Wednesday brings another busy evening with 11 games making up the main slate in DFS.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/12/2019
It won’t be the busiest of nights Wednesday with eight games making up the main evening slate in DFS. Not only will several of the leagues worst teams be in action, but there are a few bad pitchers scheduled to take the mound.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/11/2019
Tuesday brings a loaded night in DFS with 15 games to choose from. Whether it’s ace pitchers or lineups with favorable matchups, there are various ways to attack this slate.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/7/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
There are some excellent pitching options Tuesday, but there could be plenty of high-scoring games, as well, with several teams throwing out their back of the rotation starters. 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
Carlos Carrasco vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $10,600
DraftKings = $11,500
The Indians starting rotation is so deep that Carrasco doesn’t always get the recognition that he deserves. He’s having another fantastic season with a 3.66 ERA, 3.25 FIP, and a 1.13 WHIP. He’s shown excellent control by issuing only 1.9 BB/9 and his 10.1 K/9 would mark the third time in the last four seasons that he has finished with a K/9 of at least 10. This will be his second straight start against the Twins after he recorded 10 strikeouts over 7.1 scoreless innings last Wednesday. With Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier no longer on the team, this is an excellent lineup to exploit.
C.C. Sabathia vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,400
It’s not always pretty, but Sabathia seems to find a way to get the job done more often than not. His velocity is down significantly at this point in his career, but his 3.59 ERA would be his third straight season with a sub-4.00 ERA. You shouldn’t count on him for a lot of strikeouts, though, considering his 7.3 K/9. His upside isn’t the greatest as a result, but he can still provide value in the right matchups. The White Sox have scored the seventh-fewest runs (456) in baseball and only have a .693 OPS against left-handed pitching, so Sabathia might be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Pablo Lopez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,700
Carpenter is on another power surge, slugging three home runs over his last four games. He’s already set a new career-high with 29 long balls and his .281 batting average would be his highest mark since 2013. He has an insane 50.3% hard-hit rate, but his .313 BABIP is actually slightly lower than his career numbers. Lopez has allowed at least one home run in five of his six starts this season and hasn’t shown an overpowering arsenal with a 7.3 K/9, leaving Carpenter with tremendous upside once again.
Tucker Barnhart vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,700
Barnhart is struggling right now, batting .170 across his last 18 games. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track considering Vargas has an 8.23 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP. Barnhart has also excelled against lefties this year with a .382 wOBA.
Others to consider: Jake Bauers (first base) and Kendrys Morales (first base)
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,400
Odor has been a different hitter since the calendar changed to July, batting .340 with nine home runs and eight doubles over 106 at-bats. His batting average is up to .269 for the season overall, which has helped make up for his decrease in home runs. He’s only batting .239 on the road this season, but he’s recorded a .295 average with a .500 slugging percentage at home.
Jonathan Villar vs. Tyler Glasnow, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium = Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800
Villar is likely going to get plenty of playing time down the stretch for an Orioles team that stripped it’s lineup at the trade deadline passed. The move to Baltimore has paid off for him so far as he is 8-for-17 (.471) through four games. He has struggled to build off of his breakout 2016 campaign where he hit 19 home runs and stole 62 bases, but he can still wreak havoc on the base paths and is worth considering in tournament play at this cheap price.
Others to consider: Whit Merrifield and Joey Wendle
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,300
Suarez is likely going to be a popular play Tuesday based on his 213 wRC+ against lefties. Vargas gives up a ton of runs and doesn’t provide the Mets with much length, which helps make the case for Suarez even stronger considering their lack of quality arms in the bullpen. He doesn’t come cheap, but he could be a player to build your entry around.
Jurickson Profar vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,800
Hernandez has a respectable 4.02 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP at home, but he’s been crushed on the road with a 7.58 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. The Rangers are a far better offensive team at home, so expect them to be one of the most widely used stacks for the evening. Profar has better numbers against lefties, but he’s 23-for-77 (.299) with 15 runs and 13 RBI over his last 22 games overall.
Others to consider: Colin Moran and Kyle Seager
SHORTSTOP
Aledmys Diaz vs. Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,000
Diaz has seen steady playing time with Lourdes Gurriel on the DL and has taken advantage of the opportunity by going 8-for-24 (.333) with four home runs over seven games. Although he doesn’t walk much, he’s quietly rebounded from a disappointing 2017 season to bat .261 with 14 home runs overall. Pomeranz has allowed six runs across 9.2 innings in two starts since being activated from the DL and has pitched poorly, in general, this year with a 6.56 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP.
Andrelton Simmons vs. Jacob Turner, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,000
Turner appeared in four games for the Marlins earlier this season, allowing 10 runs over 5.2 innings. He’s moved on to the Tigers and has since made 11 starts at Triple-A, but he didn’t exactly pitch well there with a 4.01 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 6.3 K/9. With a 5.26 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP for his career in the majors, the Angels could be in for a big night even with Mike Trout sidelined. Simmons is batting .306 with only 22 strikeouts this year, so he could be on base plenty in this game.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Jose Peraza
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,500
Cruz failed to take Martin Perez deep Monday, but he still finished the game 2-for-5 with a walk. He’ll get another excellent chance to hit one out of the park Tuesday since Colon has given up 1.8 HR/9. Colon doesn’t fool many batters at this stage of his career with a 5.2 K/9, so don’t be surprised if Cruz and the Mariners hang a crooked number on him in this contest.
Kole Calhoun vs. Jacob Turner, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100
Calhoun’s .207 average still looks horrible, but he’s batting .294 over 29 games since July 1. He hasn’t just hit for average during that stretch, either, recording 11 home runs, 27 RBI and 23 runs scored. With how poorly Tuner has pitched, it’s hard to pass up Calhoun based on his reasonable price on both sites.
Shohei Ohtani vs. Jacob Turner, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400
Ohtani’s elbow injury has prevented him from pitching, but he’s still been able to DH for the Angels while he works his way back to the mound. He’s pretty much unplayable versus lefties considering his .243 wOBA against them. However, he has a .422 wOBA against righties with all 11 of his home runs coming against them.
Others to consider: Joey Gallo and Mark Canha
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Baseball kicks off the week with 10 evening games Monday, leaving plenty of quality options to choose from 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
Cole Hamels vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $9,000
Hamels being traded to the Cubs should provide a significant boost to his value. He was terrible pitching at home for the Rangers, posting a 6.41 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP across 10 starts. He has a 2.69 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over his other 11 starts outside of Globe Life Park in Arlington. The move to the National League helps, as well, since he will get to avoid the DH. He will have to navigate the DH playing in Kansas City on Monday, but the Royals have scored the fewest runs (413) in the league.
Matthew Boyd vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angels Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $7,600
Boyd closed out July on a high note, allowing three runs and recording 20 strikeouts over 19 innings in his last three starts. Two of those starts came against the Royals and the Reds, but one was against the potent Red Sox lineup. Boyd has been aided by a .264 opponents’ BABIP this season, but his 4.22 ERA is actually slightly higher than his 3.84 FIP indicates that it should be. He does have a respectable 8.2 K/9 and can provide value in the right matchup, which could be the case Monday since the Angels have the third lowest OPS against lefties (.656) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800
The Cubs have been hitting Rizzo leadoff lately and the move has paid off as he’s batting .370 with a .458 OBP in that spot of the order. He’s also slugged six home runs, helping to boost his total to 17 for the season. While he may have a hard time hitting at least 30 homers for the fifth straight season, he could still be in line for a big finish to the season. Lefties have held Rizzo to a .266 wOBA this year, but he’s a great option against Junis since he has a .374 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Jose Martinez vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,000
Martinez has found himself on the bench more often than not lately because he is a defensive liability. However, with Dexter Fowler and Tyler O’Neill injured, he’s going to see some time in the outfield moving forward. He can hit, posting a .298 average and a .462 slugging percentage. Chen has allowed a .374 wOBA to righties this year, making Martinez a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and J.T. Realmuto (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Javier Baez vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,500
Baez is showing no signs of slowing down, batting .362 with five home runs, five doubles and 14 RBI over his last 16 games. He’s already set new career-highs in home runs and RBI and is making a case to be named the NL MVP. Don’t worry about him not having the platoon advantage against Junis because Baez has a .376 wOBA against righties.
