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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are 10 games across the majors Thursday, eight of which make up 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 8/30/18

J.A. Happ vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $10,000

The Yankees have to be thrilled with their early returns from Happ. Not only has he earned a win in all five starts since joining the team, but he’s posted a 2.37 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in the process. His 3.95 FIP indicates he hasn’t exactly been that dominant, but he’s continued to be a consistent source for strikeouts with a 9.5 K/9 during that stretch. The Tigers have scored the third-fewest runs (505) in baseball and have the worst OPS on the road (.640), potentially setting Happ up for another great outing.

German Marquez vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,500

At first glance, Marquez appears to have average numbers with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. However, he’s finishing the season strong, posting a 2.56 ERA, 2.77 FIP and a 0.94 WHIP across his last 10 starts. Like many pitchers, Marquez has struggled at Coors Field this season with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He’s been excellent on the road, though, posting a 2.89 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. With his 9.6 K/9 overall giving him significant strikeout upside, as well, look for Marquez to continue his recent run of success against a Padres team that has scored the fourth-fewest runs (514) in the league.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Ian Desmond vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Lauer has spent the last month of the DL with a forearm strain, but he’s expected to be activated for this game Thursday. He wasn’t having a good campaign before suffering the injury, recording a 5.30 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Desmond stands out as a great option at a reasonable price based on his .383 wOBA against left-handed pitching.

Tyler White vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,600

White was given an opportunity to play every day when the Astros were dealing with multiple injuries and he hasn’t looked back. In his last 24 games, White is hitting .345 with eight home runs and 22 RBI. Heaney has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five outings and appears to be fading down the stretch, so don’t expect him to be the pitcher to cool off White.

Others to consider: Yuli Gurriel (first base) and Omar Narvaez (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Robinson Cano vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Cano hasn’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball since returning from suspension, batting just .259 with one home runs across 13 games. His power numbers have been down, in general, this season as his .418 slugging percentage would be his lowest mark since 2008. Montas has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.80 FIP across 10 starts this year, but he’s often flirted with danger based on his 1.46 WHIP. He’s also allowed a .372 wOBA to left-handed hitters, making Cano a viable option despite his recent lackluster play.

DJ LeMahieu vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,800

Even though this game isn’t being played in Coors Field, the Rockies will still likely be a popular stack against Lauer. LeMahieu has had a bit of a down year in terms of his batting average, but he’s hitting .333 with four home runs and four doubles across his last 17 games. He only has a .302 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, but he has an excellent .377 wOBA against lefties.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Ian Kinsler

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Alex Bregman vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,500

The Astros are trying to hold off the Athletics in the AL West and have managed to build their lead back up to 2.5 games. Bregman has played a key role in their recent run, batting .475 with two home runs and five doubles during his current 10-game hitting streak. With his 168 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this year, Heaney could be in for a world of trouble against Bregman.

Johan Camargo vs. Mike Montgomery, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,900

Camargo came through with a big performance Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a home run. It marked the third time in the last nine contests that Camargo has logged at least three hits, raising his season average from .265 to .272 in the process. He’s recorded a .351 wOBA against lefties this year and Montgomery doesn’t exactly have overwhelming stuff with his 5.5 K/9, making Camargo a viable option if you don’t want to pay up for Bregman.

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Matt Chapman

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Gleyber Torres vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800

It took Torres some time to get back on track after a stint on the DL, but he’s batting .370 with two home runs over his last 13 games. He’s loved hitting at Yankee Stadium this year, batting .293 with a .525 slugging percentage. This could be a high-scoring game against Liriano, who has a 5.62 FIP and a 1.52 WHIP. Of note, Torres is only eligible at shortstop on FanDuel as he is listed at second base on DraftKings.

Trevor Story vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,300

Known for his power, Story certainly hasn’t disappointed this season with 26 home runs and 36 doubles. He’s also added a new element to his game, recording 21 stolen bases after stealing 15 bags in the last two seasons, combined. Not only would his .291 average also be the highest mark of his career, but he has been destroying lefties with a .417 wOBA against them.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Giancarlo Stanton vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Stanton is sitting on 299 career home runs and might be pressing a bit, failing to go deep in each of his last 10 games. This might be just the matchup he needs to achieve the milestone. He has a 183 wRC+ against lefties this year and Liriano has allowed 1.5 HR/9.

Mitch Haniger vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,500

The Mariners are fading in their push for a playoff spot, but Haniger hasn’t been the reason why. He’s been one of their best hitters in August, batting .349 with four home runs and 12 doubles. While Haniger doesn’t have the platoon advantage in this game, he has actually hit better against right-handed pitchers (.367 wOBA) than he has lefties (.354 wOBA).

Denard Span vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200

Span got off to a strange start with the Rays this season. He only batted .238, but he recorded 28 RBI in just 43 games. He’s never finished with more than 68 RBI in a season, so it didn’t seem likely that he could continue that pace. That’s certainly been the case since he joined the Mariners, logging 26 RBI across 70 games. However, he’s hit for a much higher average at .304 and could be a cheap option to consider in tournament play based on Montas’ struggles to keep runners off base.

Others to consider: George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/24/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Friday brings a full slate of action across the majors, but the evening is generally lacking elite starting pitching options for 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 8/24/18

Mike Foltynewicz vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $10,500
DraftKings = $11,100

Foltynewicz has had a breakout campaign for the Braves, posting a 2.72 ERA, 3.38 FIP, and a 1.15 WHIP. He’s only allowed 14 home runs across 139 innings and has a 10.4 K/9, making him a consistent source for production. He’s been even better of late, allowing six runs (four earned) and recording 28 strikeouts over 26.2 innings in his last four starts. One of those came against these same Marlins when he allowed one run and recorded seven strikeouts over eight innings. With the Marlins inability to score runs, Foltynewicz has tremendous upside Friday.

Rich Hill vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $9,800

Hill battled ineffectiveness and injury earlier this season, but he’s turned things around with a 2.92 ERA, 3.58 FIP, and a 1.14 WHIP since July 1. He chipped in 9.5 K/9 during that stretch while also logging at least six innings in six of his eight starts. This lines up as a great matchup for Hill as not only have the Padres scored the fifth-fewest runs (496) in baseball, but they have also struck out the second-most times (1,221).

