Monday brings a nine-game evening slate across DFS that will feature some of the better starters in the league. There are also plenty of stacking situations to target with some teams trotting out a member of the back of their rotation.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/11/2019
With plenty of day games on the schedule Thursday, only five contests will make up the main evening slate in DFS. The starting pitching options aren’t great, so choosing the right hitters could be the key to coming in the money.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/8/2019
Monday brings 10 games in the majors, eight of which will make up the main evening slate in DFS. Whether you want to roll with an ace pitcher or load up on bats, there are plenty of options for either strategy.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/3/2019
Wednesday brings a lot of day games across the majors, leaving just five games to choose from for the main evening slate in DFS. While quality pitching options are hard to come by, the night still has plenty of great hitters to choose from.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/1/2019
Welcome to our first daily fantasy baseball article of the season. We have 13 games across the majors on Monday, nine of which will make up the main evening slate. Let’s dive into the matchups to see which players stand out as having favorable opportunities to be productive.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/31/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
This will be our last baseball DFS article for the season. Hopefully, we’ve been able to help you turn a profit over the long grind. Let’s finish things on a high note and bring home some money Friday. 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
Zack Wheeler vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $10,600
Wheeler has been fantastic of late, allowing two runs or fewer in seven straight starts. He has excellent numbers, overall, with a 3.46 ERA that is supported by a 3.31 FIP. He does a great job limiting baserunners with a 1.21 WHIP and has only allowed 12 home runs across 153.1 innings. Last year, he allowed 15 homers in only 86.1 innings. Facing the Giants earlier this month, Wheeler allowed one run and recorded 10 strikeouts across seven innings. The Giants recently lost Buster Posey for the season due to injury and just traded away Andrew McCutchen, so an already thin lineup is now even worse. Wheeler could be in line for a dominant performance.
Austin Gomber vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $7,700
Gomber had very good numbers at Triple-A, posting a 3.42 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 10.0 K/9. He’s mostly pitched out of the bullpen for the Cardinals, but he’ll be making his sixth straight start Friday. He’s actually been better as a starter this season, recording a 2.51 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and an 8.4 K/9 across six outings. One of those starts came against these same Reds when he held them to two runs and recorded six strikeouts over 6.1 innings. If you want to take a chance on a cheap starting pitcher in tournament play, Gomber might be your man.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Tyler White vs. Jaime Barria, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400
White kept up his torrid pace Thursday, finishing the game 2-for-4 with a home run. He has logged at least two hits and a home in three of his last four games. Barria’s 3.67 ERA looks nice, but he hasn’t pitched that well based on his 4.58 FIP. Even though he is right-handed, Barria has actually struggled more against righties (.392 wOBA) than he has lefties (.262 wOBA).
Yadier Molina vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000
The Cardinals are going to be a popular stack against Bailey. He’s having another awful season, posting a 6.17 ERA and a 1.62 FIP. He’s also allowed 21 home runs in just 96.1 innings. Molina has great numbers against Bailey in his career, hitting 19-for-47 (.404) with three home runs.
Others to consider: Matt Carpenter (first base) and Wilson Ramos (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Daniel Murphy vs. Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Although the Cubs seemed to have a lot of depth already, acquiring Murphy could prove to be a crucial move. He’s been excellent since joining the team, hitting .306 with two home runs and two doubles over eight games. Murphy has a .372 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and while Pivetta does record a lot of strikeouts, he’s allowed a .354 wOBA against lefties.
Yoan Moncada vs. Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,100
Eovaldi started out his Red Sox career on a high note, but he’s allowed 21 runs (14 earned) over 17 innings in his last four starts. He didn’t exactly face juggernaut lineups either with three of those starts coming against the Orioles, Phillies, and Rays. Moncada strikes out a ton, but he still has plenty of power with 16 home runs and 23 doubles. He’s also a much better hitter against righties, possibly making him a target in tournament play.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and DJ LeMahieu
THIRD BASE
Jurickson Profar vs. Stephen Gonsalves, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,100
With the Rangers battling injuries much of the season and falling out of contention early, Profar has already played a career-high 119 games. His numbers aren’t off the charts, but he’s been excellent at home, batting .277 with a .900 OPS. Gonsalves has been hit hard in his first two outings for the Twins and things won’t get any easier for him having to pitch in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Todd Frazier vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200
Frazier has come on strong down the stretch, batting .265 with six home runs and five doubles in August. His .500 slugging percentage for the month is by far his best power stretch of the season. Suarez has allowed 18 home runs this season, 17 of which were to right-handed hitters.
Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Matt Chapman
SHORTSTOP
Paul DeJong vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,100
After going on a power surge earlier in August, DeJong has just one home run over his last 14 games. He has 14 for the season overall, but that’s a disappointment considering he hit 25 long balls in only 108 games last year. He’s not exactly swinging a hot bat, in general, with a .191 average in August. However, with the struggling Bailey on the mound, DeJong might be a contrarian play who could pay dividends in tournament play.
Amed Rosario vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500
Rosario has been dreadful hitting at Citi Field, batting just .205 with a .326 slugging percentage. He’s been a much better hitter on the road, though, recording a .292 batting average and a .416 slugging percentage. While he doesn’t carry much homer upside, he’s cheap enough on both sites to at least warrant consideration for your entry. Suarez has allowed a .362 wOBA against right-handed hitters as well.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Elvis Andrus
OUTFIELD
Carlos Gonzalez vs. Brett Kennedy, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $5,100
Gonzalez has quietly had a very strong campaign, batting .292 with 15 home runs and 26 doubles. He’s trying to help the Rockies make a push for the playoffs, batting .322 with a .932 OPS since July 1. Kennedy hasn’t lasted more than five innings in any of his previous four starts and has a 1.95 WHIP during that stretch, so this has the makings of a high-scoring game for Gonzalez and the Rockies.
Tyler O’Neill vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,600
With the Cardinals thin in their outfield due to injuries, O’Neill is finally getting a chance to play every day. He’s provided them with plenty of power, hitting four home runs across his last eight games. He has a .521 slugging percentage for the season overall, leaving him as a great option against Bailey.
Harrison Bader vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,900
Bader has also been forced into more playing time, showing a nice mix of power and speed with 10 home runs and 12 stolen bases. He’s had by far his best stretch of the season in August, batting .303 with four homers, eight doubles, and three steals. If you want to go with a Cardinals stack, he’s one of their better cheap hitters to consider.
Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Trey Mancini
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/30/18
*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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/29/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
With several day games across the majors Wednesday, nine evening games 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
C.C. Sabathia vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,900
After a brief stint on the DL, Sabathia didn’t miss a beat in his first start since being activated, allowing two runs and recording eight strikeouts across six innings against the Orioles. Sabathia has posted at least seven strikeouts in four of his last five outings, increasing his K/9 to 8.2 for the season. He’s been stellar pitching at Yankee Stadium with a 2.44 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across 12 starts. He held the White Sox to one run while registering 12 strikeouts over 5.2 innings in their first meeting this season and while that strikeout total will be hard to match, he can still provide value for your entry.
Alex Cobb vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,400
Cobb’s overall numbers don’t look great based on his 5.00 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. However, much of the damage done against him came during the first half of the season. He’s trying to end the year on a high note, posting a 1.80 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in August. Maybe the most impressive part about his recent success is that four of those five starts game against the Yankees, Red Sox and Indians. He doesn’t have much strikeout upside with a 6.1 K/9, but he’s still someone to consider in tournament play at this cheap price.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Trevor Williams, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,100
Carpenter cooled off a bit after his torrid start to August, but he’s starting to heat up again with six hits over his last two games. He’s provided a ton of power this season with 34 home runs and 38 doubles and is on pace to finish with an OBP of at least .380 for the third straight season. He could be in for another big performance Wednesday considering he has a .400 wOBA against right-handed pitchers and that he is 7-for-16 with three homers in his career against Williams.
Wilson Ramos vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,900
Injuries have limited Ramos to just eight games since being traded to the Phillies, but he’s 14-for-30 with a home run and six doubles with his new team. He hasn’t started more than two consecutive days since joining the Phillies, but since he only appeared as a pinch hitter Tuesday, he should start this contest. It would also be wise for the Phillies to get him back into their lineup based on his 161 wRC+ against lefties.
Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion (first base) and Brandon Belt (first base)
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,300
Villar has had plenty of success in the first two games of this series, going 5-for-7 with four runs scored and two steals. He has swiped seven bases since joining the Orioles, raising his total to 21 for the season. He now has four steals in his last five games against the Blue Jays and runners have already stolen 11 bases off of their catcher Danny Jansen in just 10 games. Borucki has allowed plenty of baserunners with his 1.53 WHIP, so Villar might run wild again in this contest.
