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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

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

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

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

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

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

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

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

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

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

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

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

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

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Javier Baez and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Yandy Diaz

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Trevor Story and Amed Rosario

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/22/18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Monday brings plenty of options in DFS with 10 games on the schedule. It should be an exciting night with games including the Indians against the Red Sox, the Astros versus the Mariners and the Cardinals taking on the Dodgers. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Zack Wheeler vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,300

In what has been a lost season for the Mets, Wheeler has made significant improvements. After finishing with a 5.21 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in 2017, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.43 FIP this year. Not only has he reduced his WHIP from 1.59 to 1.23, but he’s allowed 0.8 HR/9 compared to 1.6 HR/9 last year. He’s on a hot streak right now, as well, allowing five runs and recording 30 strikeouts over 33 innings in his last five starts. The Giants have the third-lowest OPS on the road (.664) in baseball, potentially setting up Wheeler for a great performance.

Kevin Gausman vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

Gausman has pitched well since joining the Braves, allowing five runs across 19 innings in three starts. He only had 12 total strikeouts, but it’s encouraging that he also allowed just one home run. Homers have been a problem for him this season since he’s allowed 1.4 HR/9 overall. The move from the American League to the National League can provide a big boost for pitchers, which could be the case even more so for Gausman since he was pitching in the AL East. The Pirates are in the bottom third of baseball in home runs, so Gausman might be worth considering in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Matt Olson vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Bartolo Colon was originally scheduled to start Sunday, but he was pushed back a day after dealing with some back stiffness. That’s good news for Olson and the A’s since Colon has a 5.19 ERA and has allowed 1.7 HR/9. Olson only has a .309 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he has a .348 wOBA against righties. He’s hit 19 of his 23 homers off of righties as well.

Ji-Man Choi vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rays could prove to be a productive stack Monday. Lopez mostly pitched in relief for the Brewers Triple-A squad this season, posting a 5.65 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. His first start for the Royals did not go well as he allowed six runs over 4.2 innings to the Blue Jays. Choi is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and he has a .349 wOBA against righties, making him a great cheap option with upside.

Others to consider: Jesus Aguilar (first base) and Robinson Chirinos (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Travis Shaw vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The Brewers will likely be another popular stack with Bailey starting for the Reds. Bailey allowed 10 runs over 8.2 innings in his last two starts and has a 6.33 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP overall. He’s had trouble keeping hitters inside the park, as well, giving up 1.9 HR/9. Shaw has plenty of power and has hit 23 of his 24 home runs against righties this year.

Joey Wendle vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Wendle might not be flashy, but he’s batting .327 with 12 RBI so far in August. He doesn’t hit many home runs, but he’s been a reliable hitter for the Rays with a .291 average this season. He doesn’t have nearly the ceiling that Shaw does, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at this price against the underwhelming Lopez.

Others to consider: Rougned Odor and Brian Dozier

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Justin Turner vs. Austin Gomber, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Turner is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now as he is 24-for-52 (.462) with three homers and six doubles during his current 13-game hitting streak. Gomber has largely pitched well for the Cardinals, but with the way Turner is hitting and his 175 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this season, don’t count on his hitting streak ending Monday.

Matt Chapman vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Chapman is not only one of the premier defensive third baseman in baseball, he’s one of the best defenders in general. He seems to make sparkling plays on a nightly basis, but he’s done far more than just excel in the field. He’s made a significant improvement at the plate, batting .276 with a .363 OBP. He’s batting .311 with four homers in August and is another A’s hitter to consider against Colon.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Jorge Polanco vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

There is no shortage of bad starting pitchers scheduled to appear Monday. Giolito has managed to stay in the White Sox rotation the entire season, but he’s been awful with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He’s had significant control problems, issuing 72 walks compared to only 91 strikeouts. Polanco might not have a ton of power, but he does have a stellar .395 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Jose Peraza vs. Chase Anderson, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,500

Peraza has been more disciplined at the plate this year, recording only a 10.4% strikeout rate. He still doesn’t walk a lot, but his .292 batting average is a significant improvement from his .259 mark last season. Although he’s not a power hitter, he has slugged a home run in both of his last two games and has at least two hits in four-straight contests. I prefer Polanco out of the two as they both have similar prices, but Peraza could also provide value for your entry.

