It won’t be the busiest of nights in the majors Wednesday, but the slate is still packed with quality starting pitching options. While that might make generating runs difficult for many teams, there are still some lineups in a position to thrive.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/13/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Monday brings plenty of action across the majors with 10 games making up the main slate in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Mike Clevinger vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $9,200
The Indians starting rotation is certainly one of the deepest in baseball. Clevinger has been a big part of their success with a 3.38 ERA that is backed by a 3.35 FIP. After issuing at least 4.4 BB/9 in both of his first two seasons, Clevinger has been much better with a 2.8 BB/9 this year. He’s also allowed just 13 home runs across 146.2 innings. He won’t have to deal with the DH pitching at Cincinnati and the Reds haven’t been hitting well of late, either, averaging 3.5 runs over their last 10 games.
Sean Reid-Foley vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,400
The Blue Jays will give Reid-Foley his first start in the majors Monday. He’s earned the call with a strong performance at Triple-A, posting a 3.50 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 15 starts. He allowed just five home runs over 82.1 innings to go along with a stellar 10.3 K/9. His success in the strikeout department should come as no surprise since he has a 10.0 K/9 for his career in the minors. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (428) in baseball, so Reid-Foley might be worth the risk at this dirt cheap price in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700
Goldschmidt launched two home runs Sunday and is 10-for-28 during his current six-game hitting streak. His RBI total is down this year at 64, but he’s managed to hit .282 with 26 homers despite a horrendous month of May. Colon has allowed 1.8 HR/9 this season to go along with his 5.18 ERA, leaving Goldschmidt with plenty of upside.
Yonder Alonso vs. Homey Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,200
With Bailey on the mound for the Reds, the Indians should be one of the most popular stacks Monday. Bailey gave up five runs over 3.1 innings in his last start against the lowly Mets, leaving him with a 6.19 ERA overall. He gives up a ton of baserunners with a 1.59 WHIP and has allowed a .363 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Alonso a viable target at first base.
Others to consider: Freddie Freeman (first base) and Yadier Molina (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies vs. Merandy Gonzalez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,700
In the second game of their doubleheader, the Marlins plan to give Gonzalez his first career start. He hasn’t pitched well in seven relief appearances, recording a 5.71 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. He’s spent most of the season in Double-A where he has a 4.32 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a career 7.4 K/9 in the minor leagues, so he could have plenty of trouble trying to get out Albies, who has at least one hit in four of his last five games.
Jason Kipnis vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Kipnis is having another disappointing season, batting only .226 with 11 home runs. His .363 slugging percentage would be the second-worst mark of his career. On the bright side, he does have at least two hits in three of his last six starts and he has a career .341 wOBA against righties. With how poorly Bailey is pitching, Kipnis is a viable option in tournament play.
Others to consider: Yoan Moncada and Daniel Descalso
THIRD BASE
Eduardo Escobar vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,600
Escobar got off to a great start with the Twins this season, but he’s been even better since joining the Diamondbacks. In 13 games with his new team, he’s batting .324 with two home runs and five doubles. He has just a .306 wOBA against lefties this season, but look to exploit this matchup against Colon based on his .384 wOBA against righties.
Jedd Gyorko vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100
Milone allowed four total runs across his first two starts, but they came against two poor hitting teams in the Marlins and Mets. He didn’t fare well in his third start against a vastly superior Braves lineup, giving up seven runs over six innings. Gyorko is not having a good season overall, but he’s still someone to target versus lefties considering his 170 wRC+ against them.
Others to consider: Matt Chapman and Christian Villanueva
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,900
Lindor couldn’t cash in a prime matchup against Dylan Covey on Sunday, finishing 0-for-5 with a walk and four strikeouts. He’ll get a chance to redeem himself against another underwhelming starter in Bailey on Monday. He’s batting .292 with 29 home runs and a .372 OBP, so expect him to rebound with a better performance.
Paul DeJong vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200
DeJong burst onto the scene last year by hitting .285 with 25 home runs in only 108 games. He’s been bothered by injuries this year and hasn’t played well when healthy, batting .244 with 12 home runs across 72 contests. However, he might be heating up at just the right time for the Cardinals as he has three home runs over his last five games. Based on Milone’s struggles, DeJong could provide value if you need to save money at shortstop.
Others to consider: Aledmys Diaz and Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Merandy Gonzalez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800
Acuna is hot right now, slugging a home run in four of his last five contests. He has 15 long balls in only 64 games overall, showing why he is one of the most exciting young players in the league. He doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Gonzalez, but that shouldn’t be a concern since Acuna has a .373 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Jon Jay vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,300
With the Diamondbacks faced with a good chance to score plenty of runs against Colon, their usual leadoff hitter Jay could be in line for a productive night. He’s largely struggled since joining the Diamondbacks, but with at least two hits in five of his last seven starts, he’s someone to target Monday, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.