Jason Kipnis vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100
The Indians are likely going to be a popular stack for the evening. They only have a .736 OPS on the road, but they have a .805 OPS at home. They also get a favorable matchup against Stewart, who has allowed nine runs over 11.2 innings in his first three starts for the Twins. Kipnis is batting .204 with a .555 OPS on the road, but he has a .250 batting average and a .807 OPS at home.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Brian Dozier
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,300
Turner logged two more hits Tuesday, marking his fourth straight multi-hit game. He’s turned his season around in August, batting .404 with five home runs and 11 doubles since the month began. Add in his 193 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, overall, this season and Turner might be well worth his lofty price against Minor.
Mike Moustakas vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400
Harvey had a disastrous start to the season with the Mets, but he’s posted a respectable 4.14 ERA since joining the Reds. He does still have problems with home runs, though, giving up 14 in 95.2 innings since joining the team. Moustakas has hit 19 of his 24 homers off of righties this season, so he could be a threat to leave the yard again Wednesday.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,200
Believe it or not, Machado has never recorded 100 RBI in a season during his career. He drove in four runs in the first game of this series Tuesday, bringing his total to 86 for the season. He has a great chance at cracking the 100-RBI plateau, especially as part of a much more potent lineup with the Dodgers. He’s batting .302 with a .970 OPS over his last 12 games and has a high ceiling in this contest at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Tim Beckham vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,300
Beckham was a different hitter after joining the Orioles during the 2017 season, batting .306 with a .523 slugging percentage over 50 games. He hasn’t been able to follow that up with a strong campaign, though, batting .220 with a .355 slugging percentage. The good news is he plays every day now with Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop no longer in the folder and his .409 slugging percentage in August is his highest of any month this season. With Borucki’s inability to limit baserunners, Beckham might be worth the risk in tournament play at this dirt cheap price.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Trea Turner
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,800
Yelich has been everything the Brewers could have hoped for since acquiring him from the Marlins. He’s already set a new career-high with 25 home runs, seven of which have come across his last nine games. His walk rate is down, but his .310 batting average would also be the highest mark of his career. Harvey doesn’t exactly have overpowering stuff anymore, potentially setting up Yelich for a valuable performance.
Melky Cabrera vs. Kohl Stewart, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,400
Cabrera has hit his way into an everyday role with the Indians, batting .314 with six home runs and five doubles across his last 34 games. He’s also been able to provide plenty of counting stats with 16 RBI and 16 runs scored during that stretch. With the potential for this to be another high-scoring game for the Indians against Stewart, Cabrera is a viable option to consider for your entry.
Trey Mancini vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Mancini has caught fire, going 8-for-15 with two home runs, four doubles and a triple over his last four games. After batting .293 last year, his .241 average this season has been a significant disappointment. However, he’s still managed to hit for power with 19 homers and 20 doubles. At this cheap price, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Others to consider: Greg Allen and Tyler O’Neill
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Tuesday is loaded with elite starting pitching options across the majors including Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Aaron Nola. There is a great second tier of options behind them as well. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Clay Buchholz vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $10,000
Buchholz is having an incredible season for the Diamondbacks. He’s allowed more than three runs in only one of his 13 starts this season, resulting in a 2.25 ERA. His FIP is higher at 3.39, but that’s still excellent considering he missed almost all of last season due to injury. His 7.7 K/9 isn’t great, but he has a 1.03 WHIP and has given up only eight home runs across 80 innings. He’s already faced the Giants twice this season, allowing four runs and recording 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. He’s certainly not the flashiest of starting pitching options Tuesday, but he could still provide excellent value.
Brian Johnson vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $7,000
With so many great starting pitchers to choose from, it might not be a bad idea to go with a cheap pitcher in tournament play and load up on some of the expensive bats that have favorable matchups. If you want to go that route, Johnson might be your man. He’s made 10 starts for the Red Sox, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9. He started against the Marlins earlier this season, holding them to one run and recording five strikeouts in six innings. The Marlins have the fourth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.655) in baseball, so don’t be surprised if Johson has similar success.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Max Muncy vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,400
The Dodgers are likely going to be a popular stack with Jurado on the mound. He’s been terrible for the Rangers with a 6.40 ERA and a 5.75 FIP across his first six starts. He has a bloated 1.55 WHIP and only struck out 12 batters over 32.1 innings. Muncy has seen his playing time decrease some lately due to the additions of Manny Machado and Brian Dozier, but he still has four home runs in his last eight games. With the DH available in this contest, expect Muncy to be in the lineup.