Others to consider: Amed Rosario and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

Khris Davis vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $5,000

The A’s have not only played their way into the Wild Card race, but they are also giving the Astros a run for their money in the AL West. Davis has been a huge reason for their success, hitting 36 home runs to go along with 98 RBI. He’s well on his way to his third-straight season with at least 40 homers and 100 RBI. With Colon’s propensity to give up the long ball, Davis could be in for a monster night.

Max Kepler vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,900

Kepler struggles with his batting average, but he’s followed up his 19 home runs in 2017 with 16 homers so far this season. He’s actually having a respectable month, overall, in August, batting .255 with a .367 wOBA. Giolito has allowed a .374 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Kepler a viable option at this cheap price in tournament play.

Mallex Smith vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Although the Rays acquired Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows at the trade deadline, Smith isn’t going anywhere in their outfield. He’s been red-hot since July 1, batting .365 with a .448 OBP. He’s a terror when he’s on the bases, swiping 11 bags during that stretch and 26 for the season overall. With Lopez’s struggles to keep runners off base, Smith carries plenty of upside in this game despite his lack of power.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Although 10 games make up the main slate Wednesday in DFS, the night is generally short on elite starting pitching options. It could lead to several high-scoring games. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Shane Bieber vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $8,300

Bieber’s ERA doesn’t stand out at 4.24, but his 3.02 FIP indicates he has pitched well in his first stint in the majors. Opponents have a .368 BABIP against him, so expect his ERA to improve as that number starts to normalize. He’s only allowed six home runs across 63.2 innings and has provided value in the strikeout department with a 9.3 K/9. The Reds have only averaged 2.8 runs over their last 10 games and have struggled more against right-handed pitching this season, leaving Bieber with significant upside Wednesday.

Tyler Anderson vs. Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $8,400

Anderson was great in his last start against a potent Dodgers lineup, giving up only one run and recording six strikeouts over six innings. He’s now allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts, helping lower his ERA to 3.94 overall. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with an 8.3 K/9, but his 1.20 WHIP would be the best mark of his career. Although Carlos Correa is back, the Astros are still missing two key bats from their lineup in Jose Altuve and George Springer. The Astros have only averaged 3.7 runs across their last 10 games and that includes one contest where they scored 14 runs. Anderson might be worth the risk in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Freddie Freeman vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100

Although his performance has been overshadowed by the red-hot Ronald Acuna Jr., Freeman has two hits and a home run in both of the last two games against the Marlins. He’s batting .373 over his last 15 contests, recording eight RBI and 11 runs scored during that stretch. Look for another big game from him Wednesday as he is also 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles in his career against Urena.

Danny Jansen vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,100
DraftKings = $3,600

The Blue Jays still haven’t called up Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Jansen is getting his first crack at the majors. He was hitting well in Triple-A, posting a .275 average, .390 OBP and 12 home runs. He’s wasted no time since being recalled, going 3-for-7 with a homer in two games. Lopez has pitched out of the bullpen for the Brewers and their Triple-A affiliate this year and didn’t pitch well at either level, making Jansen a cheap option to target.

Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Ji-Man Choi (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Jason Kipnis vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,200

Kipnis’ multi-hit streak ended at three games Tuesday, but he salvaged the evening by walking and stealing a base. He gets to face another subpar pitcher in Stephenson, who has a 5.16 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his major league career. Kipnis’ price is climbing, but he’s still a viable option to consider.

Neil Walker vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

Faria has made two appearances out of the bullpen after a lengthy stint on the DL, allowing one run over 6.2 innings. He’ll return to the rotation Wednesday, a role he struggled in before getting hurt. Walker has had a renaissance at the plate, batting .310 with three home runs in his last 18 games. He’s been a much better hitter against righties this year, as well, making him someone to consider at his cheap price in tournament play.

Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,000

Ramirez has destroyed the Reds in the first two games of this series, going 6-for-10 with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored. He now has three straight multi-hit performances, boosting his average up to .305 for the season to go along with 36 homers and 27 steals. With his 195 wRC+ against righties this year, this could be another long night for the Stephenson and the Reds.

Justin Turner vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200

Turner went 3-for-4 with three doubles Tuesday, marking the fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests. He’s still trying to get things going in the home run department, but he’s batting .293 with a .384 OBP and has almost as many walks (24) as he does strikeouts (27). He also has a 191 wRC+ against lefties, giving him an excellent opportunity to shine against Holland.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,900

Gregorius is in the midst of another productive homestand, going 8-for-23 (.348) over the last six games. It should come as no surprise because although he’s batting just .236 with seven homers on the road, he is batting .302 with 14 home runs at Yankee Stadium. Adding to his appeal against Faria is that Gregorius has a .348 wOBA against right-handers this year.

Willy Adames vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Adames has cemented himself as the everyday shortstop for the rest of the season with Adeiny Hechavarria now with the Pirates. He’s taken full advantage of his opportunity, batting .410 with three home runs and four steals in August. Cessa doesn’t have an overwhelming arsenal with a career 6.4 K/9 in the majors, so don’t be surprised if Adames continues to swing a hot bat in this contest.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Freddy Galvis

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,700

At this point, you almost have to play Acuna no matter his price. He’s hitting insanely well, going 16-for-34 (.471) with eight home runs in his last eight games. Add in 15 RBI and 13 runs scored during that stretch and he’s provided tremendous value in DFS. Urena has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts and only has a 7.3 K/9 this year, which could prove troublesome against Acuna.

Mallex Smith vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Smith if 0-for-7 in his last two games, but he’s still batting .364 over his last 24 contests. He’s not a home run hitter, but he did chip in six doubles and four triples during that stretch. He’s a terror on the base paths, too, recording nine steals over that time frame. Smith isn’t cheap on DraftKings, but the price might be right to take a chance on him if you are playing on FanDuel.

Melky Cabrera vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900

Cabrera only has 142 plate appearances this season and he hasn’t exactly thrived with a .266 average and two home runs. He’s not much more than a journeyman outfielder at this stage of his career, but he’s still someone who can provide value in the right matchup. He’s 7-for-12 over his last three games and could be one of the cheaper players to target for an Indians stack.

Others to consider: Justin Upton and Michael Brantley

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

With 14 games for the main slate Friday in DFS, there are a lot of options to wade through for your entry. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

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

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

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

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

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

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

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

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

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

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

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Rafael Devers

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Paul DeJong and Carlos Correa

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/10/18

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

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

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Justin Upton

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are only six games to choose from Thursday for the main slate in DFS, but there are still some great matchups that stand out. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

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

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

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

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

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

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

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

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

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

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

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Josh Harrison and Neil Walker

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Matt Duffy

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Willy Adames

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18

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

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

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

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

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

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

Others to consider: Mookie Betts and Steven Duggar

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Wednesday brings 14 games across the majors, but only nine of them 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 8/8/18

Jose Quintana vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,300

Quintana has had control problems this season, issuing a career-high 4.1 BB/9. His 4.12 ERA isn’t terrible, but it could be worse considering his 4.60 FIP and 1.38 WHIP. He has pitched better of late, allowing two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Of those four starts, three of them came against bad lineups in the Tigers, Giants, and Padres. He gets another great matchup Wednesday against a Royals squad that has scored the fewest runs (414) in baseball, giving him an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.

Jhoulys Chacin vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,500

Chacin was hammered in his last start against the Dodgers, allowing nine runs (eight earned) and three home runs across 4.1 innings. The Dodgers have one of the best lineups in the National League, though, so don’t read too much into one bad outing. He had allowed two runs or fewer in five of his six previous starts. Don’t count on him for a lot of strikeouts with his 7.2 K/9, but he’s only allowed 13 home runs across 132 innings. The Padres have the second-lowest OPS against right-handed pitchers (.653), setting up Chacin nicely for a rebound performance.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18

Matt Carpenter vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,400

Carpenter went deep again Tuesday, marking his fourth home run in the last five games. If it wasn’t for such a horrible start, Carpenter could have one of the better cases for NL MVP. Even with his early struggles, he’s still batting .282 with a .393 OBP and 30 home runs. Keeping riding his hot bat against Richards and his 1.39 WHIP.

