Header Image - PICK LIKE THE PROS
PICK LIKE THE PROSLineup Lab is an advanced MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL daily fantasy lineup optimizer for Fanduel, Draftkings, and Yahoo. Pros use a DFS optimizer, so why don't you? Pick like the pros. Use the worlds most advanced projections and optimization techniques. Join today, and start winning!
start winning

Tag Archives

2 Articles

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Tuesday is loaded with elite starting pitching options across the majors including Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Aaron Nola. There is a great second tier of options behind them as well. 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 8/28/18

Clay Buchholz vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $10,000

Buchholz is having an incredible season for the Diamondbacks. He’s allowed more than three runs in only one of his 13 starts this season, resulting in a 2.25 ERA. His FIP is higher at 3.39, but that’s still excellent considering he missed almost all of last season due to injury. His 7.7 K/9 isn’t great, but he has a 1.03 WHIP and has given up only eight home runs across 80 innings. He’s already faced the Giants twice this season, allowing four runs and recording 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. He’s certainly not the flashiest of starting pitching options Tuesday, but he could still provide excellent value.

Brian Johnson vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $7,000

With so many great starting pitchers to choose from, it might not be a bad idea to go with a cheap pitcher in tournament play and load up on some of the expensive bats that have favorable matchups. If you want to go that route, Johnson might be your man. He’s made 10 starts for the Red Sox, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9. He started against the Marlins earlier this season, holding them to one run and recording five strikeouts in six innings. The Marlins have the fourth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.655) in baseball, so don’t be surprised if Johson has similar success.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18

Max Muncy vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,400

The Dodgers are likely going to be a popular stack with Jurado on the mound. He’s been terrible for the Rangers with a 6.40 ERA and a 5.75 FIP across his first six starts. He has a bloated 1.55 WHIP and only struck out 12 batters over 32.1 innings. Muncy has seen his playing time decrease some lately due to the additions of Manny Machado and Brian Dozier, but he still has four home runs in his last eight games. With the DH available in this contest, expect Muncy to be in the lineup.

Danny Jansen vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,900

Jansen certainly earned his call-up to the majors, batting .275 with a .390 OBP at Triple-A. He drew 44 walks compared to 49 strikeouts over 360 plate appearances. He’s carried that success over to the Blue Jays, going 10-for-30 with a home run and five doubles in his first nine games. He’s a great cheap option to consider against Rogers, who will be making his first appearance in the majors and doesn’t exactly have an overwhelming arsenal based on his 6.5 K/9 at Triple-A this year.

Others to consider: Matt Carpenter (first base) and Yasmani Grandal (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18

Whit Merrifield vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100

Merrifield might not get a lot of publicity playing for a bad Royals squad, but he’s a great hitter. He only has 10 home runs, but he’s batting .307 with a .374 OBP and 35 doubles. He’s a terror on the bases as well with 28 steals. He has a career .375 wOBA against lefties, so it’s not surprising that he is also 8-for-19 in his career against Boyd.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,200

Gurriel took a seat for the Blue Jays on Monday after starting his first three games since being activated from the DL. He’s one of the bright young players in their organization, so expect him to get plenty of playing time down the stretch. He was one of the hottest hitters in baseball before landing on the DL and is batting .307 overall, leaving him as a someone to consider in tournament play if you don’t want to pay up for Merrifield.

Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Jonathan Villar

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18

Justin Turner vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,600

Injuries have hampered Turner’s season, but he’s doing his best to make up for a slow start. He’s been red-hot in August, batting .405 with five homers and 10 doubles. He has outstanding numbers against left-handed pitchers, but he could still be in line for a big night against the struggling Jurado based on his .356 wOBA against righties.

Wil Myers vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,400

Hernandez is only 33 years old, but he’s a shell of his former self. He was demoted to the bullpen at one point but is back in the starting rotation out of necessity for the Mariners. He’s hasn’t been terrible at home, but he has a staggering 7.46 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP on the road. Myers has almost identical numbers against both righties and lefties throughout his career, so don’t pass over him for your entry just because he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Hernandez.

Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Matt Chapman

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18

Manny Machado vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,500

Machado is still adjusting to his new team and moving to a new league, batting .266 overall since joining the Dodgers. He is starting to heat up again, though, batting .286 with five home runs across his last 11 games. He won’t come cheap on either site, but he has significant upside against Jurado in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Freddy Galvis vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,600

Galvis has never really been a great hitter, batting .245 with a .661 OPS for his career. He’s put up similar numbers overall this year, but he’s been hot in August, batting .264 with a .834 OPS. If you decide to spend big at starting pitcher, Galvis is a cheap player to consider to help balance your budget with Hernandez on the mound.

Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Trevor Story

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18

Mitch Haniger vs. Jacob Nix, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900

Haniger was limited to 96 games last year due to injury, but he still hit 16 home runs and 25 doubles. He’s been able to stay healthy this season and remains extremely productive, slugging 22 homers and 28 doubles. He’s also batting .281 with a .368 OBP, showing he’s not just selling out for power. Nix has a 1.63 WHIP through three starts with the Padres, so this could be a high-scoring game for Haniger and the Mariners.

