*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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Outside of a doubleheader between the Twins and White Sox, we’ve got a full slate of night baseball in the majors Tuesday. 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. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,300
Scherzer mowed down the Orioles in his last start, allowing just three base runners and recording 12 strikeouts in eight shutout innings. In his 12 starts this season, Scherzer has allowed one or no runs six times. His 1.92 ERA is supported by a strong 1.94 FIP and 0.85 WHIP. Keeping runners off base continues to be a strength for Scherzer as this would mark his fourth straight season with a WHIP of 0.97 or lower. The Rays have scored the sixth-fewest runs (238) in baseball and won’t have the benefit of the designated hitter either, so don’t hesitate to pay up for Scherzer.
Sean Newcomb vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $9,200
The Braves rotation has been much improved this year with Newcomb becoming one of the best pitchers on the staff. Other than a 4.3 BB/9, there is a lot to like about his numbers. In his 11 starts, he has a 2.73 ERA, 3.13 FIP, and a 1.21 WHIP. He’s only allowed three home runs in 62.2 innings and is getting plenty of strikeouts with a 9.2 K/9. His numbers are even better on the road, recording a 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 10.8 K/9 across seven outings. The Padres have struck out the second-most times (581) in baseball, leaving Newcomb with the potential for a valuable performance.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Mitch Moreland vs. Artie Lewicki, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Moreland is now locked in at first base for the Red Sox with Hanley Ramirez no longer with the team. Moreland is off to great start, hitting for both average and power. Not only is he batting .305, but his .631 slugging percentage would be by far the highest of his career. With a lofty .442 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year, Moreland is an excellent option against the underwhelming Lewicki, who will be making his first start of the season.
Greg Bird vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100
After going hitless in his first game of the season, Bird has at least one hit in each of his last six games. He adds another power bat to an already loaded Yankees lineup as he already has two home runs and two doubles. Estrada gives up a ton of homers, following up his 1.5 HR/9 in 2017 with a 1.8 HR/9 this season. A Yankees stack could provide a lot of production Tuesday, Bird included.
Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Gary Sanchez (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300
Merrifield is a bright building block for the Royals, hitting .288 with 19 home runs and 34 stolen bases in his first full season in the majors last year. He only has four homers this season, but he’s batting .291 with 14 steals. He’s also shown an improved eye at the plate, already recording 26 walks in 258 plate appearances after drawing just 29 walks in 630 plate appearances last year. With a career .389 wOBA against lefties, he’s a prime target facing Heaney.
Jonathan Schoop vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500
Schoop was a force in the Orioles’ lineup last year, batting .293 with 32 home runs. He hasn’t been able to follow that up with a good start this season as he is batting just .238 with five homers. His hard-hit rate is way down at 22.3%, which is almost 14 percentage points lower than last year. Even with all of his struggles, he still has a .320 wOBA against lefties. Vargas has been getting hammered this season, so this might be the time to take a chance on Schoop in tournament play.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Jed Lowrie
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100
After providing reliable production the last two seasons, the Reds locked up Suarez to a long-term deal this spring. He has rewarded their faith in him, batting .297 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI. Although the .297 average is the highest of his career, his .308 BABIP is actually slightly lower than his career mark. His 244 wRC+ against lefties this year is especially impressive, which could make him a tough out for Freeland.
Matt Chapman vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium = Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100
Moore is one of my favorite pitchers to stack against. He is having a terrible year with a 7.85 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He has allowed fewer than three runs in only one of his starts and doesn’t carry much strikeout upside. Righties have a .390 wOBA against him as well, so Chapman is someone to consider even though he has cooled off after a red-hot start.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200
Machado is thriving in a contract year and could end up being one of the highest paid players in baseball this winter. He requested to be moved back to shortstop likely to increase his value, so he’s well aware of the impact an excellent season could have on his next deal. He has a 1.030 OPS this season after never posting an OPS above .876 in his career. You could go on for days about his excellent numbers, but another key stat is that he has a .405 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.
Brock Holt vs. Artie Lewicki, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,300
Holt is in line for more playing time with Dustin Pedroia (knee) back on the DL. Holt has dealt with his fair share of injuries during his career as well, but he’s healthy right now and batting a career-high .319. He’s been boosted by a .364 BABIP, but his strikeout rate is also down significantly. He has a .350 wOBA against righties this year, leaving him as a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts
OUTFIELD
Aaron Judge vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,400
Judge had a day to forget in a doubleheader against the Tigers on Monday, striking out a combined eight times. There’s no question that Judge is going to strike out a lot, but he still has a .271 average for his career. Considering Estrada gives up a lot of home runs and doesn’t have overpowering stuff, it’s no surprise that Judge is 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles against him.
Khris Davis vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900
Davis’ .230 average leaves a lot to be desired, but he hasn’t disappointed in the power department with 13 home runs already despite spending 10 days on the DL. His .248 BABIP is also 30 points below his career mark, so he has some room for improvement with his average. Davis has pretty close splits against lefties and righties for his career and is an excellent option against Moore.
Brandon Nimmo vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400
Cobb was hammered in his first three starts with the Orioles and while he has shown improvement, he has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) in his last 22.2 innings. He has allowed at least one home run in seven of his nine starts as well. Nimmo has played his way into the Mets leadoff role, batting .271 with a .421 OBP. He has seven home runs and six stolen bases and should continue to play every day even when Yoenis Cespedes (hip) does eventually return. Righties have found it very difficult to get Nimmo out as he has a .475 wOBA against them.
Others to consider: Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones
