s touch on the Yankees here, who welcome Homer Bailey and the Reds to Yankee Stadium. Homer Bailey hasn’t pitched much over the last few years, but what we’ve seen has been more than enough. He’s getting plunged by righties (.418 wOBA) and giving up homers like nobodies business. The Yankees are a team that is ready to take advantage. Both Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez hit righties better and are 2 of the top plays on the early slate. After them, you can go anywhere. This offense is very spread out and a tournament contrarian play could very well pay off.
Main Stack – Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Clint Frazier, Matt Holliday
Sneaky Stack – Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorious, Brett Gardner
Chicago Cubs @ James Shields (White Sox)
Park – Guaranteed Rate Field
Implied Total – 5.82
You have to love the Cubs in this spot. You have to love any team facing off with James Shields. Especially when the game is being played in a hitters ballpark like Guaranteed Rate Field. The Cubs are implied to score 5.62 runs and come tied with the D-Backs for the highest of the day. James Shields has been astonishingly bad for 2 years now, allowing a combined .378 wOBA. He’s been worse against lefties and remains one of the absolute worst arms in baseball. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are the 2 top options and you can’t make a stack without them. After that, it’s between Zobrist, Contreras, and Schwarber. All 3 are in play for cash and I can’t blame you either way. In tournaments, the bottom of this order can be dangerous. Don’t be afraid to take a shot.
Main Stack – Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, Kyle Schwarber
Sneaky Stack – Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Javier Baez
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Stacks for July 18, 2017
*Austyn Varney*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Stacks – Tuesday, July 18, 2017
*STARTING PITCHERS*
Clayton Kershaw @ Chicago White Sox
Park – Guaranteed Rate Field
Vegas O/U – 8.5
Who else? When Kershaw takes the hill, you can expect him to lead this article. While Scherzer and Sale are making a solid case for that spot, Kershaw is still the best pitcher in baseball. He’s actually flown under the radar this year and it speaks to just how consistent and dominant he is. So far in 2017, Kershaw has struck out nearly 11 batters per 9 while walking just 1.5 per 9. Lefties are also having the best season of all-time against Kershaw, which obviously won’t last for long. The White Sox are a very easy team to face for a guy like Kershaw. Against lefties, they have been a bit fluky. With a team .343 BABIP, their surface numbers are sure to go down. They do K as much as any other team in the league, sitting at 23.1%. Guaranteed Rate Field is a better hitting park than Dodgers FIeld, but nothing too extreme. Kershaw is one of the best pitchers of all-time and if you can afford him, do it. If you need to pay down, let’s take a look at a guy facing one of the bottom offenses in the game.
Michael Clevinger @ San Francisco Giants
Park – AT&T Park
Vegas O/U – 8.5
I know, it’s tough to spend up for a guy we don’t know much about. With that being said, what we have seen from Clevinger has been very nice. He’s posted a .297 combined wOBA since the start of 2016 and hasn’t really had any big red flags. He strikes out over 1 batter per inning and has held opposing hitters to a very low 26% hard contact rate. While I’m not saying he’s some great pitcher, he can get it done in the right match-up. The San Francisco Giants have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league, sporting a league-low .290 team wOBA against righties. In AT&T Park, they have a very tough time putting together runs. The Giants hold the 2nd lowest implied team total on the slate and Clevinger should be a solid option in both cash games and tournaments.
*OFFENSIVE STACKS*
New York Yankees @ Bartolo Colon (Minnesota Twins)
Park – Target Field
Vegas O/U – 10.5
Oh boy, I have no idea why the Twins are doing this to Bartolo. At 44 years old, there is no way he belongs in the majors. He shouldn’t even be in the minors. Colon has pitched 62 innings so far this year, sporting a .371 wOBA against lefties and a .423 wOBA against righties. He’s given up 11 homers and has allowed a 32.3% hard contact rate. What I’m basically saying is that he should mightily struggle. With Colon being worse against righties and a predominantly fastball pitcher, it’s pretty easy to know who we want to target. Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez are 2 of my favorite plays on the slate and I would never think about leaving either of them off a Yankees stack. After those 2, you can really go anywhere.
Main Stack – Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Brett Gardner, Matt Holliday
Sneaky Stack – Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorious, Jacoby Ellsbury
Houston Astros vs. Sam Gaviglio (Seattle Mariners)
Park – Minute Maid Park
Vegas O/U – 9.5
Sam Gaviglio is not too good of a pitcher. So far in 2017, he’s allowed a .341 wOBA combined. He now moves into Houston to face one of the more lethal offenses in the game. Minute Maid Park is a great hitters-park for righties and I see no problem targeting them in both cash games and tournaments. Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve are the 2 top options and they both hit righties god enough. Josh Reddick and George Springer will hold the 1 and 2 spot and both make very solid plays. McCann and Beltran fit better in GPPs, but I couldn’t blame you for using either in cash games. Gaviglio will only lst 4 or 5 innings and the Mariners bullpen isn’t very good. Target the Stros in both cash games and tournaments.
Main Stack – Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Beltran
Sneaky Stack – Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Brian McCann, Marwin Gonzalez
MLB Fantasy Lineup Today – June 26, 2017
*Austyn Varney*
MLB Fantasy Lineup Today – June 26, 2017
Welcome to Lineup Lab’s Best MLB Fantasy Lineup Today, where we feature our top players for our MLB Lineup Optimizer on Fanduel and Draftkings. Put your favorite stacks from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the MLB Player Lab.