Ben Zobrist vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700
Zobrist only hit .232 last year, but he was dragged down by an abnormally low .251 BABIP. He’s been on the opposite end of the spectrum this season with a .335 BABIP, leading to a .310 batting average. He’s in line for some regression, but that might not start Monday considering his .391 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Neil Walker
THIRD BASE
Jurickson Profar vs. Wade LeBlanc, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,700
LeBlanc has hit a bit of a rough patch, posting a 6.11 ERA across his last five starts. He has a 3.50 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP at home overall but has had issues on the road with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Profar is finally getting a chance to play every day and is swinging a hot bat right now as he is 22-for-72 (.306) with 14 runs and 12 RBI over his last 21 games. He’s also excelled with a .361 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season.
Jedd Gyorko vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Gyorko slugged 30 home runs over 400 at-bats in 2016 but followed that up with only 20 homers across 426 at-bats last year. His power numbers have continued to regress this year with just eight homers in 246 at-bats. However, his 181 wRC+ against lefties still makes him someone to consider in tournament play at this cheap price.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Maikel Franco
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,100
Gregorius’ batting average is down this year, but his walk rate has almost doubled at 8.1%. He’s already reached the 20-homer plateau for the third-straight year and his 10 steals are a new career best. He’s more deadly at Yankee Stadium, but he could still put up big numbers Monday considering Covey’s 5.57 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.
Jean Segura vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,600
Perez was initially slated to start Sunday against the Orioles, but he was pushed back a day in favor of Drew Hutchinson. That’s good news for the Mariners since Perez has an unsightly 6.50 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. He’s allowed 10 home runs in only 45.2 innings and doesn’t miss many bats with a 5.9 K/9. Segura might not carry the greatest home run upside, but he’s batting .309 and could be on base plenty in this game.
Others to consider: Trevor Story and Elvis Andrus
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200
Cruz is on another power surge, slugging four home runs in his last five games to bring his total to 29 for the season. He’s been one of the most consistent power hitters in baseball, hitting at least 39 home runs in four straight seasons. With Perez’s propensity to give up the long ball, Cruz is someone to build your lineup around.
Jason Heyward vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000
Heyward isn’t exactly knocking the cover off the ball, but he’s made significant strides this season to bat .283 with a .347 OBP. He has a career-low 11.7% strikeout rate and his 31.8% hard-hit rate is his highest mark since 2012. Junis has allowed a .360 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Heyward a viable option at his reasonable price on both sites.
Harrison Bader vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,800
Bader was already starting to see more playing time after Tommy Pham was traded to the Rays, but the injuries to Fowler and O’Neill is going to leave him with all the starts he can handle. He has a promising mix of power and speed, finishing with 20 home runs and 15 steals at Triple-A in 2017. He’s only gone deep six times with the Cardinals this year, but he’s flashed his speed with 11 steals and is batting a respectable .271. If you want to take a chance on a cheap outfielder in tournament play, Bader could provide value against Chen.
Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Mitch Haniger
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
After a quiet Thursday, Friday brings a full slate of 15 games in the majors. 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
Jacob deGrom vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $11,700
DraftKings = $13,600
This is the premier pitching matchup to target for your entry. The Mets season has been a disappointment, but deGrom has been spectacular with a 1.69 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 1.01 WHIP. He’s always provided plenty of strikeouts, but he currently has career-highs in both swinging-strike rate (15.2%) and strikeout rate (31.4%). When hitters do actually make contact, they haven’t squared him up with a 27.8% hard-hit rate and only five home runs in 101.1 innings. The Marlins have one of the worst lineups in baseball, leaving deGrom with tremendous upside.
