Baseball doesn’t let up Thursday with 10 more games making up the main evening slate in DFS. With a few teams dealing with injuries or making changes to their starting rotation, there are several lineups in a position to thrive.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/26/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
With 14 of the 15 games in baseball Tuesday making up the main evening slate in DFS, there is a bevy of options to choose from for your entry. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
James Paxton vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $9,600
DraftKings = $12,500
Paxton has been hit hard in his last two outings, allowing 10 runs over 7.1 innings. Those starts came against the Red Sox and Yankees, two of the best offenses in all of baseball. Before that, he had allowed three runs or fewer in nine consecutive starts. He’s done a great job limiting baserunners with a 1.12 WHIP and he has a career-high 31.5% strikeout rate, helping him post a 3.72 ERA and a 3.08 FIP. The Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (283) and have the third-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.663) in baseball, so look for Paxton to get back on track.
Frankie Montas vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $7,600
With the Athletics dealing with multiple injuries to their staff, they have been forced to put Montas into their starting rotation. He hadn’t started a game in the majors since he was a member of the White Sox in 2015 and didn’t have much success out of the bullpen for the Athletics last year, posting a 7.03 ERA, 7.13 FIP, and a 1.84 WHIP. He’s grabbed a hold of his spot in the rotation with a 2.41 ERA, 3.70 FIP and a 1.25 WHIP across five starts. His 5.6 K/9 isn’t great, but he has allowed just two home runs in 33.2 innings. Three of his five starts have come against bad teams in the Padres and Royals, but he’ll face another weak lineup in the Tigers, making him a viable option in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Elieser Hernandez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,200
Goldschmidt logged just one hit Monday, but he now has at least one hit in 23 of his last 25 games. He has increased his batting average from .201 to .264 during that stretch while also slugging 11 home runs. Hernandez is starting in place of the injured Jose Urena (shoulder) and hasn’t pitched well this season with a 5.12 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. This presents another opportunity for Goldschmidt to extend his hot streak.
Tom Muphy vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,300
Murphy has never had more than 49 plate appearances in a season in the majors, but he has hit .281 with a .885 OPS during his career in the minors. He was mashing at Triple-A earlier this season before being calling up, hitting .289 with a 1.001 OPS. He hasn’t hit a home run since being recalled, but he’s still swinging a hot bat with a .306 average. Holland has allowed a .361 wOBA against right-handed hitter this season, making Murphy someone to consider in tournament play.
Others to consider: Freddie Freeman (first base) and Eric Hosmer (first base)
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,000
Albies lit the league on fire at the start of the season but has since cooled off considerably. He had nine home runs heading into the month of May but has only gone deep eight times since. He has also seen his batting average decrease from .293 to .269. The good news is that he is showing signs of getting hot again, hitting 15-for-33 (.455) over his current seven-game hitting streak. Harvey has allowed a .386 wOBA to lefties this year, setting up the potential for Albies to give him a lot of trouble.
Dee Gordon vs. Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,900
With two more hits Monday, Gordon is now 20-for-58 (.345) in his last 13 games. He has only one extra-base hit during that stretch, but he has scored nine runs and recorded five RBI. You can’t count on Gordon for power numbers, but he does hit for a high average regularly and can steal bases in bunches. If you can’t fit Albies and his expensive price into your entry, Gordon is a viable secondary option.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Eduardo Nunez
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,800
Arenado doesn’t hit as well away from Coors Field, which can sometimes make him a risky play on the road considering his price tag. He does have good numbers against lefties, though, with a 259 wRC+ against them this season. With Holland’s struggles against righties, this might be one of those road games where Arenado is still worth paying up for.
Justin Turner vs. Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,600
A career .287 hitter, Turner is hitting just .250 after getting a late start to the season due to a fractured wrist. His power numbers are down considerably, which can sometimes be an issue with players returning from a wrist injury. Even with his slow start, Turner has a .438 wOBA against lefties this year.
Others to consider: Eduardo Escobar and Jake Lamb
SHORTSTOP
Xander Bogaerts vs. John Lamb, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,000
The Angels starting rotation is depleted by injuries, leaving Lamb with an opportunity for his first taste of action in the majors since 2016. The fact that he had a 5.37 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP at Triple-A last year shows just how desperate things are for the Angels. His 3.41 ERA at Triple-A this season is better, but his 1.29 WHIP indicates he wasn’t exactly dominating before being recalled. He’s allowed five runs and three home runs across 8.1 innings in two starts in the majors and has a tough task ahead of him against the Red Sox. They present a great stacking opportunity, Bogaerts included.
