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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are 15 games in the majors Wednesday, but only 10 of them will make up the main slate in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

Noah Syndergaard vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $9,800
DraftKings = $10,200

Syndergaard has been so good in recent years that his 3.40 ERA and 1.25 WHIP this season are actually a bit disappointing for his standards. His 9.4 K/9 would also be the lowest mark of his career, but he’s shown great control with a 1.9 BB/9 and he’s only allowed six home runs across 100.2 innings. He still has a tremendously high ceiling in DFS and his numbers could actually be a little better based on his 2.68 FIP. The Giants have the second-lowest OPS on the road (.656) in baseball, making Syndergaard someone to build your lineup around.

Lance Lynn vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $8,000

Lynn was hit hard in his last outing against the Blue Jays, giving up five runs over 4 innings. However, he had allowed one run across 16.2 innings in his first three appearances with the Yankees. He hasn’t allowed a home run since being traded either. He’s been a good source for strikeouts with a 9.3 K/9 overall this season and an 8.6 K/9 for his career. This is an excellent opportunity to take a chance on Lynn in tournament play since the Marlins have scored the second-fewest runs (474) and have hit the second-fewest home runs (104) in the league.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,500

Goldschmidt is on fire again as he is 23-for-55 (.418) with four home runs and five doubles during his current 13-game hitting streak. He does have better numbers against left-handed pitching, but his .384 wOBA against righties this year isn’t exactly worrisome. Despaigne has mostly pitched out of the bullpen for the Marlins and Angels and hasn’t performed well, posting a combined 6.29 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. Goldschmidt certainly has a favorable chance to at least extend his hitting streak based on this matchup.

Ji-Man Choi vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,600

Choi didn’t play Tuesday, so he carries his own eight-game hitting streak into Wednesday’s contest against Junis. Junis has allowed four runs over 16.1 innings in his last three starts, but he’s struggled with consistency throughout the season, resulting in a 4.76 ERA and a 4.99 FIP. He’s had trouble keeping batters inside the park with a 1.8 HR/9 and has allowed a .351 wOBA against lefties, giving Choi some upside at this cheap price.

Others to consider: Eric Hosmer (first base) and Yan Gomes (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

Jeff McNeil vs. Casey Kelly, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,700

McNeil has provided the Mets with an injection of offense, batting .326 with a .388 OBP in 27 games since being recalled from the minors. His plate discipline has been encouraging with six walks and 10 strikeouts across 100 plate appearances. He had 14 walks and 19 strikeouts across 143 plate appearances at Triple-A, as well. Casey has mostly pitched in Triple-A for the Giants this year and hasn’t stood out, recording a 4.78 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 7.2 K/9.

Neil Walker vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,500

The Yankees lineup has turned into a mash unit. They are already without Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, then Didi Gregorius joined them on the DL Tuesday. Walker was already seeing regular playing time in the outfield, but now he’ll fill in at second base with Gleyber Torres moving over to shortstop. Walker has started to thrive with everyday at-bats, hitting .306 with four home runs over his last 23 games.

Others to consider: Javier Baez and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

Miguel Andujar vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000

With all of the Yankees injuries, Andujar has been moved up in their lineup. He’s making a strong case to win the AL Rookie of the Year, batting .297 with 20 home runs and 36 doubles. Not only has he hit for a lot of power, but he only has a 17.1% strikeout rate. Richards has actually had more success against left-handed hitters (.274 wOBA) than he has against righties (.381 wOBA), making Andujar a great option for your entry.

Eduardo Escobar vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,900

With Despaigne on the mound, the Diamondbacks are likely going to be a popular stack Wednesday. I’m not really high on any of the cheap options at third base, so it might make sense to pay up for the position. Escobar is slightly cheaper than Andujar and he has similar upside with a .375 wOBA against righties.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Yandy Diaz

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

Gleyber Torres vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,800

Torres struggled mightily after a stint on the DL, but he’s starting to get back on track as he is 8-for-20 during his current five-game hitting streak. Richards allows a lot of baserunners with a 1.44 WHIP and with his struggles against right-handed hitters already detailed, Torres could be another viable option to consider. Of note, Torres is only eligible at shortstop on FanDuel as he is listed at second base on DraftKings.

Willy Adames vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,800

The Rays are giving Adames a chance to play every day down the stretch and he hasn’t disappointed, batting .356 with four home runs in August. His .386 BABIP during that stretch isn’t sustainable, but he did bat .286 at Triple-A this year. Adames has a higher wOBA against righties (.323) than he does lefties (.263), leaving him as someone to potentially target at shortstop in tournament play.

