There’s not much to speak of in the majors Monday with only five games making up the main evening slate in DFS. Viable starting pitching options will be hard to come by, so look for hitters to reign supreme.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/27/2019
Baseball brings plenty of day games to the table Monday, leaving only four games for the main evening slate in DFS. Despite the limited schedule, there are actually a lot of good options available.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/22/2019
We have plenty of options to wade through Monday with all 10 games in the majors being played at night. Let’s not waste any time and get right down to business by examing some players who stand out as having the potential to be productive.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/29/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
With several day games across the majors Wednesday, nine evening games 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
C.C. Sabathia vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,900
After a brief stint on the DL, Sabathia didn’t miss a beat in his first start since being activated, allowing two runs and recording eight strikeouts across six innings against the Orioles. Sabathia has posted at least seven strikeouts in four of his last five outings, increasing his K/9 to 8.2 for the season. He’s been stellar pitching at Yankee Stadium with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across 12 starts. He held the White Sox to one run while registering 12 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in their first meeting this season and while that strikeout total will be hard to match, he can still provide value for your entry.
Alex Cobb vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,400
Cobb’s overall numbers don’t look great based on his 5.00 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. However, much of the damage done against him came during the first half of the season. He’s trying to end the year on a high note, posting a 1.80 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in August. Maybe the most impressive part about his recent success is that four of those five starts game against the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians. He doesn’t have much strikeout upside with a 6.1 K/9, but he’s still someone to consider in tournament play at this cheap price.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Trevor Williams, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,100
Carpenter cooled off a bit after his torrid start to August, but he’s starting to heat up again with six hits over his last two games. He’s provided a ton of power this season with 34 home runs and 38 doubles and is on pace to finish with an OBP of at least .380 for the third straight season. He could be in for another big performance Wednesday considering he has a .400 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and that he is 7-for-16 with three homers in his career against Williams.
Wilson Ramos vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,900
Injuries have limited Ramos to just eight games since being traded to the Phillies, but he’s 14-for-30 with a home run and six doubles with his new team. He hasn’t started more than two consecutive days since joining the Phillies, but since he only appeared as a pinch hitter Tuesday, he should start this contest. It would also be wise for the Phillies to get him back into their lineup based on his 161 wRC+ against lefties.
Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion (first base) and Brandon Belt (first base)
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,300
Villar has had plenty of success in the first two games of this series, going 5-for-7 with four runs scored and two steals. He has swiped seven bases since joining the Orioles, raising his total to 21 for the season. He now has four steals in his last five games against the Blue Jays and runners have already stolen 11 bases off of their catcher Danny Jansen in just 10 games. Borucki has allowed plenty of baserunners with his 1.53 WHIP, so Villar might run wild again in this contest.
Jason Kipnis vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100
The Indians are likely going to be a popular stack for the evening. They only have a .736 OPS on the road, but they have a .805 OPS at home. They also get a favorable matchup against Stewart, who has allowed nine runs over 11.2 innings in his first three starts for the Twins. Kipnis is batting .204 with a .555 OPS on the road, but he has a .250 batting average and a .807 OPS at home.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Brian Dozier
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,300
Turner logged two more hits Tuesday, marking his fourth straight multi-hit game. He’s turned his season around in August, batting .404 with five home runs and 11 doubles since the month began. Add in his 193 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, overall, this season and Turner might be well worth his lofty price against Minor.
Mike Moustakas vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400
Harvey had a disastrous start to the season with the Mets, but he’s posted a respectable 4.14 ERA since joining the Reds. He does still have problems with home runs, though, giving up 14 in 95.2 innings since joining the team. Moustakas has hit 19 of his 24 homers off of righties this season, so he could be a threat to leave the yard again Wednesday.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,200
Believe it or not, Machado has never recorded 100 RBI in a season during his career. He drove in four runs in the first game of this series Tuesday, bringing his total to 86 for the season. He has a great chance at cracking the 100-RBI plateau, especially as part of a much more potent lineup with the Dodgers. He’s batting .302 with a .970 OPS over his last 12 games and has a high ceiling in this contest at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Tim Beckham vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,300
Beckham was a different hitter after joining the Orioles during the 2017 season, batting .306 with a .523 slugging percentage over 50 games. He hasn’t been able to follow that up with a strong campaign, though, batting .220 with a .355 slugging percentage. The good news is he plays every day now with Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop no longer in the folder and his .409 slugging percentage in August is his highest of any month this season. With Borucki’s inability to limit baserunners, Beckham might be worth the risk in tournament play at this dirt cheap price.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Trea Turner
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,800
Yelich has been everything the Brewers could have hoped for since acquiring him from the Marlins. He’s already set a new career-high with 25 home runs, seven of which have come across his last nine games. His walk rate is down, but his .310 batting average would also be the highest mark of his career. Harvey doesn’t exactly have overpowering stuff anymore, potentially setting up Yelich for a valuable performance.
