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 8/16/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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 7/25/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
There are only four games that make up the main evening slate in DFS, leaving far fewer options to choose from than normal. 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
David Price vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $9,500
Price had a 3.66 ERA entering July, but a horrible start against the Yankees where he allowed eight runs in 3.1 innings did serious damage to his numbers. He has a 4.17 ERA and a 4.29 FIP overall, which would be his highest marks since his first season as a starter in 2009 with the Rays. His swinging-strike rate is down significantly at 8.9%, but he’s still managed to record a 9.0 K/9. This could be a start to help pad his stats as the Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (367) in baseball. In his previous outing against them this season, Price allowed two runs and recorded eight strikeouts over nine innings.
James Shields vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,000
On a night with such a limited slate, there aren’t a lot of great cheap options for starting pitchers. Shields’ 4.26 ERA and 4.38 FIP don’t jump off the page, but that’s a significant improvement from last season. Not only has he done a better job limiting baserunners with a 1.26 WHIP, but he also cut down his 2.1 HR/9 last year to 1.0 HR/9 this season. His upside isn’t great due to his 6.6 K/9, but he might still be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Jose Abreu vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,600
Abreu has batted at least .290 with 25 home runs in each of his first four seasons, but he’s got a ways to go if he is going to accomplish both feats in 2018. His 14 home runs are respectable, but his batting average sits at just .253. One reason for his struggles is likely his .283 BABIP, which is significantly lower than his .328 career mark. He does still have a .363 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, making him a viable option at such a reduced price.
Jonathan Lucroy vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $2,800
Lucroy had a productive first two games of this series, hitting 3-for-8 with a double, a home run and two walks. He hasn’t been much of an offensive threat this year batting .243 with two homers, but his wOBA is over 30 points higher against lefties than it is against righties. Perez has been horrible with an 8.05 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP, leaving Lucroy as someone worth considering based on the relief he can also provide to your budget.
Others to consider: Mitch Moreland (first base)
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,300
With a double in Tuesday’s contest, Odor extended his hitting streak to six games. He’s been hot for a much longer stretch than that, though, as he is 28-for-83 (.337) across his last 23 games. Jackson has a 2.93 ERA through his first five starts, but his 4.23 FIP and crazy-low .198 opponents’ BABIP indicate he’s had plenty of luck on his side. Continue to ride Odor’s hot bat.
Jed Lowrie vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,000
Lowrie played a key role in Tuesday’s wild come from behind victory, finishing the game 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. The performance broke his 0-for-18 streak that saw his batting average drop 13 points. He did still draw four walks during that stretch and has a .358 OBP that would be one of the highest marks of his career. He’ll bat from the right side of the plate against Perez, which is good news considering Perez has allowed a .467 wOBA to righties this year.
Others to consider: Jonathan Schoop
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman vs. Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,500
Bregman is on a prolonged stretch of excellent hitting as he is 55-for-177 (.311) with 15 doubles and 16 home runs since June 1. He has also shown an excellent eye at the plate this entire season, drawing 59 walks and striking out only 55 times. Although he doesn’t get the platoon advantage versus Gray, he hasn’t exactly struggled against righties with a .380 wOBA.
Matt Chapman vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,100
With Perez on the mound for the Rangers, the Athletics are going to be a very popular stack. As we continue to seek out their right-handed bats, Chapman weighs in as a great option on both sites based on his price. His home run in Monday’s contest was his first since June 10, but he is 18-for-55 (.327) with six doubles over his last 14 games.
Others to consider: Adrian Beltre
SHORTSTOP
Xander Bogaerts vs. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,200
Bogaerts might not get a lot of headlines in a stacked lineup with stars like Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, but he’s having a great season. His power numbers are up significantly with a .526 slugging percentage that is over 100 points higher than his career mark. His batting average hasn’t suffered any either at .280. He actually has a higher wOBA against righties (.378) than he does lefties (.334) as well.
Elvis Andrus vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,800
Andrus has homered in back-to-back contests and is 9-for-22 (.409) during his current six-game hitting streak. His numbers are down overall, but he’s certainly enjoyed hitting at home with a .348 average and all four of his home runs coming there this season. If you don’t want to pay up for Bogaerts, Andrus could provide significant value against the underwhelming Jackson.
Others to consider: Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
Khris Davis vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,300
Davis was one of the few hitters left out of the offensive explosion Tuesday, but then he made his mark by hitting a three-run homer in extra innings. He’s now homered in three straight games, bringing his total to 25 for the season. With Perez’s struggles against right-handed hitters already detailed, Davis is one of the premier outfield options Wednesday.
