Weather shouldn’t be an issue Wednesday for the main evening slate in DFS, which is a relief considering all of the rain that some teams have dealt with recently. With eight games to choose from, we have a nice mix of pitchers and hitters to discuss.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/30/2019
Baseball closes out the month of April with a busy 15-game slate Tuesday. With all of the games having evening start times, we have a ton of options to wade through in DFS.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/17/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Thursday didn’t bring a lot of great starting pitching options, but that won’t be the case Friday with Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, and Charlie Morton all scheduled to take the mound. 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. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $11,200
Carrasco dominated the White Sox in his last start, recording nine strikeouts across even shutout innings. He’s having a great season with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, but he’s been even better lately with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over his last seven outings. He also has a stellar 11.8 K/9 during that stretch. The Orioles have scored the fifth-fewest runs (478) in baseball and have a much shallower lineup after their roster was stripped down at the trade deadline, leaving Carrasco with a favorable chance to provide another excellent performance.
James Shields vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $6,300
Shields’ 4.41 ERA and 4.75 FIP aren’t great, but he’s having his best season since joining the White Sox. Although he only has a 7.0 K/9, his 1.29 WHIP is his lowest mark since 2014. He’s struggled with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP on the road this year, but he’s been much better at home with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. The Royals have averaged 3.4 runs across their last 10 games and have scored the fewest runs (447) in the league, making Shields a cheap option with upside in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Yonder Alonso vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,500
The Indians stand out as an excellent stacking play against Hess, who has a bloated 6.25 ERA that is backed by an equally poor 6.42 FIP. He has a 1.51 WHIP and has allowed 2.1 HR/9, which certainly isn’t a recipe for success. With left-handed hitters posting a .371 wOBA against him, Alonso carries significant upside.
Ronald Guzman vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Recently acquired in a trade with the Marlins, Despaigne will make his first start with the Angels on Friday. He has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this year, recording a 5.31 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He only has a 5.4 K/9 for his career, which doesn’t leave him with much room for error. Guzman hasn’t hit for a high average, but he’s a power threat to consider in tournament play, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and Robinson Chirinos (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Rougned Odor vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,900
After slugging at least 30 home runs in both of the last two seasons, it appears Odor will fall short of that threshold this year as he only has 14 homers entering Friday. However, his 8.7% walk rate is almost four percentage points higher than his career mark and his .270 batting average has been a major improvement. Add in his .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season and he checks in as another Ranger to consider for your entry.
Scooter Gennett vs. Casey Kelly, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,200
After finishing with 27 home runs and 97 RBI last year, Gennett is proving it was no fluke as he has 18 long balls and 70 RBI this season. He’s also batting .305, which would be his highest mark in any season where he has played at least 100 games. Kelly did not pitch well at Triple-A this season, posting a 4.78 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 23 starts.
Others to consider: Jason Kipnis and Daniel Murphy
THIRD BASE
Jurickson Profar vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,800
Profar started off this series with a bang Thursday, finishing 2-for-3 with his 14th home run of the season. He now has at least one hit in nine-straight games at home, slugging three homers and three doubles during that stretch. Even though he has better numbers against lefties, don’t shy away from playing him against the underwhelming Despaigne.
Yandy Diaz vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,900
With Edwin Encarnacion on the DL, Diaz will likely see a lot of playing time at DH. He only has 200 career plate appearances in the majors, but he’s posted a .294 average and a .370 OBP. His success isn’t that surprising since he has hit .311 with a .413 OBP in his career in the minors. At this dirt cheap price, he’s a very intriguing tournament play.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,800
Lindor has hit a brief cold stretch, going 3-for-22 over his last five games. However, he was 13-for-33 during his eight-game hitting streak before his mini-slump started. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track. Not only has Hess been horrible, but Lindor is batting .321 at home this year compared to .262 on the road.
Andrelton Simmons vs. Drew Hutchinson, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100
Mike Minor was supposed to start this game for the Rangers, but he’s been scratched due to a stiff back. Hutchinson will start in his place, marking his third appearance since joining the Rangers. His first two didn’t exactly go well as he allowed nine runs in 8.1 innings. He’s not much more than a journeyman starter at this point in his career, so Simmons is someone to consider if you want to save money at shortstop.
Others to consider: Willy Adames and Elvis Andrus
OUTFIELD
Bryce Harper vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,400
Harper has been a different hitter since the All-Star break, batting .352 with seven home runs and eight doubles across 25 games. He’s been aided by a .453 BABIP, but he was due for some improvement after his abnormally low .226 BABIP before the break. Straily allows plenty of baserunners with his 1.40 WHIP and has given up 1.6 HR/9, setting Harper up with another favorable matchup.
Kole Calhoun vs. Drew Hutchinson, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200
Calhoun took advantage of a great matchup against Ariel Jurado on Thursday, finishing the night 3-for-4 with a home run. He’s firmly put his slow start in the rearview mirror and now has 17 home runs total, giving him a chance to hit at least 20 for only the second time in his career. He has a .522 wOBA against right-handed pitchers since July 1 and could provide significant value based on his price on both sites.