Marco Gonzales vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,800
Gonzales had a daunting two-start week last week, facing both the Red Sox and Yankees on the road. He understandably struggled, allowing 11 runs in 12.1 innings. Before those bad outings, he had allowed three runs or fewer in six straight starts. He’s not a great source for strikeouts, but he’s shown excellent control by throwing a first-pitch strike to 67.6% of the hitters that he has faced and allowing just 2.0 BB/9. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (283) in baseball, leaving Gonzales with upside in tournament play despite his lack of strikeout potential.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Jesus Aguilar vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,200
Aguilar went deep again Thursday, marking his third straight game with a home run. He is absolutely on fire right now, hitting 16-for-36 (.444) with nine home runs and three doubles in his last 11 games. Even with Eric Thames healthy, the Brewers are not going to take Aguilar out of their lineup. Romano has allowed 1.5 HR/9 and plenty of base runners with a 1.47 WHIP, potentially setting Aguilar up for another big performance.
Yonder Alonso vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,600
After a series in St. Louis without the DH limited Alonso’s playing time, the Indians return to American League play Friday. You want to avoid playing Alonso against lefties, but he’s a great option against righties since he has a .352 wOBA against them this season. Blackburn allows a ton of baserunners and doesn’t have strikeout stuff, so Alonso is a cheap option with upside if you don’t want to pay up for Aguilar.
Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and Tucker Barnhart (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Dee Gordon vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300
Gordon continues to hit for a high average and is 24-for-73 (.329) in his last 16 games. He provides close to nothing in terms of power, but he did score 11 runs over that stretch. Kennedy is having another bad season with a 5.09 ERA and allows plenty of base runners with a 1.45 WHIP, leaving Gordon as someone to consider despite his lack of home run potential.
Yoan Moncada vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,500
Gallardo hasn’t finished with an ERA below 5.42 since 2015. He’s only made two starts for the Rangers and didn’t pitch well in either of them, allowing nine runs and 17 total base runners in 10.1 innings. He also allowed three home runs after posting a 1.7 HR/9 with the Mariners last year. Moncada only has a .199 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he’s been much better against righties with a .336 wOBA.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Jason Kipnis
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400
Considering Blackburn has an 8.83 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP, the Indians could be one of the most popular stacking plays Friday. Ramirez has not only been one of the best hitters on the team this season, but he’s been one of the best hitters in all of baseball by batting .291 with 23 home runs, 52 RBI, 55 runs scored and 13 steals.
Justin Turner vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,900
Turner is showing signs of getting his power stroke back, slugging two home runs in his last five games. He’s had a slow start in general since returning from a wrist injury but is 6-for-15 (.400) during that same five-game stretch. Turner not only has a .436 wOBA against lefties this year, but he is 10-for-18 with a home run and three doubles against Anderson in his career.
Others to consider: Matt Carpenter and Adrian Beltre
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,300
Lindor had a rough series against the Cardinals, finishing 1-for-12 with one walk. He had homered in three straight games before the series began and is having the best power season of his career with a .539 slugging percentage. He’s still hitting for average as well at .288, so look for him to get back on track facing a much easier opponent Friday.
Kike Hernandez vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500
Even though Chris Taylor returned from a hamstring injury Thursday, the Dodgers still found a way to keep Hernandez in their lineup. He rewarded them with two hits and two RBI and is now 19-for-55 (.345) with six home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in his last 16 games. With a .359 wOBA against lefties, expect the Dodgers to start him against Anderson.
Others to consider: Jean Segura and Tim Anderson
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800
Kennedy has allowed at least 31 home runs in each of the last three seasons and is on pace to do that again this year with 15 home runs allowed in 86.2 innings. That plays right into Cruz’s wheelhouse as he already has 21 homers this year and has slugged at least 39 home runs in each of the last four seasons.
Rhys Hoskins vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900
Hoskins couldn’t buy a hit in May, batting only .161 with two home runs in the month. Hoskins then fractured his jaw after fouling off a pitch at the end of the month, forcing him to hit the DL. He came back quickly and has found his stroke again, batting .329 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 18 games. Fedde has a 5.32 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in four starts this season and is really only in the starting rotation due to injuries to Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson.
Avisail Garcia vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600
The White Sox struggle to score runs, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look to stack them against Gallardo based on how poorly he has been pitching. Garcia was one of the prime regression candidates at the start of the season as his .338 average last year was largely aided by an unsustainable .392 BABIP. Injuries have limited him to 104 plate appearances, but he has two home runs during his current five-game hitting streak and is worth the risk at this cheap price.