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/24/18

Ryan Zimmerman vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100

Zimmerman was one of the more surprising success stories in baseball last year, batting .303 with 36 home runs and 108 RBI. One of the keys to his success was his ability to stay healthy, playing in at least 140 games for the first time since 2013. He hasn’t had the same luck this season, logging only 56 games so far. He is coming on strong down the stretch, though, batting .360 with six home runs and 17 RBI across his last 15 games.

Yuli Gurriel vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000

Heaney’s season has taken a turn for the worse with a 6.46 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over four starts in August. He’s already thrown 140 innings this season after throwing less than 50 combined innings in the minors and majors last year, so he might be wearing down. Gurriel will look to take advantage of Heaney’s struggles considering his .364 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Carlos Santana (first base) and Victor Martinez (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/24/18

Brian Dozier vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,300

Speaking of pitchers who have struggled recently, Richard has a 6.94 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP since July 1. He’s been much better at home this season with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, but he has a bloated 6.28 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP on the road. The Dodgers will likely be a popular stack Friday with Dozier providing a quality option at a reasonable price on both sites.

Neil Walker vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,600

The Yankees hitters are dropping like flies, making the addition of Walker in the offseason an extremely important move. He can play multiple positions and currently is expected to fill in at second base while Gleyber Torres shifts over to shortstop. His overall numbers this season aren’t great, but Walker is batting .307 with four home runs and 15 RBI over his last 24 games. He’s had more success against righties, as well, making him someone to consider in tournament play.

Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Ian Kinsler

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/24/18

Justin Turner vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,800

Turner is firing on all cylinders right now, batting .391 with a .481 OBP in August. He had five home runs and eight doubles for the season entering the month but he has hit four homers and seven doubles since. He also mashes left-handed pitching, posting a 186 wRC+ against them this season.

Todd Frazier vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Frazier is one of the many players on the Mets who has battled injuries, limiting him to only 82 games. His .233 average seems poor, but it’s actually his highest mark since 2015. He’s also been a much better hitter of late, batting .323 with four home runs and five doubles in his last 17 games. Gonzalez has allowed at least five runs in four of his last six starts and has a 1.55 WHIP overall, potentially setting up Fraizer to continue his recent run of success.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Alex Bregman

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/24/18

Manny Machado vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800

Machado hasn’t played well by his standards since joining the Dodgers, batting .275 with a .816 OPS. By comparison, he hit .315 with a .963 OPS with the Orioles. He may have just needed an adjustment period as he is batting .324 with three home runs over his last eight games. He has a .382 wOBA against lefties this year, making him another Dodger to target against Richard.

Willy Adames vs. Hector Velazquez, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,900

Velazquez has mostly pitched in relief for the Red Sox, but he’ll make another start Friday with Chris Sale still on the DL. His 2.74 ERA this season looks good, but his 4.33 FIP and 1.39 WHIP indicate he is not pitching nearly that well. Adames has settled in nicely to regular playing time, batting .348 with a .989 OPS in August.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/24/18

Khris Davis vs. Jake Odorizzi, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300

Davis went deep again Thursday, marking his fifth home run over his last five games and 39th on the season overall. When he’s on one of these types of streaks, it makes a lot of sense to keep rolling with him in your lineup. It also helps his cause that Odorizzi has a 5.29 ERA over his last seven outings.

Greg Allen vs. Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,800

Allen hasn’t hit for much power in the minors, but he did bat .298 with a .395 OBP at Triple-A this year. He’s become an important part of the Indians outfield lately, batting .341 with eight runs scored and five stolen bases across his last 13 games. He’s proven to be a much better hitter against righties, giving him a chance to provide value at this cheap price in tournament play.

Jim Adduci vs. Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,500

At 33 years old, Adduci is certainly not one of the young up and coming players in the Tigers system. He’s still played well when given the opportunity this season, especially of late as he is batting .352 in August. Lopez has allowed at least four runs in five of his last seven starts and has given up plenty of baserunners this season overall with a 1.39 WHIP. At his dirt cheap price on both sites, Adduci might be a risk worth taking Friday. Of note, he is only eligible at outfield on FanDuel as he is listed at first base on DraftKings.

Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Stephen Piscotty

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

With only four games making up the main evening slate in DFS, there are far fewer options to choose from than normal for your entry Thursday. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t end the night a winner. 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 8/23/18

Cole Hamels vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $10,400

To say Hamels has pitched well since joining the Cubs is an understatement. In his first four starts since being traded, Hamels has a 0.72 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and an 8.3 K/9. While that ERA is obviously unsustainable, his 2.40 FIP supports his improved performance. He really struggled at Globe Life Park in Arlington as a member of the Rangers, so it’s not all that surprising that the change of scenery has boosted his value. On a night with very limited pitching options, Hamels stands out as one of the top choices.

Tyler Glasnow vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $8,400

After spending most of this season in the Pirates bullpen, the Rays have done a nice job building Glasnow back up to start. His pitch count has increased in each of his four outings with the Rays, topping out at 94 pitches in his most recent start. He shouldn’t have any limitations going forward. He provides excellent strikeout upside with an 11.6 K/9 and he’s shown improved control with a 2.9 BB/9 since being traded. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (463) in baseball, leaving Glasnow with the potential to provide significant value at this cheap price.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/23/18

Freddie Freeman vs. Elieser Hernandez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,000

There are two stacks that stand out Thursday with the Braves being one of them. Hernandez has mostly pitched in relief this season with only five starts in his 26 appearances. He has struggled with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP, overall. He doesn’t strike out many hitters, either, with a 6.2 K/9. With Freeman’s .401 OBP this year, expect him to be on base plenty of times in this game.

Joe Mauer vs. Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,800

Cahill has done a great job for the Athletics this season, but most of his success has come at home, where he has a 0.85 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP. However, he’s been hammered on the road with a 6.62 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Mauer doesn’t have much power upside, but he is batting .343 with a .410 OBP across his last 10 games.

Others to consider: J.T. Realmuto (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/23/18

Jed Lowrie vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,900

The other stacking opportunity that stands out is the Athletics against Stewart. They have a .706 OPS at home, but their .804 OPS on the road is the highest in baseball. Stewart has pitched at both Double-A and Triple-A this season, recording a 4.47 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP combined across both levels. In two starts with the Twins, he’s allowed six runs and recorded only three strikeouts across seven innings. The switch-hitting Lowrie has a .370 wOBA against righties this year.