Others to consider: Trevor Story and Amed Rosario

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

David Peralta vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,500

Peralta went 3-for-3 with a home run Tuesday and is now batting .384 with eight home runs and seven doubles across his last 25 games. He has a 162 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers overall and while he’s pricey, he could still provide significant production against Despaigne.

Melky Cabrera vs. Brian Johnson, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

The Red Sox haven’t been able to solve Cabrera in the first two games of this series as he is 5-for-7 with two home runs and a double. He’s now homered in three-straight contests and five times in his last nine games, overall. He’s become an important part of the Indians outfield and is a great option against Johnson based on his .424 wOBA against lefties.

Mallex Smith vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,300

Smith had two more hits Tuesday, marking his fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests. This isn’t some brief hot streak, either, as he is batting .374 with a .455 OBP since July 1. He only has two home runs this season, but he still has considerable upside if he can continue to get on base at such a high rate due to his ability to steal bases.

Others to consider: A.J. Pollock and Jon Jay

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/21/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Tuesday brings a packed slate in the majors with all 15 games included in the main contests 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 8/21/18

Blake Snell vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $9,600
DraftKings = $11,500

The Rays have brought Snell back slowly since being activated from the DL. He’s been on a pitch count, but he threw 76 pitchers in his last start against the Yankees, so he should be close to full-go Tuesday. He’s having a spectacular season with a 2.10 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP across 23 starts. Luck has been somewhat on his side with opponents posting just a .233 BABIP against him, but his 13.5% swinging-strike rate has led to a career-high 10.1 K/9. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (459) in baseball, potentially setting up Snell for another dominant outing.

Tyler Anderson vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $6,900

Anderson hasn’t been pitching at his best lately, allowing 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 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 the league, leaving Anderson with upside in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/21/18

Jesus Aguilar vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Aguilar had his worst month of the season in July, batting only .202 for the month. He’s righted the ship in August, batting .308 with a .446 OBP across 17 games. He’s finally received everyday playing time this year and he’s taken full advantage of his opportunity, batting .283 with 29 home runs. Romano has allowed 1.5 HR/9 this season, so Aguilar is a threat to go deep again in this contest.

Ji-Man Choi vs. Glenn Sparkman, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,800

Choi went 1-for-2 with two walks Monday to extend his current hitting streak to eight games. He’s shown some power over that stretch, as well, with two home runs and three doubles. Choi also has a .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers overall, making him a viable option at this cheap price against Sparkman and his 1.55 WHIP.

Others to consider: Matt Olson (first base) and Buster Posey (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/21/18

Travis Shaw vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Shaw cashed in a prime matchup against Homer Bailey on Monday, finishing the game 1-for-3 with a home run. Shaw’s only batting .247 this season, but he now has 25 homers and is well on his way to hitting at least 30 for the second straight season. With his .376 wOBA against righties, he’s another Brewer to target for your lineup.

Jonathan Villar vs. Sam Gaviglio, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800

When the Brewers loaded up in their infield to make a run at the playoffs, Villar was jettisoned to the Orioles. The Orioles found themselves extremely thin in their infield after trading away Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, leaving Villar with a clear path to an everyday role. He hasn’t exactly excelled, but he is hitting .269 with a .347 OBP since joining the Orioles. He has plenty of speed and swiped two bases on Monday. Gaviglio allows a lot of baserunners with his 1.46 WHIP and Blue Jays’ catcher Danny Jansen has allowed nine stolen bases in six games since being called up from the minors, leaving Villar as an intriguing option.

Others to consider: Jeff McNeil and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/21/18

Nolan Arenado vs. Robbie Erlin, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,700

Erlin has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this season, but he’s started in each of his last three outings. He has a 3.33 ERA and a 3.12 FIP overall this year, but he doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal with just a 6.7 K/9 for his career. Arenado has a staggering 231 wRC+ against lefties this year, so don’t hesitate to pay up for his services.

