Monday brings a nine-game evening slate across DFS that will feature some of the better starters in the league. There are also plenty of stacking situations to target with some teams trotting out a member of the back of their rotation.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/11/2019
With plenty of day games on the schedule Thursday, only five contests will make up the main evening slate in DFS. The starting pitching options aren’t great, so choosing the right hitters could be the key to coming in the money.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/8/2019
Monday brings 10 games in the majors, eight of which will make up the main evening slate in DFS. Whether you want to roll with an ace pitcher or load up on bats, there are plenty of options for either strategy.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/1/2019
Welcome to our first daily fantasy baseball article of the season. We have 13 games across the majors on Monday, nine of which will make up the main evening slate. Let’s dive into the matchups to see which players stand out as having favorable opportunities to be productive.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Tuesday is loaded with elite starting pitching options across the majors including Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Aaron Nola. There is a great second tier of options behind them as well. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Clay Buchholz vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $10,000
Buchholz is having an incredible season for the Diamondbacks. He’s allowed more than three runs in only one of his 13 starts this season, resulting in a 2.25 ERA. His FIP is higher at 3.39, but that’s still excellent considering he missed almost all of last season due to injury. His 7.7 K/9 isn’t great, but he has a 1.03 WHIP and has given up only eight home runs across 80 innings. He’s already faced the Giants twice this season, allowing four runs and recording 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. He’s certainly not the flashiest of starting pitching options Tuesday, but he could still provide excellent value.
Brian Johnson vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $7,000
With so many great starting pitchers to choose from, it might not be a bad idea to go with a cheap pitcher in tournament play and load up on some of the expensive bats that have favorable matchups. If you want to go that route, Johnson might be your man. He’s made 10 starts for the Red Sox, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9. He started against the Marlins earlier this season, holding them to one run and recording five strikeouts in six innings. The Marlins have the fourth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.655) in baseball, so don’t be surprised if Johson has similar success.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Max Muncy vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,400
The Dodgers are likely going to be a popular stack with Jurado on the mound. He’s been terrible for the Rangers with a 6.40 ERA and a 5.75 FIP across his first six starts. He has a bloated 1.55 WHIP and only struck out 12 batters over 32.1 innings. Muncy has seen his playing time decrease some lately due to the additions of Manny Machado and Brian Dozier, but he still has four home runs in his last eight games. With the DH available in this contest, expect Muncy to be in the lineup.
Danny Jansen vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,900
Jansen certainly earned his call-up to the majors, batting .275 with a .390 OBP at Triple-A. He drew 44 walks compared to 49 strikeouts over 360 plate appearances. He’s carried that success over to the Blue Jays, going 10-for-30 with a home run and five doubles in his first nine games. He’s a great cheap option to consider against Rogers, who will be making his first appearance in the majors and doesn’t exactly have an overwhelming arsenal based on his 6.5 K/9 at Triple-A this year.
Others to consider: Matt Carpenter (first base) and Yasmani Grandal (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100
Merrifield might not get a lot of publicity playing for a bad Royals squad, but he’s a great hitter. He only has 10 home runs, but he’s batting .307 with a .374 OBP and 35 doubles. He’s a terror on the bases as well with 28 steals. He has a career .375 wOBA against lefties, so it’s not surprising that he is also 8-for-19 in his career against Boyd.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,200
Gurriel took a seat for the Blue Jays on Monday after starting his first three games since being activated from the DL. He’s one of the bright young players in their organization, so expect him to get plenty of playing time down the stretch. He was one of the hottest hitters in baseball before landing on the DL and is batting .307 overall, leaving him as a someone to consider in tournament play if you don’t want to pay up for Merrifield.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,600
Injuries have hampered Turner’s season, but he’s doing his best to make up for a slow start. He’s been red-hot in August, batting .405 with five homers and 10 doubles. He has outstanding numbers against left-handed pitchers, but he could still be in line for a big night against the struggling Jurado based on his .356 wOBA against righties.