Stephen Piscotty vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200
Piscotty showed a lot of promise with the Cardinals in 2016 but had a disappointing 2017 campaign before being traded to the Athletics. He’s doing his best to show last season was a fluke, batting .263 with 14 home runs and 27 doubles in 93 games. Most of his production has come recently as well since he has gone 49-for-163 (.301) with 11 home runs since June 1.
Mark Canha vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,600
Yes, load up with Athletics for your outfield. Canha didn’t miss out on the party Tuesday, finishing 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three runs scored. He’ll face his third left-handed starting pitcher of the series, which is right in his wheelhouse since he has a .432 wOBA against lefties this year.
Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Joey Gallo
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/24/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
The weather might be an issue for a few games again Tuesday, but there is still a packed schedule to take advantage of 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
James Paxton vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $10,200
Paxton left in the first inning of his last start due to lower-back stiffness. His bullpen session went well Saturday and he is expected to be activated from the DL to start Tuesday. He wasn’t even sidelined two weeks, so he’s unlikely to be on any sort of a pitch count. Although his ERA isn’t as good as last year, he’s pitched well with a 3.70 ERA that is supported by a 3.16 FIP. His 1.09 WHIP and 11.7 K/9 would also be the best marks of his career. The Giants are in the bottom third of baseball in runs scored and only have a .690 OPS against left-handed pitching, so look for Paxton to have a successful return.
Carlos Rodon vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,300
Rodon has a 3.56 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP through seven starts, which is impressive considering four of those starts came against the Red Sox, the Astros, and the Indians. He’s been somewhat lucky, though, as he has a 5.04 FIP and opponents have just a .225 BABIP against him. He has upside with a 9.0 K/9 for his career, so he can be a viable option in tournament play in the right matchup. That might be the case Tuesday considering the Angels have the fourth-lowest OPS against lefties (.661) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo vs. Clay Buchholz, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500
Rizzo had a lackluster first half, but he’s 16-for-31 (.516) with eight walks in his last nine games. He hasn’t homered during that stretch, but he did record five doubles and a triple. With a career .373 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, look for Rizzo to keep his hot streak going against Buchholz, who has been lucky so far with opponents posting just a .236 BABIP against him.
Yadier Molina vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300
Bailey has been on the DL since the end of May, but he is expected to take the mound Tuesday. He was terrible before suffering a knee injury, posting a 6.68 ERA and a 6.29 FIP across 12 starts. His bloated 1.69 WHIP was a big reason why he struggled and he doesn’t miss many bats with a 5.5 K/9. He hasn’t finished with an ERA below 5.56 or a WHIP below 1.69 since 2014, leaving the Cardinals as one of the premier stacks Tuesday. Molina has owned Bailey in his career, hitting 18-for-44 (.409) with three home runs.
Others to consider: Matt Adams (first base) and Jose Martinez (first base)
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Odor got off to a horrible start this year, but he is 27-for-79 (.342) with five home runs across his last 22 games. His batting average is up to .259 overall as a result and he also has a .331 OBP, which would be the highest mark of his career. Montas allows a lot of baserunners with a 1.39 WHIP and he doesn’t record many strikeouts, either, with a 7.8% swinging-strike rate and a 5.6 K/9.
Daniel Murphy vs. Junior Guerra, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100
Murphy came through with a home run Monday, only his second long ball of the season. However, he is now 13-for-30 (.433) in his last 10 games. Guerra’s wOBA against lefties is almost 40 points higher than it is against righties this season, leaving Murphy as a viable cheaper option on both sites.
Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Jed Lowrie
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,400
Carpenter should be the centerpiece of any stack against Bailey. He had two more hits Monday and is currently on an eight-game hitting streak that has seen him hit eight home runs. Not only does he have a .402 wOBA against righties this season, but he is 19-for-39 (.497) in his career against Bailey.
Matt Chapman vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900
Chapman burst onto the scene with 14 homers in 84 games last year, but he batted only .234 in the process. He has 11 home runs through 85 games this season, but his batting average is also much improved at .261. A big reason for his improvement is that he has dropped his strikeout rate by five percentage points. Minor has held lefties to a .292 wOBA, but righties have had much more success against him with a .346 wOBA.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Adrian Beltre
SHORTSTOP
Elvis Andrus vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000
Not only did Andrus extend his hitting streak to five games Monday, but he also hit his third home run of the season. He’s still got a big hole to climb out of in terms of his batting average and home run total, but his .330 OBP isn’t far off from his .337 mark last year. With Montas’ inability to keep runners off base, Andrus could be in line for another productive game.
Paul DeJong vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000
Get as many Cardinals hitters into your lineup as you can. DeJong is batting just .218 since he returned from the DL, but he’s also been the victim of a .250 BABIP. He has hit for a lot of power and shown even splits against righties and lefties during his brief career in the majors, so this matchup against Baily could be just what he needs to get back on track.