Evan Longoria vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,500

Longoria’s been limited to 90 games due to injuries in his first season with the Giants and he hasn’t played well when healthy, posting a .282 OBP and a .699 OPS. Most of his struggles have come against righties, who he has a .268 wOBA against. He’s had much more success versus lefties, though, with a .359 wOBA.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Matt Chapman

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/21/18

Trevor Story vs. Robbie Erlin, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Story hasn’t exactly struggled on the road this season with a .275 average and a .780 OPS. However, he’s been out of this world hitting in Coors Field with a .316 average and a 1.048 OPS. Considering he also has a .431 wOBA against left-handed pitchers and both he and Arenado could do plenty of damage Tuesday.

Marcus Semien vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200

Jurado’s first taste of action in the majors has not gone well. He’s only made five starts, but he has a 6.41 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Just as concerning is that he only has 11 strikeouts across 26.2 innings. He only had a 5.1 K/9 at Double-A this season before being recalled, so don’t expect him to suddenly start striking out a lot of hitters.  Semien could provide value at this cheap price, especially since he is hitting .405 with three home runs and three doubles over his last nine games.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Amed Rosario

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/21/18

Khris Davis vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,100

Here we go again. Davis went deep Monday after hitting two home runs Sunday. When he’s hot, he can hit home runs in bunches. He’s slugged 37 homers this season and while his excellent power numbers are nothing new, his .261 batting average would be his highest mark in any season where he played at least 100 games.

Lorenzo Cain vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,600

Cain doesn’t have much home run upside, but he enters Tuesday with a .304 average and a .396 OBP. He’s already swiped 24 bases, three of which have come across his last four games. Not only does Romano have a hard time keeping hitters inside the park, but he’s had difficulty keeping men off base, in general, with a 1.45 WHIP.

Stephen Piscotty vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,100
DraftKings = $3,500

Piscotty is starting to heat up again as he is 10-for-33 (.303) with a home run and five doubles over his last eight games. His .255 batting average this season doesn’t jump off the page, but he’s provided power with 16 homers and 34 doubles. He has almost even splits versus lefties and righties this year, so he might be worth the risk at this very cheap price even though he doesn’t have the platoon advantage facing Jurado.

Others to consider: A.J. Pollock and Christian Yelich

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 Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Thursday didn’t bring a lot of great starting pitching options, but that won’t be the case Friday with Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, and Charlie Morton all scheduled to take the mound. 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 8/17/18

Carlos Carrasco vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $11,200

Carrasco dominated the White Sox in his last start, recording nine strikeouts across even shutout innings. He’s having a great season with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, but he’s been even better lately with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over his last seven outings. He also has a stellar 11.8 K/9 during that stretch. The Orioles have scored the fifth-fewest runs (478) in baseball and have a much shallower lineup after their roster was stripped down at the trade deadline, leaving Carrasco with a favorable chance to provide another excellent performance.

James Shields vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $6,300

Shields’ 4.41 ERA and 4.75 FIP aren’t great, but he’s having his best season since joining the White Sox. Although he only has a 7.0 K/9, his 1.29 WHIP is his lowest mark since 2014. He’s struggled with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP on the road this year, but he’s been much better at home with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The Royals have averaged 3.4 runs across their last 10 games and have scored the fewest runs (447) in the league, making Shields a cheap option with upside in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18

Yonder Alonso vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,500

The Indians stand out as an excellent stacking play against Hess, who has a bloated 6.25 ERA that is backed by an equally poor 6.42 FIP. He has a 1.51 WHIP and has allowed 2.1 HR/9, which certainly isn’t a recipe for success. With left-handed hitters posting a .371 wOBA against him, Alonso carries significant upside.

Ronald Guzman vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,400

Recently acquired in a trade with the Marlins, Despaigne will make his first start with the Angels on Friday. He has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this year, recording a 5.31 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He only has a 5.4 K/9 for his career, which doesn’t leave him with much room for error. Guzman hasn’t hit for a high average, but he’s a power threat to consider in tournament play, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and Robinson Chirinos (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18

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

After slugging at least 30 home runs in both of the last two seasons, it appears Odor will fall short of that threshold this year as he only has 14 homers entering Friday. However, his 8.7% walk rate is almost four percentage points higher than his career mark and his .270 batting average has been a major improvement. Add in his .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season and he checks in as another Ranger to consider for your entry.

Scooter Gennett vs. Casey Kelly, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200

After finishing with 27 home runs and 97 RBI last year, Gennett is proving it was no fluke as he has 18 long balls and 70 RBI this season. He’s also batting .305, which would be his highest mark in any season where he has played at least 100 games. Kelly did not pitch well at Triple-A this season, posting a 4.78 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 23 starts.

