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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are 10 games across the majors Thursday, eight of which make up the main evening slate in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

J.A. Happ vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $10,000

The Yankees have to be thrilled with their early returns from Happ. Not only has he earned a win in all five starts since joining the team, but he’s posted a 2.37 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in the process. His 3.95 FIP indicates he hasn’t exactly been that dominant, but he’s continued to be a consistent source for strikeouts with a 9.5 K/9 during that stretch. The Tigers have scored the third-fewest runs (505) in baseball and have the worst OPS on the road (.640), potentially setting Happ up for another great outing.

German Marquez vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,500

At first glance, Marquez appears to have average numbers with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. However, he’s finishing the season strong, posting a 2.56 ERA, 2.77 FIP and a 0.94 WHIP across his last 10 starts. Like many pitchers, Marquez has struggled at Coors Field this season with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. He’s been excellent on the road, though, posting a 2.89 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. With his 9.6 K/9 overall giving him significant strikeout upside, as well, look for Marquez to continue his recent run of success against a Padres team that has scored the fourth-fewest runs (514) in the league.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Ian Desmond vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Lauer has spent the last month of the DL with a forearm strain, but he’s expected to be activated for this game Thursday. He wasn’t having a good campaign before suffering the injury, recording a 5.30 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Desmond stands out as a great option at a reasonable price based on his .383 wOBA against left-handed pitching.

Tyler White vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,600

White was given an opportunity to play every day when the Astros were dealing with multiple injuries and he hasn’t looked back. In his last 24 games, White is hitting .345 with eight home runs and 22 RBI. Heaney has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five outings and appears to be fading down the stretch, so don’t expect him to be the pitcher to cool off White.

Others to consider: Yuli Gurriel (first base) and Omar Narvaez (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Robinson Cano vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Cano hasn’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball since returning from suspension, batting just .259 with one home runs across 13 games. His power numbers have been down, in general, this season as his .418 slugging percentage would be his lowest mark since 2008. Montas has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.80 FIP across 10 starts this year, but he’s often flirted with danger based on his 1.46 WHIP. He’s also allowed a .372 wOBA to left-handed hitters, making Cano a viable option despite his recent lackluster play.

DJ LeMahieu vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,800

Even though this game isn’t being played in Coors Field, the Rockies will still likely be a popular stack against Lauer. LeMahieu has had a bit of a down year in terms of his batting average, but he’s hitting .333 with four home runs and four doubles across his last 17 games. He only has a .302 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, but he has an excellent .377 wOBA against lefties.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Ian Kinsler

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Alex Bregman vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,500

The Astros are trying to hold off the Athletics in the AL West and have managed to build their lead back up to 2.5 games. Bregman has played a key role in their recent run, batting .475 with two home runs and five doubles during his current 10-game hitting streak. With his 168 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this year, Heaney could be in for a world of trouble against Bregman.

Johan Camargo vs. Mike Montgomery, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,900

Camargo came through with a big performance Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a home run. It marked the third time in the last nine contests that Camargo has logged at least three hits, raising his season average from .265 to .272 in the process. He’s recorded a .351 wOBA against lefties this year and Montgomery doesn’t exactly have overwhelming stuff with his 5.5 K/9, making Camargo a viable option if you don’t want to pay up for Bregman.

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Matt Chapman

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Gleyber Torres vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800

It took Torres some time to get back on track after a stint on the DL, but he’s batting .370 with two home runs over his last 13 games. He’s loved hitting at Yankee Stadium this year, batting .293 with a .525 slugging percentage. This could be a high-scoring game against Liriano, who has a 5.62 FIP and a 1.52 WHIP. Of note, Torres is only eligible at shortstop on FanDuel as he is listed at second base on DraftKings.

Trevor Story vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,300

Known for his power, Story certainly hasn’t disappointed this season with 26 home runs and 36 doubles. He’s also added a new element to his game, recording 21 stolen bases after stealing 15 bags in the last two seasons, combined. Not only would his .291 average also be the highest mark of his career, but he has been destroying lefties with a .417 wOBA against them.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18

Giancarlo Stanton vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Stanton is sitting on 299 career home runs and might be pressing a bit, failing to go deep in each of his last 10 games. This might be just the matchup he needs to achieve the milestone. He has a 183 wRC+ against lefties this year and Liriano has allowed 1.5 HR/9.

Mitch Haniger vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,500

The Mariners are fading in their push for a playoff spot, but Haniger hasn’t been the reason why. He’s been one of their best hitters in August, batting .349 with four home runs and 12 doubles. While Haniger doesn’t have the platoon advantage in this game, he has actually hit better against right-handed pitchers (.367 wOBA) than he has lefties (.354 wOBA).