Starting Pitchers
Chris Sale
Opponent – Vs. MIN
Park – Fenway Park
Vegas Favorite (BOS -193)
Vegas Total (8.5)
When Chris Sale is pitching you can certainly expect to find him in this spot. He is always going to be the top pitcher on the slate and I actually thought he would be more expensive tonight. That’s not to say he’s cheap, still forcing you to pay down in numerous spots to afford him. The problem is you don’t really have a strong alternative. Sure, there are some talented guys on the slate. There is nobody who compares to Chris Sale in Fenway Park. Sale has been absolutely dominant to start this ’17 campaign, posting a combined wOBA of .242. He’s also striking out 12.2 batters per 9 innings, which is very telling in itself. His peripherals suggest, if anything, he’s actually just getting a bit unlucky. The point is Chris Sale is amazing and he’s going to have some insane games on the season. This could certainly be one, facing off with the Twins at home in Fenway. The Twins offense is slightly scary, but hot too bad. Miguel Sano and Brian Dozier are the only 2 real worry spots, albeit very real ones On a side note, I actually don’t hate rostering either one of the guys in large-field tournaments. Getting back to this match-up, the Twins leave a lot to be desired. They strikeout 22% of the time against lefties and have a few guys who have simply no shot against Sale. Kepler, Polanco, Grossman, and Castro have all struck out over 25% of the time against lefties and have absolutely no chance against Sale. If you want to play cash games on this slate, I would advise finding a way to fit Sale. He’s the clear top options and makes for the top player in both formats.
Jeff Samardzija
Opponent – Vs. COL
Park – AT&T Park
Vegas Favorite (SF -120)
Vegas Total (8.5)
After Sale, we see a pretty steep fall to the number 2. There are definitely a lot of ways you can go here, but I ended up on Jeff Samardzija. Jeff “Shark” Samardzija is a guy who will consistently put up solid games, though he’ll rarely step out of that comfort zone and wow. He has a very safe match-up tonight, facing the Rockies porous offense in AT&T Park. A lot of people have the perception that the Rockies are an elite offense. If you put 25 of these MLB offenses in Coors Field for half of their games, they would be better. The Rockies ranked 26th in terms of wOBA in 2016 on the road and can’t get away from it at AT&T Park. It has ben in the bottom 3 for hitting for many years in a row now and against righties, good luck. Samardzija has held a .302 wOBA against righties, so the likes of Arenado, Reynolds, and LeMahieu should be held down at the top of the order. CarGo and Blackmon are the 2 obvious trouble pieces and it may come down to whether or not he can avoid them. When looking at the other options you have to choose from, I’ll take Samardzija in AT&T Park. Some may also make an argument for his counterpart in German Marquez, which I don’t hate, but only in tournaments.
Offensive Stacks
Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Los Angeles Angels (Ricky Nolasco R)
Park – Dodger Stadium
The Dodgers are a pretty easy offense to love tonight. For god’s sake, they face Ricky Nolasco. Ricky Nolasco was a pitcher who used to stifle offenses, but that was about 50 years ago. He’s now posting a .390 wOBA against righties and a .360 against lefties. He moves into Dodger Stadium, which is actually a slight upgrade from Angels Stadium. The Dodgers are obviously one of the more lethal offenses in all of the league, possessing bats from both side of the plate that rakes righties. We start off with Babe Ruth. I mean Cody Bellinger. Bellinger and Corey Seager have been ridiculous against righties this season and look to be the future of this franchise. They will both remain in every Dodgers stack I create. You then work into Justin Turner, who is very safe as well. As a righty, he swings it better against opposing righties, which plays into Nolasco and his reverse splits. Once you get past Turner, you can go a ton of different ways, wait for the lineup to come out and take your pick.
Main Stack – Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Logan Forsythe/Chase Utley (leadoff)
Sneaky Stack – Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig
New York Yankees @ Chicago White Sox (Dylan Holmberg L)
Park – Guaranteed Rate Field
The Yankees offense is another pretty obvious one on this slate. This slate is a bit odd, with only a few games and a few offenses that stand far above the rest. Even if the Yankees do end up being popular, I see the merit in going here. They are raking what seems like every night and I certainly don’t see Dylan Holmberg slowing that down. Holmberg has been decent in hos own right, but not really. A .220 BABIP throws absolutely every number out of the window. The regression monster is going to come and it’s probably going to come tonight. Gary Sanchez may seem like the obvious choice, but he’s actually better against lefties. That’s not to say I’ll be avoiding him. I just think he sees an inflated ownership tag. Aaron Judge is my favorite of the bunch with Aaron Hicks emerging next, both holding a .400+ wOBA against lefties. You then get into Starlin Castro and Matt Holliday, who are very safe and have HR upside as well. After that, you don’t have a lot with this team. You know where to look and who to target. Guaranteed Rate Field is a + park for hitting and the righties should have a better time here than they do at home in Yankee Stadium. All in all, the Yankees are one of the top offenses on the day and you will want to make sure you get exposure one way or another.
Main Stack – Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Starlin Castro, Matt Holliday
Sneaky Stack – Aaron Judge, Matt Holliday, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Hicks