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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

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

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/15/18

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 5/11/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

After a fairly quiet night on Thursday, baseball is back in full swing Friday and all by one of the games on the schedule will be played at night. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Justin Verlander vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $11,300
DraftKings = $13,000

Verlander was spectacular after being traded to the Astros last year and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball again this season with a 1.17 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, and 11.7 K/9. He is currently on pace to set new career highs by throwing a first-pitch strike to 65.5% of the batters that he has faced and recording a 14.5% swinging strike percentage. Opponents are likely to improve on their .205 BABIP against him, but he has excellent strikeout upside every time he takes the mound. Verlander held the Rangers in check in two previous games against them this season, allowing one run to go along with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. Expect another productive line Friday.

Marco Gonzales vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $7,000

Gonzales’ 5.19 ERA and 1.44 WHIP don’t make him an obvious play Friday. However, he has a 3.08 FIP and has been incredibly unlucky with opposing hitters recording an unsustainable .400 BABIP. He only has a 1.6 BB/9 and has shown strikeout upside with a 9.9 K/9. The Tigers lineup wasn’t great, to begin with, and is even weaker right now with Miguel Cabrera (hamstring) and Leonys Martin (knee) both on the DL. It’s usually a good idea to lean towards a pitcher with strikeout potential when you are looking for a cheap tournament play and when you combine that for Gonzales with this matchup, it only furthers the case for taking a chance on him.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Freddie Freeman vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300

Freeman kicked off this series against the Marlins in style Thursday, going 5-for-5 with a home run. He continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball and has almost as many walks (23) this year as he does strikeouts (28). He finally has talented hitters in front of him with Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr., so his career high of 109 RBI that he set in 2013 could be in danger. Get him in your lineup against the struggling Straily on Friday, especially considering Freeman’s .416 wOBA against righties this year.

Ryon Healy vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Boyd has completely dominated left-handed hitters this year, holding them to a .153 wOBA. Righties have posted a .294 wOBA though, bringing Healy into the discussion Friday. Healy also excels against lefties with a .369 wOBA against them in his career. Boyd doesn’t have overpowering stuff either with just a 6.5 K/9 this season, so Healy is a cheap tournament play to consider.

Others to consider: Mitch Moreland (first base) and Mike Zunino (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Cesar Hernandez vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,000

With all the hype surrounding Scott Kingery, Hernandez continues to be one of the more underrated fantasy assets at second base. He has shown an excellent ability to get on base the last couple of years and currently has a career-high 16.4% BB% this season. He has a nice mix of power and speed as well with four homers and six steals. With a 178 wRC+ against lefties this year, look for another productive game Friday.

Gleyber Torres vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,900

As if the Yankees lineup wasn’t already loaded, Torres has been locked in since getting called up from the minors. Not only has he come up with some timely hits, but he’s batting .344 with two home runs. He was batting .347 in Triple-A before the Yankees called him up as well and it looks like he’ll be manning the keystone for a long time in the Bronx. Graveman is expected to be recalled from the minors to start this game after being sent down due to his struggles out of the gate, making the Yankees an excellent stacking opportunity.

Others to consider: DJ LeMahieu and Alen Hanson

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100

Ramirez got off to a terrible start this year but is batting .333 with three home runs and three steals through eight games in May. He’s hit at least .312 in both of the last two seasons, so expect his current .283 average to continue to rise. With a 161 wRC+ against right-handers this year, Ramirez will look to keep his hot streak alive against the underwhelming Hammel, who only has a 5.0 K/9 this season.

Miguel Andujar vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,400

Andujar was getting extra-base hits in bunches earlier this season, but he hasn’t recorded one in any of his last 11 games. He has still logged at least one hit in five of his last seven games and has plenty of opportunities to provide counting stats in the Yankees dangerous lineup. Graveman had an 8.89 ERA and 1.84 WHIP earlier this season before being sent down, leaving Andujar as a cheap option with upside at third base.

Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Maikel Franco

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,400

Lindor had a massive increase in home runs last year and although his batting average dropped to .273, that was partly because of his abnormally low .275 BABIP, not because he was sacrificing it for power. With a .315 BABIP this year that is right in line with his career mark, Lindor’s batting average sits at .292. He still has 10 home runs and 11 doubles too, leading to what would be a career-high .913 OPS. Like Ramirez, he has excellent potential against Hammel on Friday.

Jedd Gyorko vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,800

If there is a lefty on the mound, Gyorko is a cheap option to target in DFS. He finished with an impressive .402 wOBA against lefties in 2017 and has been even better this season with a .593 wOBA. This will only be Lauer’s fourth start this season and after allowing a 1.93 WHIP through the first three, Gyorko could provide significant value if he plays. Of note, Gyorko is shortstop-eligible on FanDuel but is listed at third base on DraftKings.