Yasmani Grandal vs. Mike Fiers, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,300

The A’s are making a push for the playoffs and have added a few players for the stretch run. One of the guys they brought in was Fiers, who will be making his first start since being acquired from the Tigers. His 3.48 ERA looks nice, but his 4.65 FIP indicates he is not pitching that well. He’s also had problems keeping hitters inside the park with a 1.5 HR/9. The switch-hitting Grandal has had very little success against lefties, but he has a .382 wOBA against right-handed pitching.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Jake Bauers (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18

Javier Baez vs. Heath Fillmyer, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,700

Baez is having a great season, in general, but he’s been even hotter of late by hitting .378 with six homers and five doubles over his last 11 games. His .346 BABIP this season looks high, but it’s actually almost in line with his .336 career mark. Fillmyer has a 4.83 FIP and a 1.42 WHIP with the Royals and posted 5.75 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP at Triple-A, making Baez an extremely appealing option.

Neil Walker vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Walker has struggled with the Yankees, often finding himself on the bench due to the stellar play of Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar. Playing time has opened up for him lately with Aaron Judge on the DL as he now starts most games against right-handed pitchers. He’s taken advantage of his opportunity, batting .364 with a home run and a double of his last 41 plate appearances. At this cheap price, he’s someone to consider against Giolito based on his 1.49 WHIP.

Others to consider: Joey Wendle and Jonathan Villar

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Jake Odorizzi, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,000

Ramirez has already tied or surpassed his previous career-highs in home runs, RBI, and stolen bases this season. His batting average hasn’t suffered at the expense of his power at .297 and he actually has more walks (74) than strikeouts (55). In three previous starts against the Indians this season, Odorizzi has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) across 13.2 innings. Look for them to have another big night Wednesday with Ramirez likely right in the middle of all the action.

Johan Camargo vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,100

With the Nationals thin at starting pitcher, they have turned to the journeyman Milone to fill a spot in their rotation. Milone has had some success during his minor league career, but he has a 4.35 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over his career in the majors. Camargo has excelled with a .389 wOBA against lefties this year, making him a great option if you don’t want to pay up for Ramirez.

Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Mike Moustakas

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,000

One of the deepest lineups in baseball heading into the season, the Yankees really need Gregorius to be productive right now with Judge and Gary Sanchez both sidelined. While his numbers aren’t off the charts, he is batting .279 with two home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored across 11 games since Judge hit the DL. He has a .348 wOBA against righties and provides significant upside against the underwhelming Giolito.

Aledmys Diaz vs. Brian Johnson, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Diaz came through with another hit Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to five games. Although he broke a streak of five straight games with at least one run scored, Diaz is locked into significant playing time with Lourdes Gurriel on the DL. Johnson has posted a 3.74 ERA for the Red Sox, but that’s not likely going to hold up based on his 1.42 WHIP. At this cheap price on both sites, Diaz could provide plenty of value.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18

J.D. Martinez vs. Mike Hauschild, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,500

Martinez is flat out amazing. He’s given the Red Sox everything they could have hoped for after signing him to a big contract, batting .328 with 34 home runs and 97 RBI. With all the talented hitters around him, Martinez gets plenty of opportunities to rack up counting stats. The Red Sox are likely going to be a popular stack against Hauschild based on his 4.88 ERA and 1.55 WHIP at Triple-A this year.

Mallex Smith vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,700

When the Rays acquired Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows, it looked like Smith might be in line for a smaller role. However, the Rays sent Meadows directly to Triple-A and Pham quickly landed on the DL with a foot injury. Smith is getting all the playing time he can handle as a result and is hot right now, going 11-for-19 with six walks over his last seven games. He’s a terror when he’s on base that much, resulting in five steals over that stretch. Cashner struggles to keep runners off base with his 1.56 WHIP, making Smith a viable option despite his lack of power.