Others to consider: Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/25/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
Baseball kicks off the week with 12 games on the schedule Monday, 10 of which 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
Cole Hamels vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = 9,900
Hamels has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP, but his 5.14 FIP indicates he hasn’t pitched that well. He’s been aided by a .253 opponents BABIP, which is 30 points lower than his career mark. He has also allowed 1.8 HR/9, which is by far the highest of his career. On the plus side, his strikeout percentage is up from 17.1% last year to 23.4% this season. He has also allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts, two of which were tough matchups against the Angels and Dodgers. This will be a much more favorable matchup against the Padres, who are tied for the sixth-fewest runs scored (300) in baseball.
Jameson Taillon vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = 7,900
Taillon’s 4.03 ERA isn’t great, but it should be noted that a lot of the damage done to his ERA came in three starts where he allowed 18 runs in 11 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his other 12 starts, including in five straight outings. His career-high 9.7% swinging-strike rate has also resulted in an 8.5 K/9. The Mets have scored the fifth-fewest runs (299) in baseball and could be without Brandon Nimmo, who was hit in the finger on Sunday. If he’s not in the lineup, this matchup really leans heavily in Taillon’s favor.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300
Goldschmidt is on an amazing run right now, batting .393 with a .490 OBP in June. He’s not just hitting for a high average, slugging 10 home runs over that stretch after having only seven total entering the month. Straily not only allows a lot of base runners with a 1.50 WHIP, but he’s also allowed a staggering 2.2 HR/9. Goldschmidt is expensive, but this matchup might be too good to pass up.
Justin Bour vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500
It’s been a long road back for Miller after he appeared in only four games last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery. His first season with the Diamondbacks in 2016 was a disaster, finishing with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Bour has a .382 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season and is a viable cheap option if you don’t want to pay up for Goldschmidt.
Others to consider: J.T. Realmuto (catcher) and Yonder Alonso (first base)
SECOND BASE
Cesar Hernandez vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,700
Hernandez has largely had a disappointing season as he is batting .265 after hitting exactly .294 in both of the last two years. He has a career-high 15.3% walk rate, but his 21.5% strikeout rate is up over three percent from last year. His numbers are better against left-handed pitchers, but Loaisiga was pitching in Double-A this season before the Yankees had to call him up due to injuries. He has allowed 15 baserunners in his first 8.2 innings in the majors, so Hernandez is someone to consider even though he doesn’t have the platoon advantage.
Dee Gordon vs. Andrew Casher, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Gordon has provided pretty much what you should have expected from him to start the season, batting .287 with 19 steals. He has only one home run, but that’s not surprising since he only has 12 in his entire career. Cashner has been hit hard with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP this season, leaving Gordon with some upside despite his lack of power.
Others to consider: Daniel Descalso and Asdrubal Cabrera
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,500
It will be a tough task considering the seasons Mike Trout and Mookie Betts are having, but Ramirez is putting up numbers that should at least put him in the MVP discussion. He is hitting for a high average again at .296, but he also has 23 home runs and 20 doubles. He has shown an excellent eye at the plate as well with 50 walks compared to only 40 strikeouts. To top it all off, he has 12 stolen bases. He’s someone to target for your entry most nights, but especially against Gant considering he has a .447 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Adrian Beltre vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,300
If Beltre can just stay healthy, he is going to put up numbers. He’s already made two trips to the disabled list this season, but he is still batting .314. His power numbers are down, but two of his four home runs have come in his last six games. He has traditionally thrived against left-handed pitchers as he has a .381 wOBA against them for his career.
Others to consider: Max Muncy and Kyle Seager
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400
As crazy as Ramirez has been this season, Lindor is giving his teammate a run for his money by hitting .296 with 19 home runs and 24 doubles. He hasn’t shown the same stellar eye at the plate, but he’s done damage on the base paths as well with 10 steals. He wasn’t exactly playing at his best earlier in June, but he is 8-for-18 with three home runs in his last five games.