Ozzie Albies vs. Elieser Hernandez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Albies has had a rough month of August by batting only .235 with one home run. After he slugged 14 home runs in his first 56 games this season, he has just seven homers across his last 66 contests. He has had better success against left-handed pitching this year, but Albies has a .517 slugging percentage on the road compared to .423 at home. He’s someone to consider with Hernandez on the mound, although Lowrie would be my first choice at second base.

Others to consider: Daniel Murphy

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/23/18

Matt Chapman vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Chapman has shown an improved eye at the plate this year, reducing his strikeout rate from 28.3% in 2017 to 23.0% this season. He’s still hitting for plenty of power, too, with 17 home runs and 30 doubles across 407 at-bats. Chapman has actually hit better against right-handed pitchers (.378 wOBA) than he has lefties (.348 wOBA), so he could prove to be a tough out for Stewart.

Brian Anderson vs. Sean Newcomb, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500

After an excellent start to his season, Newcomb has a 6.00 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP since July 1. He has an 11.3% walk rate and a 21.7% strikeout rate for the year, but he has a 12.6% walk rate and a 17.4% strikeout rate since his struggles began. Anderson could be worth considering in tournament play since he has a .349 wOBA against lefties and is 5-for-10 with two walks against Newcomb in his career.

Others to consider: Johan Camargo

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/23/18

Javier Baez vs. Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,700

Baez has at least two hits in three straight games and has eight multi-hit performances so far in August. He’s made a case to be considered for the NL MVP award as he is batting .292 with 26 home runs, 92 RBI, and 20 steals. He has fairly similar numbers against both lefties and righties, so don’t shy away from using him Thursday just because he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against DeSclafani.

Jorge Polanco vs. Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Polanco quietly had a productive 2017 campaign with 13 home runs, 74 RBI and 13 steals across 488 at-bats. He didn’t play his first game this season until July due to suspension, but he’s provided the same sort of production with three home runs, 25 RBI and four steals in 173 at-bats. He has just a 34 wRC+ against lefties this year, but he’s been far more successful with a 137 wRC+ against righties.

Others to consider: Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/23/18

Khris Davis vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,700

Davis has put the Athletics on his back as they make a push for the playoffs, hitting .313 with 18 home runs and 10 doubles since July 1. He has hit four home runs in his last four games and is one of the most dangerous power hitters in baseball when he’s locked in like this. He’s pricey, but he also has one of the highest upsides of anyone playing Thursday due to this matchup against Stewart.

Max Kepler vs. Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900

Kepler has struggled to hit for average again this season, but he’s managed to hit 17 home runs and 26 doubles. He’s been terrible with a .197 average and a .640 OPS on the road, but he has a .275 average and a .886 OPS at home. He doesn’t cost much on either site and could provide value when you combine his success at home with Cahill’s struggles on the road.

Stephen Piscotty vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,900

Piscotty is coming off of a productive three-game series against the Rangers where he finished 6-for-13 with a home run and two doubles. He has already tied his career-high with 35 doubles this year and has chipped in 16 homers as well. He has similar numbers against both lefties and righties, making him one of the better cheap options if you are going with an Athletics stack.

Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ender Inciarte

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Monday brings plenty of options in DFS with 10 games on the schedule. It should be an exciting night with games including the Indians against the Red Sox, the Astros versus the Mariners and the Cardinals taking on the Dodgers. 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 8/20/18

Zack Wheeler vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,300

In what has been a lost season for the Mets, Wheeler has made significant improvements. After finishing with a 5.21 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in 2017, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.43 FIP this year. Not only has he reduced his WHIP from 1.59 to 1.23, but he’s allowed 0.8 HR/9 compared to 1.6 HR/9 last year. He’s on a hot streak right now, as well, allowing five runs and recording 30 strikeouts over 33 innings in his last five starts. The Giants have the third-lowest OPS on the road (.664) in baseball, potentially setting up Wheeler for a great performance.

Kevin Gausman vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

Gausman has pitched well since joining the Braves, allowing five runs across 19 innings in three starts. He only had 12 total strikeouts, but it’s encouraging that he also allowed just one home run. Homers have been a problem for him this season since he’s allowed 1.4 HR/9 overall. The move from the American League to the National League can provide a big boost for pitchers, which could be the case even more so for Gausman since he was pitching in the AL East. The Pirates are in the bottom third of baseball in home runs, so Gausman might be worth considering in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Matt Olson vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Bartolo Colon was originally scheduled to start Sunday, but he was pushed back a day after dealing with some back stiffness. That’s good news for Olson and the A’s since Colon has a 5.19 ERA and has allowed 1.7 HR/9. Olson only has a .309 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he has a .348 wOBA against righties. He’s hit 19 of his 23 homers off of righties as well.

Ji-Man Choi vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rays could prove to be a productive stack Monday. Lopez mostly pitched in relief for the Brewers Triple-A squad this season, posting a 5.65 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. His first start for the Royals did not go well as he allowed six runs over 4.2 innings to the Blue Jays. Choi is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and he has a .349 wOBA against righties, making him a great cheap option with upside.

Others to consider: Jesus Aguilar (first base) and Robinson Chirinos (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Travis Shaw vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The Brewers will likely be another popular stack with Bailey starting for the Reds. Bailey allowed 10 runs over 8.2 innings in his last two starts and has a 6.33 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP overall. He’s had trouble keeping hitters inside the park, as well, giving up 1.9 HR/9. Shaw has plenty of power and has hit 23 of his 24 home runs against righties this year.

Joey Wendle vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Wendle might not be flashy, but he’s batting .327 with 12 RBI so far in August. He doesn’t hit many home runs, but he’s been a reliable hitter for the Rays with a .291 average this season. He doesn’t have nearly the ceiling that Shaw does, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at this price against the underwhelming Lopez.

Others to consider: Rougned Odor and Brian Dozier

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Justin Turner vs. Austin Gomber, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Turner is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now as he is 24-for-52 (.462) with three homers and six doubles during his current 13-game hitting streak. Gomber has largely pitched well for the Cardinals, but with the way Turner is hitting and his 175 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this season, don’t count on his hitting streak ending Monday.

