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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

After a quiet Thursday, Friday brings a full slate of 15 games in the majors. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Jacob deGrom vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $11,700
DraftKings = $13,600

This is the premier pitching matchup to target for your entry. The Mets season has been a disappointment, but deGrom has been spectacular with a 1.69 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 1.01 WHIP. He’s always provided plenty of strikeouts, but he currently has career-highs in both swinging-strike rate (15.2%) and strikeout rate (31.4%). When hitters do actually make contact, they haven’t squared him up with a 27.8% hard-hit rate and only five home runs in 101.1 innings. The Marlins have one of the worst lineups in baseball, leaving deGrom with tremendous upside.

Marco Gonzales vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,800

Gonzales had a daunting two-start week last week, facing both the Red Sox and Yankees on the road. He understandably struggled, allowing 11 runs in 12.1 innings. Before those bad outings, he had allowed three runs or fewer in six straight starts. He’s not a great source for strikeouts, but he’s shown excellent control by throwing a first-pitch strike to 67.6% of the hitters that he has faced and allowing just 2.0 BB/9. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (283) in baseball, leaving Gonzales with upside in tournament play despite his lack of strikeout potential.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Jesus Aguilar vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Aguilar went deep again Thursday, marking his third straight game with a home run. He is absolutely on fire right now, hitting 16-for-36 (.444) with nine home runs and three doubles in his last 11 games. Even with Eric Thames healthy, the Brewers are not going to take Aguilar out of their lineup. Romano has allowed 1.5 HR/9 and plenty of base runners with a 1.47 WHIP, potentially setting Aguilar up for another big performance.

Yonder Alonso vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,600

After a series in St. Louis without the DH limited Alonso’s playing time, the Indians return to American League play Friday. You want to avoid playing Alonso against lefties, but he’s a great option against righties since he has a .352 wOBA against them this season. Blackburn allows a ton of baserunners and doesn’t have strikeout stuff, so Alonso is a cheap option with upside if you don’t want to pay up for Aguilar.

Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and Tucker Barnhart (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Dee Gordon vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Gordon continues to hit for a high average and is 24-for-73 (.329) in his last 16 games. He provides close to nothing in terms of power, but he did score 11 runs over that stretch. Kennedy is having another bad season with a 5.09 ERA and allows plenty of base runners with a 1.45 WHIP, leaving Gordon as someone to consider despite his lack of home run potential.

Yoan Moncada vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Gallardo hasn’t finished with an ERA below 5.42 since 2015. He’s only made two starts for the Rangers and didn’t pitch well in either of them, allowing nine runs and 17 total base runners in 10.1 innings. He also allowed three home runs after posting a 1.7 HR/9 with the Mariners last year. Moncada only has a .199 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he’s been much better against righties with a .336 wOBA.

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Jason Kipnis

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400

Considering Blackburn has an 8.83 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP, the Indians could be one of the most popular stacking plays Friday. Ramirez has not only been one of the best hitters on the team this season, but he’s been one of the best hitters in all of baseball by batting .291 with 23 home runs, 52 RBI, 55 runs scored and 13 steals.

Justin Turner vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,900

Turner is showing signs of getting his power stroke back, slugging two home runs in his last five games. He’s had a slow start in general since returning from a wrist injury but is 6-for-15 (.400) during that same five-game stretch. Turner not only has a .436 wOBA against lefties this year, but he is 10-for-18 with a home run and three doubles against Anderson in his career.

Others to consider: Matt Carpenter and Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,300

Lindor had a rough series against the Cardinals, finishing 1-for-12 with one walk. He had homered in three straight games before the series began and is having the best power season of his career with a .539 slugging percentage. He’s still hitting for average as well at .288, so look for him to get back on track facing a much easier opponent Friday.

Kike Hernandez vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500

Even though Chris Taylor returned from a hamstring injury Thursday, the Dodgers still found a way to keep Hernandez in their lineup. He rewarded them with two hits and two RBI and is now 19-for-55 (.345) with six home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in his last 16 games. With a .359 wOBA against lefties, expect the Dodgers to start him against Anderson.

Others to consider: Jean Segura and Tim Anderson

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Nelson Cruz vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Kennedy has allowed at least 31 home runs in each of the last three seasons and is on pace to do that again this year with 15 home runs allowed in 86.2 innings. That plays right into Cruz’s wheelhouse as he already has 21 homers this year and has slugged at least 39 home runs in each of the last four seasons.

Rhys Hoskins vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900

Hoskins couldn’t buy a hit in May, batting only .161 with two home runs in the month. Hoskins then fractured his jaw after fouling off a pitch at the end of the month, forcing him to hit the DL. He came back quickly and has found his stroke again, batting .329 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 18 games. Fedde has a 5.32 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in four starts this season and is really only in the starting rotation due to injuries to Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson.

Avisail Garcia vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

The White Sox struggle to score runs, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look to stack them against Gallardo based on how poorly he has been pitching. Garcia was one of the prime regression candidates at the start of the season as his .338 average last year was largely aided by an unsustainable .392 BABIP. Injuries have limited him to 104 plate appearances, but he has two home runs during his current five-game hitting streak and is worth the risk at this cheap price.