Wil Myers vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Hernandez is only 33 years old, but he’s a shell of his former self. He was demoted to the bullpen at one point but is back in the starting rotation out of necessity for the Mariners. He’s hasn’t been terrible at home, but he has a staggering 7.46 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP on the road. Myers has almost identical numbers against both righties and lefties throughout his career, so don’t pass over him for your entry just because he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Hernandez.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Matt Chapman
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Machado is still adjusting to his new team and moving to a new league, batting .266 overall since joining the Dodgers. He is starting to heat up again, though, batting .286 with five home runs across his last 11 games. He won’t come cheap on either site, but he has significant upside against Jurado in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Freddy Galvis vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,600
Galvis has never really been a great hitter, batting .245 with a .661 OPS for his career. He’s put up similar numbers overall this year, but he’s been hot in August, batting .264 with a .834 OPS. If you decide to spend big at starting pitcher, Galvis is a cheap player to consider to help balance your budget with Hernandez on the mound.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Trevor Story
OUTFIELD
Mitch Haniger vs. Jacob Nix, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900
Haniger was limited to 96 games last year due to injury, but he still hit 16 home runs and 25 doubles. He’s been able to stay healthy this season and remains extremely productive, slugging 22 homers and 28 doubles. He’s also batting .281 with a .368 OBP, showing he’s not just selling out for power. Nix has a 1.63 WHIP through three starts with the Padres, so this could be a high-scoring game for Haniger and the Mariners.
Yasiel Puig vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400
Puig is struggling, batting .171 with just one extra-base hit over his last 10 games. His .433 slugging percentage overall in August would be his lowest mark of any month this season, However, this might be just the matchup that Puig needs to get back on track. With Jurado’s struggles already detailed, it’s also important to note that Puig has had more success against right-handed pitchers (134 wRC+) this year than he has lefties (71 wRC+).
Carlos Gonzalez vs. Noe Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Ramirez is expected to start Tuesday after recording a save in Monday’s contest. This will be a bullpen game for the Angels, which is good news for the Rockies since the Angels bullpen has the fifth-highest FIP (4.44) in the majors. Gonzalez enters this game on a five-game hitting streak and is hitting .310 overall in August, making him someone to target at this reasonable price.
Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Tyler O’Neill
MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 22
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
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
Zack Wheeler, New York Mets: vs. SF, vs. WAS
Not much has gone right for the Mets this season, but Wheeler has made significant improvements. After finishing with a 5.21 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in 2017, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.43 FIP this year. Not only has he reduced his WHIP from 1.59 to 1.23, but he’s only allowed 0.8 HR/9 compared to 1.6 HR/9 last year. He’s on a hot streak right now, as well, allowing five runs and recording 30 strikeouts over 33 innings in his last five starts. His first start of Week 22 is a fantastic matchup considering the Giants have the third-lowest OPS on the road (.664) in baseball. The Nationals are certainly a tougher opponent, but they’ve only averaged 4.4 runs over their last 10 games.
Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox: vs. MIN, at DET
Rodon enters Week 22 having allowed three runs or fewer in seven straight starts. He has a sparkling 2.69 ERA overall, but his 4.17 FIP and .210 opponents’ BABIP would suggest luck has been on his side. His 7.2 K/9 is by far the lowest mark of his career, but his 9.7% swinging-strike rate is almost right on par with his career average. Some regression might be in his future, but it’s not likely to start this week. The Twins have the sixth-lowest OPS against lefties (.683) and the Tigers have scored the fourth-fewest runs overall (484) in the league.
Kevin Gausman, Atlanta Braves: at PIT, at MIA
Gausman has shown improvement since joining the Braves, allowing five runs across 19 innings in three starts. He only had 12 total strikeouts, but it’s very encouraging that he also allowed just one home run. Homers have been a problem for him this season since he’s allowed 1.4 HR/9 overall. The move from the American League to the National League can provide a big boost for pitchers, which could be the case even more so for Gausman since he was pitching in the AL East. Both the Pirates and the Marlins are in the bottom-third in baseball in home runs and the Marlins struggle to score runs, in general, leaving Gausman with the potential for a valuable week.
Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies: vs. SD, vs. STL
Anderson isn’t exactly at the top of his game right now as he’s allowed 21 runs over 20.1 innings in his last four starts. It’s no coincidence that three of those outings came on the road. Anderson actually has thrived pitching at Coors Field, posting a 3.47 ERA there compared to a 5.37 ERA on the road. He had similar splits last year with a 5.44 ERA on the road and a 4.14 ERA at home. The Padres struggle to score runs and have the second-most strikeouts (1,190) in baseball, leaving Anderson with a great matchup in his first start of the week. The Cardinals will be a tougher foe, but Anderson is still available in 69% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to consider streaming if you need a starter.