Elvis Andrus vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200
Andrus has missed most of the season with an elbow injury and is only 2-for-21 since being activated from the disabled list. He is coming off the best season of his career when he hit .297 with 20 home runs and 25 steals in 2017. He has finished with a wOBA of at least .357 against lefties in both of the last two years and Lucchesi has allowed a .350 wOBA to righties, so this might be just the matchup Andrus needs to get back on track.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Willy Adames
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FannDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200
The Red Sox must be happy to see Cruz leave town after he finished a three-game series against them 8-for-13 with two home runs. Cruz has hit 10 home runs in June overall, raising his total to 20 for the season. He is once again on pace to slug at least 40 home runs for what would be the fourth time in the last five seasons. The only time he didn’t reach that mark was when he hit 39 homers last year. When he’s hot like this, Cruz can win you a lot of money.
Odubel Herrera vs. Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,100
Herrera is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, batting .422 with six home runs in his last 10 games. Last year he only had 14 home runs, but he showed power potential with 42 doubles. He’s been able to convert more of those doubles into homers this year as he has already left the ballpark 13 times. He obviously won’t be able to keep up his recent blistering pace, but this is a great matchup to take advantage of against Loaisiga.
Derek Dietrich vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,800
You don’t hear about him much, but Dietrich is batting .302 with 11 home runs in a bad Marlins lineup. He’s hitting a robust .392 in June, but a lot of that can be attributed to his abnormally high .471 BABIP. The power numbers are encouraging, though, and he does have a career-high 38.8% hard-hit rate on the season overall. With a .371 wOBA against righties, he’s a cheap option to take a chance on in tournament play.
Others to consider: David Peralta and Joc Pederson
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 Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/31/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
Thursday brings a relatively light schedule with only 11 games in baseball, nine of which are night 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
Aaron Nola vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $11,100
Nola has quietly become one of the more reliable pitchers in baseball. He’s not an elite strikeout pitcher like Max Scherzer or Chris Sale, but his 9.3 K/9 isn’t exactly poor either. He has allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his 11 starts this season, resulting in a 2.27 ERA and a 2.72 FIP. He has thrown a first-pitch strike to a career-high 66.2% of the batters that he has faced while also holding opponents to a 25.1% hard-hit rate. This should be a fun pitchers duel with Clayton Kershaw returning from injury to take the hill for the Dodgers. Based on his cheaper price, especially on FanDuel, Nola may be the one who provides the most value.
Shane Bieber vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $7,300
Bieber will make his big league debut Thursday, but may only get the one start before being sent back down to the minors. He has started in both Double-A and Triple-A this season, posting a combined 1.10 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a career 8.4 K/9, but he’s also shown excellent control with a 0.5 BB/9. Home runs haven’t been a problem for him either with a career 0.4 HR/9. The Twins have scored the fifth-fewest runs (210) in baseball, so it might be worth taking a chance on Bieber in tournament play at this cheap price.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Greg Bird vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100
Bird has been limited to four games due to injury this season, logging at least one hit in each of his last three contests. He has a ton of talent, but injuries have really hampered his career after bursting onto the scene with 11 homers in 46 games in 2015. Including this season, Cashner has allowed a wOBA of at least .378 to left-handed hitters in three of the last four years. Bird won’t destroy your budget either, making him a viable option to consider.
Ryon Healy vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,600
Healy didn’t cash in a prime opportunity against Matt Moore on Wednesday, but he’ll get to face another struggling lefty in Minor on Thursday. Not only does Minor have a 5.63 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP, but he has already allowed 10 home runs in only 54.1 innings. Righties have a .380 wOBA against Minor so far this year, making Healy an excellent option when you also consider he has a .368 wOBA against lefties for his career.
Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Wilson Contreras (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve vs. Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,900
After hitting exactly 24 home runs in each of the last two seasons, Altuve hasn’t found his power swing yet with only four long balls this year. He is still batting .335 with 16 steals, making him an extremely valuable asset. Pomeranz has been horrid this season with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.88 WHIP while also allowing a .415 wOBA against righties, so this might be the day to pay up for Altuve.