Yasiel Puig vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400

Puig is struggling, batting .171 with just one extra-base hit over his last 10 games. His .433 slugging percentage overall in August would be his lowest mark of any month this season, However, this might be just the matchup that Puig needs to get back on track. With Jurado’s struggles already detailed, it’s also important to note that Puig has had more success against right-handed pitchers (134 wRC+) this year than he has lefties (71 wRC+).

Carlos Gonzalez vs. Noe Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Ramirez is expected to start Tuesday after recording a save in Monday’s contest. This will be a bullpen game for the Angels, which is good news for the Rockies since the Angels bullpen has the fifth-highest FIP (4.44) in the majors. Gonzalez enters this game on a five-game hitting streak and is hitting .310 overall in August, making him someone to target at this reasonable price.

Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Tyler O’Neill

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

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

As we shift to NFL DFS coverage next week on Lineup Lab, this will be the last starting pitching schedule analysis article for the season. Hopefully, these articles have helped you be successful in your league. Let’s end things on a high note. 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 23

Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland Indians: vs. MIN, vs. TB

Carrasco’s last start didn’t go well as he allowed six runs (five earned) across 3.2 innings. It came against the Red Sox in Fenway Park, so don’t be overly concerned. He was dealing heading into that outing, allowing three runs or fewer in eight straight starts. Not only does he have a lofty 10.2 K/9, but he’s shown excellent control by issuing 1.8 BB/9. The end result has been a 1.13 WHIP and a 3.55 ERA that is supported by an even stronger 3.10 FIP. The Twins have only averaged 3.9 runs across their last 10 games and the Rays haven’t had as much success on the road (.712 OPS) as they have a home (.737 OPS), potentially setting up Carrasco for a dominant week.

Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs: vs. NYM, at PHI

Lester appears to have turned things around after a brief rough stretch, allowing one run and recording 11 strikeouts across 11.2 innings in his last two starts. His 3.64 ERA overall is a big improvement from last year, but his 4.74 FIP certainly instills less confidence. One area of concern has been his lack of strikeouts. His 8.3% swinging-strike rate is his lowest mark since 2008, resulting in just a 7.2 K/9. With that being said, he still could be very productive this week. Both the Mets and Phillies have an OPS against left-handed pitchers that are in the bottom-third of baseball.

Lance Lynn, New York Yankees: vs. CWS, vs. DET

Lynn started off strong with the Yankees, allowing one run across 16.2 innings in his first three appearances. He pitched so well in his first outing out of the bullpen that he quickly replaced Sonny Gray in their rotation. His last two starts have been rough, allowing 10 runs over 9.1 innings. The good news is he struck out 11 batters during those two games, helping boost his K/9 for the season to 9.3. His first start for the Yankee came against these same White Sox and he responded with nine strikeouts in 7.1 scoreless innings. With the White Sox and the Tigers both in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored, Lynn could be in line for a couple of rebound performances. He is still available in 55% of Yahoo! leagues.

Brian Johnson, Boston Red Sox: vs. MIA, at CWS

With the Red Sox dealing with injuries, Johnson has been elevated into their starting rotation. He’s made 10 starts so far, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9. He’s had some rough opponents of late, facing the Yankees, Indians and Blue Jays in three of his last four starts. Things look much more favorable for him in Week 23 since both the Marlins and the White Sox are in the bottom-third of baseball in terms of OPS against left-handed pitching. If you’re looking for a viable streaming option, Johnson is still available in 93% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 23

Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins: at CLE, at TEX

After posting an ERA of exactly 5.07 in both of the last two seasons, Gibson has been much improved this year with a 3.63 ERA. One of the keys to his success has been his 1.29 WHIP, which is significantly below his 1.41 career mark. He hasn’t been as good in August, though, with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP. He gets two tough opponents in Week 23 based on the Indians and Rangers both being in the top-five in home OPS. You may have leaned on Gibson many times this season, but this might be the time to keep him on your bench.

Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox: at NYY, vs. BOS

Rodon has been excellent of late, allowing two runs or fewer in seven on his last eight starts. He has a sparkling 2.71 ERA for the season, but he’s been somewhat lucky based on his 4.27 FIP and incredibly low .206 BABIP allowed. His 7.2 K/9 is also the lowest mark of his career, although his 9.5% swinging-strike rate isn’t too far off from his career average. He’ll have to face the two juggernauts in the AL East in Week 23 and even though the Yankees are missing some key bats, I’d still shy away from putting Rodon into your lineup.

Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates: at STL, at ATL

If there is one thing you can count on with Nova, it’s that he’s not going to walk many hitters. He’s only issued 1.8 BB/9, which would be his third-straight season of under two walks per nine innings. While that certainly helps his cause, he doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal with just an 8.7% swinging-strike rate and a 6.2 K/9. Facing the Cardinals is no easy task as they have averaged 5.9 runs across their last 10 games. The Braves are also in the top-10 in runs scored overall, so don’t even think about streaming Nova.