Nomar Mazara vs. Odrisamer Despaigne, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,100
After missing a month with a thumb injury, Mazara hit a home run in his return from the DL on Thursday. He finished with 20 homers and 101 RBI last year and has followed that up with 16 homers and 60 RBI this season despite his stint on the DL. He shouldn’t be priced this low, especially against Despaigne.
Others to consider: Shohei Ohtani and Joey Gallo
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/29/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
Baseball brings a full night of action Tuesday, leaving a lot of 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
Charlie Morton vs. New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $9,900
DraftKings = $12,100
Starting a pitcher on the road against the Yankees powerful lineup isn’t usually a good idea. However, you may want to do just that Tuesday. Morton continues to be a key part of the deepest rotation in baseball, recording a 2.04 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 10 starts. He is likely in line for some regression with his 3.32 FIP and .235 BABIP allowed, but he’s an excellent source for strikeouts with a 10.9 K/9. He has already faced the Yankees once this season, allowing one run to go along with 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings. On a night lacking elite pitching options, Morton may have the highest upside of anyone available.
Luis Castillo vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $8,000
Castillo was horrible out of the gate, allowing 25 runs in 28.2 innings across his first six starts. He’s been a different pitcher since, though, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) in 28.2 innings over his last five starts. The key is after posting a 1.67 WHIP in those first six outings, he’s had a 1.22 WHIP in the last five. Add that with his excellent strikeout upside and he’s returning to the type of pitcher that showed so much promise last year. The Diamondbacks lineup is struggling to produce offense, recording the fewest hits (370) in baseball by a wide margin while also scoring the second-fewest runs (200).
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,100
The Red Sox decided to part ways with Hanley Ramirez and while a lot of that was financially motivated, it’s also because Moreland has been so reliable. Not only would his .317 average be the highest of his career, but he’s hitting for a ton of power as well with a .642 slugging percentage. He’s not likely to keep up this pace, though, with a .349 BABIP that is 61 points higher than his career average. He doesn’t always have success against left-handed pitching, but he is dominating righties with a .454 wOBA against them this season.
Wilson Ramos vs. Daniel Gossett, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,300
Ramos made the All-Star team with the Nationals in 2016 but only played 64 games in his first season with the Rays last year due to injury. He’s already played 41 games this season and has returned to his form with the Nationals, batting .310 with six home runs. He’s currently on an eight-game hitting streak, recording four multi-hit performances over that stretch. At this cheap price, it might be worth taking a chance on him continuing to swing a hot bat Tuesday.
Others to consider: Freddie Freeman (first base) and Joey Votto (first base)
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,100
The Braves lineup suffered a big loss with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee/back) landing on the DL, but they still have another young phenom in Albies. He’s slowed down a bit in the power department, hitting just one home run in his last 13 games. That was to be expected considering the pace he was on, but he’s still a dangerous hitter. He’s someone you normally want to target when facing lefties as well considering he has a .433 wOBA against them in his brief career.
Brian Dozier vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,900
Dozier had made significant improvements with his batting average the last two seasons but is hitting just .243 so far this year. His .271 BABIP is in line with his career mark, but he’s historically been a better hitter in the second half of the season. He’s already starting to show signs of heating up, hitting 9-for-28 in his last seven games. Duffy is really struggling and has been hit hard by righties, making Dozier a viable option for your entry.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Joey Wendle
THIRD BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Zach Davies, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,800
Carpenter dug himself a huge hole this season, batting .155 through his first 25 games. He was extremely unlucky, though, with just a .190 BABIP. He’s rebounded nicely in May, batting .291 on the strength of his .373 BABIP. Davies allows plenty of baserunners and doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal with only a 6.5 K/9 for his career, so look for Carpenter to keep his hot streak alive.
Kyle Seager vs. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,500
Seager has never been a great hitter for average, but at only .226 this season, he’s been a major disappointment. He has been unlucky with a .241 BABIP, but it’s not a good sign that his strikeout rate is up while his walk rate is down. He’s been a much better hitter against right-handers in his career and faces an underwhelming one in Bibens-Dirkx, who has spent most of this season in Triple-A. If you want to go cheap at third base, Seager is someone to consider.
Others to consider: Rafael Devers and Miguel Sano
SHORTSTOP
Jurickson Profar vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DratfKings = $3,600
Hernandez has been in a downward spiral the last couple of years. He’s hit a new low through 11 starts this season with a 5.58 ERA, 5.08 FIP, and a 1.39 WHIP. His average fastball velocity is down to 90.5 mph this season, significantly below his career average of 93.8 mph. Profar has been a better hitter against lefties, but Hernandez’s lack of overpowering stuff still makes him a viable option for your entry.
Dansby Swanson vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,300
Albies isn’t the only Braves hitter who is better against lefties as Swanson has a .368 wOBA against them this season compared to .293 against righties. Swanson doesn’t hit for a ton of power and his batting average has been on the decline as his BABIP has normalized, but he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play at this price.
Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Correa
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Benintendi only has a .275 wOBA for his career against lefties but has had much more success against righties with a .365 wOBA. He’s been even better against righties this season with a .405 wOBA. His batting average is also 32 points higher at Fenway Park than it is on the road for his career, making him another Red Sox to target against Estrada.
Nomar Mazara vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,200
It’s hard to believe that not only is Mazara already in his third season in the majors at only 23 years old, but he also hit exactly 20 home runs in both of his first two seasons. He’s well on his way to that threshold again this year with 12 homers. Stacking Rangers hitters against Hernandez could yield excellent results, Mazara included.
Brandon Nimmo vs. Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,800
Nimmo has done a great job getting on base with a .408 OBP this year, helping him secure the leadoff job for the Mets. He’s provided some pop as well with four doubles, four triples, and five home runs. His 194 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers makes him a great cost-effective option against Sanchez, who is making his first start for the Braves in over a month.
Others to consider: Michael Conforto and Adam Jones
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/18/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
The entire Friday slate is night games, leaving plenty of options to choose from when creating your DFS entry. 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
Charlie Morton vs. Cleveland Indians
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $9,700
DraftKings = $12,200
If it wasn’t for the potential for rain, Max Scherzer facing the Dodgers would be the top choice for the evening. However, that game looks to be very much in doubt, leaving Morton as one of the best alternatives. He continues to be a strikeout machine since joining the Astros, posting an 11.5 K/9 this season. His average fastball velocity sits at 97.2 mph, which would be the highest mark of his career. His 13.8% swinging strike rate is also over five percentage points higher than his career average. The Indians offense has some potent bats, but Morton has enough strikeout upside to still make him an excellent option.
Jake Arrieta vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $7,700
Arrieta is off to an odd start. His 2.59 ERA is great and although his FIP is higher at 3.48, it’s still very good. He has a 1.06 WHIP and has allowed only two home runs in 41.2 innings. On the negative side, his 5.8 K/9 is well below his career 8.2 K/9. His velocity has been consistent with last season, but his 6.3% swinging strike rate is a bit alarming. The good news is that he has allowed three runs or fewer in all but one start this season and will face a Cardinals squad that is in the bottom third of baseball in runs scored. The price is right on both sites to take a chance on him in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,000
Rizzo is batting an ugly .195, but that’s in large part due to an absurdly low .186 BABIP. His walk rate is down, but his strikeout rate is also below his career mark to go along with a 34% hard-hit rate. It’s only a matter of time before his batting average is on the rise and that might begin Friday since he is 9-for-22 (.409) with two home runs and three doubles against Bailey in his career.
Matt Olson vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500
Stacking Athletics turned out to be a wise move against Aaron Sanchez on Thursday and is looking like something to do again Friday versus Estrada. Estrada has not only had a problem keeping runners off base with a 1.43 WHIP this season, but he has also allowed 10 home runs in 44 innings. The homers are not a new trend for Estrada either since he finished with a 1.5 HR/9 last year. Olson is showing signs of coming out of his slump as well, batting 5-for-14 with three home runs in his last four games.
Others to consider: Wilson Contreras (catcher) and Jose Abreu (first base)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Sabathia’s 2.23 ERA looks nice, but he’s been a bit lucky considering his 3.61 FIP and .255 BABIP allowed. He’s not an overpowering pitcher by any means with just a 6.9 K/9 and needs to pitch ahead in counts if he’s going to have success. Merrifield has followed up his 2017 breakout campaign with a .289 average this season and four home runs to go along with nine steals. He also excels against left-handed pitchers, posting a .383 wOBA against them in his career.
Jed Lowrie vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Lowrie came through with another valuable stat line in Thursday’s offensive explosion by the Athletics, going 1-for-4 with a double, one RBI, two runs scored and two walks. He’s on pace for by far the best season of his career and should have plenty of opportunities to provide counting stats in Oakland’s potent lineup. He has followed up his 123 wRC+ against righties last year with a 172 wRC+ this season, so it might be a good idea to go to the well again with him Friday.
Others to consider: Javier Baez and Jonathan Schoop
THIRD BASE
Kris Bryant vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,600
Bailey has really struggled this season with a 5.59 ERA, 6.16 FIP, and 1.45 WHIP. He’s not striking out many hitters with a 5.4 K/9 and has already allowed a staggering 12 home runs. He’s someone to target whenever he takes the mound, so stacking Cubs could be an excellent move. Bryant has at least two hits in five of his last nine games and has a 1.024 OPS out of the gate, so don’t be afraid to pay up to get him into your entry.
Matt Davidson vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900
The Rangers had to scratch Cole Hamels from his start Thursday due to a stiff neck, which will result in Moore moving up a day to start Friday. His return to the American League has not gone well, posting a 7.82 ERA and 5.38 FIP. He’s allowing way too many base runners with a 2.00 WHIP and only has a 6.6 K/9. Davidson has fared better against lefties in his career and has a .407 wOBA against them so far this year, making him a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Danny Valencia and Matt Chapman
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Drew Pomeranz, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,500
Machado came through with a home run in the ninth inning off of David Price on Thursday, continuing his dominance over left-handed pitchers. He finished with a .345 wOBA against them despite his struggles last year and has a .409 wOBA so far this season. Pomeranz has been unlucky with opponents posting a .343 BABIP against him, but he’s not doing himself any favors with a 4.7 BB/9 and 1.8 HR/9. This is shaping up to be another big performance for Machado.