Matt Chapman vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Chapman is not only one of the premier defensive third baseman in baseball, he’s one of the best defenders in general. He seems to make sparkling plays on a nightly basis, but he’s done far more than just excel in the field. He’s made a significant improvement at the plate, batting .276 with a .363 OBP. He’s batting .311 with four homers in August and is another A’s hitter to consider against Colon.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Jorge Polanco vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

There is no shortage of bad starting pitchers scheduled to appear Monday. Giolito has managed to stay in the White Sox rotation the entire season, but he’s been awful with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He’s had significant control problems, issuing 72 walks compared to only 91 strikeouts. Polanco might not have a ton of power, but he does have a stellar .395 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Jose Peraza vs. Chase Anderson, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,500

Peraza has been more disciplined at the plate this year, recording only a 10.4% strikeout rate. He still doesn’t walk a lot, but his .292 batting average is a significant improvement from his .259 mark last season. Although he’s not a power hitter, he has slugged a home run in both of his last two games and has at least two hits in four-straight contests. I prefer Polanco out of the two as they both have similar prices, but Peraza could also provide value for your entry.

Others to consider: Amed Rosario and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Khris Davis vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $5,000

The A’s have not only played their way into the Wild Card race, but they are also giving the Astros a run for their money in the AL West. Davis has been a huge reason for their success, hitting 36 home runs to go along with 98 RBI. He’s well on his way to his third-straight season with at least 40 homers and 100 RBI. With Colon’s propensity to give up the long ball, Davis could be in for a monster night.

Max Kepler vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,900

Kepler struggles with his batting average, but he’s followed up his 19 home runs in 2017 with 16 homers so far this season. He’s actually having a respectable month, overall, in August, batting .255 with a .367 wOBA. Giolito has allowed a .374 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Kepler a viable option at this cheap price in tournament play.

Mallex Smith vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Although the Rays acquired Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows at the trade deadline, Smith isn’t going anywhere in their outfield. He’s been red-hot since July 1, batting .365 with a .448 OBP. He’s a terror when he’s on the bases, swiping 11 bags during that stretch and 26 for the season overall. With Lopez’s struggles to keep runners off base, Smith carries plenty of upside in this game despite his lack of power.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

Zack Wheeler, New York Mets: vs. SF, vs. WAS

Not much has gone right for the Mets this season, but Wheeler has made significant improvements. After finishing with a 5.21 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in 2017, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.43 FIP this year. Not only has he reduced his WHIP from 1.59 to 1.23, but he’s only allowed 0.8 HR/9 compared to 1.6 HR/9 last year. He’s on a hot streak right now, as well, allowing five runs and recording 30 strikeouts over 33 innings in his last five starts. His first start of Week 22 is a fantastic matchup considering the Giants have the third-lowest OPS on the road (.664) in baseball. The Nationals are certainly a tougher opponent, but they’ve only averaged 4.4 runs over their last 10 games.

Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox: vs. MIN, at DET

Rodon enters Week 22 having allowed three runs or fewer in seven straight starts. He has a sparkling 2.69 ERA overall, but his 4.17 FIP and .210 opponents’ BABIP would suggest luck has been on his side. His 7.2 K/9 is by far the lowest mark of his career, but his 9.7% swinging-strike rate is almost right on par with his career average. Some regression might be in his future, but it’s not likely to start this week. The Twins have the sixth-lowest OPS against lefties (.683) and the Tigers have scored the fourth-fewest runs overall (484) in the league.

Kevin Gausman, Atlanta Braves: at PIT, at MIA

Gausman has shown improvement since joining the Braves, allowing five runs across 19 innings in three starts. He only had 12 total strikeouts, but it’s very encouraging that he also allowed just one home run. Homers have been a problem for him this season since he’s allowed 1.4 HR/9 overall. The move from the American League to the National League can provide a big boost for pitchers, which could be the case even more so for Gausman since he was pitching in the AL East. Both the Pirates and the Marlins are in the bottom-third in baseball in home runs and the Marlins struggle to score runs, in general, leaving Gausman with the potential for a valuable week.

Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies: vs. SD, vs. STL

Anderson isn’t exactly at the top of his game right now as he’s allowed 21 runs over 20.1 innings in his last four starts. It’s no coincidence that three of those outings came on the road. Anderson actually has thrived pitching at Coors Field, posting a 3.47 ERA there compared to a 5.37 ERA on the road. He had similar splits last year with a 5.44 ERA on the road and a 4.14 ERA at home. The Padres struggle to score runs and have the second-most strikeouts (1,190) in baseball, leaving Anderson with a great matchup in his first start of the week. The Cardinals will be a tougher foe, but Anderson is still available in 69% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to consider streaming if you need a starter.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 22

Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians: at BOS, at KC

Bieber has an unsightly 1.41 WHIP this season, but he’s been extremely unlucky with opponents posting a .372 BABIP against him. He has allowed a 42.2% hard-hit rate, though, an area he’ll need to improve on to start lowering that BABIP. He has shown good control by issuing 2.0 BB/9 to go along with a 9.4 K/9. His second start of the week against the Royals stands out as a great matchup, but he’ll have to face the Red Sox in Fenway Park first. The Red Sox have the second-highest OPS at home (.829) and the highest OPS against righties (.816), which could prove disastrous for Bieber. It might be wise to keep him anchored to your bench as a result.

Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox: vs. CLE, at TB

Eovaldi started off his Red Sox tenure with a bang, throwing 15 shutouts innings in his first two starts. His last two haven’t gone nearly as well as he allowed 11 runs (five earned) across 7.2 innings. His 1.04 WHIP overall this season would be the best mark of his career, but it’s been aided by an abnormally low .265 opponents’ BABIP. The Indians present a dangerous matchup because even though they haven’t been as good offensively on the road, they still have the third-most runs scored (628) in baseball. The Rays aren’t a bad matchup, but with Eovaldi having to face the Indians and his general lack of strikeout upside, he may not be worth the risk.

Robbie Erlin, San Diego Padres: at COL, at LAD

Erlin has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this season, but he’s done a nice job with a 3.33 ERA that is supported by a 3.12 FIP. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight starts, but he’s not someone to consider streaming this week. The Rockies have a .812 OPS at home and a .803 OPS against left-handed pitchers, both of which are in the top-three in baseball. Facing the Dodgers won’t be much easier as they have scored the seventh-most runs (594) in the league.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/16/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are a lot of bad pitchers scheduled to take the mound Thursday, which should lead to plenty of offense for 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 8/16/18

Clay Buchholz vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $9,500

The Diamondbacks have to be ecstatic with the production they have received from Buchholz. He missed almost all of 2017 due to injury after finishing 2016 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. However, he’s excelled with his new team, posting a 2.67 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. His FIP isn’t as strong at 3.66, but that’s still a very respectable number considering his recent struggles. He’s allowed only seven home runs across 64 innings and even though his 7.7 K/9 isn’t great, he’s only issued 2.3 BB/9. The Padres have scored the fourth-fewest runs (472) in baseball and have the second-worst OPS against right-handed pitchers (.661), setting up Buchholz nicely for another valuable outing.