Others to consider: Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

Baseball kicks off the week with 12 games on the schedule Monday, 10 of which will make up the main 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

Cole Hamels vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = 9,900

Hamels has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, but his 5.14 FIP indicates he hasn’t pitched that well. He’s been aided by a .253 opponents BABIP, which is 30 points lower than his career mark. He has also allowed 1.8 HR/9, which is by far the highest of his career. On the plus side, his strikeout percentage is up from 17.1% last year to 23.4% this season. He has also allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, two of which were tough matchups against the Angels and Dodgers. This will be a much more favorable matchup against the Padres, who are tied for the sixth-fewest runs scored (300) in baseball.

Jameson Taillon vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = 7,900

Taillon’s 4.03 ERA isn’t great, but it should be noted that a lot of the damage done to his ERA came in three starts where he allowed 18 runs in 11 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his other 12 starts, including in five straight outings. His career-high 9.7% swinging-strike rate has also resulted in an 8.5 K/9. The Mets have scored the fifth-fewest runs (299) in baseball and could be without Brandon Nimmo, who was hit in the finger on Sunday. If he’s not in the lineup, this matchup really leans heavily in Taillon’s favor.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Goldschmidt is on an amazing run right now, batting .393 with a .490 OBP in June. He’s not just hitting for a high average, slugging 10 home runs over that stretch after having only seven total entering the month. Straily not only allows a lot of base runners with a 1.50 WHIP, but he’s also allowed a staggering 2.2 HR/9. Goldschmidt is expensive, but this matchup might be too good to pass up.

Justin Bour vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500

It’s been a long road back for Miller after he appeared in only four games last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery. His first season with the Diamondbacks in 2016 was a disaster, finishing with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Bour has a .382 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season and is a viable cheap option if you don’t want to pay up for Goldschmidt.

Others to consider: J.T. Realmuto (catcher) and Yonder Alonso (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

Cesar Hernandez vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,700

Hernandez has largely had a disappointing season as he is batting .265 after hitting exactly .294 in both of the last two years. He has a career-high 15.3% walk rate, but his 21.5% strikeout rate is up over three percent from last year. His numbers are better against left-handed pitchers, but Loaisiga was pitching in Double-A this season before the Yankees had to call him up due to injuries. He has allowed 15 baserunners in his first 8.2 innings in the majors, so Hernandez is someone to consider even though he doesn’t have the platoon advantage.

Dee Gordon vs. Andrew Casher, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Gordon has provided pretty much what you should have expected from him to start the season, batting .287 with 19 steals. He has only one home run, but that’s not surprising since he only has 12 in his entire career. Cashner has been hit hard with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP this season, leaving Gordon with some upside despite his lack of power.

Others to consider: Daniel Descalso and Asdrubal Cabrera

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

Jose Ramirez vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,500

It will be a tough task considering the seasons Mike Trout and Mookie Betts are having, but Ramirez is putting up numbers that should at least put him in the MVP discussion. He is hitting for a high average again at .296, but he also has 23 home runs and 20 doubles. He has shown an excellent eye at the plate as well with 50 walks compared to only 40 strikeouts. To top it all off, he has 12 stolen bases. He’s someone to target for your entry most nights, but especially against Gant considering he has a .447 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Adrian Beltre vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,300

If Beltre can just stay healthy, he is going to put up numbers. He’s already made two trips to the disabled list this season, but he is still batting .314. His power numbers are down, but two of his four home runs have come in his last six games. He has traditionally thrived against left-handed pitchers as he has a .381 wOBA against them for his career.

Others to consider: Max Muncy and Kyle Seager

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

Francisco Lindor vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400

As crazy as Ramirez has been this season, Lindor is giving his teammate a run for his money by hitting .296 with 19 home runs and 24 doubles. He hasn’t shown the same stellar eye at the plate, but he’s done damage on the base paths as well with 10 steals. He wasn’t exactly playing at his best earlier in June, but he is 8-for-18 with three home runs in his last five games.

Elvis Andrus vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

Andrus has missed most of the season with an elbow injury and is only 2-for-21 since being activated from the disabled list. He is coming off the best season of his career when he hit .297 with 20 home runs and 25 steals in 2017. He has finished with a wOBA of at least .357 against lefties in both of the last two years and Lucchesi has allowed a .350 wOBA to righties, so this might be just the matchup Andrus needs to get back on track.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Willy Adames

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18

Nelson Cruz vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FannDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200

The Red Sox must be happy to see Cruz leave town after he finished a three-game series against them 8-for-13 with two home runs. Cruz has hit 10 home runs in June overall, raising his total to 20 for the season. He is once again on pace to slug at least 40 home runs for what would be the fourth time in the last five seasons. The only time he didn’t reach that mark was when he hit 39 homers last year. When he’s hot like this, Cruz can win you a lot of money.

Odubel Herrera vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,100

Herrera is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, batting .422 with six home runs in his last 10 games. Last year he only had 14 home runs, but he showed power potential with 42 doubles. He’s been able to convert more of those doubles into homers this year as he has already left the ballpark 13 times. He obviously won’t be able to keep up his recent blistering pace, but this is a great matchup to take advantage of against Loaisiga.

Derek Dietrich vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,800

You don’t hear about him much, but Dietrich is batting .302 with 11 home runs in a bad Marlins lineup. He’s hitting a robust .392 in June, but a lot of that can be attributed to his abnormally high .471 BABIP. The power numbers are encouraging, though, and he does have a career-high 38.8% hard-hit rate on the season overall.  With a .371 wOBA against righties, he’s a cheap option to take a chance on in tournament play.