Danny Jansen vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,900
Jansen certainly earned his call-up to the majors, batting .275 with a .390 OBP at Triple-A. He drew 44 walks compared to 49 strikeouts over 360 plate appearances. He’s carried that success over to the Blue Jays, going 10-for-30 with a home run and five doubles in his first nine games. He’s a great cheap option to consider against Rogers, who will be making his first appearance in the majors and doesn’t exactly have an overwhelming arsenal based on his 6.5 K/9 at Triple-A this year.
Others to consider: Matt Carpenter (first base) and Yasmani Grandal (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100
Merrifield might not get a lot of publicity playing for a bad Royals squad, but he’s a great hitter. He only has 10 home runs, but he’s batting .307 with a .374 OBP and 35 doubles. He’s a terror on the bases as well with 28 steals. He has a career .375 wOBA against lefties, so it’s not surprising that he is also 8-for-19 in his career against Boyd.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,200
Gurriel took a seat for the Blue Jays on Monday after starting his first three games since being activated from the DL. He’s one of the bright young players in their organization, so expect him to get plenty of playing time down the stretch. He was one of the hottest hitters in baseball before landing on the DL and is batting .307 overall, leaving him as a someone to consider in tournament play if you don’t want to pay up for Merrifield.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,600
Injuries have hampered Turner’s season, but he’s doing his best to make up for a slow start. He’s been red-hot in August, batting .405 with five homers and 10 doubles. He has outstanding numbers against left-handed pitchers, but he could still be in line for a big night against the struggling Jurado based on his .356 wOBA against righties.
Wil Myers vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Hernandez is only 33 years old, but he’s a shell of his former self. He was demoted to the bullpen at one point but is back in the starting rotation out of necessity for the Mariners. He’s hasn’t been terrible at home, but he has a staggering 7.46 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP on the road. Myers has almost identical numbers against both righties and lefties throughout his career, so don’t pass over him for your entry just because he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Hernandez.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Matt Chapman
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Machado is still adjusting to his new team and moving to a new league, batting .266 overall since joining the Dodgers. He is starting to heat up again, though, batting .286 with five home runs across his last 11 games. He won’t come cheap on either site, but he has significant upside against Jurado in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Freddy Galvis vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,600
Galvis has never really been a great hitter, batting .245 with a .661 OPS for his career. He’s put up similar numbers overall this year, but he’s been hot in August, batting .264 with a .834 OPS. If you decide to spend big at starting pitcher, Galvis is a cheap player to consider to help balance your budget with Hernandez on the mound.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Trevor Story
OUTFIELD
Mitch Haniger vs. Jacob Nix, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900
Haniger was limited to 96 games last year due to injury, but he still hit 16 home runs and 25 doubles. He’s been able to stay healthy this season and remains extremely productive, slugging 22 homers and 28 doubles. He’s also batting .281 with a .368 OBP, showing he’s not just selling out for power. Nix has a 1.63 WHIP through three starts with the Padres, so this could be a high-scoring game for Haniger and the Mariners.
Yasiel Puig vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400
Puig is struggling, batting .171 with just one extra-base hit over his last 10 games. His .433 slugging percentage overall in August would be his lowest mark of any month this season, However, this might be just the matchup that Puig needs to get back on track. With Jurado’s struggles already detailed, it’s also important to note that Puig has had more success against right-handed pitchers (134 wRC+) this year than he has lefties (71 wRC+).
Carlos Gonzalez vs. Noe Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Ramirez is expected to start Tuesday after recording a save in Monday’s contest. This will be a bullpen game for the Angels, which is good news for the Rockies since the Angels bullpen has the fifth-highest FIP (4.44) in the majors. Gonzalez enters this game on a five-game hitting streak and is hitting .310 overall in August, making him someone to target at this reasonable price.
Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Tyler O’Neill
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/27/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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STARTING PITCHERS
Patrick Corbin vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $11,100
DraftKings = $11,500
Corbin has fooled a lot of hitters this season, producing a 15.0% swinging-strike rate and an 11.0 K/9. His 3.17 ERA would be the best mark of his career, but it could actually be even better considering his 2.37 FIP. He’s only issued 2.2 BB/9 and has allowed 11 home runs across 161.2 innings, which has helped him allow fewer than four runs in 20 of his 26 starts. He’s already made five starts against the Giants this year, posting a 2.20 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 10.2 K/9 across those outings. Expect him to have plenty of upside again Monday.