Starters to Avoid
Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians: at BOS, at KC
Bieber has an unsightly 1.41 WHIP this season, but he’s been extremely unlucky with opponents posting a .372 BABIP against him. He has allowed a 42.2% hard-hit rate, though, an area he’ll need to improve on to start lowering that BABIP. He has shown good control by issuing 2.0 BB/9 to go along with a 9.4 K/9. His second start of the week against the Royals stands out as a great matchup, but he’ll have to face the Red Sox in Fenway Park first. The Red Sox have the second-highest OPS at home (.829) and the highest OPS against righties (.816), which could prove disastrous for Bieber. It might be wise to keep him anchored to your bench as a result.
Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox: vs. CLE, at TB
Eovaldi started off his Red Sox tenure with a bang, throwing 15 shutouts innings in his first two starts. His last two haven’t gone nearly as well as he allowed 11 runs (five earned) across 7.2 innings. His 1.04 WHIP overall this season would be the best mark of his career, but it’s been aided by an abnormally low .265 opponents’ BABIP. The Indians present a dangerous matchup because even though they haven’t been as good offensively on the road, they still have the third-most runs scored (628) in baseball. The Rays aren’t a bad matchup, but with Eovaldi having to face the Indians and his general lack of strikeout upside, he may not be worth the risk.
Robbie Erlin, San Diego Padres: at COL, at LAD
Erlin has pitched mostly out of the bullpen this season, but he’s done a nice job with a 3.33 ERA that is supported by a 3.12 FIP. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight starts, but he’s not someone to consider streaming this week. The Rockies have a .812 OPS at home and a .803 OPS against left-handed pitchers, both of which are in the top-three in baseball. Facing the Dodgers won’t be much easier as they have scored the seventh-most runs (594) in the league.
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
There are only nine games across baseball Monday, leaving fewer options than usual when crafting 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
Tyler Anderson vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,200
Anderson has bounced back from his 4.81 ERA last year to record a 3.57 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP this season, although he has been a little lucky based on his 4.21 FIP. He’s allowed 1.3 HR/9, which isn’t all that bad considering he has to pitch his home games at Coors Field. Like most pitchers who have played for the Rockies during their career, Anderson has better numbers on the road this year with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 10 outings. He’s been hot of late, allowing just five runs (four earned) over 35.1 innings in his last five starts. There aren’t many aces taking the mound Monday, leaving Anderson as an excellent option to consider.
Robbie Ray vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,000
Ray had the best season of his career in 2017, but injuries have limited him to just 12 starts this year. It’s mostly been a struggle when he has been healthy, posting a 4.90 ERA and a 4.65 FIP. One of the main reasons for his decline is likely his a 1.42 WHIP after finishing with a 1.15 WHIP last year. On the bright side, he’s still getting plenty of strikeouts with a 12.0 K/9. The Rangers are a lethal lineup at home, but their .680 OPS on the road is in the bottom third of baseball. They also won’t have the benefit of using the DH in Arizona.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700
Remember the panic after a horrid month of May for Goldschmidt? Well, he’s done everything to put those fears to rest, hitting .364 with 10 home runs in June and .330 with six home runs in July. He’s boosted his overall OPS up to .909, which would be the fifth time in the last six seasons he finished with an OPS of at least .900. The one season he didn’t, his OPS finished at .899. With a 178 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, he’s worth his hefty price tag Monday.
Yonder Alonso vs. Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,600
Alonso is on a five-game hitting streak that has seen him hit 7-for-20 (.350) with three home runs and seven RBI. His OBP is down 31 points from 2017, but he’s still batting .265 with 18 home runs. He’s usually someone to avoid against lefties, but he’s a viable option against Santana based on his .357 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Others to consider: Buster Posey (catcher) and Justin Bour (first base)
SECOND BASE
Ozzie Albies vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,300
Chen’s 2018 campaign has been a disappointment with his 5.65 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a 7.0 K/9 and he’s already allowed 12 home runs across 78 innings. The switch-hitting Albies has a .365 wOBA against lefties, making him someone to target against Chen.
Ketel Marte vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400
The Diamondbacks are likely going to be a popular stack Monday based on Perez’s 7.08 ERA that is supported by a 6.36 FIP. He’s allowed a ton of base runners with a 2.02 WHIP, not to mention giving up nine homers in 40.2 innings. Marte is 11-for-33 (.333) across his last nine games and has a .393 wOBA against lefties this year overall.
Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Starlin Castro
THIRD BASE
Johan Camargo vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100
There have been some rumors about the Braves possibly acquiring a third baseman before the trade deadline, but Camargo has played well for them. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he hasn’t exactly been a detriment to them by batting .253 with 11 home runs. He has excelled with a .369 wOBA against lefties and isn’t expensive on either site, making him a great option for a Braves stack.
Evan Longoria vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,900
The Giants were counting on Longoria to solidify third base for them and provide a power bat in the middle of their lineup, but he’s only played 71 games due to injury. He hasn’t been great when he’s been on the field, too, batting .248 with a .282 OBP. He’s still provided some pop with 10 homers and could provide value against the underwhelming Lauer based on Longoria’s .384 wOBA against lefties.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Martin Prado
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,600
Unless there is a true elite ace on the mound, there are few matchups that don’t lean in Lindor’s favor. He’s putting together an MVP-caliber season, batting .291 with 27 home runs, 15 steals and 90 runs scored. Santana made his first start of the year last week against the Blue Jays and is understandably a little rusty, so look for Lindor to take advantage Monday.
Nick Ahmed vs. Martin Perez, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,300
With three more hits Sunday, Ahmed is now batting .300 in July. He’s hit for power as well with a .575 slugging percentage during that stretch and should continue to see plenty of playing time with Jake Lamb (shoulder) on the DL. He’s yet another Diamondbacks hitter who performs better versus left-handed pitching, posting a .359 wOBA against them this year.
Others to consider: Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco
OUTFIELD
A.J. Pollock vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase FIeld
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,100
Last, but certainly not least in the group of Diamondbacks who could provide value, is their star outfielder Pollock. Injuries have been a problem for him in recent years, with 2018 being no exception. He’s healthy now and is batting .293 with three home runs in 83 plate appearances since being activated from his most recent DL stint. Perez could have plenty of troubles getting him out considering Pollock’s career .366 wOBA against lefties.
Wil Myers vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,600
Myers has been limited to 42 games this year due to injuries of his own, but he’s batting .291 with a .557 slugging percentage, both of which would be the best marks of his career. Holland has an impressive .221 wOBA against left-handed hitters, but righties have had far more success against him with a .341 wOBA.
Manuel Margot vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,000
Margot enters Monday on a 10-game hitting streak where he is 14-for-37 (.378) with a home run and 10 runs scored. His .254 batting average and .315 OBP overall aren’t great, but he’s shown an improved eye at the plate by lowering his strikeout rate over three percentage points compared to last year. With Holland’s struggles against righties already detailed, Margot comes in as a cost-effective option with upside Monday.
Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Brantley
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
After a packed holiday schedule Wednesday, there are only eight games in the majors Thursday. All of them are at least at night, leaving plenty of quality options to choose from in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Justin Verlander vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $12,200
DraftKings = $13,400
Verlander has shown that he is human in his last two starts, allowing nine runs in 11.2 innings. Even with that very brief rough patch, his numbers are outstanding this season with a 2.12 ERA, 2.65 FIP, and a 0.86 WHIP. He did strike out a total of 14 batters in those two poor outings and has a stellar 10.9 K/9 for the year overall. The White Sox have scored the seventh-fewest runs (345) in baseball, setting Verlander up to rebound with a big performance.
Jeremy Hellickson vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $7,700
Hellickson doesn’t get much publicity in a Nationals rotation that includes Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, but he hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any of his 10 starts this season. He hasn’t pitched as well as his 2.63 ERA indicates, but he still has a 3.51 FIP. He has allowed a .269 opponents BABIP, which is exactly the same as his career mark. One of the key reasons for his improved numbers is that he only has a 0.9 HR/9 compared to 1.9 HR/9 that he allowed last year. The Marlins have hit the second-fewest home runs (69) and scored the third-fewest runs (323) in baseball, making Hellickson an intriguing cheap tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200
Goldschmidt has carried over his hot streak from June, hitting 7-for-14 with two home runs in four games since the calendar turned to July. He’s been crushing lefties with a .452 wOBA on the season overall, making him a great option against Lauer and his bloated 1.76 WHIP.