Others to consider: Jean Segura and Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
Giancarlo Stanton vs. Yonny Chirinos, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,700
Stanton went 4-for-4 with a walk Monday to raise his batting average to .285 for the season, which is actually higher than his .281 mark last year. A lot was made of his struggles to start his career with the Yankees, but Stanton has put those fears to rest and is batting .378 in July. His strikeout rate is still high at 30.5%, but he can go on power streaks like few others can around baseball.
Khris Davis vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,100
Look out, here comes Davis. After a lengthy power drought, he has three homers in his last two games. He finished 3-for-6 Monday and looks primed for a big series in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington against a horrid Rangers pitching staff. Minor has allowed 16 home runs this season, 14 of which have come against right-handed batters.
Mark Canha vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,800
Canha didn’t play Sunday due to hamstring cramps, but he returned Monday and finished 2-for-5 with a double. He’s already played more games for the Athletics this season than he did the last two years combined and is usually a cheap option to target versus lefties since he has a 170 wRC+ against them.
Others to consider: Shin-Soo Choo and Marcell Ozuna
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Monday brings a busy schedule with 13 games across the majors, but keep an eye on the weather as it could cause issues for a few games once again. 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
Jacob deGrom vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $11,500
DraftKings = $12,200
deGrom was supposed to face a tough matchup against the Yankees on Sunday, but a rainout pushed him back to a much easier game against the Padres. He’s been one of the few bright spots on the Mets, posting a 1.68 ERA, 2.33 FIP, and a 0.97 WHIP. He continues to be an elite source for strikeouts with a 10.9 K/9 and has allowed only seven home runs over 123.1 innings. The Padres have scored the fourth-fewest runs (380) in baseball, so don’t hesitate to pay the premium required to get deGrom into your entry as long as the weather holds up.
Sean Newcomb vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $8,200
Newcomb has been battered around in his last three starts, allowing 13 runs across 12 innings. He gave up four homers during that stretch after allowing just three home runs in his first 12 starts. He’s had problems with walks, but his WHIP is still down significantly overall this season at 1.28 compared to 1.57 in 2017. This will be his third start of the season against the Marlins after he held them to one run over 12 innings in the first two. Considering the Marlins’ offensive deficiencies, Newcomb has some upside at this cheap price in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Yonder Alonso vs. Trevor Williams, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,700
Williams has done a nice job for the Pirates with a 4.36 ERA and a 4.45 FIP, but he doesn’t have a large major for error with only a 6.5 K/9. The Indians are a much better hitting team at home than on the road and Williams will have to deal with the DH with this game being in Cleveland. Alonso is one of several Indians’ to consider based on his .353 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Robinson Chirinos vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,100
Chirinos has had a disappointing season as he is batting only .209 with a .319 OBP. The big reason for his struggles is an ugly 37.4% strikeout rate. He’s still hitting for power, though, with 12 home runs and he has a .363 wOBA against lefties for his career. Anderson is not an overpowering pitcher with a 6.6 K/9 for his career, leaving Chirinos as a cheap option with upside.
Others to consider: Freddie Freeman (first base) and Greg Bird (first base)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,700
After slugging 19 home runs last year, Merrifield has only five homers this season. He’s managed to still provide some power with 30 doubles, which is only two away from his mark in 2017. He’s hit for a high average as well at .302 and has almost doubled his walk rate. This matchup against Liriano is one to target since Merrifield has a 182 wRC+ against lefties.
Daniel Murphy vs. Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,300
Murphy is still hitting for very little power, but he is 12-for-26 (.462) with four walks and just one strikeout across his last nine games. He has paltry 14.6% hard-hit rate this season, which is a big reason why he only has a .337 slugging percentage. His upside is limited right now, but his recent hot streak and his career .353 wOBA against righties makes him someone to consider, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Ian Kinsler
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,500
Carpenter had gone deep in six straight games before failing to hit a home run Sunday. He has put up some staggering numbers in July, batting .355 with 1o home runs and a 1.432 OPS. He has a .399 wOBA against righties overall, so keep riding his hot bat against Castillo and his 1.38 WHIP.
Adrian Beltre vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,900
Beltre has been one of the more consistent hitters in baseball in recent years, but injuries have taken a toll on him this season. Not only is his slugging percentage down significantly at .408, but he has an uncharacteristic 21.1% strikeout rate. He still has a .352 wOBA against lefties despite his struggles and with this favorable matchup against Anderson, don’t be surprised if he puts up a vintage performance.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Matt Chapman
SHORTSTOP
Elvis Andrus vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,300
Andrus has dealt with his own injury problems this season, limiting him to 39 games. It’s taken him some time to get back on track, but he’s showing signs of life by going 9-for-27 (.333) with three doubles and four steals across his last seven games. His 20 home runs last year appear to be an abnormality, but that doesn’t mean Andrus still can’t have a productive evening against Anderson.