Kike Hernandez vs. Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,500
Not known to be much of a power hitter, Hernandez has three home runs in his last two games. That brings his season total to 13, which is already his career-high. He’s still not hitting for a high average at .234, but he’s someone to target against lefties since he had a .390 wOBA against them last year and has a .357 mark this season.
Others to consider: Brandon Crawford and Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
J.D. Martinez vs. John Lamb, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,700
The Red Sox signing of Martinez could turn out to be one of the most important moves made by any team in the offseason. He’s continued to mash with his new squad, batting .325 with 23 home runs and 18 doubles. The Red Sox lineup around him has been good as well, helping Martinez amass 60 RBI and 53 runs scored. He has hit lefties well throughout his career with a .385 wOBA and is someone to build your lineup around Tuesday.
Shin-Soo Choo vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,900
A lot has gone wrong for the Rangers this year, but Choo has certainly not been one of their concerns. He enters Tuesday hitting .285 with a .395 OBP and a .879 OPS, each of which would be his highest mark since his last season with the Reds in 2013. His .346 BABIP is very close to his career mark of .338, which is good news for his prognosis moving forward. He also has a .407 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, so look to ride his success in a matchup against Ross.
Mark Canha vs. Blaine Hardy, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,700
With a lefty on the mound, it’s time to target one of my favorite cheap plays in Canha. He only has a .282 wOBA against righties this year, but he has a .418 wOBA against left-handed pitchers. Hardy is having a good season for the Tigers with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP, but he doesn’t strike out many hitters and has a wOBA against righties that is 40 points higher than it is against lefties.
Others to consider: Nelson Cruz and Mitch Haniger
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
Wednesday’s schedule is split evenly between day and night games, so let’s examine some favorable options for both slates 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
Corey Kluber vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $12,100
DraftKings = $12,600
Kluber had his worst start of the season against the Twins in his last outing, allowing four runs in five innings. He had pitched at least six innings and allowed three runs or fewer in each of his previous 14 starts, so expect him to rebound quickly. He has a 2.24 ERA and his 0.84 WHIP is partly aided by his insanely low 0.9 BB/9. In his last start against the White Sox, he allowed three hits and recorded 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Don’t hesitate to pay up for him in their rematch.
Frankie Montas vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,700
Montas really struggled in his last start against the Astros, allowing seven runs (five earned) and recording only one strikeout in 5.1 innings. He was pitching well before that outing, allowing three runs across 21.2 innings in his first three starts. He’ll certainly get a much easier matchup in this game against a Padres team that has scored the sixth-fewest runs (285) in baseball. Montas hasn’t shown big strikeout upside, but the Padres do have the second most strikeouts (710), so he’s a viable cheap option in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Brandon Belt vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700
Injuries have plagued Belt during his career, limiting him to 137 games or fewer in three of the last four seasons. He’s already made one trip to the DL this season, but he’s still managed to play in 57 games. He’s putting up excellent numbers when he’s on the field, batting .296 with 12 home runs. Facing the right-handed Urena makes Belt someone to target for your entry since he has a .409 wOBA against righties this year.
Devin Mesoraco vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,900
Bettis has been excellent on the road this season with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He’s been on the opposite end of the spectrum pitching in Coors Field, recording a 7.76 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Bettis gives up plenty of homers with a 1.5 HR/9, leaving Mesoraco as a cheaper option with upside.
Others to consider: Ian Desmond (first base) and Yuli Gurriel (first base)
SECOND BASE
Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400
The Mets don’t have a great lineup, but going against Bettis in Coors Field makes them a stacking option to consider for your entry. Cabrera has enjoyed hitting in Coors Field so far as he is 4-for-10 with two RBI in the first two games of this series. He was in a slump to start the month of June, but he’s showing signs of turning things around during his current four-game hitting streak. He only has a .308 wOBA against lefties this year, but he has a .351 wOBA against righties.