Eric Hosmer vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,800
The addition of Hosmer hasn’t done much to spark the Padres lineup as he is only batting .270 with nine home runs. His .325 BABIP is actually slightly higher than his career mark, but he’s hurt himself with a career-high 21.2% strikeout rate. That being said, Miller has looked awful in two starts since returning from Tommy John surgery and Hosmer does have a .351 wOBA against righties. He won’t cost much, so he could be worth the risk in tournament play.
Others to consider: Brandon Belt (first base) and John Hicks (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Jurickson Profar vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900
The Rangers continue to find playing time for Profar, who is 8-for-21 with three doubles during his current five-game hitting streak. With the Rangers nowhere near a playoff spot, it would make sense for them to play Profar as much as possible to help further his development. He’ll likely be in the lineup Thursday against Boyd considering he has a .363 wOBA against lefties this season. Of note, Profar is only eligible at second base on FanDuel as he is listed at shortstop on DraftKings.
Joe Panik vs. Luke Weaver, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,500
After showing a lot of promise for the Cardinals last year, Weaver has struggled mightily with a 5.16 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP this season. He’s done a good job holding righties to a .293 wOBA, but he has a .373 wOBA against lefties. Panik has hit right-handed pitchers well again this year, leaving him as a viable option who might even have more upside than Profar does.
Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Dee Gordon
THIRD BASE
Alex Bregman vs. Carlos Rodon, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,500
Bregman is one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, hitting 16-for-37 (.432) with five home runs during his nine-game hitting streak. With Carlos Correa (back) on the DL, it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Astros. Bregman has a .416 wOBA against left-handed pitching, so look for him to continue his hot streak against Rodon.
Kyle Seager vs. Jaime Barria, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,800
Speaking of third baseman playing well right now, Seager is 12-for-28 (.429) with three home runs in his last eight games. He still has a long ways to go to improve his .239 batting average, but his recent run of success has boosted him up to 16 homers this season. Barria has a 3.40 ERA, but his 4.81 FIP and 1.6 HR/9 could be troublesome against Seager.
Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Eduardo Escobar
SHORTSTOP
Brandon Crawford vs. Luke Weaver, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500
With how poorly Weaver has pitched against left-handed hitters this season, targeting Giants’ lefties could provide significant production for your entry. Crawford is in the middle of the best offensive season of his career by hitting .310 with 10 home runs and a .373 OBP. He has also recorded a .376 wOBA against righties.
Jorge Polanco vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,000
Polanco has missed most of this season due to suspension and his return is probably too late to help the Twins make a push for the playoffs. He quietly had a very good campaign last year when they earned a Wild Card spot, hitting .256 with 13 home runs, 74 RBI and 13 steals in only 133 games. Polanco logged his first multi-hit game Wednesday and could provide value at this dirt cheap price on both sites considering Cashner has 1.57 WHIP.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Andrelton Simmons
OUTFIELD
Nicholas Castellanos vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,000
Gallardo actually had a strong performance in his last outing by allowing three runs and recording seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings. It did come against the White Sox, though, so he didn’t exactly face a tough opponent. The Tigers lineup isn’t great either, but Castellanos has been a bright spot by batting .309 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI. Gallardo has finished with an ERA of at least 5.42 in both of the last two seasons, making Castellanos an excellent option despite the lack of a platoon advantage.
A.J. Pollock vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900
Pollock was off to a great start this season before landing on the DL with a thumb injury. He has shown the ability to put up big numbers, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy in recent years. He’s still looking for his first hit since being activated, but this is a matchup to exploit since Lauer has allowed a .387 wOBA to righties.
Wil Myers vs. Shelby Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300
Myers had his own injury issue that has left him to play only 22 games this year. He was coming off of two straight seasons where he finished with at least 28 home runs and 20 steals, but that streak seems likely to end with only half the season left to play. He’s starting to heat up by hitting 8-for-27 (.296) with a home run and six RBI in his last seven games and is another Padre to consider with Miller on the mound.
Others to consider: Eddie Rosario and Justin Upton
MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 15
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
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
Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. STL, vs. SD
After missing almost two months with an oblique injury, Ray returned to face the Marlins last week. It was a great matchup for his first game back and he took full advantage, striking out six batters in six scoreless innings. Ray had a breakout campaign last year, finishing with a 2.89 ERA, 3.72 FIP, and a 1.15 WHIP. He provided a ton of strikeouts with a 12.1 K/9 and he’s been even better this season with a 13.6 K/9 across seven starts. The Cardinals have the fifth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.676) in baseball and the Padres have scored the fifth-fewest runs (321) overall, setting Ray up for an excellent Week 15.