Marcus Semien vs. Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300
Hamels has been excellent on the road this year, but he has a 5.83 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP at home. It’s possible the Rangers move him before the trade deadline, so that’s a stat to keep in mind if you play season-long fantasy. He’ll run into the buzzsaw that is the Athletics on Monday, who have won 17 of their last 22 games. Semien’s overall numbers don’t jump off the charts, but he is batting .267 with a .362 OBP in July.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi vs. Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,600
Gausman has trouble keeping hitters in the park with a 1.5 HR/9, which would be the fourth straight season he has finished with an HR/9 of at least 1.4. Add in his 1.37 WHIP and uninspiring 7.8 K/9 and Gausman could be in for a long night against the Red Sox. Benintendi is scorching hot right now, hitting 19-for-37 (.514) with 12 runs and six RBI in his last 10 games. He also has a .410 wOBA against righties for the year.
Khris Davis vs. Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,600
Davis has been in a homer drought, but he launched two Sunday to bring his total to 23 for the season. Although the power numbers haven’t been there, he is batting .328 with a .364 OBP in July. He’s got a ways to go if he is going to hit at least 40 home runs for the third consecutive season, but he can hit them in bunches when he gets hot. With Hamels’ struggles at home, Davis carries significant upside.
Jesse Winker vs. Daniel Poncedeleon, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,700
Winker has shown an excellent eye at the plate, drawing 49 walks compared to 46 strikeouts. He only has a 5.7% swinging-strike rate to go along with a 44.2% hard-hit rate, which has helped him bat .300 in his first full season in the majors. His excelled with a .382 wOBA against righties and will be facing one in Poncedeleon who will be making his first appearance in the majors. Winker’s price is high on DraftKings, but he could provide excellent value on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Bryce Harper and A.J. Pollock
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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STARTING PITCHERS
Rick Porcello vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $9,600
DraftKings = $9,800
Porcello already has 11 wins for the Red Sox, matching his total from all of 2017. Having a stellar lineup behind him certainly helps, but he’s also made significant improvements. He had a 1.40 WHIP and a 1.7 HR/9 last year, but this season he has a 1.17 WHIP and a 0.9 HR/9. His 3.58 ERA is supported by a 3.48 FIP and a career-high 22.7% strikeout rate. He also pitches deep into games, logging at least six innings in all but four starts. The Blue Jays have a .749 OPS at home this year, but only a .703 OPS on the road. Porcello has already faced them twice this season, allowing six runs (five earned) and recording 14 strikeouts across 13.2 innings. On a night that is lacking many top-tier pitchers, Porcello is one of the best options available.
Brad Keller vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,400
The Royals pitching staff has been a mess this season as their 5.35 team ERA is worst in the majors. Keller has been one of their few bright spots, though, recording a 2.52 ERA, 3.38 FIP and a 1.25 WHIP in 28 appearances, seven of which were starts. He doesn’t have much strikeout upside with a 5.2 K/9, but he’s only allowed one home run in 60.2 innings. He allowed 0.5 HR/9 during his career in the minors, so look for this to be a trend that continues. The White Sox have scored the sixth-fewest runs (365) in baseball and lost one of their hottest hitters to injury in Avisail Garcia, leaving Keller as a cheap option to consider in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Brandon Belt vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,400
Jackson continues to find a way to work himself into a major league rotation. He’s made three starts since joining the Athletics, giving up just six runs (five earned) in 18.1 innings. It’s hard to have much confidence in him, though, since he has finished with an ERA of 5.21 or higher in three of the last four years. Belt has a .410 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season, so don’t be surprised if he gives Jackson trouble.
Carlos Santana vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,000
Chen has been awful with a 6.14 ERA. His FIP is a little better at 5.09, but it’s still the highest of his career. He hasn’t been able to keep runners off base with a 1.55 WHIP and he has already allowed 11 homers in 66 innings. Strikeouts have been hard to come by for him as well with a 6.7 K/9. Santana hasn’t exactly thrived in his first season with the Phillies, either, but he’s priced low enough to be a viable option for your entry.
Others to consider: Wilson Ramos (catcher) and Yonder Alonso (first base)
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies vs. Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200
Albies is red hot again as he is 38-for-91 (.418) with four home runs, 13 RBI and 20 runs scored in his last 20 games. He’s slowed down from the torrid home run pace he was on earlier this season, but it’s very encouraging to see him adjust and come out of the slump he was mired in from the middle of May through the middle of June. Godley allows a ton of batters to reach base with a 1.56 WHIP, so look for Albies to continue his hot streak Friday.
Rougned Odor vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,500
Odor has finally shown signs of life again, going 14-for-44 (.318) with three home runs in his last 12 games. His overall average has improved to .242 as a result, but he only has six home runs. He has a lot of catching up to do if he is going to hit at least 30 homers for the third straight season. Cobb has a 1.62 WHIP and a 1.7 HR/9 in his first season with the Orioles, making Odor an excellent option at a reduced price, especially on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Dee Gordon and Jonathan Schoop
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Domingo German, New York Yankees
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,800
Ramirez homered against Thursday and has four home runs in his last three games. The fact that it came off of Luis Severino was especially impressive since Severino has only allowed 0.7 HR/9. He’ll face a much easier opponent in German on Friday, who has had problems keeping hitters inside the park with a 1.7 HR/9.
Mike Moustakas vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600
The Royals have already started to trade off some veterans and it makes sense that they look to move Moustakas as well. His batting average has regressed from .272 last season to .256 this year, but he’s still provided plenty of power with 19 home runs. Even though the Royals don’t score much, he still has 58 RBI. Lefties give him trouble, but he has a .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Travis Shaw
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300
Bergman made one start for the Mariners back in May but has mostly pitched in the minors this season. The fact that he had a 4.78 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP at Triple-A doesn’t really bode well for his chances pitching at Coors Field on Friday. Story mashes at home and is one of several Rockies’ hitters to target for your entry.
Elvis Andrus vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,100
Andrus only has 153 plate appearances this season due to injury, but he’s been a disappointment with just two home runs and one stolen base. After attempting 35 steals last year, he only has two attempts this season. His strikeout rate is down and his .281 BABIP is well below his .313 career mark, so he does have room for improvement in the second half. Considering Cobb’s struggles, this might be just what he needs to get back on track.
Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Scott Kingery
OUTFIELD
Charlie Blackmon vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,500
Blackmon has historically hit about the same amount of home runs on the road as he has at home, but he has a career .343 batting average at Coors Field compared to .263 on the road. He also has a career .371 wOBA against righties, making him an outfielder worth paying up for versus Bergman.
Carlos Gonzalez vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,700
As we continue to target lefties against Bergman, Gonzalez presents another excellent option at a favorable price. He’s not nearly the hitter that he was in his prime, but he’s quietly batting .275 with 10 home runs in 73 games. He also has a .357 wOBA against right-handers.
Steven Duggar vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,700
Duggar only had four home runs in Triple-A this year before being called up, but he did slug 27 doubles to go along with a .354 OBP. He’s not likely to play much against left-handed pitching, but he should be in the lineup against the right-handed Jackson. He could be worth the gamble in tournament play based on the salary relief he can provide for your budget.
Others to consider: Mookie Betts and Christian Yelich
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/3/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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STARTING PITCHERS
Zach Eflin vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,900
Eflin made just 11 starts for the Phillies last year and didn’t pitch well with a 6.16 ERA and a 6.10 FIP. A lot of his struggles can be attributed to his 1.42 WHIP and 2.2 HR/9. He also didn’t help his cause with a lowly 4.9 K/9. However, he seems to have put those issues behind him with an excellent first half that resulted in a 3.02 ERA and a 2.86 FIP across 10 starts. He’s cut his WHIP down to 1.13 and has allowed only four home runs in 55.2 innings. His average fastball velocity is up from 93.7 mph last year to 95.1 mph this season to go along with a career-high 10.5% swinging-strike rate, helping him post a 9.1 K/9. The Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (305) in baseball and won’t have the use of the DH in Philadelphia, making Eflin one of the better pitching options available for the night.
Chris Bassitt vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,300
Bassitt hadn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2016 and even that year he only made five appearances. His last significant stretch in the majors came in 2015 when he finished with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 18 outings, 13 of which were starts. The Athletics have dealt with multiple injuries to their starters this season, leaving Bassitt with another chance to join their rotation. He’s had mixed results in four starts, but he’s also been done in by the Athletics defense as five of the 12 runs he has allowed have been unearned. He handled two bad offenses in the Royals and Tigers, allowing just one run and recording 11 strikeouts across 13 innings. The Padres have scored the fifth-fewest runs (321) in baseball, leaving Bassitt as someone to consider in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Brandon Belt vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,500
After a hot start to the season, Belt cooled off in June by hitting .226 with two home runs. A lot of that had to do with his .238 BABIP. Even with his slump, he’s still hitting .295 with 13 homers for the season overall. He has a .419 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year and gets the benefit of hitting in Coors Field on Tuesday, so this could be just the matchup he needs to start another hot streak.