Denard Span vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200

Span got off to a strange start with the Rays this season. He only batted .238, but he recorded 28 RBI in just 43 games. He’s never finished with more than 68 RBI in a season, so it didn’t seem likely that he could continue that pace. That’s certainly been the case since he joined the Mariners, logging 26 RBI across 70 games. However, he’s hit for a much higher average at .304 and could be a cheap option to consider in tournament play based on Montas’ struggles to keep runners off base.

Others to consider: George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

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

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21

Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians: at CIN, vs. BAL

The Indians starting rotation is so deep that Clevinger often gets lost behind Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, and Carlos Carrasco. His contributions should not go unnoticed, though, considering his 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 a much improved 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 in his first start of Week 21. The Reds haven’t been hitting well of late either, averaging 3.5 runs over their last 10 games. The Orioles and their stripped-down lineup also present a favorable matchup in his second start, potentially setting up Clevinger for a valuable week.

J.A. Happ, New York Yankees: vs. TB, vs. TOR

Happ has pitched well since joining the Yankees, allowing four runs and recording 11 strikeouts across 12 innings. Desperate for help in their rotation, Happ could be a key addition for the Yankees down the stretch. His 4.07 ERA overall doesn’t exactly stand out, but he has a 1.14 WHIP and a 10.1 K/9. He also had a 5.22 ERA pitching in the Rogers Centre this year, so a move out of Toronto could provide a boost to his value. The Rays are in the bottom-third of baseball in runs scored and the Blue Jays lineup isn’t exactly all that imposing either, making Happ a great option for Week 21.

Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves: vs. MIA, vs. COL

Sanchez left his last outing early after getting hit on the calf, but he’s expected to be fine for his next start Tuesday. Sanchez finished with an ERA of 4.99 or higher in each of the last three seasons with the Tigers, but he’s been much improved with 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 1.7 HR/9 or more in each of his previous three seasons but has only allowed 1.0 HR/9 this year. His first start against the Marlins is a great matchup since they have scored the second-fewest runs (444) in baseball. The Rockies are more dangerous, but they only have a .689 OPS on the road.

Blaine Hardy, Detroit Tigers: vs. CWS, at MIN

After pitching out of the bullpen for his entire career, Hardy has been given a chance to start this year. He’s made 12 starts over 22 appearances, posting a 3.63 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP overall. He’s shown good control by issuing just 2.3 BB/9, but he doesn’t have much strikeout upside with a 6.5 K/9. That being said, you might be able to squeeze some value out of him. The White Sox and Twins both struggle to score runs and are in the bottom third of baseball in OPS against left-handed pitching. In two previous starts against the White Sox, Hardy allowed two runs over 12.1 innings. He’s had similar success against the Twins, giving up four runs across 11 innings in two outings. Hardy is still available in 97% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21

Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners: at OAK, vs. LAD

Gonzales has pitched well in first extended look in the majors, posting a 3.79 ERA, 3.59 FIP, and a 1.20 WHIP. He only has a 7.9 K/9, but he’s shown excellent control with a 1.6 BB/9. He did allow seven runs in his last start against the Rangers, marking the third time in his last nine outings that he allowed at least five runs. The A’s and Dodgers both have deep lineups that can score a lot of runs, which could prove troublesome for Gonzales. With his lack of strikeout upside, this might be the week to put him on your bench.

Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. BOS, vs. NYM

Pivetta has been a tremendous source for strikeouts with an 11.1 K/9. His 4.51 ERA doesn’t entirely paint an accurate picture of his performance, either, based on his 3.47 FIP. His WHIP is also down from 1.51 last year to 1.28 this season. However, he can tend to give up runs in bunches, which could be disastrous against the Red Sox. His second start against the Mets is extremely favorable, but the damage might have already been done to his week by the time he gets there.

Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays: at KC, at NYY

Borucki has a 2.81 ERA across eight starts for the Blue Jays, but his 1.38 WHIP doesn’t inspire much confidence. He’s allowed just one home run over 48 innings, so his ERA could increase quickly if he can’t continue to keep hitters inside the park. Don’t count on him for many strikeouts, either, based on his 6.0 K/9. His first matchup this week against the Royals is certainly in his favor. While he did hold the Yankees to one run across even innings previously, it’s important to note that game was in Toronto. The Yankees have a .739 OPS on the road but a much better .834 OPS at home. The start against the Royals makes him an enticing streaming option, but I don’t think he’s worth the risk against the Yankees.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

As is the case most Wednesday’s, we’ve got game spread out between the day and evening slates for DFS today. 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 5/16/18

Walker Buehler vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $8,500

Regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, Buehler has continued to shine in the majors. He’s making a case to stick in the Dodgers’ rotation even when they get healthy, posting a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 through four starts. His FIP stands at 1.64 and he’s allowed a .288 BABIP, so his supporting numbers further highlight his strong start. His first start of the year came against these same Marlins, holding them scoreless over five innings while recording five strikeouts. Since they have scored the fewest runs (142) and hit the fewest home runs (31) in baseball, Buehler could again be in line for a valuable performance.