Others to consider: Didi Gregorius and Paul DeJong

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/11/18

Aaron Judge vs. Kendall Graveman, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $5,200

Judge has shown no signs of a sophomore slump, batting .311 with none home runs and a 1.018 OPS. His 28.6 K% is still high, but it is slightly down from last season in part because he has only swung at 22.5% of pitches outside the strike zone compared to 24.7% last season. He is batting .351 with eight of his nine home runs this season at Yankee Stadium, so he could really put up some big numbers against Graveman.

Tommy Pham vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900

Pham recently dealt with a groin injury but returned to the lineup Thursday to go 2-for-4 with a home run. He has followed up his breakout 2017 campaign by batting .330 with a .444 OBP this year. After finishing with a .405 wOBA against left-handed pitchers last year, he’s another Cardinals righty who could provide problems for Lauer.

Franchy Cordero vs. Luke Weaver, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,700

Cordero was one of the rising stars in the Padres organization heading into this season and injuries have opened up regular playing time for him. He’s made the most of the opportunity and is locked into an everyday role moving forward, batting .281 with six home runs and four steals. He’s been deadly when he makes contact, posting a 49.2% hard-hit rate. Weaver isn’t off to a great start and has struggled against lefties, in particular, leaving Cordero as a viable cost-effective option.

Others to consider: Justin Upton and Brett Gardner

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/8/18

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 Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

Injuries to starting pitchers are starting to pile up around baseball, the latest of which saw both Jacob deGrom (elbow) and Clayton Kershaw (biceps) land on the DL. Your starting fantasy staff might not be as strong as a result. If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. SF, vs. NYM

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 and Mets are both in the bottom 10 in the league in runs scored, leaving Nola with the potential for a great week.

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: vs. MIA, vs. CWS

Hendricks has a 3.19 ERA and 1.09 WHIP this season, but a deeper diver indicates he has not pitched that well. His FIP sits at 5.31 and opponents have just a .223 BABIP. He’s been victimized by the long ball as well, allowing eight home runs in 36.2 innings. He only has a 0.9 HR/9 for his career, so expect some improvement from him in that area as the season wears on. He has already faced the Marlins once this season, allowing one earned run to go along with five strikeouts in six innings. The Marlins have also hit the fewest home runs (24) in baseball, which should help Hendricks with his homer problems. He also has the benefit of facing the White Sox at home, so he won’t have to face the designated hitter. Although he’s not a big strikeout pitcher, look for a valuable week from Hendricks.

Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles: vs. KC, vs. TB

Bundy has been unlucky this season, allowing a .345 BABIP to opposing hitters. It’s resulted to a 1.35 WHIP, but his 10.6 K/9 has helped offset the issue and result in a 3.76 ERA and 3.67 FIP. His increased K/9 can be attributed to his career-high marks in both O-swing % (38.2%) and swinging strike percentage (15.6%).  He’s been roughed up in his last two outings, but that’s mainly because he allowed five home runs after giving up just one long ball in his first five starts combined. The Royals and Rays are both in the bottom 10 in the league in OPS against right-handed pitching this season, so look for Bundy to rebound in Week 7.

Sean Newcomb, Atlanta Braves: at TB, at MIA

Newcomb was lined up to start twice last week, but the Braves altered their rotation by calling up promising rookie Mike Soroka. Newcomb now gets his two starts in Week 7 and will look to continue his excellent start to the season. 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. Amazingly, he’s still available in 51% of Yahoo! leagues, so he would make an excellent pickup this week if you can grab him.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 7

Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals: at BAL, at CLE

Duffy is not off to a great start with a 5.63 ERA and 5.61 FIP through seven outings. He’s had a problem keeping runners off base with a 1.49 WHIP, but his opponents .292 BABIP is not high by any means. He is giving up a lot of solid contact with a 41% hard-hit rate that is almost 10 percentage points higher than his career mark. His BB/9 and HR/9 are both up as well, which is not a recipe for success. The Orioles only have a .629 OPS this season against right-handed pitchers but have hit lefties much better with a .720 OPS. The Indians are also in the top 10 in baseball in terms of runs scored overall, meaning this might be the week to put Duffy on your bench.

Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays: vs. SEA, vs. BOS

Stroman couldn’t be off to a much worse start, recording a 7.52 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. His opponents .330 BABIP isn’t a lot higher than his .307 career BABIP allowed and he’s had significant control issues with a 4.5 BB/9. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, so he can’t afford to continue throwing a first-pitch strike to just 56.7% of the batters that he has faced this season. The Mariners and Red Sox are both in the top eight in the league in OPS against righties, so this could be a rough week for Stroman.

Jose Urena, Miami Marlins: at CHC, vs. ATL

Urena isn’t having a terrible season despite his 0-5 record, posting a 4.28 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He doesn’t have much strikeout upside with just a 7.2 K/9 and his 43.1% hard-hit rate allowed is concerning as well. This week brings two very tough matchups, the first of which comes against a Cubs squad that scored five runs in four innings against him on opening day. He then has to face a Braves team that has scored the third-most runs in baseball, so this could be a bad week to take a chance on him in your lineup.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

Thursday brings a light schedule with only 10 games in the majors, but there are still plenty of great matchups to take advantage of 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Dylan Bundy vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $9,700
DraftKings = $9,800

The Orioles have had little success developing quality starting pitchers from their farm system, but they finally might have something special in Bundy. He’s been stellar through five starts, posting a 1.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 11.4 K/9. His FIP isn’t much higher at 2.02 and his opponents BABIP of .321 is actually higher than his career mark of .286, which is a good sign for his continued success this season. He has started hitters off with a first-pitch strike 62% of the time this year and has increased the use of his slider, which could be a reason for his increased strikeout totals. Look for him to keep things rolling against the Rays on Thursday.

Sean Newcomb vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $8,700

The Braves are loaded with young talent and Newcomb is one of the up-and-coming players for their starting rotation. He has had control issues in his career, recording a 5.1 BB/9 last year and a 4.6 BB/9 so far this season. He provides excellent strikeout upside though with a 10.0 K/9 for his career. Hitters had a hard time squaring him up last year with a 27% hard-hit rate, so his numbers could really improve if he can cut down on his walks. The Reds are in the bottom 10 in the league in runs scored, so Thursday might be a good time to take a chance on Newcomb in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Freddie Freeman vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,300

Freeman is a rare talent in today’s game, recording more walks (19) than strikeouts (18) so far this season. With at least two hits in three of his last four games, Freeman is now batting .306 overall. He finished with a lofty .422 wOBA against right-handed pitchers last year, making him a great option against Bailey on Thursday.

Tyler Austin vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,900

There are so many sluggers in the Yankees lineup that Austin has largely flown under the radar this year. He’s done an excellent job filling in for Greg Bird (ankle), batting .305 with five home runs and 16 RBI. Neil Walker has eaten into his playing time a bit, but Austin is going to get plenty of at-bats if he keeps this up. If you don’t want to pay up for Freeman, take advantage of Austin’s hot bat.

Others to consider: Gary Sanchez (catcher) and Lucas Duda (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Cesar Hernandez vs. Matt Koch, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200

With all the hype surrounding Scott Kingery arriving in the majors this year, Hernandez continues to excel for the Phillies, hitting .313 with two home runs and five steals. His .400 BABIP is not sustainable, but it helps that he is being more selective at the plate with a career-high 17.6% walk rate. Koch does not have overpowering stuff with a career 5.7 K/9 in the minors, leaving Hernandez with an excellent opportunity to be productive in this game.

Brock Holt vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,000

Injuries have marred Holt’s career recently, but he’s healthy now and getting a chance for regular playing time with Xander Bogaerts (ankle) on the DL. He’s made the most of his opportunity, hitting .327 with a .389 OBP. He’s currently on an eight-game hitting streak and is an option to consider if you want to save money at second base.

Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Whit Merrifield

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Travis Shaw vs. Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,200

Shaw is on a power surge, slugging three home runs in his last five games. He tends to get off to a hot start in the first half and this year has been no different, hitting .286 with five home runs so far. Hendricks has had trouble getting him out in his career, allowing Shaw to bat .333 with three home runs against him in 17 career plate appearances. Considering Shaw finished with a .373 wOBA against righties last year, he could continue his success against Hendricks on Thursday.

Miguel Sano vs. Jordan Montgomery, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel  = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,000

It’s been all or nothing for Sano in the early going, hitting five home runs but striking out 32 times in 18 games. He’s going to need to cut down on his strikeouts to improve his .211 average, but his .286 BABIP is also well below his career mark of .358. He posted an impressive .408 wOBA against lefties last year, so this might be the day to take a chance on putting him in your lineup.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Rafael Devers

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,000

Gregorius is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, homering in four straight games. You really couldn’t have asked for a better start as he leads the American League in batting average (.372) and RBI (29) to go along with nine home runs. He hits in a prime spot in the order behind Aaron Judge and in front of Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez, so he is going to get plenty of chances to both drive in and score runs. Don’t hesitate to keep riding his hot streak Thursday.