Marcus Semien vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,800
Semien enters Friday on a seven-game hitting streak that has seen him hit 11-for-34. His .274 average has been boosted by a .336 BABIP that is well above his career mark, but he has also swung at only 23.7% of pitches he has seen outside the strike zone, the lowest of his career. Considering Estrada’s struggles, keeping stacking Oakland hitters with Semien.
Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Trevor Story
OUTFIELD
Mookie Betts vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,800
What can’t Betts do at this point? Not only does he have an outstanding .734 slugging percentage, but he stole three bases Thursday to bring his total to 11 for the season. You could go on for days talking about his excellent stats, including his minuscule 11.2% strikeout rate. Cobb has looked better since being torched in his first three starts with the Orioles, but he still presents a great matchup for Betts.
Nomar Mazara vs. Carson Fulmer, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200
Fulmer is a prime target to take advantage of Friday as he enters this game with a 6.23 ERA, 6.97 FIP, and 1.75 WHIP. He’s not fooling many hitters with a 6.7% swinging strike rate and his reasonable .289 BABIP allowed doesn’t really indicate he is in line for any positive regression. Mazara hits righties well with a .363 wOBA against them this season, making him an excellent option at this reasonable price.
Travis Jankowski vs. Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,800
The Padres have several outfield options, but Jankowski is making a case for regular playing time. He is batting .364 in May, logging at least two hits in five of his last nine starts. His .455 BABIP this month is not sustainable, but there is still an opportunity here to take advantage of his hot streak. He is a much better hitter against righties in his career with a .317 wOBA against them compared to .203 against lefties. Nova does not have an overpowering pitch arsenal either, making Jankowski a viable option in tournament play.
Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Matt Joyce
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
As is the case most Wednesday’s, we’ve got game spread out between the day and evening slates for DFS today. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Walker Buehler vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $8,500
Regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, Buehler has continued to shine in the majors. He’s making a case to stick in the Dodgers’ rotation even when they get healthy, posting a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 through four starts. His FIP stands at 1.64 and he’s allowed a .288 BABIP, so his supporting numbers further highlight his strong start. His first start of the year came against these same Marlins, holding them scoreless over five innings while recording five strikeouts. Since they have scored the fewest runs (142) and hit the fewest home runs (31) in baseball, Buehler could again be in line for a valuable performance.
J.A. Happ vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $9,400
Happ’s 4.80 ERA doesn’t instill confidence, but it is a bit inflated after he allowed seven runs in 3.1 innings in his last start against the Mariners. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his eight outings and has a career-high 11.2 K/9, led by an 11.7% swinging strike rate. The Mets have one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring the sixth-fewest runs (165). They also have the worst OPS against left-handed pitchers (.593) by a wide margin, leaving Happ as a viable option in tournament play if you are playing the early slate.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Carlos Santana vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,900
DratfKings =$4,900
Santana has finally woken up after a slow start, batting .289 with five home runs in May. He still only has a .216 BABIP this month, leaving him with even more room for improvement. Cashner is off to a bad start as well with a 5.74 FIP and 1.50 WHIP through eight outings. Santana has hit right-handers well in his career and has a .337 wOBA against them this year despite all his struggles, so don’t sleep on him Wednesday.
Jose Osuna vs. Hector Santiago, Chicago White Sox
Stadium = PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,000
Santiago has made 11 appearances for the White Sox this season, but Wednesday will mark only his third start. He hasn’t pitched well, posting a 5.60 ERA, 5.67 FIP, and 1.68 WHIP. He started 14 of his 15 games last season and wasn’t any better, finishing with a 5.63 ERA, 6.02 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP. Osuna is batting cleanup in this game and already has two home runs in 10 plate appearances against lefties this year, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play. Of note, he is only first base eligible on DraftKings as he is listed as an outfielder on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Wilson Contreras (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Javier Baez vs, Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DratfKings = $4,500
McCarthy got off to a hot start by allowing three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts but he has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four. His last two outings were particularly concerning since he gave up 14 runs to the Giants and Marlins, neither of which have a great lineup. The Cubs present an excellent stacking opportunity Wednesday, Baez included.
Howie Kendrick vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,300
Sabathia’s 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP look great, but he’s been a bit lucky with opponents posting just a .255 BABIP. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff anymore with a 6.9 K/9 this year, but he’s helped make up for it with a career-low 1.2 BB/9. Kendrick recorded a .385 wOBA against lefties last year, leaving him with a favorable chance to provide value.
Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Joey Wendle
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,100
Ramirez is rolling right now, hitting 8-for-20 with three home runs and three doubles in his last five games. The lefty Carpenter did make one start for the Tigers earlier this year, allowing three runs in three innings against the Pirates. He wasn’t exactly pitching well in Triple-A this season either with a 5.01 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across seven starts. Ramirez finished with a .395 wOBA against lefties last year and has been even better with a .419 mark this season. He is one of several Indians hitters who could excel in this game.