Yan Gomes vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,200
Duffy can be tough to hit when he’s on top of his game, evident by the fact that he has allowed one or no runs in three of his last four starts. The problem is when he’s off, he’s really off as he has allowed at least five earned runs in a game six times this season. Gomes is 9-for-23 (.391) with two home runs against Duffy in his career and hits lefties well in general, making him a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion (first base) and Carlos Santana (first base)
SECOND BASE
Joe Panik vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Coors Field sure makes it hard for the Rockies to develop young starting pitchers. Senzatela has put up impressive numbers as a starter in the minors, but he’s struggled with the Rockies this year with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP in 10 relief appearances. Panik only has a .223 wOBA against lefties this year, but he’s a great option against Senzatela considering his .345 wOBA against righties.
Joey Wendle vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,000
Wendle sits against lefties. but should be in the lineup against the right-handed Richards. Richards’ 3.90 FIP indicates he hasn’t pitched as bad as his 5.06 ERA would lead you to believe, but he’s allowed a ton of baserunners with a 1.48 WHIP. Wendle doesn’t have much power upside with only two home runs, but if you want to go really cheap at second base in tournament play, he is someone to consider.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Yoan Moncada
THIRD BASE
Max Muncy vs. Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,700
Muncy hit another home run Monday, leaving him 11-for-33 (.333) with five homes in his last 10 games. He’s been one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball this season as he didn’t even play in the majors in 2017 and entered 2018 with only five career home runs. With his recent run of success, he is now batting .271 with 18 long balls. Look for him to keep things rolling against Nova, who doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal by any means with a 6.7 K/9 for his career.
Adrian Beltre vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,800
Hamstring injuries have limited Beltre to only 54 games this year. It may also have something to do with his power drought as he only has four home runs. He still has a .309 average, though, and is drawing walks with a .373 OBP. He has a .376 wOBA against lefties so far and is 21-for-68 (.309) with two home runs and seven doubles against Keuchel in his career, so he has some upside at this price.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Jed Lowrie
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,700
Lindor launched two homers Monday, marking his third-straight game with a home run and his third multi-hit game in his last four contests. The AL MVP race is loaded with great candidates, but Lindor should also be towards the top of the list since he is hitting .298 with 23 home runs, 55 RBI, and 73 runs scored. He has crushed lefties with a 185 wRC+ this year and should be a part of any Indians stack against Duffy.
Elvis Andrus vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900
Andrus missed over two months with an elbow injury and got off to a slow start when he did finally return. However, he’s shown signs of turning things around by hitting 8-for-29 (.276) across his current five-game hitting streak. He finished with a wOBA against lefties of at least .357 in both of the last two seasons and is someone to consider if you can’t make Lindor’s high salary work with your entry.
Others to consider: Brandon Crawford and Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
Rhys Hoskins vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200
Cobb has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts and seven times this season overall. His first year with the Orioles has been a disaster overall with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Hoskins has rebounded from his slow start to hit at least one home run in four of his last eight games. Considering all the baserunners Cobb allows, Hoskins could have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs in this game.
Scott Schebler vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300
Giolito has been as bad as Cobb, recording a 6.59 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP in 16 starts. He’s allowed as many walks as he has strikeouts and has given up 13 home runs in only 84.2 innings. Lefties have posted a .397 wOBA against him, setting up Schebler with the potential for a big performance. Schebler not only has 11 home runs this season, but his .283 batting average and .357 OBP are both career highs.
Mark Canha vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,700
When a lefty is on the mound, it’s time to target Canha. He’s having a nice season overall with a .255 average and 10 home runs, but he is crushing left-handed pitching with a .422 wOBA. Eight of his 10 homers have come off lefties as well.
Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Avisail Garcia
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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STARTING PITCHERS
Cole Hamels vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = 9,900
Hamels has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, but his 5.14 FIP indicates he hasn’t pitched that well. He’s been aided by a .253 opponents BABIP, which is 30 points lower than his career mark. He has also allowed 1.8 HR/9, which is by far the highest of his career. On the plus side, his strikeout percentage is up from 17.1% last year to 23.4% this season. He has also allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, two of which were tough matchups against the Angels and Dodgers. This will be a much more favorable matchup against the Padres, who are tied for the sixth-fewest runs scored (300) in baseball.