Harrison Bader vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Even though Tyler O’Neill is likely to be activated from the DL on Tuesday, Bader should continue to see plenty of playing time down the stretch. He hasn’t hit for a ton of power, but he’s batting .275 with a .345 OBP. He’s also flashed some speed on the base paths with 12 steals. Add in his .402 wOBA against lefties and he’s another Cardinal to target against Milone.
Others to consider: Michael Brantley and David Peralta
MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 21
*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
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
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 6/14/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
Thursday brings only nine games in the baseball that are spread out throughout the day. Let’s take a look at some players in both the early and evening slates for DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Mike Clevinger vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $9,700
After posting a 10.1 K/9 last year, Clevinger hasn’t been nearly as successful in that department this season with a 7.4 K/9. His swinging-strike rate is pretty close to last year’s and hitters are actually swinging at more pitches outside of the strike zone, so don’t be surprised if he starts to make gains in that area throughout the summer. Even with fewer strikeouts, he’s still been excellent this season with a 3.31 ERA, 3.46 FIP, and a 1.21 WHIP. He allowed one run and recorded seven strikeouts over 6.2 innings in his first start against the White Sox this year and has the potential for another valuable outing in their rematch.
Anibal Sanchez vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,500
If you are playing the evening slate, it’s slim pickings in terms of starting pitchers. After Blake Snell and David Price, there is a big drop off to the next tier of options. If you want to take a chance on a cheap option with upside in tournament play, Sanchez might be your man. Injuries have limited him to six appearances this year, five of which were starts. His 2.37 ERA likely won’t hold based on his 4.81 FIP, but he has done a good job limiting baserunners with a 1.06 WHIP. The Padres don’t have a great lineup, to begin with, but they especially struggle against right-handed pitchers with second-lowest OPS against them (.659) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,400
Freeman has at least one hit in 23 of his last 24 games, batting 37-for-96 (.385) with six home runs during that stretch. He’s shown an excellent eye at the play this season, drawing 41 walks and striking out only 47 times. Ross has allowed a .364 wOBA to lefties this year, helping to make Freeman one of the better plays at any position.
Wilson Ramos vs. Domingo German, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,500
Catcher may be one of the weakest positions in fantasy baseball, but Ramos has established himself as one of the best players at the position this season. He’s hitting .284 with eight home runs in the early going after being limited to just 64 games last year due to injury. He has at least one hit in five of his last six games and will get to face one of the Yankees weaker starting pitchers in German, who has a 5.32 ERA and is only starting because Jordan Montgomery (elbow) is out for the season.
Others to consider: Paul Goldschmidt (first base) and Ryon Healy (first base)
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez vs. German Marquez, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900
Hernandez batted exactly .294 in both of the last two seasons but has been held to .264 this year. His .326 BABIP isn’t bad, but it is below his career mark of .350. The good news is that he already has seven home runs, which is only two shy of his total from last year. Marquez allows a lot of baserunners with a 1.48 WHIP and even though this game won’t be played in Coors Field, Hernandez is still a viable option for the limited slate.
Joey Wendle vs. Domingo German, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,200
Wendle doesn’t play much against lefties, but that won’t be a problem against the right-handed German. Wendle doesn’t hit many home runs, but he’s been a pleasant surprise for the Rays this year by hitting .280 with five steals. His upside isn’t great, but if you want to save money at second base, he is someone to consider in tournament play.
Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Joe Panik
THIRD BASE
Rafael Devers vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,400
Devers hit an impressive .284 with 10 home runs over 58 games in his first taste of the majors last year. He does have 10 home runs already this season, but he’s been a disappointment overall with just a .231 average. His strikeout rate has increased over three percentage points this year and his BABIP has also fallen to .284 after it was .342 last season. He is finally starting to show signs of coming around, though, and is currently on an eight-game hitting streak. It also helps his cause Thursday that Hernandez has allowed a .351 wOBA to lefties this season.
Brian Anderson vs. Dereck Rodriguez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,200
Anderson wasn’t able to log another hit Wednesday, but he still had two walks, two runs scored and an RBI. His .311 average and .384 OBP has made him one of the better hitters in an otherwise lackluster lineup for the Marlins. Although his numbers are better against left-handed pitchers, he’s not exactly struggling with a .350 wOBA against righties.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Jeimer Candelario
SHORTSTOP
Jean Segura vs. David Price, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,900
Segura logged another three hits Wednesday and now has at least two hits in six of his last nine games. His average is all the way up to .347, which has also helped him score 51 runs in 65 games. He’s been especially valuable against lefties as he has a .401 wOBA against them this season. Keep riding his hot bat Thursday.