Justin Turner vs. Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,700
Turner played in his first game Tuesday after missing the start of the season with a wrist injury. The Dodgers badly need his bat in their lineup with the loss of Corey Seager (elbow), so he is certainly a welcomed addition. He mashed left-handers for a 206 wRC+ last year, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry even though it’s only his second game back.
Others to consider: Eugenio Suarez and Daniel Descalso
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,500
Lindor’s 15-game hitting streak was snapped Tuesday, but that’s mostly because he didn’t get a chance to do much damage, drawing a walk in four of his five plate appearances. He’s one of the hottest hitters in the league right now and already has eight home runs in May, making him yet another Indians’ hitter you want to try and squeeze into your entry.
Brandon Crawford vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,300
Speaking of shortstops on a hot streak, Crawford is batting .412 with 1.017 OPS in May. Harvey pitched well in his first start with the Reds, but he still only had two strikeouts in four innings. After he allowed a .426 wOBA to left-handed hitters last year, Crawford could have a good chance of keeping his hot streak alive for at least one more game.
Others to consider: Trea Turner and Chris Taylor
OUTFIELD
Odubel Herrera vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,800
Herrera has been hot out of the gate, batting .360 with a .992 OPS. He likely won’t be able to sustain that average considering his .400 BABIP, but it is encouraging that his walk rate is up while his strikeout rate is down. His .436 wOBA against righties this year makes him another Phillies’ hitter to target against Cashner.
Nomar Mazara vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200
Bergman will be making his first start in the majors Wednesday, although he hasn’t exactly dominated in the minors this year with a 3.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He’s had trouble keeping runners off base in his previous appearances in the majors, posting a 1.50 WHIP for his career. Mazara only has a .272 wOBA in his career against lefties but has been much better against righties with a .340 wOBA.
Joey Gallo vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000
It’s all or nothing when it comes to Gallo, who has 12 home runs despite batting .199 and striking out in one-third of his plate appearances. Not only has Bergman struggled to keep runners off base, but he also has a 1.6 HR/9 for his career to go along with only a 5.5 K/9. This is the type of matchup that Gallo thrives off of.
Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Denard Span
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
With only one day game Tuesday, we’ve got plenty of options to choose from in DFS for the evening slate. 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
Gerrit Cole vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $11,800
DraftKings = $13,900
There has been no slowing down Cole, who has a 1.43 ERA and 1.54 FIP through eight starts. His .257 BABIP allowed is low, but he largely has seen his numbers improve because of his lofty 13.7 K/9. He has recorded at least eight strikeouts in all but one of his starts this season and has only allowed three total home runs. Even though he’ll be facing a tough Angels lineup that is in the top-five in baseball in runs scored, his strikeout upside still makes him a great option Tuesday.
Jack Flaherty vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $7,300
Flaherty is one of the bright young prospects in the Cardinals system, posting a 2.73 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 9.1 K/9 during his career in the minors. He has kept hitters in the park as well with a 0.5 HR/9. This will be his third Major League start this season and his first two brought mixed results. He allowed one earned run and recorded nine strikeouts over five innings in his first start against the Brewers, but then he allowed three runs while recording only two strikeouts across five innings against the Pirates. Considering his cheap price and the fact that the Twins have scored the fourth-fewest runs (158) in baseball, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Carlos Santana vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,900
DratfKings = $4,400
Santana has broken out after a slow start, batting .289 with five home runs in May. He still only has a .216 BABIP this month, leaving him with even more room for improvement. Cashner is off to a bad start as well with a 5.74 FIP and 1.50 WHIP through eight starts. Santana has hit right-handers well in his career and has a .337 wOBA against them this year despite all his struggles, making him an excellent option to consider Tuesday.
Nick Goodrum vs. Josh Tomlin, Cleveland Indians
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,100
Tomlin immediately comes to mind as someone you want to stack against since he has an 8.06 ERA and 1.79 WHIP. He’s never been a big strikeout pitcher either with a 6.1 K/9 for his career. The problem is the Tigers are depleted by injuries with Miguel Cabrera (hamstring), Jeimer Candelario (wrist) and Leonys Martin (hamstring) all on the DL. Goodrum is playing every day as a result, hitting 8-for-17 with three home runs and two doubles in his last four games. At this price, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Others to consider: Salvador Perez (catcher) and John Hicks (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Jaime Garcia, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,900
The Mets will be facing the lefty Garcia, which is not good news since they have the lowest OPS against lefties (.568) in baseball. Cabrera is one player who does hit them well, posting a .407 wOBA against them last year and .364 wOBA this season. Garica has struggled to keep runners off base with a 1.57 WHIP, so Cabrera might be the one Mets’ hitter you want to use in this matchup.