Eduardo Escobar vs. Jordan Montgomery, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,400

The Twins lineup overall this season has been terrible, tied for the second-fewest runs scored in baseball. Escobar is one of their few hitters off to a good start though, batting .306 with two home runs and eight doubles. His .362 BABIP is well above his .299 career mark, so he is a candidate for regression as the season wears on. However, with at least two hits in three of his last six games, he’s a viable option if you want to save a few bucks at shortstop Thursday.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Eduardo Nunez

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/26/18

Kyle Schwarber vs. Chase Anderson, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,700

Schwarber hit 30 home runs last year and continues to show excellent power with six home runs in 20 games this season. He’s batting a surprisingly high .288, which is helped by his .317 BABIP that is well above his career mark of .266. He still finished with a .343 wOBA against righties last year despite his struggles overall, making him a viable option that has home run upside Thursday.

Aaron Hicks vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,800

The Yankees outfield is loaded with Judge, Stanton and Brett Gardner, but Hicks has established himself as the everyday center fielder, often pushing Stanton to DH. He was limited to only 88 games last year due to injury, but he still managed to finish with career bests in batting average (.266) and home runs (15). Injuries have limited him to just 11 games this year as well, but he’s hitting .270 with an excellent .426 OBP. The switch-hitting Hicks will bat from the left side against Gibson on Thursday, who allowed a .358 wOBA to lefties last year.

Ender Inciarte vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,000

Inciarte enters Thursday having recorded at least two hits in four straight games. He isn’t off to a great start with just a .276 average, but he has added value hitting leadoff for a Braves lineup that is tied for the fourth-most runs scored in baseball. He doesn’t have much power upside, but the added at-bats and potential for runs scored makes him a cheaper option to consider in tournament play.

Others to consider: Aaron Judge and Jarrod Dyson

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

Only two of the 15 games in the majors on Friday have an early start time, leaving you with plenty 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Gerrit Cole vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $12,100

The Astros brought in Cole during the offseason after he had an off year with the Pirates, posting a career-high 4.26 ERA. One of the biggest reasons for his jump in ERA is that he allowed 1.4 HR/9, a significant jump over his previous career worse of 0.7 HR/9. Things couldn’t have gone much better for him in his first two starts this season, allowing one run while recording 22 strikeouts in 14 innings. He’s never had a K/9 above 9.0 previously in his career, so it’s unlikely he will be able to keep up at this pace. He does get a favorable matchup Friday against a Rangers team that is missing both Elvis Andrus (elbow) and Rougned Odor (hamstring) from their lineup. Cole is the most expensive pitcher of the night, but he also has one of the highest upsides.

Vince Velasquez vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $7,900

Velasquez has a lot of potential, but he has struggled with consistency in his career. He has a hard time pitching deep into games, averaging less than five innings per start in 2017. Hitters didn’t have a hard time squaring him up either with Velasquez posting a 38.1% hard hit percentage and a 20.8% HR/FB ratio. He was hit hard in his first start of the season against the Braves, but he settled down to allow one run in six innings in his second outing against the Marlins. He’ll face a similarly weak lineup in the Rays on Friday, who are tied for the third-fewest runs scored (39) in baseball. Velasquez also has strikeout upside, making him someone worth considering in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Buster Posey vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,700

Posey has been a model of consistency, batting at least .311 in three of the last four seasons. His home runs have been on the decline, but he did hit a career-high 34 doubles in 2017. He’s off to another great start this season, batting .375 with two home runs and eight RBI. He already has five multi-hit games as well. Friday brings a matchup against the struggling Ross, making Posey a viable option for your entry.

Mitch Moreland vs. Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,300

Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez was hit on the wrist and had to leave Thursday’s game against the Yankees. Initial results revealed it’s only a contusion, but it might be too much to expect him to play Friday. If he can’t play, Moreland should get the start at first base. Tillman allowed a staggering .429 wOBA to lefties last year, making Moreland a cheap option who could provide value.

Others to consider: Carlos Santana (first base) and Josh Bell (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Cesar Hernandez vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Hernandez has been swinging a hot bat at the start of the season, recording at least one hit in all but one game that he has played. He already has 10 walks in 11 games as well, resulting in an excellent 440 OBP. The switch-hitting Hernandez hit right-handers well last season, posting a .345 wOBA against them. Faria has a 14.29 ERA and 3.00 WHIP through two starts, so Hernandez could be in line for a big performance.