Whit Merrifield vs. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900
The Royals are clearly sellers heading into the trade deadline as they have already moved Jon Jay and Kelvin Herrera. Merrifield is one of the building blocks of their team, though, batting .290 with 16 steals this season. He only has four home runs, but he already has 22 doubles in 269 at-bats after finishing with 32 doubles in 587 at-bats last year. Bibens-Dirkx has only made two starts for the Rangers this season, but he wasn’t impressive in either outing as he allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in 11 innings combined.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Dee Gordon
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Jake Arrieta, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,200
Carpenter is red-hot right now, hitting 13-for-43 (.302) with five home runs in his last 10 games. His overall numbers still aren’t great, but his .282 BABIP is still significantly lower than his career mark. He has a .351 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season despite his struggles, leaving him with the opportunity for a big game against Arrieta, who only has a 6.0 K/9.
Brian Anderson vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,700
Anderson has taken full advantage of being given an everyday role with the Marlins, batting .294 with a .373 OBP. His BABIP is high at .363, but his 41.1% hard-hit rate is encouraging. Holland has allowed a .360 wOBA to righties this year, making Anderson a viable option for your entry despite his lack of home run upside.
Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Anthony Rendon
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800
Gregorius has officially busted out of his prolonged slump as he is 13-for-33 (.394) across his last nine games. Not only does he have a .359 wOBA against righties this year, but 12 of his 14 home runs have come at Yankee Stadium. Once one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball, Hernandez has had trouble getting left-handed hitters out as he has allowed a .350 wOBA to them this year.
Amed Rosario vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,500
Rosario is 7-for-21 (.333) during his current five-game hitting streak. It’s no coincidence that streak has come on the road as Rosario is batting .282 away from Citi Field this year. With Bettis’ considerable struggles in Coors Field, Rosario could provide value based on his cheap price on both sites.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
Brandon Nimmo vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,000
Nimmo has been one of the bigger surprise success stories in baseball this year as he is batting .287 with 12 home runs and seven stolen bases. His BABIP is high at .358, but his 12.6% walk rate and 43% hard-hit rate are good signs for his continued success. His .454 wOBA against right-handers makes him someone you can build your entry around with Bettis on the mound.
Juan Soto vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,600
Cashner will be activated from the DL to start this game, but he wasn’t pitching well before going down with a back injury. He allows a lot of base runners with a 1.69 WHIP and has had troubles keeping hitters in the ballpark with a 1.6 HR/9, which has lead to his 4.98 ERA and 5.17 FIP. Soto continues to shine since being recalled from the minors, posting a .326 batting average and 1.013 OPS.
Lonnie Chisenhall vs. Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,200
Chisenhall still doesn’t have a home run this year, but he’s been an asset to the Indians with a .339 average and a .439 OBP. His .404 BABIP won’t hold, but his .385 wOBA against righties makes him someone to consider in tournament play against Lopez, who doesn’t exactly have an overpowering arsenal with a 6.6 K/9 for his career.
Others to consider: Aaron Hicks and Nomar Mazara
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/8/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
With only one day game Friday, we’re back to a packed night slate in DFS for baseball. 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
Justin Verlander vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $11,600
DraftKings = $12,400
Verlander didn’t exactly struggle in his last few seasons with the Tigers, but he’s taken his game to another level since joining the Astros. His 1.24 ERA is likely to increase as the season wears on, but his 2.20 FIP indicates he could still finish with great numbers. Not only has he shown excellent control with a 1.8 BB/9, but his 31.9% strikeout rate is the highest of his career. He has already faced the Rangers three times this season, allowing two runs to go along with 23 strikeouts across 20 innings. He’s certainly expensive, but he has terrific upside.
Frankie Montas vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $7,900
Montas made 23 appearances out of the bullpen for the Athletics last year and did not pitch well with a 7.03 ERA, 7.13 FIP, and a 1.84 WHIP. He did show strikeout upside, though, with a 10.1 K/9. He had a 9.2 K/9 for his career in the minors, so that lofty mark wasn’t exactly out of left field. The Athletics have been hit hard by injuries, forcing Montas to join the starting rotation. He’s made two starts so far, allowing one run in 14 innings. His last start came against these same Royals and he threw eight shutout innings to go along with two strikeouts. The lack of strikeouts was disappointing, but the Royals do have the fewest strikeouts (454) in baseball. They are in the bottom-third in runs scored, though, leaving Montas as a cost-effective option in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,600
Covey has trouble keeping runners off base, resulting in a 1.43 WHIP this season. He had a similar problem last year when he posted a 1.67 WHIP across 18 games, 12 of which were starts. Moreland is having the best season of his career not only with a .303 average but also a .612 slugging percentage. He has a .441 wOBA against righties as well, making him a strong option for your entry.