Whit Merrifield vs. Anthony Banda, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300
Merrifield has followed up his .288 average and .784 OPS from 2017 with a .287 average and .783 OPS this year. His power numbers are slightly down, but he’s also shown a better eye at the plate with a 9.0% walk rate. The Rays will start the lefty Banda, who is making his first appearance in the majors this year. Merrifield has a .384 wOBA against lefties for his career, making him a nice option for your entry, especially considering his price on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Jonathan Schoop
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez vs. Ty Blach, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400
Suarez’s .297 BABIP is actually below his .314 career mark, but he is still batting a career-high .286. He has cut down on his strikeouts and has a superb 50% hard-hit rate, which has helped him get off to a hot start. After finishing with a 135 wRC+ against left-handers last year, he is mashing them for a 278 wRC+ in 2018.
Miguel Andujar vs. Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,300
Andujar took over as the everyday third baseman for the Yankees when Brandon Drury (impaired vision) went on the DL. The Yankees actually activated Drury on Monday but optioned him to Triple-A to continue his rehab. There has been no rush to bring him back with how well Andujar has played and he may not get the job back even when he is deemed fully healthy. Andujar is currently on a six-game hitting streak and although he hasn’t recorded an extra-base hit during that stretch, he is a viable option if you want to save money at third base.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Rafael Devers
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,200
Lindor only had a .288 BABIP heading into May, leading to a .245 average. He’s been on a heater since the new month began, batting .450 with a .442 BABIP and eight home runs. He is striking out more this year, but he also has a 43.1% hard-hit rate that is by far the highest of his career. With a career .365 wOBA against lefties, Lindor could provide significant production against Liriano.
Chris Taylor vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,000
Chen has allowed 13 runs in his last two starts, resulting in a 10.22 ERA and 1.95 WHIP through three outings. He was never a big strikeout pitcher, but he has only a 4.4 K/9 during that stretch. He’s had control issues as well with a 5.8 BB/9. The Dodgers lineup hasn’t been great this season, but Taylor, with a .355 wOBA against lefties last year, could provide value if you don’t want to pay up for Lindor.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Jean Segura
OUTFIELD
Odubel Herrera vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,400
Herrera couldn’t be off to a much better start, batting .360 with a .992 OPS. He likely won’t be able to sustain that average considering his .400 BABIP, but it is encouraging that his walk rate is up while his strikeout rate is down. His .436 wOBA against righties this year makes him another Phillies’ hitter who could provide value.
Nomar Mazara vs. Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,100
The Rangers lineup suffered another tough blow over the weekend with Adrian Beltre reaggravating a hamstring injury that has already cost him one stint on the DL this season. He’ll likely be placed back on it Tuesday, joining Elvis Andrus (elbow) as two key pieces that they will sorely miss. They’ll still get a great matchup against Leake on Tuesday though, who has a 5.72 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Mazara has a .380 wOBA against righties this year and isn’t overly expensive, making him someone to strongly consider.
Shin-Soo Choo vs. Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,400
Choo is a cheap option who should come to mind against right-handed pitchers since he has a .382 wOBA against them in his career. His .245 average this season isn’t great, but he’s still striking the ball well with a 42.4% hard-hit rate. He also has hit Leake well, going 6-for-17 with two home runs and two doubles against him in his career. Using both Mazara and Choo in your entry could be a nice mini-stack to take advantage of.
Others to consider: Jorge Soler and Joey Gallo
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
There is only one day game in the majors Tuesday, leaving a bevy of options to choose from for 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
Aaron Nola vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $10,100
Nola has followed up his breakout campaign last year with a 2.17 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 0.92 WHIP through seven starts. His K/9 is only 6.9, but expect that to increase sooner rather than later since he has finished with a K/9 of at least 9.8 in back-to-back seasons. He has been a bit lucky with opponents posting a .236 BABIP, but he has thrown a first-pitch strike to 65.7% of the batters that he has faced and has a 33.2% O-swing % (the percentage of pitches a batter swings at outside the strike zone), both of which would be career highs. The Giants are tied for the eighth-fewest runs scored (141) in baseball, so look for a big performance from Nola.
Sean Newcomb vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $8,500
Newcomb has pitched well out of the gate with a 3.38 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP. He had control issues last year with a 5.1 BB/9, but he’s cut that down to 3.9 this season, some of which can be attributed to him throwing a first-pitch strike to 64.8% of the batters that he has faced. He also provides excellent strikeout upside with a 10.9 K/9. Newcomb has been a better pitcher on the road during his Major League career, posting a 3.23 ERA compared to a 4.79 ERA at home. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, Newcomb might be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Edwin Encarnacion vs. Wade Miley, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,700
The Indians will lose the DH playing in Miller Park, but Encarnacion will likely start at first base over Yonder Alonso with the lefty Miley on the mound. Encarnacion is hitting just .198 this season, but a lot of that has to do with his .208 BABIP. He still has nine home runs and a 34.9% hard-hit rate that is actually slightly higher than his career mark. He has finished with a wOBA of at least .360 against lefties in eight straight seasons, so he could break out against Miley.