Howie Kendrick vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,600

Kendrick might not stand out in a loaded Nationals lineup that includes Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, but he’s been excellent with a .349 batting average this season. A career .291 hitter, Kendrick’s right-handed bat is a key part of their lineup. He dominated lefties with a .385 wOBA in 2017 and Freeland also struggled to get righties out, allowing a .345 wOBA to them last year. Kendrick has a nice price on both sites, making him an excellent option to consider for your entry.

Others to consider: Joe Panik and Brock Holt

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Rafael Devers vs. Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Devers got off to a great start this season but has cooled off to go 0-for-12 in his last three games. He’ll get an excellent opportunity to right the ship against Tillman with his struggles against left-handed hitters already detailed above. Tillman doesn’t have an overpowering pitch arsenal either, recording just three total strikeouts in his first two starts.

Evan Longoria vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $2,900

After spending his entire career with the Rays, Longoria was dealt to the Giants over the winter, a team that badly needed a boost offensively. Longoria hasn’t been able to deliver for them so far, batting just .163. Longoria has been unlucky though, posting a .207 BABIP this season compared to his career mark of .298. He’s been hitting the ball well with a 36.7% hard hit percentage, so he’s unlikely to keep hitting this poorly for much longer. At this cheap price, he might be worth the risk against Ross.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Luis Valbuena

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Trea Turner vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,500

With Adam Eaton (ankle) on the DL, Turner has moved back to the leadoff spot for the Nationals. He was a steals machine in that role last season, swiping 46 bases in only 90 games. Turner uncharacteristically struggled against lefties last year with a .281 wOBA, but he has shown improvement this season with a .375 wOBA against them. This could be just the matchup Turner needs to break out of his slump.

Scott Kingery vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,800

Kingery has shown he can hit for power in his first 10 games of the season, slugging two home runs to go along with three doubles. The Phillies will get to use the DH playing in Tampa Bay on Friday, which will help free up some of the logjams they have in the outfield and infield. Kingery was a consistent hitter in the minors with a career .284 average and is a viable option against the struggling Faria.

Others to consider: Carlos Correa and Andrelton Simmons

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/13/18

Mookie Betts vs. Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,100

Betts hit only .264 in 2017, but a lot of that was due to his abnormally low .268 BABIP. He’s rebounded in a big way so far, batting .370 with a .455 OBP this season. He has been crushing the ball with a 50% hard-hit rate. Betts has historically been a better hitter at home, posting a career .312 average ar Fenway park compared to .276 on the road. Don’t hesitate to pay up for him against Tillman on Friday.

Michael Conforto vs. Zach Davies, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,800

After a brief stint on the DL to start the season, Conforto is healthy now and batting .333 in his first six games. He crushed right-handed pitching in 2017 posting a 164 wRC+, which ranked sixth-highest in the majors behind players including Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Joey Votto. That could spell trouble for the right-handed Davies on Friday.

Kole Calhoun vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,100

The Angels lineup has a lot of excellent right-handed hitters in Mike Trout, Justin Upton, and Albert Pujols, but Calhoun provides an important compliment from the left side. Calhoun had just an 89 wRC+ against lefties last year but posted a 102 wRC+ against righties. His upside isn’t off the charts, but he is still a viable option Friday if you’re looking for a cheap outfielder to help fill out your lineup.

Others to consider: Shoei Ohtani and Andrew Benintendi

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

With bad weather continuing to wreak havoc across the league, Major League Baseball will attempt to play 15 games 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Jacob deGrom vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $9,600
DraftKings = $12,400

The Mets starting rotation is finally healthy and they have gotten the team off to an 8-1 start. deGrom has done his part, allowing two earned runs and recording 12 strikeouts over 11.2 innings in his first two starts. Opponents are batting just .190 against him so far with a 20% hard-hit rate. The Marlins stripped their roster of their best talent this winter, which has resulted in their lineup batting just .221 in the early going. Look for deGrom to take advantage with another strong outing Tuesday.

Felix Hernandez vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $7,900

Hernandez was shelled in his last start against the Giants, allowing eight earned runs in just four innings. Hernandez walked five batters in that game, which is uncharacteristic since he had a 2.7 BB/9 last season. He’s nowhere near the pitcher that he once was in his prime, but he did manage to record 8.1 K/9 last year. He gets a favorable matchup Tuesday against a Royals lineup that lost two big pieces in Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain this winter and has scored the second-fewest runs (26) this season as a result. If you want to take a chance on a cheap starter in tournament play, Hernandez might be worth the risk.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Albert Pujols vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,200

Pujols is off to a fine start this season, batting .277 with two home runs and five RBI through 11 games. He hit just .241 in 2017, but some of that had to do with his low .249 BABIP. He’ll face the left-handed Perez on Tuesday, who allowed a .362 wOBA to righties last year compared to just .293 against lefties. Pujols has fared well against him in his career, batting .304 with five walks in 28 plate appearances. The price might be right to take a chance on Pujols extending his success against Perez on Tuesday.