Zach Eflin, Philadelphia Phillies: vs. BAL, at PIT
Eflin couldn’t have pitched much worse than he did in 2017, posting a 6.16 ERA, 6.10 FIP and a 1.42 WHIP across 11 starts. He wasn’t a big strikeout pitcher either with a 4.9 K/9. With tremendous improvement in that area leading to a 9.1 K/9, Eflin has a 3.02 ERA, 2.86 FIP, and a 1.13 WHIP this season. His .295 opponents BABIP is right in line with his career mark, which is good news for his prognosis moving forward. He was particularly hot in the month of June, recording a 1.76 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in five starts. The Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (305) in baseball and the Pirates are in the bottom-third in terms of OPS against righties, so look for Eflin to continue his recent run of success.
Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins: at MIL, vs. BAL
Like Eflin, Gibson was bad last year with a 5.07 ERA, 4.85 FIP, and a 1.53 WHIP. It marked his second straight season with a WHIP of at least 1.53 and an ERA of 5.07. He’s taken his game in the opposite direction this year with a 3.48 ERA, 3.87 FIP, and a 1.24 WHIP. Not only has his ability to limit baserunners been a key part of his success, but he also has a career-high 8.7 K/9 after never finishing a season with a K/9 higher than 6.9. He allowed five runs in his last start against the White Sox, but he did pitch seven innings and recorded seven strikeouts. He had allowed three runs or fewer in each of his previous six outings. The Brewers aren’t exactly a bad offensive team, but they are middle of the pack in terms of runs scored. With the weak Orioles lineup in his second start, Gibson is a streaming option with upside who is still available in 67% of Yahoo! leagues.
Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays: at MIA, at NYM
Eovaldi has had his ups and downs since returning from Tommy John surgery, but his overall numbers aren’t bad as he has a 4.08 ERA, 4.87 FIP and a 0.82 WHIP in six starts. The Rays rotation is a mess due to injuries, leaving Eovaldi as one of the few healthy traditional starters they have left. He doesn’t have great strikeout potential with a 6.6 K/9 for his career, but you don’t see many better two-start weeks than this. He’ll get to avoid the DH pitching in two National League stadiums and he’ll also get to face two of the bottom-four teams in runs scored. Eovaldi is still available in 75% of Yahoo! leagues and could provide a big boost in Week 15.
Starters to Avoid
Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals: vs. CLE, vs. BOS
Junis had a stretch of success early on this season, but he’s allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts. He allowed at least three home runs in all three of those games and has a 2.1 HR/9 overall. He allowed 1.4 HR/9 in 2017, so this isn’t just an isolated bad stretch. The Indians and Red Sox are both in the top-three in home runs and the top-six in runs scored, so make sure Junis is anchored to your bench.
Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres: at OAK, at ARI
Richard had his best month of the season in June, posting a 3.27 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP in five starts. Two of those outings came against the Braves, making his success even more impressive. His overall numbers don’t stand out, but he hasn’t been bad either with a 4.29 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and a 1.23 WHIP. He’ll have to deal with the DH playing in Oakland for his first start, which is no easy task since the Athletics are tied for the fifth-most home runs (112) in baseball. Despite their struggles to score runs earlier this year, the Diamondbacks have the eight-highest OPS against lefties (.764). Since Richard doesn’t provide much in the way of strikeouts, this may be a good week to keep him out of your lineup.
Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves: at NYY, at MIL
Sanchez was hit hard as a member of the Tigers last year, finishing with a 6.41 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. The Braves have a lot of talented young starters coming up through their system. but decided to take a flier on Sanchez to provide veteran depth. It’s proven to be an excellent signing so far as Sanchez has a 2.68 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in nine appearances, eight of which are starts. He has been a bit lucky, though, based on his 4.05 FIP and .238 BABIP allowed. This could be the week his numbers start to take a turn for the worse since he will face Yankees in Yankee Stadium for his first start. That game alone makes him someone to avoid.