Julio Teheran vs. Colorado Rockies
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,200

Buchholz stands out to me as the pitcher to play Thursday. If you’re looking to save a few bucks at the position, Teheran might be someone to consider. His 4.33 ERA isn’t great and it could be much worse considering his 5.23 FIP. He also has troubles keeping hitters inside the park with a 1.6 HR/9. On the bright side, his 1.25 WHIP is much improved from last year and his 8.3 K/9 would be the highest mark of his career. He also has two stats working in his favor for this contest. First, the Rockies only have a .725 OPS against righties compared to a .794 OPS against lefties. Second, the Rockies have been stellar at Coors Field with a .812 OPS, but their OPS on the road is only .688.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/16/18

Jurickson Profar vs. Taylor Cole, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,800

With all of the injuries the Rangers have suffered, Profar has found himself getting consistent playing time across multiple positions. His .249 batting average doesn’t jump off the page, but he’s flashed some power with a .452 slugging percentage. He loves hitting at home, posting a .276 batting average with nine of his 13 home runs this season coming at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Of note, Profar is only eligible at first base on FanDuel as he is listed at third base and shortstop on DraftKings.

Danny Jansen vs. Glenn Sparkman, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,200
DraftKings = $3,600

Jansen stood out to me as a tournament option with upside Wednesday, but he received the day off. The Blue Jays offense had a productive game, scoring six runs off the porous Royals staff. They’ll throw out another struggling pitcher in Sparkman, who has allowed nine runs in 16 innings this season. He wasn’t much better in Triple-A either, posting a 4.58 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. As long as Jansen is in the lineup, he’s a viable option once again.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Justin Smoak (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/16/18

Javier Baez vs. Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,000

Anthony Rizzo has been batting leadoff for the Cubs lately, but Baez was moved into that spot Wednesday. He was his usual productive self, finishing the game 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored. Baez has batted in various spots of the Cubs lineup this year and had been batting second recently, so don’t expect the change to have much impact on his value. He doesn’t have the platoon advantage in this game against Nova, but that’s not much of a concern based on his .367 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season.

Rougned Odor vs. Taylor Cole, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,900

Odor has cooled off a bit as he is 1-for-11 across his last three games. Don’t read too much into that, though, as he is batting .329 with 10 home runs and 11 doubles since July 1. This is likely to be a bullpen game for the Angels since Taylor hasn’t pitched more than 3.2 innings in any of his nine appearances. Odor is another Rangers’ hitter who loves playing in Arlington, recording a .293 average there this season.

Others to consider: Daniel Murphy and Kolten Wong

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/16/18

Miguel Sano vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,500

Sano is only batting .221 this year, but he’s posted a .268 average across 16 games since being recalled from a stint in the minors. He’s only hit two home runs during that stretch, but the best part of his game is certainly his power upside. He has a .356 wOBA against lefties for his career, leaving him as a viable option against Liriano and his 1.45 WHIP.

David Freese vs. Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Freese didn’t exactly get off to a bad start this year, but he’s been red-hot lately, batting .352 with a .582 slugging percentage since July 1. He’s usually someone to target versus lefties considering he has a .364 wOBA against them for his career. Lester is also really struggling right now, allowing 30 runs (29 earned) over his last 28 innings.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Eduardo Escobar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/16/18

Elvis Andrus vs. Taylor Cole, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400

It was going to be tough for Andrus to match the production he put up in 2017, which was by far the best season of his career. He’s only played 60 games this season due to injury and he didn’t get off to a great start when he was first activated from the DL. He’s doing his best to salvage some value down the stretch, batting .296 since July 1. It’s tough to count on him when he’s playing on the road, but he’s batting .329 so far at home.

Andrelton Simmons vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,200

The Rangers starting rotation has been a mess. Jurado is getting a chance to prove himself, but it’s not going well as he has a 5.66 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP across four starts. He only has eight strikeouts in 20.2 innings and wasn’t a big strikeout pitcher in the minors, either, with a 6.9 K/9 for his career. Simmons has only struck out 25 times all year and is batting .302, leaving him with the potential to be on base plenty in this contest.

Others to consider: Trea Turner and Aledmys Diaz

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/16/18

Kole Calhoun vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400

With Jurado on the mound in what is a hitter-friendly park, the Angels are likely going to be a popular stack Thursday. Calhoun stands out as one of their hitters who provides significant upside based on his recent run of success. Over his last 30 games, Calhoun is batting .325 with 11 home runs and eight doubles.

Shohei Ohtani vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $5,200

Ohtani wasn’t in the lineup for the Angels in their last series against the Padres since there was no DH available in San Diego. As he likely makes his return Thursday, he’s another great Angels’ hitter to target based on his .419 wOBA against righties.

Kevin Pillar vs. Glenn Sparkman, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Pillar has had a productive first three games of this series, going 4-for-10 with a home run and five RBI. His .281 OBP this season is disappointing, but his .414 slugging percentage would be the highest mark of his career. He actually has better numbers against righties this year, leaving him as someone to consider in tournament play if you’re looking for a cheap outfielder.

Others to consider: Juan Soto and  Joey Gallo

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Although 10 games make up the main slate Wednesday in DFS, the night is generally short on elite starting pitching options. It could lead to several high-scoring games. 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 8/15/18

Shane Bieber vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $8,300

Bieber’s ERA doesn’t stand out at 4.24, but his 3.02 FIP indicates he has pitched well in his first stint in the majors. Opponents have a .368 BABIP against him, so expect his ERA to improve as that number starts to normalize. He’s only allowed six home runs across 63.2 innings and has provided value in the strikeout department with a 9.3 K/9. The Reds have only averaged 2.8 runs over their last 10 games and have struggled more against right-handed pitching this season, leaving Bieber with significant upside Wednesday.