Others to consider: David Peralta and Joc Pederson

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

Monday brings a quiet night in baseball with only eight games on the schedule. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

Madison Bumgarner vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $10,400

Bumgarner finally made his season debut last week against the Diamondbacks and allowed two runs to go along with three strikeouts in six innings. He threw just 82 pitches, but he had only made two minor league rehab starts before he returned. He gets a great matchup against a Marlins team that has scored the fewest runs (224) in baseball and should be able to throw more pitches, making him a great option Monday.

Sam Gaviglio vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $7,300

Gaviglio has done an excellent job with Marcus Stroman (shoulder) out, recording a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 7.4 K/9 across four starts. He was very impressive in his last start against the Yankees as he finished with four strikeouts in seven shutout innings.  You shouldn’t be counting on Gaviglio for a lot of strikeouts, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at this cheap price. The Rays don’t hit for a lot of power and have scored the sixth-fewest runs (260) in baseball, setting Gaviglio up as someone to consider in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

Jose Martinez vs. Jordan Lyles, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Martinez is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak that has seen him hit 14-for-28 (.500) with four home runs and nine RBI. He was off to a slow start in the homer department, but his batting average has been excellent and is now up to .320. He’s done a great job cutting down on his strikeouts this season, following up his 19.5% strikeout rate last year with a 13.4% mark this season. He’s had no problems against right-handed pitchers this year either with a .388 wOBA against them.

Yonder Alonso vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,700

An Indians stack could provide a hefty return Monday. Giolito has been awful this season, posting a 7.08 ERA, 6.20 FIP, and 1.66 WHIP. He has actually allowed more walks (39) than he has strikeouts (31). Lefties have a .409 wOBA against him, making Alonso a cheaper option with upside to target.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Buster Posey (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

Ian Kinsler vs. Wade LeBlanc, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,600

Kinsler’s long slump to start the season appears to finally be in his rearview mirror. In his last 12 games, Kinsler is 19-for-49 (.388) with six home runs and four doubles. He also struck out only twice during that stretch. LeBlanc is doing a fine job at the back end of the Mariners rotation, but it’s still worth riding Kinsler’s hot bat since he also has a .374 wOBA for his career against lefties.

Daniel Descalso vs. Joe Musgrove, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,800

Descalso is well on his way to having the best season of his career. He’s never hit more than 10 home runs in a season, but he already has seven in 57 games. He’s batting .261 as well with a career-high .360 OBP. His 42.1% hard-hit rate might not be easy to sustain over the course of the season, but he’s established himself as an important part of a Diamondbacks offense that has largely disappointed. He also has a .391 wOBA against righties, bringing him into the discussion against Musgrove.

Others to consider: Jonathan Schoop and Ben Zobrist

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,600

The only reason you shouldn’t play Ramirez against Giolito is if you can’t make his hefty price tag work into your budget. He has a 1.007 OPS and is well on his way to hitting at least 30 home runs in a season for the first time in his career. He has almost even splits against righties and lefties, which only further illustrates his well-rounded hitting abilities.

Evan Longoria vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,700

Chen’s season hasn’t been as bad a Giolito’s, but he’s not exactly pitching well with a 5.86 ERA and a 6.19 FIP. Combine his 1.56 WHIP with a 2.0 HR/9 and you get the potential for disastrous outings whenever he takes the mound. Longoria has struggled with a .262 wOBA against righties this season but has hit lefties much better with a .380 wOBA.

Others to consider: Kris Bryant and Matt Carpenter

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000

Lindor is expensive too, but not quite as much as Ramirez, which might make him easier to fit into your entry. He was slumping heading into Sunday but broke out of it by hitting 3-for-5 with a double and two steals. He has dominated left-handed pitching this year, but he’s not exactly struggling against righties with a .358 wOBA.

Jean Segura vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Segura might not get a lot of headlines due to his lack of power, but he’s been a big reason why the Mariners enter the day tied for first place in the AL West. His .337 average has been aided by an abnormally high .377 BABIP and he doesn’t walk much, but he has hit a least .300 in both the last two seasons and should continue to provide value in that department. He has a .379 wOBA against lefties as well, which could leave him as a difficult out for Heaney.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Brock Holt

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/18

Michael Brantley vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,800

Brantley has been able to stay healthy after playing only 101 games in the last two seasons combined. He’s provided excellent all-around production by batting .319 with 10 home runs. He only has 20 strikeouts in 236 plate appearances and has never struck out more than 76 times in a season, so expect that trend to continue. His .312 BABIP is right in line with his career mark as well. He’s certainly towards the top of the list of Indians to stack against Giolito.

Marcell Ozuna vs. Jordan Lyles, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,800

Cardinals fans and fantasy owners watched Ozuna get off to a slow start this year as he entered May hitting only .250 with two home runs. He’s still lacking in the power department with just six home runs and six doubles this season, but he’s been able to work his batting average up to .278. Lyles has allowed at least four runs in three of his last four starts, so although Ozuna doesn’t have the platoon advantage in this game, he’s still a viable option at this price.

Andrew McCutchen vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium = Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,000

McCutchen isn’t exactly having a banner year with the Giants, batting only .260 with six home runs. His strikeout rate is also 22.8%, which would be the highest of his career. He has traditionally hit lefties very well, posting a .407 wOBA against them in his career. With Chen’s struggles already detailed, McCutchen is another Giants righty to consider working into your lineup.