Others to consider: Jason Kipnis and Daniel Murphy

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18

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

Profar started off this series with a bang Thursday, finishing 2-for-3 with his 14th home run of the season. He now has at least one hit in nine-straight games at home, slugging three homers and three doubles during that stretch. Even though he has better numbers against lefties, don’t shy away from playing him against the underwhelming Despaigne.

Yandy Diaz vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,900

With Edwin Encarnacion on the DL, Diaz will likely see a lot of playing time at DH. He only has 200 career plate appearances in the majors, but he’s posted a .294 average and a .370 OBP. His success isn’t that surprising since he has hit .311 with a .413 OBP in his career in the minors. At this dirt cheap price, he’s a very intriguing tournament play.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18

Francisco Lindor vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,800

Lindor has hit a brief cold stretch, going 3-for-22 over his last five games. However, he was 13-for-33 during his eight-game hitting streak before his mini-slump started. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track. Not only has Hess been horrible, but Lindor is batting .321 at home this year compared to .262 on the road.

Andrelton Simmons vs. Drew Hutchinson, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Mike Minor was supposed to start this game for the Rangers, but he’s been scratched due to a stiff back. Hutchinson will start in his place, marking his third appearance since joining the Rangers. His first two didn’t exactly go well as he allowed nine runs in 8.1 innings. He’s not much more than a journeyman starter at this point in his career, so Simmons is someone to consider if you want to save money at shortstop.

Others to consider: Willy Adames and Elvis Andrus

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18

Bryce Harper vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,400

Harper has been a different hitter since the All-Star break, batting .352 with seven home runs and eight doubles across 25 games. He’s been aided by a .453 BABIP, but he was due for some improvement after his abnormally low .226 BABIP before the break. Straily allows plenty of baserunners with his 1.40 WHIP and has given up 1.6 HR/9, setting Harper up with another favorable matchup.

Kole Calhoun vs. Drew Hutchinson, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200

Calhoun took advantage of a great matchup against Ariel Jurado on Thursday, finishing the night 3-for-4 with a home run. He’s firmly put his slow start in the rearview mirror and now has 17 home runs total, giving him a chance to hit at least 20 for only the second time in his career. He has a .522 wOBA against right-handed pitchers since July 1 and could provide significant value based on his price on both sites.

Nomar Mazara vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,100

After missing a month with a thumb injury, Mazara hit a home run in his return from the DL on Thursday. He finished with 20 homers and 101 RBI last year and has followed that up with 16 homers and 60 RBI this season despite his stint on the DL. He shouldn’t be priced this low, especially against Despaigne.

Others to consider: Shohei Ohtani and Joey Gallo

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 Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

With 14 games for the main slate Friday in DFS, there are a lot of options to wade through for your entry. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 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 8/10/18

Nathan Eovaldi vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $9,700

Eovaldi has yet to allow a run since being traded. The fact that one of his two starts with the Red Sox came against the Yankees makes that even more impressive. He has a 3.38 ERA overall that has been aided by a sparkling 0.89 WHIP. That will likely be hard for him to sustain, though, since opponents only have a .230 BABIP against him. The good news is he gets to face an Orioles lineup that wasn’t great, to begin with, then traded away their two best hitters in Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. His strikeout upside is limited, but this is still a matchup to exploit.

Zach Eflin vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,500

Eflin was a disaster over 11 starts last year with a 6.16 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He’s shown significant improvement this year with a 3.61 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Not only has he cut down his rate of home runs allowed, but he has also increased his K/9 from 4.9 last season to 8.3 this year. His 10.1% swinging-strike rate is almost three percentage points higher than it was in 2017. The Padres have struck out the third-most times (1,097) in baseball and have the second-lowest OPS against righties (.659), making Eflin an excellent option to consider.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

Matt Carpenter vs. Burch Smith, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,800

There are few hitters in baseball that are hotter than Carpenter right now. He is 10-for-29 (.345) with five home runs during his current seven-game hitting streak. His 63 RBI don’t stand out, but he’s hitting for a ton of power with 31 home runs and 33 doubles. With Burch’s 1.53 WHIP and 1.8 HR/9, Carpenter is someone to build your lineup around.

Matt Olson vs. Felix Pena, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200

Olson’s .235 average this season has been a disappointment, but he’s 10-for-33 (.303) with four doubles and a home run over his last nine games. His power numbers are virtually the same whether he’s been on the road or at home this season, but he’s hit for a higher average on the road at .256. That’s been a common theme for the A’s as they have much better offensive stats as a team on the road. Olson also has a .351 wOBA against right-handed pitching, leaving him as an intriguing option if you don’t want to pay up for Carpenter.