Tyler Anderson vs. Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $8,400

Anderson was great in his last start against a potent Dodgers lineup, giving up only one run and recording six strikeouts over six innings. He’s now allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts, helping lower his ERA to 3.94 overall. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with an 8.3 K/9, but his 1.20 WHIP would be the best mark of his career. Although Carlos Correa is back, the Astros are still missing two key bats from their lineup in Jose Altuve and George Springer. The Astros have only averaged 3.7 runs across their last 10 games and that includes one contest where they scored 14 runs. Anderson might be worth the risk in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Freddie Freeman vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100

Although his performance has been overshadowed by the red-hot Ronald Acuna Jr., Freeman has two hits and a home run in both of the last two games against the Marlins. He’s batting .373 over his last 15 contests, recording eight RBI and 11 runs scored during that stretch. Look for another big game from him Wednesday as he is also 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles in his career against Urena.

Danny Jansen vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,100
DraftKings = $3,600

The Blue Jays still haven’t called up Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Jansen is getting his first crack at the majors. He was hitting well in Triple-A, posting a .275 average, .390 OBP and 12 home runs. He’s wasted no time since being recalled, going 3-for-7 with a homer in two games. Lopez has pitched out of the bullpen for the Brewers and their Triple-A affiliate this year and didn’t pitch well at either level, making Jansen a cheap option to target.

Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Ji-Man Choi (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Jason Kipnis vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,200

Kipnis’ multi-hit streak ended at three games Tuesday, but he salvaged the evening by walking and stealing a base. He gets to face another subpar pitcher in Stephenson, who has a 5.16 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his major league career. Kipnis’ price is climbing, but he’s still a viable option to consider.

Neil Walker vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

Faria has made two appearances out of the bullpen after a lengthy stint on the DL, allowing one run over 6.2 innings. He’ll return to the rotation Wednesday, a role he struggled in before getting hurt. Walker has had a renaissance at the plate, batting .310 with three home runs in his last 18 games. He’s been a much better hitter against righties this year, as well, making him someone to consider at his cheap price in tournament play.

Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,000

Ramirez has destroyed the Reds in the first two games of this series, going 6-for-10 with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored. He now has three straight multi-hit performances, boosting his average up to .305 for the season to go along with 36 homers and 27 steals. With his 195 wRC+ against righties this year, this could be another long night for the Stephenson and the Reds.

Justin Turner vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200

Turner went 3-for-4 with three doubles Tuesday, marking the fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests. He’s still trying to get things going in the home run department, but he’s batting .293 with a .384 OBP and has almost as many walks (24) as he does strikeouts (27). He also has a 191 wRC+ against lefties, giving him an excellent opportunity to shine against Holland.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,900

Gregorius is in the midst of another productive homestand, going 8-for-23 (.348) over the last six games. It should come as no surprise because although he’s batting just .236 with seven homers on the road, he is batting .302 with 14 home runs at Yankee Stadium. Adding to his appeal against Faria is that Gregorius has a .348 wOBA against right-handers this year.

Willy Adames vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Adames has cemented himself as the everyday shortstop for the rest of the season with Adeiny Hechavarria now with the Pirates. He’s taken full advantage of his opportunity, batting .410 with three home runs and four steals in August. Cessa doesn’t have an overwhelming arsenal with a career 6.4 K/9 in the majors, so don’t be surprised if Adames continues to swing a hot bat in this contest.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Freddy Galvis

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,700

At this point, you almost have to play Acuna no matter his price. He’s hitting insanely well, going 16-for-34 (.471) with eight home runs in his last eight games. Add in 15 RBI and 13 runs scored during that stretch and he’s provided tremendous value in DFS. Urena has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts and only has a 7.3 K/9 this year, which could prove troublesome against Acuna.

Mallex Smith vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Smith if 0-for-7 in his last two games, but he’s still batting .364 over his last 24 contests. He’s not a home run hitter, but he did chip in six doubles and four triples during that stretch. He’s a terror on the base paths, too, recording nine steals over that time frame. Smith isn’t cheap on DraftKings, but the price might be right to take a chance on him if you are playing on FanDuel.

Melky Cabrera vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900

Cabrera only has 142 plate appearances this season and he hasn’t exactly thrived with a .266 average and two home runs. He’s not much more than a journeyman outfielder at this stage of his career, but he’s still someone who can provide value in the right matchup. He’s 7-for-12 over his last three games and could be one of the cheaper players to target for an Indians stack.

Others to consider: Justin Upton and Michael Brantley

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Tuesday brings a packed schedule across the majors with 14 games making 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 8/14/18

Anibal Sanchez vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,600

Sanchez left his last outing early after getting hit on the calf, but he’s not expected to miss any time. He finished with an ERA of 4.99 or higher in each of the last three seasons with the Tigers, but he’s been a different pitcher since joining the Braves. While it will be hard for him to maintain his current 2.83 ERA, his FIP is still strong at 3.73. One of the main reasons for his success has been cutting back on allowing home runs. He allowed at least 1.7 HR/9 in each of his previous three seasons but has only allowed 1.0 HR/9 this year. The Marlins have scored the second-fewest runs (444) in baseball, so start Sanchez with confidence.

Jameson Taillon vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $9,000

Taillon finished with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP last year, but that was a bit deceiving based on his 3.48 FIP and opponents’ posting a .352 BABIP against him. His BABIP against has normalized to .300 this year, helping reduce his ERA to 3.63 and his WHIP to 1.22. He had a few big blowups early in the season, but Taillon has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 13 straight starts. Although he’ll have to deal with the DH Tuesday, the Twins lineup suffered a big blow when Brian Dozier was traded to the Dodgers. Look for Taillon to continue his recent run of success.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200

After swiping at least 18 bases in three straight seasons, Goldschmidt’s stolen base Monday marked only his fifth of the year. He still finished the game with two hits and is now on a seven-game hitting streak. Although he doesn’t have a platoon advantage against Gallardo, Goldschmidt hasn’t struggled versus righties with a .380 wOBA against them this year.

Yadier Molina vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,100

Molina is currently on a five-game hitting streak and is batting .315 with four home runs and 10 doubles since July 1. He’s been one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, batting .288 with 15 homers overall. Gonzalez has allowed plenty of baserunners with a 1.48 WHIP, giving Molina an excellent opportunity to extend his hitting streak.

Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Jose Martinez (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/18

Daniel Murphy vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,200

After playing at least 140 games in five of the last six years, Murphy has been limited to just 50 games this year due to injury. It took him a while to shake off the rust from a lengthy stint on the DL, but Murphy is 23-for-59 (.390) with three home runs and four doubles across his last 16 games. He’s struggled with a .279 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he’s had far more success against righties with a .360 wOBA.

Jason Kipnis vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,100

In a great matchup against Homer Bailey on Monday, Kipnis finished the game 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. It actually marked his third-straight multi-hit performance. He gets another plus matchup Tuesday against Romano, who has a 1.39 WHIP and doesn’t strike out many batters with a 6.4 K/9.

Others to consider: Jeff McNeil and Jonathan Villar

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/18

Justin Turner vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,300

Turner went deep Monday, marking just his seventh home run this season. While his power numbers are down, he’s still batting .284 with a .378 OBP. He’s always someone to target versus lefties, as well, considering his 180 wRC+ against them. Suarez doesn’t exactly come into this contest on top of his game, allowing 22 runs in 26.2 innings across his last five starts.

Jedd Gyorko vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,000

Gyorko is starting to heat up for the Cardinals, batting .325 so far in August. His power numbers haven’t been great, but he did slug his ninth homer of the season Monday. He’s been almost as good against lefties as Turner has, posting a 173 wRC+ this year.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/18

Paul DeJong vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,200

DeJong only has one multi-hit performance during his current seven-game hitting streak, but he’s hit four home runs during that stretch. He hit 25 home runs and posted a .532 slugging percentage last year in only 108 games, so he carries significant power potential down the stretch. Gonzalez doesn’t give up a ton of home runs, but 11 of the 13 that have been hit off of him this year have been by righties.

Tim Beckham vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Vargas has been a trainwreck for the Mets. He’s only made 12 starts, but he’s posted an 8.75 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He’s also allowed a staggering 12 home runs across 47.1 innings. The Orioles lineup is extremely thin after the trades of Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, but there are still some players that could provide value against Vargas. Beckham could be one of them as he is batting .283 with three home runs over his last 13 games.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Didi Gregorius

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/18

Kole Calhoun vs. Brett Kennedy, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,100

Calhoun has brought one of the craziest swings of production we have seen this season. Entering July, he was batting .162 with three home runs. Since then, he is hitting .311 with 13 homers. Kennedy put up some good numbers in Triple-A this year, but his first career start was a disaster as he gave up six runs over four innings. With the way Calhoun is swinging the bat, he’s an excellent option at this reasonable price on both sites.

Mark Trumbo vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Trumbo has been battling knee soreness, but he’s hopeful to return to the lineup Tuesday. He’s stepped up since the trades of Machado and Schoop, batting .368 with five home runs in August. His .468 slugging percentage overall is a big improvement over his .397 mark in 2017. As long as he’s in the lineup, he’s someone to target against Vargas.

Harrison Bader vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,500

The Cardinals trading away Tommy Pham was a sign they were gaining more confidence in Bader and Tyler O’Neill. Once Dexter Fowler and O’Neill both landed on the DL, they had to lean heavily on Bader. He’s hasn’t let them down, batting .325 with two home runs so far in August. He’s not that cheap on DraftKings, but he’s a great option at his price on FanDuel considering his .407 wOBA against lefties.

Others to consider: Michael Brantley and Cedric Mullins

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Monday brings plenty of action across the majors with 10 games making 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 8/13/18

Mike Clevinger vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $9,200

The Indians starting rotation is certainly one of the deepest in baseball. Clevinger has been a big part of their success with a 3.38 ERA that is backed by a 3.35 FIP. After issuing at least 4.4 BB/9 in both of his first two seasons, Clevinger has been much better with a 2.8 BB/9 this year. He’s also allowed just 13 home runs across 146.2 innings. He won’t have to deal with the DH pitching at Cincinnati and the Reds haven’t been hitting well of late, either, averaging 3.5 runs over their last 10 games.

Sean Reid-Foley vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,400

The Blue Jays will give Reid-Foley his first start in the majors Monday. He’s earned the call with a strong performance at Triple-A, posting a 3.50 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 15 starts. He allowed just five home runs over 82.1 innings to go along with a stellar 10.3 K/9. His success in the strikeout department should come as no surprise since he has a 10.0 K/9 for his career in the minors. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (428) in baseball, so Reid-Foley might be worth the risk at this dirt cheap price in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Goldschmidt launched two home runs Sunday and is 10-for-28 during his current six-game hitting streak. His RBI total is down this year at 64, but he’s managed to hit .282 with 26 homers despite a horrendous month of May. Colon has allowed 1.8 HR/9 this season to go along with his 5.18 ERA, leaving Goldschmidt with plenty of upside.

Yonder Alonso vs. Homey Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,200

With Bailey on the mound for the Reds, the Indians should be one of the most popular stacks Monday. Bailey gave up five runs over 3.1 innings in his last start against the lowly Mets, leaving him with a 6.19 ERA overall. He gives up a ton of baserunners with a 1.59 WHIP and has allowed a .363 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Alonso a viable target at first base.

Others to consider: Freddie Freeman (first base) and Yadier Molina (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18

Ozzie Albies vs. Merandy Gonzalez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,700

In the second game of their doubleheader, the Marlins plan to give Gonzalez his first career start. He hasn’t pitched well in seven relief appearances, recording a 5.71 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. He’s spent most of the season in Double-A where he has a 4.32 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a career 7.4 K/9 in the minor leagues, so he could have plenty of trouble trying to get out Albies, who has at least one hit in four of his last five games.

Jason Kipnis vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000

Kipnis is having another disappointing season, batting only .226 with 11 home runs. His .363 slugging percentage would be the second-worst mark of his career. On the bright side, he does have at least two hits in three of his last six starts and he has a career .341 wOBA against righties. With how poorly Bailey is pitching, Kipnis is a viable option in tournament play.

Others to consider: Yoan Moncada and Daniel Descalso

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18

Eduardo Escobar vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600

Escobar got off to a great start with the Twins this season, but he’s been even better since joining the Diamondbacks. In 13 games with his new team, he’s batting .324 with two home runs and five doubles. He has just a .306 wOBA against lefties this season, but look to exploit this matchup against Colon based on his .384 wOBA against righties.

Jedd Gyorko vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Milone allowed four total runs across his first two starts, but they came against two poor hitting teams in the Marlins and Mets. He didn’t fare well in his third start against a vastly superior Braves lineup, giving up seven runs over six innings. Gyorko is not having a good season overall, but he’s still someone to target versus lefties considering his 170 wRC+ against them.