J.A. Happ vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $9,400

Happ’s 4.80 ERA doesn’t instill confidence, but it is a bit inflated after he allowed seven runs in 3.1 innings in his last start against the Mariners. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his eight outings and has a career-high 11.2 K/9, led by an 11.7% swinging strike rate. The Mets have one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring the sixth-fewest runs (165). They also have the worst OPS against left-handed pitchers (.593) by a wide margin, leaving Happ as a viable option in tournament play if you are playing the early slate.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Carlos Santana vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,900
DratfKings =$4,900

Santana has finally woken up after a slow start, batting .289 with five home runs in May. He still only has a .216 BABIP this month, leaving him with even more room for improvement. Cashner is off to a bad start as well with a 5.74 FIP and 1.50 WHIP through eight outings. Santana has hit right-handers well in his career and has a .337 wOBA against them this year despite all his struggles, so don’t sleep on him Wednesday.

Jose Osuna vs. Hector Santiago, Chicago White Sox
Stadium = PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,000

Santiago has made 11 appearances for the White Sox this season, but Wednesday will mark only his third start. He hasn’t pitched well, posting a 5.60 ERA, 5.67 FIP, and 1.68 WHIP. He started 14 of his 15 games last season and wasn’t any better, finishing with a 5.63 ERA, 6.02 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP. Osuna is batting cleanup in this game and already has two home runs in 10 plate appearances against lefties this year, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play. Of note, he is only first base eligible on DraftKings as he is listed as an outfielder on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Wilson Contreras (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Javier Baez vs, Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DratfKings = $4,500

McCarthy got off to a hot start by allowing three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts but he has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four. His last two outings were particularly concerning since he gave up 14 runs to the Giants and Marlins, neither of which have a great lineup. The Cubs present an excellent stacking opportunity Wednesday, Baez included.

Howie Kendrick vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,300

Sabathia’s 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP look great, but he’s been a bit lucky with opponents posting just a .255 BABIP. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff anymore with a 6.9 K/9 this year, but he’s helped make up for it with a career-low 1.2 BB/9. Kendrick recorded a .385 wOBA against lefties last year, leaving him with a favorable chance to provide value.

Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,100

Ramirez is rolling right now, hitting 8-for-20 with three home runs and three doubles in his last five games. The lefty Carpenter did make one start for the Tigers earlier this year, allowing three runs in three innings against the Pirates. He wasn’t exactly pitching well in Triple-A this season either with a 5.01 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across seven starts. Ramirez finished with a .395 wOBA against lefties last year and has been even better with a .419 mark this season. He is one of several Indians hitters who could excel in this game.

Justin Turner vs. Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Turner played in his first game Tuesday after missing the start of the season with a wrist injury. The Dodgers badly need his bat in their lineup with the loss of Corey Seager (elbow), so he is certainly a welcomed addition. He mashed left-handers for a 206 wRC+ last year, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry even though it’s only his second game back.

Others to consider: Eugenio Suarez and Daniel Descalso

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,500

Lindor’s 15-game hitting streak was snapped Tuesday, but that’s mostly because he didn’t get a chance to do much damage, drawing a walk in four of his five plate appearances. He’s one of the hottest hitters in the league right now and already has eight home runs in May, making him yet another Indians’ hitter you want to try and squeeze into your entry.

Brandon Crawford vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,300

Speaking of shortstops on a hot streak, Crawford is batting .412 with 1.017 OPS in May. Harvey pitched well in his first start with the Reds, but he still only had two strikeouts in four innings. After he allowed a .426 wOBA to left-handed hitters last year, Crawford could have a good chance of keeping his hot streak alive for at least one more game.

Others to consider: Trea Turner and Chris Taylor

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Odubel Herrera vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Herrera has been hot out of the gate, batting .360 with a .992 OPS. He likely won’t be able to sustain that average considering his .400 BABIP, but it is encouraging that his walk rate is up while his strikeout rate is down. His .436 wOBA against righties this year makes him another Phillies’ hitter to target against Cashner.

Nomar Mazara vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Bergman will be making his first start in the majors Wednesday, although he hasn’t exactly dominated in the minors this year with a 3.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He’s had trouble keeping runners off base in his previous appearances in the majors, posting a 1.50 WHIP for his career. Mazara only has a .272 wOBA in his career against lefties but has been much better against righties with a .340 wOBA.

Joey Gallo vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000

It’s all or nothing when it comes to Gallo, who has 12 home runs despite batting .199 and striking out in one-third of his plate appearances. Not only has Bergman struggled to keep runners off base, but he also has a 1.6 HR/9 for his career to go along with only a 5.5 K/9. This is the type of matchup that Gallo thrives off of.

Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Denard Span