Others to consider: Nelson Cruz and Teoscar Hernandez

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

With only one day game Friday, we’re back to a packed night slate in DFS for baseball. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

Justin Verlander vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $11,600
DraftKings = $12,400

Verlander didn’t exactly struggle in his last few seasons with the Tigers, but he’s taken his game to another level since joining the Astros. His 1.24 ERA is likely to increase as the season wears on, but his 2.20 FIP indicates he could still finish with great numbers. Not only has he shown excellent control with a 1.8 BB/9, but his 31.9% strikeout rate is the highest of his career. He has already faced the Rangers three times this season, allowing two runs to go along with 23 strikeouts across 20 innings. He’s certainly expensive, but he has terrific upside.

Frankie Montas vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $7,900

Montas made 23 appearances out of the bullpen for the Athletics last year and did not pitch well with a 7.03 ERA, 7.13 FIP, and a 1.84 WHIP. He did show strikeout upside, though, with a 10.1 K/9. He had a 9.2 K/9 for his career in the minors, so that lofty mark wasn’t exactly out of left field. The Athletics have been hit hard by injuries, forcing Montas to join the starting rotation. He’s made two starts so far, allowing one run in 14 innings. His last start came against these same Royals and he threw eight shutout innings to go along with two strikeouts. The lack of strikeouts was disappointing, but the Royals do have the fewest strikeouts (454) in baseball. They are in the bottom-third in runs scored, though, leaving Montas as a cost-effective option in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

Mitch Moreland vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Covey has trouble keeping runners off base, resulting in a 1.43 WHIP this season. He had a similar problem last year when he posted a 1.67 WHIP across 18 games, 12 of which were starts. Moreland is having the best season of his career not only with a .303 average but also a .612 slugging percentage. He has a .441 wOBA against righties as well, making him a strong option for your entry.

C.J. Cron vs. Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,700

Cron is slumping a bit in June, hitting 3-for-23 (.130) in six games. He’s been dragged down by a .111 BABIP during that stretch and was hitting well coming into the month, so expect him to rebound sooner rather than later. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track since he has a .393 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Jose Martinez (first base) and Wilson Ramos (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

Daniel Descalso vs. German Marquez, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100

Descalso has never hit for much power since the highest slugging percentage of his career was a .424 mark set in 2016. That is the only season he has finished with a slugging percentage over .400. This year has been a different story as he enters Friday with a .514 slugging percentage. Part of that increase is likely due to his career-high 42.4% hard-hit rate. Marquez allows a lot of base runners with a 1.46 WHIP and this game will be played in hitter-friendly Coors Field, leaving Descalso with significant upside.

Starlin Castro vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,600

The Padres have very little pitching depth, which has kept Lauer in the starting rotation despite his 6.82 ERA and 1.98 WHIP. He has a 4.5 BB/9 and a 1.8 HR/9, which has left him susceptible to ugly outings. Righties have had plenty of success against him with a .421 wOBA, so Castro is a viable option if you’re looking to save money at second base.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Ian Kinsler

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,500

Ramirez has supplied the Indians with a lot of power this season, hitting 19 home runs and 19 doubles in 59 games. His batting average hasn’t suffered at the expense of his increased power since he is still hitting .298. He is 4-for-10 with two home runs and a double against Fulmer in his career, who doesn’t exactly have overpowering stuff with a 6.9 K/9 for his career.

Matt Carpenter vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,000

Carpenter had batted at least .271 in each of his first five seasons in the majors but took a step backward last year with a .241 average. His strikeout rate only slightly increased and his walk rate actually improved, but he was somewhat unlucky with a .274 BABIP. His flyball rate was also almost 10 percentage points higher than his career mark. He’s continued to struggle with a .225 average this year and he only has a .267 wOBA against lefties. He is hitting righties better with a .332 wOBA and Harvey has allowed a .410 wOBA to left-handed hitters, so this matchup does swing in Carpenter’s favor.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Brian Anderson

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

Xander Bogaerts vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500

Bogaerts made the All-Star team in 2016 and finished the season with 21 home runs and 34 doubles. It looked like he was going to provide power at the shortstop position for years to come and while he did still have 32 doubles in 2017, he hit just 10 home runs. A lot of that had to do with a hand injury that he played through for much of the season. He’s healthy now and already has nine home runs. He has a .367 wOBA against righties as well, so don’t shy away from him just because he doesn’t have the righty/lefty advantage against Covey.

Brock Holt vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,500

With Dustin Pedroia (knee) back on the disabled list, it’s open up increased playing time for Holt again. Holt has cashed in his opportunity to get more at-bats this season as he is hitting .319 with a .389 OBP. He doesn’t hit for power, but he does only have 15 strikeouts compared to 11 walks. Most of his at-bats this year have come against right-handed pitchers, who he has a .348 wOBA against.

Others to consider: Jean Segura and Marwin Gonzalez

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18

Andrew Benintendi vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600

Benintendi enters this game red-hot as he has four home runs in his last five games. He has at least two hits in five of his last eight games to increase his average to .299. After posting his first 20 home run, 20 stolen base season last year, he looks to be on his way to reaching that mark again with 11 homers and 10 steals. If you’re looking to stack Red Sox hitters against Covey, Benintendi should be towards the top of your list.