Chris Iannetta vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,100

Iannetta is in his second stint with the Rockies and has played well so far, batting .345 with a .441 OBP through nine games. A career .232 hitter, he is obviously not going to keep up at this pace. However, he does excel against left-handed pitching, recording a lofty 148 wRC+ against them in 2017. With a lefty taking the mound in Lucchesi on Tuesday, Iannetta may be in line for another valuable day at the plate.

Others to consider: Justin Smoak (first base) and Ian Desmond (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Zack Cozart vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,500

Cozart batted .297 for the Reds last year but is a prime candidate for regression since his .312 BABIP was significantly higher than his career mark of .280. It’s come back down to Earth this year at .262, resulting in a .265 average. He can still provide plenty of value Tuesday though against Perez as he mashed lefties for a .440 wOBA in 2017.

Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,300

The Mets couldn’t have asked for a much better start from Cabrera, who has a hit in eight of the nine games. He’s done some damage as well with one home run and three doubles. Cabrera does a good job of limiting his strikeouts, posting a 15.4% strikeout rate in 2017. He’ll face the lefty Smith on Tuesday, which is good news since he had a wOBA of at least .356 against lefties in back-to-back seasons.

Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Jed Lowrie

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Matt Chapman vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu, Los Angeles Dodgers
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,800

Chapman is following up the promise that he showed in 2017 by batting .375 with three home runs already this season. His .429 BABIP screams regression, but he has increased his walk rate and decreased his strikeout rate so far. He is punishing the ball as well with a 54.8% hard-hit percentage. He’ll face Ryu on Tuesday, who has allowed at least 1.6 HR/9 in back-to-back seasons. Chapman is expensive, but he also has great power upside.

Christian Villanueva vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000

Anderson pitched a good game against Villanueva and the Padres earlier this season, logging six scoreless innings. That game was in San Diego, but pitching at Coors Field is a whole different story. He also has problems against right-handed hitters, allowing a .358 wOBA to them in 2017 compared to only .309 against lefties. Villanueva hasn’t gone deep since hitting three home runs in one game last Tuesday, but the price is right to take a chance on him against Anderson in tournament play, especially if you are playing on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Todd Frazier and Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Jean Segura vs. Eric Skoglund, Kanas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,700

Although the Mariners are missing a very important part of their lineup in Nelson Cruz (ankle), Segura still has a great spot in the lineup batting between Dee Gordon and Robinson Cano. Segura likely won’t hit many home runs, but he has batted at least .300 in back-to-back seasons and is hitting .333 in the early part of 2018. Segura hit lefties very well last year with a .353 wOBA, so look for him to take advantage of this matchup against Skoglund on Tuesday, who is making his first start of the season after pitching just 18 innings in the majors last year.

Paul DeJong vs. Brent Suter, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,900

This is a prime example of two big splits you want to take advantage of, especially at this price. The lefty Suter struggled against right-handed hitters last year, allowing a .324 wOBA to them compared to .236 against lefties. DeJong also destroyed lefties in 2017, posting a .392 wOBA. If you are looking for power upside, go with DeJong over Segura in your entry.

Others to consider: Elvis Andrus and Andrelton Simmons

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/10/18

Rhys Hoskins vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400

Hoskins has followed up his strong debut last year with a .429 average, two home runs, and five doubles so far. He has shown a great eye at the plate as well, drawing eight walks compared to seven strikeouts. Tuesday brings an excellent matchup against Bailey, who has battled injuries and ineffectiveness for each of the last three seasons. He had just a 6.6 K/9 last year to go along with a 1.69 WHIP, so it might be worth paying up for Hoskins in this game.

Justin Upton vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Upton continues to be a proven power bat in the middle of the Angels lineup, hitting three home runs and three doubles already this season. Upton posted a 201 wRC+ against lefties in 2017, which ranked seventh-highest in baseball behind names including J.D. Martinez, Nolan Arenado, and Giancarlo Stanton. With Perez’s struggles against righties already detailed, Upton is another Angels bat you should consider.