Jon Lester vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,200
Lester appears to have turned things around after a brief rough patch, allowing one run and recording 11 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in his last two starts. His 3.64 ERA overall is a big improvement from last year, but his 4.74 FIP indicates he hasn’t actually pitched much better. One area of concern has been his lack of strikeouts. His 8.3% swinging-strike rate is his lowest mark since 2008, resulting in just a 7.2 K/9. Even taking all of that into consideration, he’s still a viable option against the Mets in tournament play because they have the third-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.649) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Kendrys Morales vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,000
Morales is on an incredible run right now as he has hit at least one home run in seven straight games. He’s not just hitting for power, though, going 17-for-34 during his current 10-game hitting streak. This is a major mismatch against Hess and his 6.11 FIP.
Justin Smoak vs. David Hess. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200
Smoak has a career-high 14.0% walk rate this year, but he hasn’t been able to build off of his .270 batting average in 2017, hitting just .249 this season. He likely won’t match the 38 home runs he hit either, but he’s still provided significant power with 19 homers and 32 doubles. He has a .369 wOBA against righties, making him another great option against Hess.
Others to consider: Tyler White (first base) and Danny Jansen (catcher)
SECOND BASE
DJ LeMahieu vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,200
This would be a much sweeter matchup if this game was being played in Coors Field, but the Rockies will likely still be a popular stack against Despaigne. Despaigne has mostly pitched in the minors this season and didn’t stand out with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. His first two starts with the Angels have not gone well, allowing eight runs over eight innings. LeMahieu has largely had a disappointing season, but he’s coming on strong down the stretch by hitting .340 across his last 13 games.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,300
Gurriel was on a crazy streak of 11 straight multi-hit games before landing on the DL with an ankle injury. He missed almost a month of action and although he only has one hit in three games since being activated, he did reach base in all three contests. Hess allows plenty of baserunners with his 1.40 WHIP, which could leave Gurriel in line for a productive evening. His price is a little high on DraftKings, but he’s a great target in tournament play on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,400
Bregman is quietly one of the best hitters in baseball. He already has 24 home runs and 40 doubles to go along with a .283 average, but maybe his most impressive stat is that he has more walks (75) than strikeouts (68). Add in his 163 wRC+ against left-handed pitching and he could be a troublesome out for Anderson.
Eduardo Escobar vs. Chris Stratton, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Stratton was excellent in his last start against the Mets, holding them to two runs across 6.1 innings. However, that was more than likely because of his opponent than anything else. He had allowed 19 runs over 12.2 innings in his previous three starts and has a bloated 1.52 WHIP overall. If you don’t want to pay up for Bregman, Escobar could also provide plenty of value based on his .365 wOBA against righties.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Anthony Rendon
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angels Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,600
Story on the road against a righty is not normally a matchup you want to take advantage of. He has received a significant boost from Coors Field, but that can be said for many of the hitters on the Rockies. He still has excellent power upside with 26 home runs and 36 doubles, so don’t necessarily overlook him against Despaigne.
Aledmys Diaz vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200
Diaz posted a .510 slugging percentage during his rookie season in 2016 but regressed significantly to a .392 slugging percentage last year. No longer with the Cardinals, Diaz has rediscovered his power stroke with the Blue Jays, recording 16 home runs and 18 doubles over 333 at-bats. He enters Monday with at least one hit in seven of his last eight games and is batting .282 in August, overall.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Trea Turner
OUTFIELD
David Peralta vs. Chris Stratton, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,500
Peralta is showing no signs of slowing down, batting .395 with nine home runs in August. He’s already blown by his previous career high with 25 home runs this year while maintaining an excellent .304 average. With his 159 wRC+ against righties, he’s someone to build around in what could be a productive Diamondbacks stack.
Billy McKinney vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,900
McKinney was buried on the Yankees depth chart in their loaded outfield, but he’s getting a chance to play after being traded to the Blue Jays. It’s only been eight games, but he’s taken advantage of his opportunity by going 9-for-23 with three home runs. The former first-round pick may never live up to lofty expectations, but he’s still only 23 years old. He doesn’t cost much on either site and is a great cheap option to plug into any Blue Jays stack against Hess.
David Dahl vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,800
Dahl has played well in the minor leagues with a .306 batting average and a .508 slugging percentage for his career, but he’s had a hard time earning an everyday role with the Rockies. He was finally recalled at the beginning of August and is starting to pay dividends, hitting .289 with two homers and three doubles over his last nine games. His price on DraftKings is a bit high, but he’s someone to target on FanDuel in tournament play at the very least.
Others to consider: A.J. Pollock and Carlos Gonzalez