Jameson Taillon vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = 7,900
Taillon’s 4.03 ERA isn’t great, but it should be noted that a lot of the damage done to his ERA came in three starts where he allowed 18 runs in 11 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his other 12 starts, including in five straight outings. His career-high 9.7% swinging-strike rate has also resulted in an 8.5 K/9. The Mets have scored the fifth-fewest runs (299) in baseball and could be without Brandon Nimmo, who was hit in the finger on Sunday. If he’s not in the lineup, this matchup really leans heavily in Taillon’s favor.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300
Goldschmidt is on an amazing run right now, batting .393 with a .490 OBP in June. He’s not just hitting for a high average, slugging 10 home runs over that stretch after having only seven total entering the month. Straily not only allows a lot of base runners with a 1.50 WHIP, but he’s also allowed a staggering 2.2 HR/9. Goldschmidt is expensive, but this matchup might be too good to pass up.
Justin Bour vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500
It’s been a long road back for Miller after he appeared in only four games last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery. His first season with the Diamondbacks in 2016 was a disaster, finishing with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Bour has a .382 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season and is a viable cheap option if you don’t want to pay up for Goldschmidt.
Others to consider: J.T. Realmuto (catcher) and Yonder Alonso (first base)
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,700
Hernandez has largely had a disappointing season as he is batting .265 after hitting exactly .294 in both of the last two years. He has a career-high 15.3% walk rate, but his 21.5% strikeout rate is up over three percent from last year. His numbers are better against left-handed pitchers, but Loaisiga was pitching in Double-A this season before the Yankees had to call him up due to injuries. He has allowed 15 baserunners in his first 8.2 innings in the majors, so Hernandez is someone to consider even though he doesn’t have the platoon advantage.
Dee Gordon vs. Andrew Casher, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Gordon has provided pretty much what you should have expected from him to start the season, batting .287 with 19 steals. He has only one home run, but that’s not surprising since he only has 12 in his entire career. Cashner has been hit hard with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP this season, leaving Gordon with some upside despite his lack of power.
Others to consider: Daniel Descalso and Asdrubal Cabrera
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,500
It will be a tough task considering the seasons Mike Trout and Mookie Betts are having, but Ramirez is putting up numbers that should at least put him in the MVP discussion. He is hitting for a high average again at .296, but he also has 23 home runs and 20 doubles. He has shown an excellent eye at the plate as well with 50 walks compared to only 40 strikeouts. To top it all off, he has 12 stolen bases. He’s someone to target for your entry most nights, but especially against Gant considering he has a .447 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Adrian Beltre vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,300
If Beltre can just stay healthy, he is going to put up numbers. He’s already made two trips to the disabled list this season, but he is still batting .314. His power numbers are down, but two of his four home runs have come in his last six games. He has traditionally thrived against left-handed pitchers as he has a .381 wOBA against them for his career.
Others to consider: Max Muncy and Kyle Seager
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400
As crazy as Ramirez has been this season, Lindor is giving his teammate a run for his money by hitting .296 with 19 home runs and 24 doubles. He hasn’t shown the same stellar eye at the plate, but he’s done damage on the base paths as well with 10 steals. He wasn’t exactly playing at his best earlier in June, but he is 8-for-18 with three home runs in his last five games.
Elvis Andrus vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200
Andrus has missed most of the season with an elbow injury and is only 2-for-21 since being activated from the disabled list. He is coming off the best season of his career when he hit .297 with 20 home runs and 25 steals in 2017. He has finished with a wOBA of at least .357 against lefties in both of the last two years and Lucchesi has allowed a .350 wOBA to righties, so this might be just the matchup Andrus needs to get back on track.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Willy Adames
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FannDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200
The Red Sox must be happy to see Cruz leave town after he finished a three-game series against them 8-for-13 with two home runs. Cruz has hit 10 home runs in June overall, raising his total to 20 for the season. He is once again on pace to slug at least 40 home runs for what would be the fourth time in the last five seasons. The only time he didn’t reach that mark was when he hit 39 homers last year. When he’s hot like this, Cruz can win you a lot of money.
Odubel Herrera vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,100
Herrera is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, batting .422 with six home runs in his last 10 games. Last year he only had 14 home runs, but he showed power potential with 42 doubles. He’s been able to convert more of those doubles into homers this year as he has already left the ballpark 13 times. He obviously won’t be able to keep up his recent blistering pace, but this is a great matchup to take advantage of against Loaisiga.
Derek Dietrich vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,800
You don’t hear about him much, but Dietrich is batting .302 with 11 home runs in a bad Marlins lineup. He’s hitting a robust .392 in June, but a lot of that can be attributed to his abnormally high .471 BABIP. The power numbers are encouraging, though, and he does have a career-high 38.8% hard-hit rate on the season overall. With a .371 wOBA against righties, he’s a cheap option to take a chance on in tournament play.