Matt Kemp vs. Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,500

Kemp has at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games, hitting 19-for-45 (.422) with five home runs. He is hitting .349 overall, but don’t expect that to hold considering his .404 BABIP. McCarthy’s 4.83 ERA isn’t great, but it really could be worse since he has a 1.50 WHIP. Keep riding Kemp’s hot bat.

Joc Pederson vs. Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,900

Pederson is hitting well right now also, batting 8-for-16 with five longballs in his last four games. He only has six home runs this year total, but he can do a lot of damage when he’s locked in. His .389 wOBA against righties makes him another Dodger worth considering for your entry.

Others to consider: Marcell Ozuna and David Peralta

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

With only one day game Friday, there is a bevy of options to choose from for the main evening 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Max Scherzer vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $14,000

Scherzer has won the Cy Young Award in both of the last two seasons and three times overall in his career. With the way he’s been pitching so far, he’s making a strong case to win it once again. He does an excellent job keeping runners off base with a 0.85 WHIP, which would be his fourth-straight season with a WHIP of 0.97 or lower. He also has a staggering 17.2% swinging-strike rate that has led to a career-high 14.3 K/9. What might be just as impressive is that he has only issued 16 walks in 65.2 innings. He’s a great option regardless of who he is facing, but especially against a Marlins team that has scored the fewest runs (167) in baseball.

Sean Manaea vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,600

Manaea began the season by allowing two runs or fewer in each of his first six starts, highlighted by a no-hitter against the Red Sox. His last four starts haven’t gone nearly as well, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) in 22.2 innings. One of the main reasons for his recent struggles has been a regression in his BABIP allowed, which was .148 in those first six starts and was .301 in the last four outings. However, this might be the matchup he needs to get back on track since the Diamondbacks have scored the second-fewest runs (180) and they sorely miss A.J. Pollock (thumb).

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Matt Adams vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

The Nationals have been decimated by injuries this season, opening up significant playing time for Adams. He’s come through in a major way, batting .273 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI. He even has those numbers despite his .264 BABIP being 50 percentage points lower than his career mark. He has followed up his .367 wOBA against lefties last year with a .441 wOBA this year, so Urena could have difficulty getting him out Friday.

Salvador Perez vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000

Minor’s transition back to being a starting pitcher has not gone well, allowing a 5.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across nine starts. His FIP has been a little better at 4.41, but he’s already allowed eight home runs in just 48.1 innings. He still gives left-handed hitters a lot of problems, but his .384 wOBA allowed to righties brings Perez into the discussion Friday.

Others to consider: Eric Hosmer (first base) and Edwin Encarnacion (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Ozzie Albies vs. Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,300

After hitting nine home runs in his first 27 games, Albies has slowed down a bit with five homers in his last 21 contests. He only hit 16 total home runs during his career in the minors, so it’s no surprise that he’s started to regress in that department. One interesting note is that 12 of his 14 home runs this year have come on the road. He is crushing lefties as well, posting a 232 wRC+ against them this season.

Whit Merrifield vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Stacking righties against Minor could be a path to success Friday. Merrifield broke out of his recent slump with two hits Thursday and is batting .286 this season. Not only has he shown a nice combination of speed and power this year, but he also has a 226 wRC+ against lefties.

Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Josh Harrison

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,300

Ramirez is officially over his early-season slump, batting .338 with seven homers and five steals in May. He only had a .241 BABIP heading into the month, so you knew he was bound to improve as the season progressed. Keuchel is certainly a good pitcher, but his wOBA against righties is 50 percentage points higher than it is against lefties in his career. This might not be an obvious matchup to take advantage of, but Ramirez has upside.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa vs, Eric Skoglund, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,500

Skoglund is getting his first chance to be a permanent member of the Royals starting rotation and it’s not going well as he has a 6.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across eight starts. He doesn’t carry strikeout upside with a 6.9 K/9 and has allowed a .357 wOBA against right-handed hitters, making Kiner-Falefa a cheap option who could provide value.

Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Jurickson Profar vs. Eric Skoglund, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,700

With Skoglund and all of his struggles, the Rangers are another team to consider stacking. Profar is finally getting consistent playing time with all of the Rangers injury woes and although he is batting just .237, he is hitting 7-for-22 with a home run, three doubles and 11 RBI in his last six games. He received the day off Thursday and missed out on a prime matchup against Danny Duffy, but facing Skoglund is just as favorable.

Dansby Swanson vs. Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,200

Swanson couldn’t capitalize on his first opportunity to be an everyday player in the majors last year, batting only .232 with six home runs. He’s still not hitting for much power this year, but his .273 batting average is much improved. His .374 BABIP is high, so his average could decline as the season progresses. However, that might not start against Rodriguez since Swanson has traditionally had much more success against lefties.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Trevor Story

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Austin Meadows vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,800

Meadows has wasted no time making his mark in six games with the Pirates, batting .440 with three home runs and two doubles. He already has four multi-hit games and is creating a hard decision for the Pirates to make when Starling Marte (oblique) returns. Until then, continue to ride his hot streak.

Juan Soto vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,400

Another one of the hot young prospects in baseball, Soto is 3-for-10 with a home run since being called up by the Nationals. Down some key outfielders, Soto should at least stay in the majors for the foreseeable future. Urena’s wOBA against lefties is 64 percentage points higher than it is against righties, making Soto another Nationals hitter to target.