David Peralta vs. Tyler Beede, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300

Peralta is swinging a hot bat right now, recording two hits in three of his last five games. Beede is making his Major League debut Wednesday but hasn’t put up great numbers in the minors. He only pitched one season at Triple-A and has a 7.3 K/9 and a 3.3 BB/9 for his career at all levels in the minors. Peralta had a .353 wOBA against lefties in 2017 and is at .428 so far in 2018, so this might be a matchup to take advantage of for your entry.

Others to consider: Mitch Haniger and Jose Pirela

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 3

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 3

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

Poor weather has made the start of the season a bit unpredictable in terms of the schedule, but it’s only going to get better as we get further away from the beginning of April. If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. He are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 3

Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians: vs. DET, vs. TOR

Anytime an ace like Kluber gets two starts in a week, you are likely off to a good start if you have him in your league. Kluber is still looking for his first win of the season, but he has a sparkling 2.40 ERA and 0.80 WHIP after his first two starts. Both of his starts this week are at home, where he had a 1.81 ERA and 12.3 K/9 last season. With one of his starts being against the rebuilding Tigers. Kluber is on the cusp of providing excellent production for fantasy owners.

Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels: at TEX, at KC

Richards has had trouble staying healthy, throwing a total of 61.1 innings in the last two seasons. He was great when he was able to take the mound, posting a FIP of 3.32 or lower in both seasons. He’s not off to the best of starts this year with a 5.06 ERA and 6.50 FIP through two starts. However, he has allowed just an 18.5% hard-hit rate. He showed his strikeout upside in his last start Tuesday against the Indians, recording nine of them in 5.2 innings. The Royals are last in the majors with only 16 runs scored so far this season, so Richards could be in line for a valuable week.

Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners: at KC, vs. OAK

Gonzales did not pitch at all in 2016 and was limited to 40 innings in 2017 due to Tommy John surgery. Once thought of to be the future of the Cardinals starting rotation, he was traded to the Mariners last season. The Mariners minor league system is lacking talent, making the 26-year-old Gonzales and important part of their future. He allowed three earned runs over six innings in his first start of the season against the Giants, but only recorded two strikeouts. His second start of Week 3 is no cake walk against an Athletics lineup that has plenty of power, but his first start against the anemic Royals offense at least brings him into the conversation as someone to start this week. He is still available in 88% of Yahoo! leagues as well.

Ben Lively, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. CIN, at TB

Lively doesn’t jump off the page as someone you’d want to start. He did not have a great season last year, posting a 4.97 FIP and just 5.3 K/9 in 88.2 innings. He does have good control though, posting a 2.4 BB/9 last year and a 2.6 BB/9 during his time in the minors. Home runs weren’t a problem for him in the minors either, recording a 0.6 HR/9 in 603.1 career innings. Week 3 brings two struggling lineups in the Reds and Rays, who are both in the bottom-four in baseball for runs scored in the earlier going. If you are streaming starters, Lively is still available in 95% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 3

Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves: at WAS, at Cubs

Teheran is off to a disastrous start, allowing nine earned runs in eight innings over his first two starts. After allowing a career-high 31 home runs last year, he already gave up four in those first two outings. He was a much better pitcher on the road last year, but he’ll face two tough lineups in the Nationals and Cubs. He just faced the Nationals on Tuesday, giving up five earned runs in only 2.1 innings. Keep him out of your lineup for Week 3.

Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres: at COL, vs. SF

The “ace” of the Padres would be a back of the rotation starter on most teams. Not only did he have a 4.79 ERA last year, but he struggled to keep runners off base, resulting in a 1.52 WHIP. He allowed a 35% hard-hit rate and only had a 6.9 K/9, so he really wasn’t fooling anyone. With a rough road game in Coors Field among his two starts for Week 3, don’t consider him as a streaming option for your team.

Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers: at CLE, vs. NYY

Liriano made his debut in the majors back in 2005, so it’s hard to believe that he’s only 34 years old. Although he’s not much more than a journeyman pitcher at this point in his career, he made the starting rotation out of spring training for the rebuilding Tigers. He only allowed one earned run in 6.2 innings in his first start of 2018, but it came against the Royals. This week brings much tougher opponents, especially a Yankees lineup that provides a lot of problems for left-handed pitchers. Don’t overreact to one good start, stay away from Liriano.

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Closers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner – @rotomikebarner*

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Closers

One of the most volatile positions in fantasy baseball is closers. The traditional closer role is also being reexamined by some teams who may not wait until the ninth inning to bring in their best reliever based on the situation. That could leave you chasing saves more than ever. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t dominate the position in your league. Let’s not only take a look at the cream of the crop but also at some closers who are overvalued and undervalued heading into 2018.