Jonathan Schoop vs. Sonny Gray, New York Yankees
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Gray has been almost as bad as Pomeranz, recording a 5.98 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP across 10 starts. The Yankees have tried making Austin Romine has personal catcher since they have had some success together in the past, but Gray has still allowed five runs each in two of his last three starts. There is no righty/lefty advantage for Schoop with this matchup, but he’s still someone to consider based on how poorly Gray has been pitching.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Starlin Castro
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman vs. Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKinga = $4,100
The Astros present a prime stacking opportunity against Pomeranz with Bregman also being someone to target. He hasn’t been hitting a lot of home runs, but Bregman does have at least one hit in 12 of his last 13 games. He had a stellar .406 wOBA against lefties in 2017 but has struggled with a .311 wOBA against them this year. Now that he’s showing signs of coming out of his early slump, look for that number to start climbing.
Miguel Andujar vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200
The Yankees have so many power bats and Gleyber Torres has been so hot since being called up that Andujar doesn’t get a lot of headlines. His contributions should not go unnoticed, though, as he is batting .290 and looks ready to be the Yankees third baseman of the future. He doesn’t walk much and only has five home runs, but he does already have 17 doubles. His numbers have been better against right-handed pitchers this year as well, so don’t shy away from him just because he doesn’t have righty/lefty advantage facing Cashner.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Christian Villanueva
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Sonny Gray, New York Yankees
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,400
Machado has loved hitting at home, posting a .362 average there this season compared to a .296 mark on the road. 10 of his 16 home runs have also come at home despite having 23 more plate appearances on the road. With the way Gray has been pitching, Machado could be in for a huge night.
Jean Segura vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Segura is swinging a hot bat as he is 12-for-21 with two doubles and one home run in his last five games. He’s helped keep the Mariners offense afloat with Robinson Cano (suspension) and Dee Gordon (toe) out, but they will get some reinforcements with Gordon expected to return Thursday. With a .367 wOBA against lefties this year, he’s a great option if you don’t want to pay up for Machado.
Others to consider: Carlos Correa and Didi Gregorius
OUTFIELD
Michael Brantley vs. Jake Odorizzi, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,900
Injuries have limited Brantley to 101 games in the last two seasons combined, but he’s shown this season that he can still be a very valuable player when healthy. He’s already played 44 games and is batting .343 with nine home runs. He is currently on a 19-game hittings streak with seven of his nine home runs coming in May as well. He has been a better hitter against righties with .352 wOBA against them for his career.
Mitch Haniger vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Haniger entered the month of May batting .309 with 10 home runs. He’s dropped off dramatically since, batting .242 with just one homer. His BABIP has remained relatively the same, so it’s not as if his poor performance can be chalked up to bad luck. The good news is that he is crushing lefties with a 188 wRC+, so don’t sleep on him against Minor.
Nelson Cruz vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000
Cruz is 6-for-13 with a home run in this series against the Rangers and will look to close things out strong Thursday. His numbers this season aren’t great overall, but he has still managed a .372 wOBA against left-handed pitchers. He makes for a great option on both sites, but especially on FanDuel at such a low price.
Others to consider: George Springer and Brett Gardner
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
There are a few early games in baseball Wednesday, but let’s focus on 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
Max Scherzer vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $11,800
DraftKings = $13,900
Scherzer’s last start against the weak Marlins lineup seemed like a slam dunk, but he allowed four runs and only recorded four strikeouts in six innings. He came away with the win, but that’s certainly a disappointing start by his standards. He had logged at least 11 strikeouts in each of his previous three starts and has a 13.6 K/9 this season that would be the highest mark of his career. The Orioles have struck out the sixth-most times (499) in baseball, so look for Scherzer get back to his dominant ways Wednesday.
Ross Stripling vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,300
The Dodgers starting rotation has been hampered by injuries yet again this season, forcing Stripling to start after beginning the year in the bullpen. Only two of his 49 appearances last year were starts as well. The move to the rotation has been a success so far, recording a 2.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 11.4 K/9 across five outings. Two of those games did come against the lowly Padres, but those are still impressive numbers. The Phillies offense has struggled with a .677 OPS on the road this season compared to a .757 OPS at home. Stripling won’t bust your budget either, making him a viable option in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo vs. Joe Musgrove, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,500
Rizzo is finally coming out of his slump and is currently on an 11-game hitting streak. He’s had three multi-hit games over that stretch, going 15-for-42 (.357) and homering in both of his last two games. He still has a .342 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year despite his early struggles, so look for him to continue his recent hot streak against Musgrove.