Others to consider: David Peralta and Joc Pederson
2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Shortstop
*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*
2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Shortstop
There have been some elite fantasy options at shortstop in the last decade, but the position hasn’t always had great depth. That’s not an issue in 2018 as there are plenty of valuable options available. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some shortstops who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.
The Top Three
Trea Turner, Washington Nationals
Turner is a stolen base machine. Despite playing only 98 games due to injury last year, he still stole 46 bases. He has only played 198 career games in the majors but already has 81 steals. He also hit .284 last year and should be an asset in batting average again for 2018. Unlike some of the other elite base stealers though, Turner won’t kill you in the power department. In his last 171 games, he has 24 home runs. He’s going to hit at the top of one of the best lineups in baseball, further increasing his already lofty value. Not only is he the best fantasy shortstop, but he should finish in the top-five of fantasy in general if he can stay healthy.
Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
Correa took a big leap forward in the power department in 2017, hitting 24 home runs with a .550 slugging percentage. He posted a 39.5% hard hit percentage, helping to lead to a career-high .315 batting average. There really aren’t any negative things you can say about Correa’s game. He only had a 19.1% strikeout percentage compared to an 11% walk percentage and 40.7% of the balls he put in play were hit to center field. He did only steal two bases in 109 games, but you shouldn’t be expecting significant steals from him anyways as he only had 13 in 2016. You will likely have to use a second-round pick to get him depending on the size of your league, but he will be worth it.
Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
Lindor thrived in his first full season in the majors in 2016, hitting .301 with 15 home runs, 78 RBI, 19 steals and 99 runs scored. Not profiled to be a big power hitter, Lindor was just that in 2017, slugging 33 round trippers. He also had 44 doubles, resulting in a .505 slugging percentage. His batting average did drop to .273, but he still stole 15 bases. His strikeout and walk percentages were the same in both 2016 and 2017, but he posted by far his best hard hit percentage in 2017 at 35.2%. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a slight decrease in home runs this year, but 25 home runs, 15 steals, and a .280 average are all reasonable expectations. If you miss out on Turner or Correa, Lindor is an excellent consolation prize.
Overvalued Players
Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Seager has quickly become an excellent player for the Dodgers, recording at least 22 home runs and 77 RBI in both of his first two full seasons in the majors. He hit .295 with a .375 OBP last year, showing he can provide fantasy owners with both power numbers and batting average. With a career 42.1% hard hit percentage, he should be able to consistently hit for a high average as well. There isn’t really anything negative to say about Seager other than he doesn’t steal bases. However, his current ADP in the NFBC is 38.75. Players that are being selected well after Seager include Nelson Cruz (55.87), Christian Yelich (59.33) and Daniel Murphy (69.44). Shortstop is not a shallow position, so don’t feel forced to draft Seager so early.
Elvis Andrus, Texas Rangers
After never hitting more than eight home runs in a season during the first eight years of his career, Andrus broke out with 20 homers in 2017. He also had 44 doubles, leading to a career-high .471 slugging percentage. He batted .297 with 88 RBI, 100 runs scored and 25 steals as well, providing one of the better all-around campaigns in the league. The increased power numbers were likely because of a change in his approach at the plate. He had a career-low 5.5% walk percentage and pulled a career-high 44.8% of the balls he put in play. For comparison, his pull percentage for his career is 37.2%. He should still be able to provide plenty of value in batting average and stolen bases, but even with his changed approach at the plate, 20 homers will be tough to duplicate. His current ADP is 58.36, which is clearly banking on him to do just that. I’d pass on him at that price.
Undervalued Players
Orlando Arcia, Milwaukee Brewers
Arcia struggled in his brief appearance in the majors in 2016, batting only .219 with four home runs in 55 games. He settled in nicely in 2017 though, batting .277 with 15 home runs, 53 RBI, and 14 steals. He had a career .282 average in the minor leagues, so his performance last year is closer to what you should expect from him moving forward. His OBP has never been particularly high and he swung at 38.7% of the pitches he saw outside the strike zone last year, which is an area where he’ll need to improve. However, it’s not unreasonable to expect him to hit .270 with 15 home runs and 15 steals this season. With a current ADP of 186.36, that type of production would be a bargain.
Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs
Russell had big expectations heading into last year after providing 21 home runs and 95 RBI in 2016. He couldn’t live up to the hype though, with injuries limiting him to just 110 games. He also dealt with an off-the-field issue which could have impacted his performance. The end result was only 12 home runs, 43 RBI, and a .239 average. Don’t forget, Russell is still only 24 years old. He still has excellent potential and while he might not hit for a high average, his power numbers could return with a healthy season. The once hot fantasy commodity now has an ADP of 259.37. I wouldn’t be afraid to take a chance on him that low in your draft.