Others to consider: Jake Bauers (first base) and Yadier Molina (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

Whit Merrifield vs. Austin Gomber, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,800

Merrifield only has seven home runs this year, but he hasn’t been completely devoid of power with 31 doubles. He’s batting .300 with 25 steals and he’s shown a better eye at the plate, almost doubling his walk rate from 2017. He has a stellar .406 wOBA against left-handed pitching and could provide value against Gomber and his 1.37 WHIP.

Kolten Wong vs. Burch Smith, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,600

With Smith on the mound Friday, the Cardinals present an excellent stacking opportunity. Carpenter is their big ticket player to target, but Wong is a strong candidate to outproduce his price point. His .229 average and seven home runs don’t jump off the page, but he’s batting .349 over his last 18 games.

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

Eduardo Escobar vs. Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,400

Escobar is still looking for his first home run since being traded to the Diamondbacks, but he’s batting an impressive .333 with five doubles since joining his new team. The switch-hitting third baseman has a .377 wOBA against righties this year and DeSclafani has allowed a .410 to left-handed batters, setting up Escobar nicely to continue his recent run of success.

David Freese vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Freese came through Thursday with a big performance, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. He’s come on strong down the stretch, batting .343 with three home runs and two doubles across his last 10 games. With his career .363 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he’s a great cheap option with upside in tournament play.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Rafael Devers

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

Andrelton Simmons vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,200

Anderson tossed seven scoreless innings in his last start against the Tigers, but he had only two strikeouts against what is not an imposing lineup by any means. He’s generally had trouble keeping runners off base this season with a 1.48 WHIP and he’s not fooling many batters with a 4.4 K/9. Simmons doesn’t strike out much and he has a .364 wOBA against lefties, so he could be on base plenty in this game.

Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Jacob Nix, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,300

With the Padres desperate for starting pitching, Nix will make his major league debut Friday despite starting only one game at Triple-A. He had a 2.05 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP across nine starts at Double-A, but his 7.0 K/9 at that level doesn’t exactly foster a lot of confidence. The Phillies could be in for a big night, including Cabrera, who has a .366 wOBA against righties.

Others to consider: Paul DeJong and Carlos Correa

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

Khris Davis vs. Felix Pena, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,000

Davis is doing his best to get the A’s back into the playoffs, batting .311 with 12 home runs since July 1. His walk rate is down, but he’s also cut down on his strikeouts to boost his batting average to .256, which would be his highest mark since he played in only 56 games for the Brewers in 2013. Davis actually has better numbers against right-handed pitching and Pena has allowed 1.5 HR/9 for his career, leaving Davis with plenty of potential Friday.

David Peralta vs. Anthony DeSclafani
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,500

Peralta had a power outage with just one home run in July, but he’s already gone deep three times so far in August. He has a career-high 19 homers overall and is still hitting for a high average at .306. With DeSclafani’s struggles against left-handed hitters already detailed, Peralta stands out among outfield options, although he is pricey on DraftKings.

Mallex Smith vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Smith continues to find ways to get on base, going 1-for-2 with two walks Thursday. He doesn’t hit for any power, but he does have nine runs scored and seven stolen bases across his last nine games. Estrada is having another subpar season with a 4.65 ERA and a 4.64 FIP and he doesn’t have an overwhelming arsenal with a 6.6 K/9, so don’t be surprised if Smith finds himself on base a couple of times again in this contest.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Justin Upton

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are only six games to choose from Thursday for the main slate in DFS, but there are still some great matchups that stand out. 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 8/9/18

James Paxton vs. Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $10,600

Paxton has picked up right where he left off after a brief stint on the DL, allowing three runs and recording 15 strikeouts across 14 innings since he was activated. His 3.51 ERA overall is supported by an even better 3.05 FIP and he’s done an excellent job keeping runners off base with a 1.07 WHIP. His 11.5 K/9 would also be the highest mark of his career. You don’t normally target pitchers against the Astros, but their lineup is a shell of itself with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer all on the DL. They enter Thursday having scored three runs or fewer in nine of their last 12 games.