Melky Cabrera vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Cabrera has hit his way into an everyday role with the Indians, batting .314 with six home runs and five doubles across his last 34 games. He’s also been able to provide plenty of counting stats with 16 RBI and 16 runs scored during that stretch. With the potential for this to be another high-scoring game for the Indians against Stewart, Cabrera is a viable option to consider for your entry.
Trey Mancini vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Mancini has caught fire, going 8-for-15 with two home runs, four doubles and a triple over his last four games. After batting .293 last year, his .241 average this season has been a significant disappointment. However, he’s still managed to hit for power with 19 homers and 20 doubles. At this cheap price, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Others to consider: Greg Allen and Tyler O’Neill
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/25/18
Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/25/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
Games will be spread throughout the day Wednesday, leaving fewer options than normal if you are playing the 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
Clayton Kershaw vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $11,400
DraftKings = 14,000
Kershaw is well on his way to another dominant season. Although he is only 1-3 through five starts, he has a sparkling 2.45 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. His strikeouts are slightly down at 9.5 K/9, but with a K/9 of at least 10.4 in four straight seasons, don’t expect that to be a trend that continues much longer. He has also shown impeccable control with a 0.8 BB/9 and throwing a first-pitch strike to 70% of the batters that he has faced. He’s an excellent option regardless of opponent, but he gets an extremely favorable matchup against a Marlins offense that has hit the fewest home runs (14) and has the third-lowest batting average (.223) in baseball.
Jake Faria vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $6,300
The Rays and Orioles were rained out Tuesday, pushing Faria’s start to Wednesday. His 5.82 ERA and 1.59 WHIP this season don’t exactly look appealing, but a lot of that was due to him giving up eight earned runs in 1.2 innings against the Red Sox during his second start of the season. He’s been much better outside of that outing, allowing three earned runs across 15.1 innings in his other starts. He has also shown some strikeout upside, registering at least six of them in back-to-back starts. The Orioles have the lowest batting average (.215) in baseball, so Faria might be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Cody Bellinger vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,500
Bellinger isn’t exactly on fire right now, hitting 2-for-16 in his last five games. However, his two hits were a double and a home run and he also drew three walks during that stretch. He only has three home runs this season overall, but he’s batted a respectable .271. Bellinger had a .383 wOBA against right-handers last year, so facing Richards and his 1.68 WHIP might be just what he needs to start a hot streak.
Matt Olson vs. Doug Fister, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Olson hit for a ton of power in 59 games last year, finishing with a .651 slugging percentage. His 40.3% hard-hit rate was excellent and has been even better this season at 50%. He only has three home runs to show for it, but that shouldn’t last for long if he keeps hitting the ball with this kind of authority. He had a 181 wRC+ against righties last year, leaving him with excellent upside against Fister, who doesn’t have an overpowering pitch arsenal.
Others to consider: Joey Gallo (first base) and Yasmani Grandal (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Jed Lowrie vs. Doug Fister, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,600
At this point, the only reason not to play Lowrie in DFS is if you can’t fit his price tag into your entry. He already has 12 multi-hit games this season and is batting .363 with six home runs and eight doubles. The Athletics have had one of the most potent offenses in baseball in the early going and Lowrie’s success in a big reason why. He also has a .344 average in 33 career plate appearances against Fister, so he makes a lot of sense again Wednesday.
Joey Wendle vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,200
Wendle is not a big home run hitter, but he did have a career .288 batting average in 641 games in the minors. He’s getting a chance to play every day for the rebuilding Rays and is off to a hot start, hitting .304 with a .385 OBP. His 40.5% hard-hit rate is probably unsustainable, so he may experience some regression as the league gets more familiar with how to pitch to him. Cobb has a horrible 15.43 ERA and 3.14 WHIP through his first two starts, so Wendle might be able to provide value.
Others to consider: Brock Holt and Chase Utley
THIRD BASE
Mike Moustakas vs. Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,300
The Royals have one of the worst lineups in baseball despite bringing back Moustakas, who hit a career-high 38 home runs last year. He certainly hasn’t been the problem, batting .307 with six home runs and five doubles so far. He had a .353 wOBA against right-handers last year and is at .470 against them so far in 2018, leaving him as a great option to consider for your entry.