Brock Holt vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,400
The Red Sox continue to find ways to play Holt every day and even started him at first base Wednesday. While he’s obviously not going to be taking Mitch Moreland’s job, it shows that the Red Sox are determined to find ways to keep Holt’s hot bat in their lineup. He went 2-for-3 in that game, raising his average to .309. Expect him to play against the righty Hernandez on Thursday since Holt has a .342 wOBA against righties.
Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Ketel Marte
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,700
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez might get all the headlines, but Benintendi is having a heck of a season. He has hit a home run in three of his last four games and already has 12 on the season overall. His batting average has improved to .302 and he’s still been aggressive on the base paths with 11 stolen bases. He only has a 98 wRC+ against lefties but has crushed righties with a 168 wRC+.
Nelson Cruz vs. David Price, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Price appears to have righted the ship after a tough start to the season as he has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts. He’ll face a tough old nemesis in Cruz on Thursday, who is 14-for-41 (.341) with four home runs against him in his career. Cruz has a 203 wRC+ against lefties this year as well and could put up big numbers against Price once again.
Leonys Martin vs. Lance Lynn, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400
Martin hit a putrid .172 for the Cubs and Mariners combined last season, but he has found himself batting leadoff for the rebuilding Tigers. The move has paid off so far with Martin hitting .263 with a career-high .332 OBP. His walk rate is up and his strikeout rate is down, which will only help him hang onto the role moving forward. Left-handed pitchers still give him a lot of problems, but his .371 wOBA against righties this year makes him a viable option against Lynn.
Others to consider: Eddie Rosario and Mitch Haniger
MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 2
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 2
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
Although this is the second week for most fantasy baseball leagues, it’s the first full week of games for the 2018 season. 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. He 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
Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians: at LAA, vs. KC
The big names in the Indians starting rotation are Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Danny Salazar, but Clevinger proved to be an important part of their rotation in 2017. He finished the year 12-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 10.1 K/9. Walks were an issue at 4.4 per nine innings, but he held opponents to just a .211 batting average. Getting two starts out of a pitcher with his strikeout upside can give you a significant edge in many leagues. His second start of the week against the Royals is especially favorable based on the losses they suffered to their lineup this winter.
Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs: at CIN, at MIL
I was very high on Chatwood heading into this season and he gives those who drafted him a two-start week early in the season. Chatwood did not pitch well in Coors Field as a member of the Rockies last year, posting a 6.01 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 70.1 innings. He was much better on the road, finishing with a 3.49 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 77.1 innings. He’ll still have a potent lineup behind him in Chicago, which could have him in line for the best season of his career.
Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates: vs. MIN, vs. CIN
Taillon’s numbers from 2017 aren’t impressive as he finished with a 4.44 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. However, his FIP was 3.48, so he could be in line for improved numbers this season. Opponents also had a .359 BABIP against him last year, which should be in line for some regression towards the norm this season. Taillon only allowed 0.7 HR/9, which is important because he didn’t have overpowering stuff with an 8.4 K/9. Playing the Twins at home will help Taillon as he gets to avoid the DH.
Charlie Morton, Houston Astros: vs. BAL, vs. SD
Morton had one of the best seasons of his career in 2017 finishing with a career-high 14 wins to go along with a 3.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 10 K/9. He had a 3.46 FIP, opponents posted a .297 BABIP against him, and he only allowed 0.9 HR/9, so his numbers stand up past just the initial inspection. The Orioles really struggled offensively in their first series of the season, scoring a combined five runs in three games against the Twins. The Padres brought in Eric Hosmer during the winter, but their lineup still isn’t very imposing. Expect significant production for Morton in Week 2.
Starters to Avoid
Sean Newcomb and Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves: vs. WAS, at COL:
The Braves have two starters who will each get two starts this week, but they have very unfavorable matchups. First, they face the Nationals at home, who still have a very deep lineup despite the absence of Daniel Murphy (knee). Teheran really struggled at home last season, posting a 5.68 ERA compared to a 3.14 ERA on the road. After Newcomb and Teheran get through that, they then have to travel to hitter-friendly Coors Field. Both pitchers will provide value over the course of the long season, but this might be the week to keep them anchored to your bench.