Yasiel Puig vs. Mike Fiers, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,400

The ability to use the DH in this series helps the Dodgers free up a bit of a logjam they have created for their lineup after adding Manny Machado and Brian Dozier. It also gives the hitters in the lineup added opportunities for counting stats without the pitcher being required to hit. Puig has at least two hits in three of his last four games and while he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Fiers, he actually has a higher wOBA against righties (.382) than he does lefties (.283).

Others to consider: Randal Grichuk and Jackie Bradley Jr.

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Outfield

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Outfield

The Outfield position has a lot of high-end talent this year with five players at the position arguably ranked inside the top ten for fantasy baseball. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some outfielders who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Five

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Outfield

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

Entering 2017, Trout had played in at least 157 games in four straight seasons. He averaged 33 home runs, 100 RBI, 113 runs scored and 23 steals per season during that stretch. Not only that, but he batted at least .299 three times. He was limited to just 114 games last year due to injury, but he still batted .306 with 33 home runs, 72 RBI, 92 runs scored and 22 steals. Those are crazy counting stats in such a limited time frame. He’s only getting better with his pitch selection, lowering his strikeout percentage while also increasing his walk percentage in four straight seasons. He’s not just the best outfielder in fantasy baseball either as I rank him number one overall.

Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies

Blackmon had a monster season in 2017, batting .331 with 37 home runs, 104 RBI, 137 runs scored, 14 steals and a .399 OBP. He led the majors in hits, runs scored, triples and total bases and was second in batting average only to Jose Altuve. To put his season into perspective, only four players had a higher slugging percentage last year than Blackmon. They were J.D. Martinez, Giancarlo Stanton, Mike Trout and Aaron Judge. He did have extreme home and road splits, batting .391 with 24 home runs at Coors Field compared to .276 with 13 homers on the road. It’s going to be tough for him to so many home runs again this year, but he did have 29 homers and 82 RBI in 2016. His ability to hit for power, a high average and steal bases makes him one of the most valuable options in fantasy baseball.

Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox

Betts established himself as an elite fantasy asset in 2016, hitting .318 with 31 home runs, 113 RBI, 122 runs scored and 26 steals. His counting stats were again stellar in 2017, but his batting average dropped to just .264. He had never batted below .291 in a season in the majors, leaving his owners who paid a lofty price for him on draft day somewhat disappointed with his overall production. However, his strikeout percentage, groundball to fly ball ratio and line drive percentage were all almost right on par with his career averages. The big difference is he had only a .268 BABIP last year after never finishing with one below .310 in his career. With a higher BABIP likely on tap for 2018, expect Betts to rebound with his batting average. The addition of Martinez also adds a power dimension that the Red Sox lineup was sorely lacking last year, which should help Betts as well. Get ready for a big season.

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

Of all the outfielders not named Mike Trout, Harper might have the highest upside. He showed his immense potential in 2015, batting .330 with 42 home runs, 99 RBI and 118 runs scored on his way to winning the National League MVP. The reason why Harper is fourth on this list though is due to injuries and inconsistencies throughout his career. He has only played at least 147 games twice in his career, one of which was that stellar 2015 campaign. He has also batted above .300 only twice in six seasons. It can be frustrating to own him, but you shouldn’t be disappointed if he ends up being your first round pick. If everything falls right, he could end up finishing in the top three overall in fantasy.

Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees

As a testament to how deep the outfield position is, a guy who had 59 home runs and 132 RBI last season if fifth on this list. Stanton was unlike many of the games elite home run hitters too, managing to hit .281 and record a career-low 23.6% strikeout percentage. Injuries have been a concern for Stanton as well, limiting him to 123 games or less in four of the last six years. He mashes when he’s on the field though. The 2015 season might be the perfect example as he hit 27 home runs in just 74 games. Not only does he move to homer-friendly Yankee Stadium, but he’ll also be part of one of the most potent lineups in the league. If he can stay healthy, the sky is the limit. That’s a big if though, which is why he’s fifth on this list.