Brandon Nimmo vs. Junior Guerra, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,600

With Yoenis Cespedes (hip) and Juan Lagares (toe) on the DL, regular playing time has opened up for Nimmo. He hasn’t let the opportunity go to waste, batting .294 with a .450 OBP. His .394 BABIP screams regression, but he did hit .280 with a .388 OBP in his career in the minors. He also has a .476 wOBA against righties this year, so he might be worth taking a chance on against Guerra.

Others to consider: Bryce Harper and Charlie Blackmon

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

As is the case most Wednesday’s, we’ve got game spread out between the day and evening slates for DFS today. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Walker Buehler vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $8,500

Regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, Buehler has continued to shine in the majors. He’s making a case to stick in the Dodgers’ rotation even when they get healthy, posting a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 through four starts. His FIP stands at 1.64 and he’s allowed a .288 BABIP, so his supporting numbers further highlight his strong start. His first start of the year came against these same Marlins, holding them scoreless over five innings while recording five strikeouts. Since they have scored the fewest runs (142) and hit the fewest home runs (31) in baseball, Buehler could again be in line for a valuable performance.

J.A. Happ vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $9,400

Happ’s 4.80 ERA doesn’t instill confidence, but it is a bit inflated after he allowed seven runs in 3.1 innings in his last start against the Mariners. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his eight outings and has a career-high 11.2 K/9, led by an 11.7% swinging strike rate. The Mets have one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring the sixth-fewest runs (165). They also have the worst OPS against left-handed pitchers (.593) by a wide margin, leaving Happ as a viable option in tournament play if you are playing the early slate.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Carlos Santana vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,900
DratfKings =$4,900

Santana has finally woken up after a slow start, batting .289 with five home runs in May. He still only has a .216 BABIP this month, leaving him with even more room for improvement. Cashner is off to a bad start as well with a 5.74 FIP and 1.50 WHIP through eight outings. Santana has hit right-handers well in his career and has a .337 wOBA against them this year despite all his struggles, so don’t sleep on him Wednesday.

Jose Osuna vs. Hector Santiago, Chicago White Sox
Stadium = PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,000

Santiago has made 11 appearances for the White Sox this season, but Wednesday will mark only his third start. He hasn’t pitched well, posting a 5.60 ERA, 5.67 FIP, and 1.68 WHIP. He started 14 of his 15 games last season and wasn’t any better, finishing with a 5.63 ERA, 6.02 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP. Osuna is batting cleanup in this game and already has two home runs in 10 plate appearances against lefties this year, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play. Of note, he is only first base eligible on DraftKings as he is listed as an outfielder on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Wilson Contreras (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Javier Baez vs, Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DratfKings = $4,500

McCarthy got off to a hot start by allowing three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts but he has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four. His last two outings were particularly concerning since he gave up 14 runs to the Giants and Marlins, neither of which have a great lineup. The Cubs present an excellent stacking opportunity Wednesday, Baez included.

Howie Kendrick vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,300

Sabathia’s 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP look great, but he’s been a bit lucky with opponents posting just a .255 BABIP. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff anymore with a 6.9 K/9 this year, but he’s helped make up for it with a career-low 1.2 BB/9. Kendrick recorded a .385 wOBA against lefties last year, leaving him with a favorable chance to provide value.

Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,100

Ramirez is rolling right now, hitting 8-for-20 with three home runs and three doubles in his last five games. The lefty Carpenter did make one start for the Tigers earlier this year, allowing three runs in three innings against the Pirates. He wasn’t exactly pitching well in Triple-A this season either with a 5.01 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across seven starts. Ramirez finished with a .395 wOBA against lefties last year and has been even better with a .419 mark this season. He is one of several Indians hitters who could excel in this game.

Justin Turner vs. Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Turner played in his first game Tuesday after missing the start of the season with a wrist injury. The Dodgers badly need his bat in their lineup with the loss of Corey Seager (elbow), so he is certainly a welcomed addition. He mashed left-handers for a 206 wRC+ last year, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry even though it’s only his second game back.

Others to consider: Eugenio Suarez and Daniel Descalso

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,500

Lindor’s 15-game hitting streak was snapped Tuesday, but that’s mostly because he didn’t get a chance to do much damage, drawing a walk in four of his five plate appearances. He’s one of the hottest hitters in the league right now and already has eight home runs in May, making him yet another Indians’ hitter you want to try and squeeze into your entry.

Brandon Crawford vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,300

Speaking of shortstops on a hot streak, Crawford is batting .412 with 1.017 OPS in May. Harvey pitched well in his first start with the Reds, but he still only had two strikeouts in four innings. After he allowed a .426 wOBA to left-handed hitters last year, Crawford could have a good chance of keeping his hot streak alive for at least one more game.

Others to consider: Trea Turner and Chris Taylor

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Odubel Herrera vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Herrera has been hot out of the gate, batting .360 with a .992 OPS. He likely won’t be able to sustain that average considering his .400 BABIP, but it is encouraging that his walk rate is up while his strikeout rate is down. His .436 wOBA against righties this year makes him another Phillies’ hitter to target against Cashner.

Nomar Mazara vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Bergman will be making his first start in the majors Wednesday, although he hasn’t exactly dominated in the minors this year with a 3.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He’s had trouble keeping runners off base in his previous appearances in the majors, posting a 1.50 WHIP for his career. Mazara only has a .272 wOBA in his career against lefties but has been much better against righties with a .340 wOBA.