John Hicks vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,500
With Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) on the DL, Hicks has been seeing regular playing time. Despite playing in only 14 games this year, he has three home runs and four doubles to go along with a .283 average. He’s never had more than 190 plate appearances in a single season during his Major League career, but he did bat .283 in seven seasons in the minors. Minor has held lefties to just a .231 wOBA this season, but righties have had more success with a .364 wOBA. If you want to go the cheaper route, Hicks could provide value.
Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Gary Sanchez (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano vs. Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,700
Cano isn’t hitting home runs like he did in his heyday with the Yankees, but he actually has as many walks as strikeouts this season. He’s never been someone who strikes out much, but he has 20 walks in 143 plate appearances this season after finishing with 49 walks in 648 plate appearances last year. He’s still hitting for a high average and has a .378 wOBA against right-handed pitchers in his career, making him an excellent option against the struggling Stroman.
Howie Kendrick vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,800
Kendrick has proven to be an important part of the Nationals’ lineup this season due to several key injuries. His numbers aren’t flashy, but his .286 batting average is pretty much right in line with his career mark. He’s someone to target against left-handed pitchers after finishing with a .385 wOBA against them last year. Richard has allowed a .356 wOBA in his career against righties, making Kendrick a viable cost-effective option for your entry.
Others to consider: Starlin Castro and Cesar Hernandez
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,700
Vargas has been shelled in his two starts this season, recording a 16.20 ERA and 3.00 WHIP. He’s never had overpowering stuff with a 6.0 K/9 for his career, so add that to the fact that he has issued five walks and allowed five home runs in just 8.1 innings and you get a disaster. Suarez roughed up lefties for a 135 RC+ last year and has a 195 wRC+ against them this season, leaving you with a great opportunity to take advantage of Vargas.
Anthony Rendon vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,700
Rendon has only played three games since coming off the DL, but he hasn’t shown signs of rust, batting 3-for- 10 with two doubles, three RBI, and three walks. He destroyed left-handed pitchers with a 186 wRC+ last year and is another Nationals righty to consider stacking against Richard, especially with his reasonable price on both sites.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Colin Moran
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900
Machado is off to one of the hottest starts in baseball with a 1.054 OPS that ranks fourth in the American League. He currently has the highest BB% and lowest K% of his career to go along with a .277 ISO. He has a .440 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this year and Duffy has had problems limiting home runs through his seven starts, giving Machado significant upside in this matchup.
Jose Peraza vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,200
Peraza still doesn’t draw many walks, but his .285 average this season has been a significant improvement over his .259 mark last year. He’s striking out less and making better contact with a 27.3% hard-hit rate, so he’s finally starting to show signs of why he was thought of so highly by some people when he was given an everyday job last year, myself included. With Vargas struggling mightily right now, Peraza could provide value at this price, especially on FanDuel.
Others to consider: Trea Turner and Tim Anderson
OUTFIELD
Rhys Hoskins vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,900
Hoskins hasn’t shown any signs of struggling in his first full season in the majors, batting .281 with .928 OPS. He’s not off to the torrid home run pace that he was last year, but five homers and 10 doubles through 34 games is still impressive. With a .421 wOBA against lefties in his brief career, he makes a lot of sense against the struggling Holland on Tuesday.
Kyle Schwarber vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,800
Schwarber has put his struggles from last year behind him so far, batting .269 with a .376 OBP this season. Always a power threat, he also has a .548 slugging percentage. He still had a .343 wOBA against righties last year despite all his issues and has posted a .424 wOBA against them so far this season. Urena doesn’t overmatch many hitters with a 5.9 K/9 for his career, so he could have trouble getting Schwarber out in this game.
Nomar Mazara vs. Mike Fiers, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,800
Mazara hit exactly 20 home runs in both of his first two seasons with the Rangers but has already slugged eight homers this year. He has a 40.2% hard-hit rate, which is almost nine percentage points higher than his career mark. Mazara only has a .270 wOBA against lefties in his career, but righties have not proven to be as difficult, resulting in a .338 wOBA against them. If you’re looking for a cheaper outfielder with upside, Mazara might be your man.
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/6/18
Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/6/18
Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout
This will be an usually quiet Friday in the majors with only nine games on the schedule, which particularly hurts in terms of options at starting pitcher 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
Lance McCullers Jr. vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $12,300
McCullers’ overall numbers don’t look great on the surface, finishing with a 4.25 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 2017. However, his FIP was 3.10 and he was a bit unlucky with opposing batters posting a .333 BABIP. He had a 10 K/9 and a 0.6 HR/9, making him a candidate for significant improvement in 2018. McCullers had a brief scare when he was hit by a comebacker in his first start of the season against the Rangers, but stayed in the game, finishing with 10 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. The Padres lineup isn’t great, to begin with, but it’s even thinner right now with Wil Myers (elbow) on the DL. McCullers could be in line for another strong performance Friday as a result.