Jeimer Candelario vs. Chad Kuhl, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = NA
Candelario has been one of the better hitters this season for the rebuilding Tigers, hitting .277 with three home runs, 10 RBI, and a .355 OBP. Kuhl’s 4.57 ERA this year is not terrible, but he’s allowed way too many baserunners with a 1.62 WHIP. That’s been a trend for him throughout his career with a WHIP of 1.44 in 249.2 innings. He also allowed a .376 wOBA to left-handed hitters last year, which is good news for the switch-hitting Candelario on Wednesday.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Rafael Devers
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800
Machado is looking to put his .259 batting average from last year firmly in the rearview mirror, hitting .360 out of the gates this season. His power numbers haven’t suffered either with eight home runs and seven doubles through 23 games. Most of his struggles came on the road last season, hitting .229 compared to .288 at home. Although I think using Faria in tournament play is a viable option based on the Orioles lineup as a whole, Machado could give him problems.
Corey Seager vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Seager is not off to a good start this season with a .241 average and just one home run. He has a .275 BABIP and his 35.7% hard-hit rate is well below his career mark, which has been a big reason for his struggles. Richards isn’t a strikeout pitcher though and Seager did have a .353 wOBA against righties last year, so don’t be surprised if he busts out of his funk Wednesday.
Others to consider: Paul DeJong and Adeiny Hechavarria
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,600
Yelich has been limited to only 12 games this season due to injury, but he’s performed well in limited action with a .319 average and two home runs. He continues to show an excellent eye at the plate with a .407 OBP after posting an OBP of at least .362 in every season of his career. He finished with a 123 wRC+ last year against righties compared to just 94 against lefties, so he could be in line for a valuable performance against Hammel.
Denard Span vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,500
Span is off to a very unlikely start, driving in 17 runs in 18 games. Last year he had only 43 RBI in 129 games for the Giants. He has mostly batted leadoff this season, with the extra at-bats giving him a boost in DFS. He’s not going to keep up with this RBI pace, but he’s a viable option to consider Tuesday against the struggling Cobb.
Matt Joyce vs. Doug Fister, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,500
Joyce is one of those cheap options you want to target when he’s facing a right-handed pitcher. He has just a 62 wRC+ against lefties in his career, but a 123 wRC+ against righties. Fister allowed a .365 wOBA to lefties last year, so make sure to take advantage of the budget savings that Joyce can provide.
Others to consider: Tommy Pham and Shin-Soo Choo
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18
Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/4/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
Several staff aces will be making their second start of the season Wednesday, so it will be imperative to pay up to get one of them into your daily fantasy baseball entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Corey Kluber vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $11,100
If you are playing the early slate, Kluber has one of the highest ceilings of anyone taking the mound. He was fantastic on his way to winning the AL Cy Young Award last season, equaling or setting career-bests in wins (18), ERA (2.25), WHIP (0.87) and K/9 (11.7). Not only did he strike out a lot of hitters, but he showed impeccable control by only allowing 1.6 BB/9. He handled batters from both sides of the plate well, allowing a .251 wOBA to lefties and .230 wOBA to righties. The Indians lost his first game of the season, but he allowed only two runs while recording eight strikeouts in eight innings. He has the potential to pitch a gem regardless of who he is facing, so don’t be afraid to pay up for him Wednesday.
Jon Gray vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $8,500
Gray was limited to just 110.1 innings last year due to injury but pitched well when he was healthy, finishing with a 3.67 ERA and 9.1 K/9. His FIP was 3.18 and opponents had a .338 BABIP against him, so his numbers could have actually been a little better. He didn’t get off to a good start this season, allowing three earned runs in four innings on Opening Day to the Diamondbacks. It could have been much worse though since he allowed six hits and three walks. Wednesday brings a more favorable matchup against the Padres who still don’t have an overwhelming lineup despite the addition of Eric Hosmer. Gray has also had success at Petco Park during his career, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12.9 K/9 in five starts.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Ian Desmond vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000
There was some concern during spring training that Ryan McMahon could take time away from Desmond at first base, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Desmond has helped his cause by getting off to a hot start, recording a hit in each of his first four games. They’ve been productive hits as well, resulting in two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored. He’ll face a lefty in Clayton Richard on Tuesday who allowed a .377 wOBA to righties in 2017.