Ryon Healy vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,300
The Rangers will activate Moore from the DL on Wednesday, bringing back one of the better pitchers to stack against this season. Through his first 10 games (nine starts), Moore has been atrocious with a 7.99 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP. Righties have hit him particularly well with a .394 wOBA. Healy also has a .373 wOBA against lefties for his career, making him an excellent cheap option to consider.
Others to consider: Salvador Perez (catcher) and Max Muncy (first base)
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Vargas has really fallen off after a making the All-Star team with the Royals last year, posting a 10.62 ERA and a 2.16 WHIP through five starts. He has only pitched 20.1 innings but has already allowed six home runs. He does have a 9.3 K/9, but don’t expect that to hold considering he has a 6.1 K/9 for his career. With a .430 wOBA against left-handers, Albies could be in line for a big performance Wednesday.
Jed Lowrie vs. Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100
Lowrie got off to a scorching hot start this season but is only hitting .258 with three home runs in May. He had a .388 BABIP leading up to the month but has only posted a .296 BABIP since. He’s still someone to target against Eovaldi, though, who will be making his first start of the season after having elbow surgery. He has always allowed a lot of base runners with a career 1.38 WHIP and has never been a big strikeout pitcher either. Lowrie’s price has been dropping, especially on FanDuel, so this might be a good time to take advantage and get him into your lineup.
Others to consider: Asdrubal Cabrera and Starlin Castro
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,400
Arenado is normally someone to target when the Rockies are playing at home as he has a .968 OPS at Coors Field for his career compared to a .795 OPS on the road. Add that to the fact that he is facing the lefty Holland and he becomes an even juicier option. Not only does Arenado have a 220 wRC+ against lefties this year, but Holland’s wOBA against righties is 134 points higher than it is against lefties.
Brian Anderson vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,200
The Marlins have scored the fewest runs (187) in baseball, but Anderson has been one of their few bright spots offensively. He has only hit two home runs, but he does have 13 doubles to go along with a .279 average and a .360 OBP. Anderson has a .365 wOBA against lefties this year while Richard has allowed a .350 wOBA to righties, so he could be someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Arenado.
Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Jacob Turner
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,800
Stacking righties on the Rockies against Holland could be a great move Wednesday. Story has actually never had a wOBA below .409 against lefties in any season of his career. He also rakes at Coors Field with a career .962 OPS compared to a .694 OPS on the road.
Jean Segura vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Segura was inadvertently kicked in the head while playing the field Saturday but returned to the lineup Tuesday to go 3-for-5 with a double. He now has at least two hits in six of his last nine games and his batting .324 overall this season. With a .364 wOBA against lefties this year, he’s another Mariner to target against the struggling Moore.
Others to consider: Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson
OUTFIELD
Bryce Harper vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,700
Harper is hitting .238 this season, but that’s mainly because of an incredibly low .213 BABIP. To put that into perspective, even when he hit a disappointing .243 in 2016, his BABIP was .264. He is still hitting for a ton of power with 17 home runs and has as many walks as he does strikeouts. He has a .406 wOBA against righties this year despite his struggles, making him an excellent option against the inexperienced Hess.
Juan Soto vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800
Soto has only appeared in nine games for the Nationals this season but already has four multi-hit performances. He has shown a good eye at the plate by drawing as many walks as he has strikeouts. He had 58 walks compared to 66 strikeouts in his career in the minors as well, so this could be a trend that he can sustain. He’s one of the bright young players in all of baseball and could provide plenty of value at this reasonable price.
Nelson Cruz vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400
A career .275 hitter, Cruz is only batting .227 this year. He’s been unlucky with a .234 BABIP that is significantly lower than his .306 career mark. His strikeout percentage is actually down this season and he still has a 35.8% hard-hit rate, making him an excellent buy-low candidate if you play season-long fantasy. With a career .389 wOBA against lefties, he also makes for a great option against Moore on Wednesday.
Others to consider: Eddie Rosario and Brandon Nimmo