Luis Castillo vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $8,700
Castillo had a great start to his career during his brief time in the majors last year, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 9.9 K/9 in 89 1/3 innings. He showed excellent control for a young power pitcher, allowing just 1.8 BB/9. He induced a lot of grounders as well with a 58.8% ground-ball rate. Castillo had to face the Nationals in his first start of the season, who have one of the best lineups in the league. He allowed six earned runs in five innings, but he did still record six strikeouts. Friday brings an easier opponent in the Pirates, leaving Castillo as a tournament play option at this price.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman vs. German Marquez, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,700
Freeman has started off about as well as anyone so far this season, batting .421 with two home runs and nine RBI. He has a crazy .621 OBP and has only struck out three times. He’ll face the righty Marquez on Friday, which should benefit him greatly since he had a ridiculous .422 wOBA against righties in 2017.
Kendrys Morales vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $2,900
Morales is only 2-for-14 to start the season and has yet to record an extra-base hit. Friday might be the day his fortunes change though against Moore and the Rangers. A switch-hitter, Morales is much better from the right side of the plate, posting a 165 wRC+ in 2017 compared to a 77 wRC+ from the left side. Moore struggled with a 1.53 WHIP last year and doesn’t have overpowering stuff, making Morales an option to consider at this cheap price.
Others to consider: Justin Smoak (first base) and Brian McCann (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Scooter Gennett vs. Trevor Williams, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500
Gennett had the best season of his career in 2017, hitting .295 with 27 home runs and 97 RBI. His previous career-highs were 14 home runs and 56 RBI, so the leap that he made was significant, to say the least. He’s not off to a hot start with his counting stats this year, but he is batting .429 in the early goings. Right-handed pitching provided little troubles for Gennett as he posting a .388 wOBA against them last year compared to just .296 against lefties. Based on those extreme splits, he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play Friday.
Kike Hernandez vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,500
The injury to Justin Turner (wrist) has opened up some playing time for Hernandez, but he is only hitting .188 so far this season. He has dominated left-handed pitching though, posting a .390 wOBA against them in 2017. He’ll face the lefty Holland for the second time of the season on Friday after going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in their first matchup. Of note, Hernandez is only listed at second base on FanDuel as he is listed as an outfielder on DraftKings.
Others to consider: Joe Panik and Jed Lowrie
THIRD BASE
Josh Donaldson vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $4,800
Donaldson has battled through a dead arm to start the season, but it has really only limited him in the field. He has two home runs and a double so far to go along with a .400 OBP. He owned lefties last year, finishing with a 171 wRC+. In limited plate appearances against Moore in his career, Donaldson is also 3-for-8 with a home run, one double and one walk. Expect him to give Moore troubles again Friday.
Luis Valbuena vs. Daniel Gossett, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,000
Valbuena is off to a terrible start this season, hitting .167 with just two extra-base hits. The good news is that he is getting plenty of playing time with Ian Kinsler (groin) on the DL, which moved Zack Cozart from third to second base. Gossett struggled with a 6.11 ERA and 1.61 WHIP last year while also recording just 7.1 K/9. Valbuena is a much better hitter against righties, posting a .324 wOBA against them in 2017 compared to just .194 against lefties.
Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Ryan Flaherty
SHORTSTOP
Carlos Correa vs. Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000
Correa suffered a minor toe injury and sat out Wednesday, but he should return Friday after receiving two days of rest. He was hot before the injury, batting .474 with two home runs and eight RBI. Although he hits lefties extremely well, righties don’t really give him problems either, finishing with a .380 wOBA against them in 2017. The right-hander Perdomo had a WHIP of at least 1.51 in both of the last two seasons and his K/9 did not exceed 6.5 in either year, which doesn’t exactly make him an imposing force for Correa to face.
Manny Machado vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Machado has yet to drive in a run and is hitting only .222 this season, so he doesn’t exactly come into Friday swinging the bat well. He’s had good numbers against Sabathia in his career though, batting .316 with three home runs and six doubles in 57 career at-bats. Sabathia is still a serviceable starting pitcher, but he’s not nearly as overpowering as he was earlier in his career. This might be just the matchup that Machado needs to get going.
Others to consider: Addison Russell Andrelton Simmons
OUTFIELD
Charlie Blackmon vs. Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,800
Blackmon has yet to play a single game in the friendly confines of Coors Field, yet he is still batting .345 with four home runs. He finally returns home Friday, a place where he batted .391 and hit 24 of his 37 home runs last season. He also destroyed righties last year with a 145 wRC+, so don’t hesitate to pay up to get him into your lineup against McCarthy on Friday.
Josh Reddick vs. Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000
Reddick was hitless in his first two games of 2018 but has gone 6-for-10 with two home runs in three games since. The Astros lineup is loaded with excellent right-handed hitters and Reddick provides an important compliment from the left-hand side, posting a wOBA of at least .356 against righties in each of the last four seasons. He has an excellent chance to extend his recent hot streak Friday.
Nomar Mazara vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,400
Mazara is swinging a hot bat right now, recording at least two hits in four of his last six games. He batted a disappointing .253 in 2017, but a lot of that was because he hit only .228 against lefties. Most of his power came against right-handers as well, hitting 19 of his 20 home runs against them. At this cheap price, he’s worth taking a chance on in tournament play against a righty in Estrada who doesn’t have overpowering stuff.
Others to consider: Mike Trout and Preston Tucker