C.J. Cron vs. Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,700
Cron is slumping a bit in June, hitting 3-for-23 (.130) in six games. He’s been dragged down by a .111 BABIP during that stretch and was hitting well coming into the month, so expect him to rebound sooner rather than later. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track since he has a .393 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Others to consider: Jose Martinez (first base) and Wilson Ramos (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Daniel Descalso vs. German Marquez, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100
Descalso has never hit for much power since the highest slugging percentage of his career was a .424 mark set in 2016. That is the only season he has finished with a slugging percentage over .400. This year has been a different story as he enters Friday with a .514 slugging percentage. Part of that increase is likely due to his career-high 42.4% hard-hit rate. Marquez allows a lot of base runners with a 1.46 WHIP and this game will be played in hitter-friendly Coors Field, leaving Descalso with significant upside.
Starlin Castro vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,600
The Padres have very little pitching depth, which has kept Lauer in the starting rotation despite his 6.82 ERA and 1.98 WHIP. He has a 4.5 BB/9 and a 1.8 HR/9, which has left him susceptible to ugly outings. Righties have had plenty of success against him with a .421 wOBA, so Castro is a viable option if you’re looking to save money at second base.
Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Ian Kinsler
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Ramirez has supplied the Indians with a lot of power this season, hitting 19 home runs and 19 doubles in 59 games. His batting average hasn’t suffered at the expense of his increased power since he is still hitting .298. He is 4-for-10 with two home runs and a double against Fulmer in his career, who doesn’t exactly have overpowering stuff with a 6.9 K/9 for his career.
Matt Carpenter vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Carpenter had batted at least .271 in each of his first five seasons in the majors but took a step backward last year with a .241 average. His strikeout rate only slightly increased and his walk rate actually improved, but he was somewhat unlucky with a .274 BABIP. His flyball rate was also almost 10 percentage points higher than his career mark. He’s continued to struggle with a .225 average this year and he only has a .267 wOBA against lefties. He is hitting righties better with a .332 wOBA and Harvey has allowed a .410 wOBA to left-handed hitters, so this matchup does swing in Carpenter’s favor.
Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Brian Anderson
SHORTSTOP
Xander Bogaerts vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,500
Bogaerts made the All-Star team in 2016 and finished the season with 21 home runs and 34 doubles. It looked like he was going to provide power at the shortstop position for years to come and while he did still have 32 doubles in 2017, he hit just 10 home runs. A lot of that had to do with a hand injury that he played through for much of the season. He’s healthy now and already has nine home runs. He has a .367 wOBA against righties as well, so don’t shy away from him just because he doesn’t have the righty/lefty advantage against Covey.
Brock Holt vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,500
With Dustin Pedroia (knee) back on the disabled list, it’s open up increased playing time for Holt again. Holt has cashed in his opportunity to get more at-bats this season as he is hitting .319 with a .389 OBP. He doesn’t hit for power, but he does only have 15 strikeouts compared to 11 walks. Most of his at-bats this year have come against right-handed pitchers, who he has a .348 wOBA against.
Others to consider: Jean Segura and Marwin Gonzalez
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,600
Benintendi enters this game red-hot as he has four home runs in his last five games. He has at least two hits in five of his last eight games to increase his average to .299. After posting his first 20 home run, 20 stolen base season last year, he looks to be on his way to reaching that mark again with 11 homers and 10 steals. If you’re looking to stack Red Sox hitters against Covey, Benintendi should be towards the top of your list.
Matt Kemp vs. Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,500
Kemp has at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games, hitting 19-for-45 (.422) with five home runs. He is hitting .349 overall, but don’t expect that to hold considering his .404 BABIP. McCarthy’s 4.83 ERA isn’t great, but it really could be worse since he has a 1.50 WHIP. Keep riding Kemp’s hot bat.
Joc Pederson vs. Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,900
Pederson is hitting well right now also, batting 8-for-16 with five longballs in his last four games. He only has six home runs this year total, but he can do a lot of damage when he’s locked in. His .389 wOBA against righties makes him another Dodger worth considering for your entry.
Others to consider: Marcell Ozuna and David Peralta