Others to consider: Matt Chapman and Christian Villanueva

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,900

Lindor couldn’t cash in a prime matchup against Dylan Covey on Sunday, finishing 0-for-5 with a walk and four strikeouts. He’ll get a chance to redeem himself against another underwhelming starter in Bailey on Monday. He’s batting .292 with 29 home runs and a .372 OBP, so expect him to rebound with a better performance.

Paul DeJong vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200

DeJong burst onto the scene last year by hitting .285 with 25 home runs in only 108 games. He’s been bothered by injuries this year and hasn’t played well when healthy, batting .244 with 12 home runs across 72 contests. However, he might be heating up at just the right time for the Cardinals as he has three home runs over his last five games. Based on Milone’s struggles, DeJong could provide value if you need to save money at shortstop.

Others to consider: Aledmys Diaz and Marcus Semien 

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18

Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Merandy Gonzalez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Acuna is hot right now, slugging a home run in four of his last five contests. He has 15 long balls in only 64 games overall, showing why he is one of the most exciting young players in the league. He doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Gonzalez, but that shouldn’t be a concern since Acuna has a .373 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Jon Jay vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,300

With the Diamondbacks faced with a good chance to score plenty of runs against Colon, their usual leadoff hitter Jay could be in line for a productive night. He’s largely struggled since joining the Diamondbacks, but with at least two hits in five of his last seven starts, he’s someone to target Monday, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.

Harrison Bader vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,400

Even though Tyler O’Neill is likely to be activated from the DL on Tuesday, Bader should continue to see plenty of playing time down the stretch. He hasn’t hit for a ton of power, but he’s batting .275 with a .345 OBP. He’s also flashed some speed on the base paths with 12 steals. Add in his .402 wOBA against lefties and he’s another Cardinal to target against Milone.

Others to consider: Michael Brantley and David Peralta

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21

Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians: at CIN, vs. BAL

The Indians starting rotation is so deep that Clevinger often gets lost behind Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, and Carlos Carrasco. His contributions should not go unnoticed, though, considering his 3.38 ERA that is backed by a 3.35 FIP. After issuing at least 4.4 BB/9 in both of his first two seasons, Clevinger has a much improved 2.8 BB/9 this year. He’s also allowed just 13 home runs across 146.2 innings. He won’t have to deal with the DH pitching at Cincinnati in his first start of Week 21. The Reds haven’t been hitting well of late either, averaging 3.5 runs over their last 10 games. The Orioles and their stripped-down lineup also present a favorable matchup in his second start, potentially setting up Clevinger for a valuable week.

J.A. Happ, New York Yankees: vs. TB, vs. TOR

Happ has pitched well since joining the Yankees, allowing four runs and recording 11 strikeouts across 12 innings. Desperate for help in their rotation, Happ could be a key addition for the Yankees down the stretch. His 4.07 ERA overall doesn’t exactly stand out, but he has a 1.14 WHIP and a 10.1 K/9. He also had a 5.22 ERA pitching in the Rogers Centre this year, so a move out of Toronto could provide a boost to his value. The Rays are in the bottom-third of baseball in runs scored and the Blue Jays lineup isn’t exactly all that imposing either, making Happ a great option for Week 21.

Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves: vs. MIA, vs. COL

Sanchez left his last outing early after getting hit on the calf, but he’s expected to be fine for his next start Tuesday. Sanchez finished with an ERA of 4.99 or higher in each of the last three seasons with the Tigers, but he’s been much improved with the Braves. While it will be hard for him to maintain his current 2.83 ERA, his FIP is still strong at 3.73. One of the main reasons for his success has been cutting back on allowing home runs. He allowed 1.7 HR/9 or more in each of his previous three seasons but has only allowed 1.0 HR/9 this year. His first start against the Marlins is a great matchup since they have scored the second-fewest runs (444) in baseball. The Rockies are more dangerous, but they only have a .689 OPS on the road.

Blaine Hardy, Detroit Tigers: vs. CWS, at MIN

After pitching out of the bullpen for his entire career, Hardy has been given a chance to start this year. He’s made 12 starts over 22 appearances, posting a 3.63 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP overall. He’s shown good control by issuing just 2.3 BB/9, but he doesn’t have much strikeout upside with a 6.5 K/9. That being said, you might be able to squeeze some value out of him. The White Sox and Twins both struggle to score runs and are in the bottom third of baseball in OPS against left-handed pitching. In two previous starts against the White Sox, Hardy allowed two runs over 12.1 innings. He’s had similar success against the Twins, giving up four runs across 11 innings in two outings. Hardy is still available in 97% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21

Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners: at OAK, vs. LAD

Gonzales has pitched well in first extended look in the majors, posting a 3.79 ERA, 3.59 FIP, and a 1.20 WHIP. He only has a 7.9 K/9, but he’s shown excellent control with a 1.6 BB/9. He did allow seven runs in his last start against the Rangers, marking the third time in his last nine outings that he allowed at least five runs. The A’s and Dodgers both have deep lineups that can score a lot of runs, which could prove troublesome for Gonzales. With his lack of strikeout upside, this might be the week to put him on your bench.

Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. BOS, vs. NYM

Pivetta has been a tremendous source for strikeouts with an 11.1 K/9. His 4.51 ERA doesn’t entirely paint an accurate picture of his performance, either, based on his 3.47 FIP. His WHIP is also down from 1.51 last year to 1.28 this season. However, he can tend to give up runs in bunches, which could be disastrous against the Red Sox. His second start against the Mets is extremely favorable, but the damage might have already been done to his week by the time he gets there.

Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays: at KC, at NYY

Borucki has a 2.81 ERA across eight starts for the Blue Jays, but his 1.38 WHIP doesn’t inspire much confidence. He’s allowed just one home run over 48 innings, so his ERA could increase quickly if he can’t continue to keep hitters inside the park. Don’t count on him for many strikeouts, either, based on his 6.0 K/9. His first matchup this week against the Royals is certainly in his favor. While he did hold the Yankees to one run across even innings previously, it’s important to note that game was in Toronto. The Yankees have a .739 OPS on the road but a much better .834 OPS at home. The start against the Royals makes him an enticing streaming option, but I don’t think he’s worth the risk against the Yankees.