The Top Three

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Closers

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jansen has been a dominant force at the end of games, converting 168 of 182 save opportunities (92.3%) over the last four seasons. He had a WHIP of 0.86 or lower in five of the last six seasons and has seen his ERA decrease three straight seasons, finishing at a career low 1.32 in 2017. Strikeouts are his specialty with a career K/9 of 14.0. I could go on and on with juicy stats from Jansen, who also posted a career-low 0.9 BB/9 in 2017. He gets the benefit of playing for one of the best teams in baseball, which should leave him with plenty of save chances again this season. You’ll have to take him early in your draft if you want his services, but he is the clear top closer option.

Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox

After posting an uncharacteristic 3.40 ERA in his first season with the Red Sox in 2016, Kimbrel returned to form last year. Not only did he drop his ERA down to 1.43, but his 0.68 WHIP was also the second-lowest mark of his career. In seven career seasons that he has logged at least 50 innings, Kimbrel has finished with an ERA of 1.61 or lower and a WHIP of 0.91 or lower four times. Like Jansen, he too has been a strikeout machine with a career 14.8 K/9. He hasn’t saved at least 40 games in a season since he was a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2014, but he is still one of the elite closers in fantasy baseball.

Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees

Chapman did not have his best year in 2017 and even was removed from the closer’s role for a brief stretch. His overall numbers don’t look great by his standards, finishing with a 3.22 ERA and just 22 saves. However, he still had a respectable WHIP of 1.13 and a 12.3 K/9. The main reason for the spike in his ERA was that he allowed two earned runs each in three-straight appearances in August. Outside of that, he allowed two runs or more in only two other games all season. His low save total can also be attributed to the fact that he missed over a month with a shoulder injury. He righted the ship towards the end of the season and also gave up only one run in eight innings during the playoffs. I expect him to have a bounce-back campaign on a strong Yankees team, leaving him to round out the top three closers in fantasy.

Overvalued Players

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Closers

Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays

Colome made his first All-Star team in 2016, finishing with a 1.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 and 37 saves. He managed to lead baseball with 47 saves in 2017 but took a significant step backward just about everywhere else. Not only did he finish with a 3.24 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, but he suffered a huge dropoff in K/9 at only 7.8. His career K/9 is 8.0, so that was actually more of what we should be expecting from him, not his abnormally high strikeout rate from 2016. The Rays are in rebuilding mode for 2018 and have traded away several important players from their 2017 squad. Don’t be surprised if Colome is dealt at some point this season as well, possibly to a team that doesn’t have him close. There are a lot of risks involved with Colome, making it hard for me to justify his current ADP in the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC) of 125.69.

Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies

Neris posted a career-high 26 saves last season, which is significant considering how poorly the Phillies played. He finished with a 3.01 ERA and 10.4 K/9, but his 1.26 WHIP and 3.71 FIP are a bit concerning heading into 2018. The Phillies are an improved team this year, so Neris could have more save opportunities than he saw in 2017. The problem is his current ADP is 143.28, which is significantly higher than Brandon Morrow (179.20) and Kelvin Herrara (199.75), two players who can at least provide similar production in terms of ERA and saves. I’d rather take a chance on one of those two later on.

Undervalued Players

2018 MLB Fantasy Baseball Season Preview: Closers

Sean Doolittle, Washington Nationals

Doolittle started out 2017 as a member of the Oakland Athletics and pitched 21.2 innings for them, posting a 3.38 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 13.1 K/9. He only had three saves with Oakland but was traded to the Nationals, who had major bullpen struggles in the first half of the season. Doolittle did a stellar job as their closer, converting 21 of his 22 save opportunities with the team. Although his K/9 dropped to 9.3 with Washingon, his ERA was just 2.40. He’s had some injury issues in his career, but he is going to get a lot of save chances on a good Nationals team if he can stay healthy. With a current ADP of 128.02, he is a bargain considering his upside.

Mark Melancon, San Francisco Giants

Melancon established himself as a premier reliever during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates, posting an ERA of 1.90 or lower in three of his four seasons with the team. He combined to log 98 saves in 2015 and 2016, spending the second half of 2016 with the Nationals. The Giants brought him in last winter to anchor their bullpen, but his season was a disaster. He was limited to only 30 innings due to injury and didn’t pitch well when he was on the mound, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Luck was not on his side as opponents had a .374 BABIP against him last year, significantly higher than his career mark of .281. He had surgery to fix his elbow in September and now that he’s healthy, he will assume the ninth inning duties once again. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a career 8.2 K/9, but he could get more save opportunities on an improved Giants squad. His current ADP is 175.64, making him someone to target if you plan to wait on saves.