Joey Gallo vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000

It’s all or nothing when it comes to Gallo, who has 12 home runs despite batting .199 and striking out in one-third of his plate appearances. Not only has Bergman struggled to keep runners off base, but he also has a 1.6 HR/9 for his career to go along with only a 5.5 K/9. This is the type of matchup that Gallo thrives off of.

Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Denard Span

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

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 5/4/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

With a full slate of night games in baseball Friday, there are a lot of options to wade through while creating your DFS lineup. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Joey Lucchesi vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,300

Lucchesi has burst onto the scene for a Padres team that desperately needs starting pitching, recording a 2.78 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 this season. His FIP sits at 3.13 and his .280 BABIP allowed isn’t terribly low, so there is a chance he could come close to sustaining this type of production moving forward. He has also shown strikeout upside in the minors with a 10.1 K/9 in 181 career innings. The Dodgers lineup has suffered some key injuries and has the fourth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.663) in baseball, making Lucchesi a viable option at a reasonable price Friday.

Francisco Liriano vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = 7,000

Liriano has stuck in the rotation for the rebuilding Tigers and has a 3.38 ERA through five starts. His FIP is 4.49 and opponents have just a .215 BABIP against him, so his ERA might not hold up this well for much longer. The good news is he still provides problems for left-handed hitters, holding them to a .286 wOBA in 2017 and a .127 wOBA so far this season. Some of the Royals best hitters are lefties, which could spell bad news for them Friday. This will actually be Liriano’s third start of the season against the Royals and he pitched well in the first two matchups, allowing a total of four earned runs to go along with nine strikeouts in 12 innings. If you are looking to go with a more cost-effective starter for your lineup, there is potential for value here with Liriano.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Gary Sanchez vs. Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,900

Sanchez is only batting .204 this season, but he’s made his hits count with eight home runs, eight doubles, and 27 RBI. His .200 BABIP is well below normal for him, so expect his batting average to increase as the season wears on. He has a .378 wOBA against right-handed pitchers in his career, so no worries there facing the righty Tomlin on Friday. Tomlin doesn’t have overpowering stuff and has a 9.16 ERA and 1.93 WHIP this year, so this could be the day to pay up for Sanchez.

Justin Bour vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500

Bour is one of the best hitters left in the Marlins lineup, but he is off to a slow start with a .244 average. His BABIP is low at .266 and he does still have five home runs, so he has value moving forward. He hit righties very well last year with a .384 wOBA and despite his struggles, he has a .362 wOBA against them this season as well. If you’re looking for a cheaper option at first base, Bour might be worth the risk in tournament play.

Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion (first base) and Yuli Gurriel (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Jed Lowrie vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Lowrie continues to swing a hot bat, going 5-for-12 with two home runs in his last three games. The Athletics finally return home after a lengthy road trip, which is great news for Lowrie since he batted .287 at home last year and is hitting .333 there so far this year. He has a crazy 200 wRC+ against right-handers in the early going and makes a great option in DFS again Friday.

Gleyber Torres vs. Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500

Torres may not be off to the flashy start that fellow star prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. is with the Braves, but he’s played well, batting .317 with five RBI and a steal in 12 games. He’s still looking for his first home run, but he has chipped in three doubles. He has shown he can hit for a high average in the minors and is locked in as the Yankees’ everyday second baseman. Considering Tomlin’s struggles this year, Torres could provide value at this price.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Asdrubal Cabrera

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Jose Ramirez vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Ramirez was really struggling out of the gate, but he’s on fire right now. In his last five games, he is 10-for-23 with a home run, five doubles, and seven RBI. He’s hit at least .312 in back-to-back seasons, so it was only a matter of time before he got back on track. A switch-hitter, he particularly thrived against lefties last year with a .395 wOBA. Sabathia’s 1.71 ERA this season looks nice, but his 4.25 FIP indicates he has not pitched nearly that well. Ramirez looks to be in a prime spot to keep things rolling Friday.

Josh Donaldson vs. Andrew Kittredge, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $5,000

Donaldson returned from the DL in style Thursday, going 4-for-11 with two home runs and two doubles in a doubleheader against the Indians. It’s encouraging that the Blue Jays played him in both games on his first day back, which is a good sign for his value moving forward. Kittredge is starting for the Rays, but this will be another one of their bullpen days, so it might be a good idea to take advantage with Donaldson, especially with his cheap price on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Yangervis Solarte and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000

Gregorius loves hitting at home, posting a .418 average and hitting nine of his 10 home runs there so far this season. He has become an excellent hitter, especially against righties after recording a .354 wOBA against them in 2017. He’s been even better with a lofty .475 wOBA against them this season, making him one of the best options at shortstop Friday.

Andrelton Simmons vs. Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,700

Simmons continues to show he’s much more than just an excellent defensive shortstop as he is currently on a seven-game hitting streak. He’s shown power over that stretch as well, slugging two home runs to go along with four doubles. He is batting .389 with a home run in 18 career plate appearances against Leake, so he’s someone worth considering for your entry.

Others to consider: Carlos Correa and Eduardo Escobar

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/4/18

Mike Trout vs. Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $5,700

Simply put, Trout is insane. You could go on for days about his excellent numbers. He hits for a high average, a ton of power, steals bases and has an OBP of at least .402 in three straight seasons entering 2018. He’s usually a good player to target regardless of matchup but could have an especially big performance against the underwhelming Leake on Friday.