Chris Tillman and Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles: at HOU, at NYY
Tillman was horrid for the Orioles last season, posting a 7.84 ERA and 1.89 WHIP. He’s bound to improve on those numbers this year, but his career 4.43 ERA and 4.66 FIP leave a lot to be desired. Unless you are in a very deep AL-only league, you shouldn’t be starting him regardless of opponent or number of starts he has in a given week. Bundy, on the other hand, is considered the future of the Orioles rotation at just 25 years old. He had a respectable 2017 campaign, finishing with a 4.24 ERA and 8.1 K/9. He did a great job keeping runner off base with a 1.20 WHIP, but his 1.4 HR/9 is an area of concern. He’ll face two of the more powerful lineups in all of baseball in Week 2, so it might be best to avoid him for your lineup.
Bryan Mitchell and Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres: vs. COL, at HOU
The Padres made some improvements to their lineup, but their starting rotation still has a long ways to go before they can become a playoff-caliber team. Ross rejoins the Padres after injuries limited him to just 54.1 innings in the last two seasons combined. His brief stint with the Rangers did not go well last season, finishing with a 7.71 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. Mitchell was brought over in a trade with the Yankees after bouncing between their bullpen and starting rotation. He’s not a strikeout pitcher, posting just a 5.9 K/9 during his career in the majors. He could be someone to consider streaming against favorable opponents, but that’s certainly not the case this week facing the Rockies and Astros. Don’t trust either Padres starter to help you win your league this week.
DraftKings FanDuel MLB Lineup Picks for September 1, 2017
*Chris Durell*
DraftKings / FanDuel MLB Lineup Picks for September 1, 2017
Welcome back to another TGIF edition of our daily fantasy baseball picks. There are two afternoon games today and with the cancellation of the Astros game, we get 14 games on the main slate tonight and this is where we will turn our attention. Let’s take a look at some of the top pitchers and stacks.
Starting Pitchers
Mike Clevinger
Opponent – @ DET
Park – Comerica Park (Hitters Park)
Vegas Favorite (CLE -170)
Vegas Total (8.5)
Clayton Kershaw returns to the Dodgers rotation tonight but will be on a pitch count. This has me going almost exclusively with value pitching and it starts with Mike Clevinger. He is coming off his best start of the season where he shut out the Royals over six innings striking out nine. He has been a bit inconsistent with a 3.72 ERA, 4.15 xFIP but has big upside with a 10.3 K/9 rate and 12.9% swinging strike rate. Then there is the matchup that got a huge boost since yesterday as the Tigers traded away their top bat in Justin Upton. Clevinger is safe in all formats.
Jack Flaherty
Opponent – @ WSH
Park – AT&T Park(Pitchers Park)
Vegas Favorite (STL -110)
Vegas Total (8.5)
If you are wanting to completely load up on bats tonight, Jack Flaherty provides a ton of salary relief. After the trade of Mike Leake opened up a spot on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals called up one of their top pitching prospects to take the mound vs. the Giants. In 15 starts in AAA this season, he has gone 7-2 with an impressive 2.74 ERA and 8.96 K/9 rate. He has improved big time this season adding velocity to his fastball and has three secondary pitches to back it up including a plus changeup(according to reports). The upside may not be there vs. the Giants who don’t K much but they rank second to last in overall run scoring. With Flaherty’s very low price on both sites, we don’t need a monster game and is more about loading up on bats to increase our overall ceiling.
Top Stacks
With all the value at pitcher tonight, I head straight to Coors Field where the Diamondbacks have the highest implied run total(6.1) of the night. They will face Kyle Freeland who has been better at home this year but I am not buying it as he strikes out just over six batters per nine while walking over three. I will be loading up on Paul Goldschmidt, J.D. Martinez, A.J. Pollock, and for value I like catcher Chris Iannetta who also crushes southpaws.
The other high-end stack I am chasing tonight is the Los Angles Angels who just acquired Justin Upton from the Tigers to bolster their lineup. Tonight they face Cole Hamels who has a nice win/loss record this season but has fallen off in a big way with a career-low 5.5 K/9 rate and 4.89 xFIP. This is the only other game with a Vegas Total over 10 and if Upton is in the lineup, we could see the implied runs rise even more for the Angels. My top bats will Be Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Justin Upton.
For a value stack, I am looking very closely at the Tampa Bay Rays tonight. They are facing rookie Reynaldo Lopez who has shown some strikeout upside in his first two starts but has struggled with control and has been punished with eight earned runs against including three long balls. He has also been far worse against left-handed bats as well with a .432 wOBA against. The bats I am looking at are Kevin Kiermaier, Lucas Duda, Evan Longoria, and Logan Morrison. Again, it will all depend on the lineups when they are released.
Thank you for reading and if you have any questions as lineup lock approaches please contact me via Twitter(@Jager_Bombs9)