Overvalued Players

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Outfield

Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds

There is no question that Hamilton is one of the premier base stealers in the league, recording at least 56 steals in four straight seasons. The problem is, that’s about all he does well. For his career, he is only batting .248 with a paltry .298 OBP. He’s never scored more than 85 runs in a season and has 17 career home runs. While steals are hard to find, it’s important to remember that it’s only one category. He’ll drag you down just about everywhere else, making it very hard to justify his current ADP in the NFBC of 61.85.

Andrew McCutchen, San Francisco Giants

McCutchen will be playing for someone other than the Pirates for the first time in his career and will be a key part of what the Giants hope is a vastly improved lineup. McCutchen was once an elite fantasy option, hitting at least 20 home runs and stealing at least 20 bases each season from 2011 through 2013. His power numbers are still there, hitting at least 23 homers in four straight years. He’s not the threat that he once was on the basepaths though, stealing a total of 28 bases in the last three seasons. The problem is if he’s not going to steal bases and isn’t a .300 hitter anymore, the ability to hit 25 home runs isn’t nearly as valuable as it used to be. His current ADP is 87.06, ahead of players who could provide similar production like Ryan Braun (113.24) and Adam Jones (146.55). Make sure you don’t overpay for McCutchen.

Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves

Inciarte played in a career-high 157 games last year, making his first All-Star team. He’s always hit for a high average, batting .295 for his career.  With at least 21 steals in two of the last three seasons, he can certainly provide value on the basepaths. However, he doesn’t hit for a lot of power, recording just 11 home runs last season. He had never hit more than six home runs in a year entering 2017. He also doesn’t drive in many runs, finishing with just 57 RBI last year. His current ADP of 120.21 seems awfully high for a player of his skillset. Adam Eaton is a reasonable comp in my eyes and his ADP is only 152.76. Buyer beware of Inciarte at his current price.

 

Undervalued Players

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Outfield

Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

The Yankees lineup is loaded. They have premier hitters in Stanton, Judge, and Gary Sanchez and have excellent depth when you add in the likes of Greg Bird and Didi Gregorius. Gardner is expected to be the Yankees leadoff hitter again this season, which should leave him with a ton of opportunities to score runs. He has scored at least 90 runs three times in his career, but has the potential to score at least 100 runs for the first time this year. He also brings a nice combination of speed and power, hitting at least 16 home runs and stealing at least 20 bases in three of the last four years. Although it’s not flashy, he has a valuable .264 career batting average as well. His current ADP is 180.67, leaving him with plenty of value on draft day.

Stephen Piscotty, Oakland Athletics

Piscotty was a trendy pick to be a breakout player last year after batting .273 with 22 home runs, 85 RBI and 86 runs scored in 2016. He was a major disappointment though, batting just .235 with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 107 games. He gets a fresh start as a member of the Athletics and shouldn’t be someone you sleep on this season. Batting average was never an area of concern for him in the minors, hitting .287 over 405 games. He’s still just 27 years old and will be part of an Athletics lineup that has a lot of power. His current ADP is 292.2, which is a steal considering his upside.

Mallex Smith, Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are rebuilding, trading away some key players this offseason. They especially have holes to fill in their outfield after trading both Corey Dickerson and Steven Souza Jr. Their outfield was projected to be Smith, Kevin Kiermaier and Denard Span after those moves, but then they signed Carlos Gomez. Gomez is the only right-handed hitter in the bunch, so he could end up with plenty of at-bats. Smith could work his way into regular playing time still, which would give him a chance to showcase his speed. He played just 81 games last year, but still stole 16 bases. He batted .270 as well, which helps considering he provides no power. His value is mostly limited to stolen bases, but he could steal somewhere between 30 and 40 bases under the right circumstances. With a current ADP of 351.12, Smith could be a very cheap source of steals. I’d much rather get him towards the end of a draft than spend a high pick on Hamilton.