Justin Upton vs. Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300

Upton seems to have come out of his prolonged slump, hitting 6-for-17 with a home run and six RBI in his last four games. He has owned Mike Leake, batting .450 with a home run against him in 21 career plate appearances. An Angels stack could provide plenty of production Friday, Upton included.

Josh Reddick vs. Kris Medlen, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000

With Robbie Ray (oblique) on the DL, the Diamondbacks will call on Medlen to make his first appearance in the majors since 2016. A once promising young pitcher for the Braves, having Tommy John surgery for the second time in 2014 has derailed his career. He wasn’t exactly pitching well in Triple-A this season, recording a 6.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in four starts. Reddick has posted a wOBA of at least .356 against righties in each of the last four years and is a great option at a reasonable price against Medlen.

Others to consider: George Springer and Corey Dickerson

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18

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

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Second base provides a unique opportunity because you can go in any number of directions with the position. There are big power hitters, speedsters, and players that hit for high average littered throughout the position. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some second basemen who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Three

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros

This is an easy one. Not only is Altuve the best second baseman, but I’d rank him second overall behind Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Altuve won the AL-MVP last year, batting .346 with 24 home runs, 81 RBI, 112 runs scored and 32 stolen bases. He had a career-high OPS+ of 164 and played in at least 147 games for the sixth straight season. His speed and ability to hit for a high average gave him significant value early in his career, but he’s moved into elite fantasy status by clubbing at least 24 home runs in back-t0-back seasons. He’s heading into the prime of his career at just 27 years old, so don’t expect him to slow down this season.

Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians

Ramirez made his mark on fantasy baseball in 2016, hitting .312 with 11 home runs, 76 RBI, and 22 steals. He also had 46 doubles, showing signs that a big power season might soon be on the horizon. That season came last year, finishing with 29 home runs. But wait, he also hit a league-leading 56 doubles. The result was a spectacular .583 slugging percentage, putting him inside the top-10 in the league. His power did not come at the expense of his batting average either as he still hit .318. His hard hit percentage has increased each season, topping out at 34% last year. He doesn’t have as much upside as Altuve, but his ability to contribute across the board makes him the clear second best option at the keystone position.

Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins

Dozier is a masher at second base, slugging at least 28 home runs in three straight seasons. It was going to be tough for him to match the 42 home runs that he hit in 2016, but he still hit 34 homers last year. He’s more than just a slugger though, scoring at least 100 runs and stealing at least 12 bases in four straight seasons. He hindered fantasy owners with his batting average early in his career but has hit at least .268 in back-to-back seasons. He had a hard hit percentage of at least 34.1% in both of those seasons, which was a big reason why his average improved. If you miss out on Altuve or Ramirez, draft Dozier with confidence.

Overvalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Dee Gordon, Seattle Mariners

Steals are not easy to come by, but Gordon is one of the elite base stealers in all of baseball. He has led the league in steals three of the last four seasons, finishing with at least 58 steals all three times. The one year he didn’t lead the league was when he played just 79 games in 2016 due to a suspension. Amazingly, he still finished with 30 steals that year. Gordon is not just about steals though as he has a .293 career batting average and scored 114 runs last year. He’s going to play center field for the Mariners this year, but will still carry over second base eligibility. The Mariners have a potent lineup, which should leave Gordon with plenty of opportunities to score runs. The problem is, he has never hit more than four home runs or recorded more than 46 RBI in a single season. If your league counts OBP, his career mark of .329 is not impressive either. His current ADP in the NFBC is too high at 28.47, which is actually ahead of Dozier (37.87). Let someone else take him at that price.

Chris Taylor, Los Angeles Dodgers

Taylor was one of the biggest surprises in fantasy baseball last year. He played in only 120 total games the previous three seasons but played 140 games in 2017. He made the most of his opportunity, hitting .288 with 21 home runs, 72 RBI, 85 runs scored and 17 steals. One area of concern is his drastic splits though, batting .237 with a .306 BABIP at home compared to .336 with a .412 BABIP on the road. His overall numbers are valuable, but his current ADP of 90.83 is ninth-highest among second basemen. Marwin Gonzalez’s current ADP is 114.25 and he could provide very similar numbers outside of stolen bases, although he did steal eight bases last year. It might be wise to pass on Taylor if forced to select him so early.

Undervalued Players

Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Second Base

Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have one of the most flexible rosters in the league, but Happ should still get plenty of at-bats. He played in just 115 games last year, but still managed hit 24 home runs to go along with 68 RBI, 62 runs scored and eight steals. He batted only .253 though and struck out 31.2% of the time. The high strikeouts may have just been him getting adjusted to major league pitching as he never struck out more than 23.6% of the time during any of his stops in the minors. His current ADP is 137.46, which is a bargain considering his potential. Don’t be surprised if he finishes with a more productive season than Taylor.

Ian Kinsler, Los Angeles Angels

Today’s craze in baseball is young talent. There seems to more elite young players across the league now than in recent years, which can often make you forget about productive veterans in terms of fantasy. A lot of people might be down on Kinsler after a rough 2017 campaign that saw him hit a career-low .236. His numbers indicate he could rebound this season as last year he had only a .244 BABIP, well below his career mark of .286. Another possible indicator for improvement this year is that he also had a 37% hard hit percentage last year, which was the highest of his career. Yes, he’s getting older, but the numbers indicate he had few bounces go his way last year.  Not only should his average improve this year, but he is also a threat to hit 20 home runs and steal 15 bases. His current ADP is only 189.25, making him someone to target late in your draft.