Yonny Chirinos vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,700

I don’t like any of the cheap starting pitching options Thursday. Tyler Anderson, Ross Stripling, and J.A. Happ are all good pitchers and don’t cost much, but their matchups aren’t great. The Rays are actually starting Hunter Wood in this game, but he’s not going to throw more than a couple of innings. Chirinos is one of the more likely options to follow him since he last pitched five days ago and Jake Faria is dealing with a sore neck. He’s pitched well with a 3.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and an 8.5 K/9, so he could provide a lot of value at this price. Keep an eye on reports leading up to this game and if Chirinos is confirmed to follow Wood, he’s someone worth considering on a night with so few quality options.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

Jake Bauers vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,400

Hess hadn’t started a game since June for the Orioles, but he returned to the rotation last Friday against the Rangers. That game certainly didn’t go well as he allowed seven runs (five earned) across 3.1 innings. If the Orioles had any other viable options, Hess likely wouldn’t be starting because of his 6.41 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. He’s also allowed 2.2 HR/9, giving Bauers and the Rays an excellent opportunity to put up some big numbers.

Steve Pearce vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Borucki has pitched well across his seven starts, posting a 2.30 ERA, 2.52 FIP, and a 1.26 WHIP. His only bad outing came against these same Red Sox when he allowed seven runs (four earned) in three innings. It’s going to be awfully difficult for him to have success in their rematch Thursday, especially considering his underwhelming 6.3 K/9. Pearce is one Red Sox to target in particular based on his 189 wRC+ against lefties.

Others to consider: Greg Bird (first base) and Francisco Cervelli (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

Gleyber Torres vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Torres has played better than anyone could have expected since being recalled, batting .274 with 18 home runs in only 266 at-bats. He’s loved hitting at home so far, batting .307 with 10 homers at Yankee Stadium. Jurado is not an overwhelming pitcher with a career 6.9 K/9 in the minors, leaving Torres with plenty of upside once again.

Joey Wendle vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100

With Hess on the mound for the Orioles, the Rays are likely going to be one of the most heavily used stacks for the evening. Wendle has cashed in his first opportunity to get extended playing time in the majors, batting .292 across 322 at-bats. He doesn’t have a lot of power, but he at least has the potential to get on base a couple of times in this contest.

Others to consider: Josh Harrison and Neil Walker

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

Miguel Andujar vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300

If it wasn’t for the crazy start to Torres’ career, Andujar would be getting much more press. His defense has been shaky, to say the least, but his bat is going to be special. He has 30 doubles to go along with 15 home runs, but he’s not just about power numbers with his .289 batting average. He actually has slightly better numbers against righties, so don’t worry about him not having the platoon advantage against Jurado.

David Freese vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Expect Freese to be in the lineup against the left-handed Suarez based on his .363 wOBA against left-handed pitchers for his career. Suarez had a very productive stretch from June into the beginning of July, but he’s allowed 19 runs over 21.2 innings in his last four starts.

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Matt Duffy

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,900

There are a lot of Yankees’ hitters who have better numbers at home, but Gregorius has one of the most extreme splits. He’s batting .236 with seven homers on the road compared to .296 with 13 long balls at Yankee Stadium. This could be a high scoring game for the Yankees even with Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez still sidelined, with Gregorius potentially playing a key role.

Xander Bogaerts vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Center
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Bogaerts is in a power drought, failing to hit a home run since the All-Star break. He’s only hit .216 during that stretch, but he has recorded a hit in three straight games. With at least one walk in four consecutive contests, as well, he’s showing signs of coming back around. He’s had a great season batting .274 with 16 home runs and is someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Gregorius.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Willy Adames

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

J.D. Martinez vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,600

Martinez is locked in, batting .404 with five home runs and seven doubles over his last 13 games. He has 16 RBI during that time frame, bringing his total to 98 for the season. With his career .387 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he could give Borucki plenty of problems.

Mallex Smith vs. David Hess, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Smith is on a hot streak of his own, going 12-for-24 over his last eight games. He swiped two more bases Wednesday, upping his total to 25 overall. With Smith hitting this well and Hess struggling to keep runners off base, you could get plenty of production even without Smith having any power upside.

Randal Grichuk vs. Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800

Grichuk logged two hits Wednesday, marking his third multi-hit performance in his last five games. He’s been one of the better Blue Jays’ hitters of late, batting .339 with two home runs and six doubles across his last 13 contests. He has better numbers against right-handed pitchers throughout his career, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play.

Others to consider: Mookie Betts and Steven Duggar