Tyler Austin vs. Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,400
Austin has been thrust into an important role for the Yankees with Greg Bird (ankle) expected to be out for at least the first month of the season. Austin has come through so far, hitting two home runs to go along with three RBI and four runs scored in three games. He didn’t see a lot of action in the majors last season but when he did, he posted a stellar 199 wRC+ against left-handed starters. The Yankees lineup is filled with prominent sluggers, but Austin could also be worth the risk in tournament play Wednesday.
Others to consider: Gary Sanchez (catcher) and Matt Olson (first base)
SECOND BASE
D.J. LeMahieu vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,400
The Rockies have a lot of power in their lineup but don’t sleep on LeMahieu. He only had eight home runs in 2017 but batted .310 with a .374 OBP. It marked the third straight season that he has batted at least .300. He has owned left-handed pitchers, posting a wOBA of at least .397 against them in back-to-back seasons. With Richard’s struggles against righties already outlined, LeMahieu is another Rockies righty to consider putting into your entry.
Joe Panik vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,800
The Giants lineup has been quiet so far, scoring a total of six runs in their first five games. Things would be even worse if it wasn’t for Panik, who has already hit three solo home runs and has at least one hit in all five games. He faired better versus right-handed pitching last year, posting a 110 wRC+ against them compared to 91 against lefties. Hernandez also allowed a .363 wOBA to left-handed hitters in 2017, so it might be worth taking a chance on Panik extending his hot streak Wednesday.
Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Yangervis Solarte
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,000
After recording four hits and one home run in his first two games of the season, Arenado is just 1-for-10 in three games since. He could bust out of his mini-slump Wednesday though as he has excellent numbers against Richard, batting .625 with one home run and five RBI in 18 career plate appearances against him. A stack of Desmond, LeMahieu, and Arenado has the potential to be very productive in this game.
Jose Ramirez vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,400
Ramirez was hitless in his first four games this season but finally got on the board Tuesday with a two-run homer. He has batted at least .312 in back-to-back seasons, so it was only a matter of time before he got things rolling again. The switch-hitting Ramirez will bat from the right side of the plate against lefty Tyler Skaggs on Wednesday, which is good news considering his 147 wRC+ against lefties in 2017.
Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,300
Lindor is still looking for his first multi-hit game of the season, going just 3-for-20 in the first five games. He doesn’t have an extra-base hit or an RBI either, but he did already log his first stolen base. Like Ramirez, the switch-hitting Lindor also thrives against lefties, posting a .376 wOBA against them in 2017. Don’t be surprised if he breaks out of his slump Wednesday.
Alcides Escobar vs. Daniel Norris, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,200
The Royals lost Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain over the winter, which is not good news considering they struggled to score runs even with them on the team last year. Wednesday brings a matchup against Norris, who has struggled to keep runners off base with a career 1.44 WHIP. He hasn’t been able to slow down Escobar either, who is 8-for-16 with a home run against Norris in his career. Considering his cheap price, Escobar could be someone to consider if you want to save money at shortstop.
Others to consider: Paul DeJong and Eduardo Escobar
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,200
Judge is still looking for his first homer of the season, but he has a .435 OBP so far. Although he is one of the most feared power hitters in the league, he has excellent protection with Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius batting behind him. Judge was a much better hitter at home last season, batting .312 at Yankee Stadium compared to .256 on the road. Snell struggled on the road last year, posting a 4.76 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 13 starts. He also had a tougher time getting out righties, allowing a .320 wOBA to them compared to .228 against lefties.
Christian Yelich vs. Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,600
Yelich has provided immediate dividends for the Brewers, batting .433 with four RBI and six runs scored through the first five games. On the other hand, Martinez did not pitch well in his first start for the Cardinals this year, allowing four earned runs in 4.1 innings against the Mets. Martinez excelled against same-handed hitters in 2017, holding them to a .263 wOBA. He wasn’t as effective against lefties though with them recording a .337 wOBA.
Dexter Fowler vs. Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium = Miller Park
FanDuel = $2,200
DraftKings = $3,300
The switch-hitting Fowler has been more successful batting from the left side, recording a 128 wRC+ in 2017 compared to just 100 when hitting right-handed. He’ll face a right-hander in Chacin on Wednesday, who doesn’t have overpowering stuff with a career 7.1 K/9. Chacin was roughed up for four runs and two homers in just 3.1 innings in his first start against the Brewers this season as well. Fowler can not only help free up your budget, but he also has upside Wednesday.
Others to consider: Giancarlo Stanton and Khris Davis