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout
With several teams off and a few day games on the schedule Thursday, there are only seven games to pick from for the main evening slate in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Max Scherzer vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $12,200
DraftKings = $14,500
Scherzer is the clear top option on the slate Thursday. He has continued to be one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball with a 2.06 ERA, 1.94 FIP, and a 0.84 WHIP. He has only allowed eight home runs in 100.2 innings and has a career-high 13.6 K/9. This will mark his second start of the season against the Orioles after he recorded 12 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings in their first matchup. He’ll eat up a significant portion of your budget, but his upside is off the charts.
Tyson Ross vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,800
Ross couldn’t have looked much worse for the Rangers last year, posting a 7.71 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. His return the Padres has rejuvenated his career, though, as he has a 3.51 ERA, 3.60 FIP and a 1.20 WHIP in 14 starts. He’s done a tremendous job cutting down on his walks, following up his 6.8 BB/9 last year with a 3.2 mark this season. Hitters are also chasing more pitches outside of the strike zone, helping boost his K/9 to 9.0. He has already faced the Giants twice this season, allowing two runs (one earned) and recording 14 strikeouts in 12 innings.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,700
Rizzo is still trying to dig out of a horrid start that saw him enter May hitting .149. He batted .303 in May and is hitting .274 in June, helping boost his average to .247 overall. He has a .346 wOBA against right-handed pitching and will face the struggling Harvey, who has a 5.09 ERA and a 5.13 FIP since being traded to the Reds.
Matt Olson vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,900
With Giolito on the mound, stacking Athletics’ hitters could be a sound strategy. Giolito has a bloated 1.64 WHIP and actually has more walks (45) than strikeouts (40). The result has been a 7.19 ERA and 6.29 FIP across 14 starts. He’s also allowed a .401 wOBA to left-handed hitters, making Olson a great option if you can’t afford to fit Rizzo into your entry.
Others to consider: Joey Votto (first base) and Wilson Contreras (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Jed Lowrie vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,200
As we continue our Athletics stack, Lowrie weighs in as one of the top options at second base. He’s cooled off considerably from his hot start to the season, but he is 9-for-23 (.391) with two home runs during his current five-game hitting streak. The switch-hitting Lowrie is also better from the left side of the plate, posting a .371 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Jedd Gyorko vs. Brent Suter, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,200
With the lefty Suter on the mound, Gyorko jumps out as a cheap option with upside in tournament play. He has a paltry 65 wRC+ against righties this year but has mashed lefties with a 201 wRC+. He has three home runs in 39 plate appearances against lefties compared to only two home runs in 123 plate appearances against right-handers.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Daniel Descalso
THIRD BASE
Anthony Rendon vs. Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $3,900
With the likes of Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Juan Soto and Adam Eaton, the Nationals lineup is loaded with very good left-handed hitters. Rendon is an important right-handed bat in their lineup who destroys left-handed pitching. He doesn’t exactly struggle against righties, either, posting a .349 wOBA against them this year. With at least two hits in five of his last six games, Rendon is still an excellent option Thursday even though he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Gausman.
Matt Davidson vs. Chris Bassitt, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,900
When you take a chance on Davidson, you’re hoping he connects for a home run since he is only batting .226 for his career. He does have 13 homers this year, including two in his last four games. Bassitt has only made two starts for the Athletics this season, the last of which he allowed six runs (two earned) in only four innings against the Angels. He had a 6.10 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP at Triple-A before being called up and is really only in the rotation right now due to all of Oakland’s injuries.
Others to consider: Kris Bryant and Jake Lamb
SHORTSTOP
Trea Turner vs. Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,700
Although Turner’s 20 steals would be great for most players, it’s a bit disappointing for him considering he had 46 steals in only 98 games last year. He’s been caught stealing just twice, but his .266 average isn’t helping with his opportunities. He does have at least one hit in seven of his last eight games and actually has better numbers against righties (.335 wOBA) than lefties (.314 wOBA), bringing him into the discussion for this limited slate.
Marcus Semien vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,100
Semien has busted out his power stroke of late, recording two home runs and three doubles in his last five games. Giolito has had problems with home runs throughout his career in the majors, resulting in a 1.7 HR/9. Semien has very similar splits against lefties and righties, making him another viable option for an Athletics stack.
Others to consider: Andrelton Simmons and Addison Russell
OUTFIELD
Tommy Pham vs. Brent Suter, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,700
Pham has been on a rollercoaster ride this season. He was on fire at the start of the year, batting .341 through April. However, he couldn’t buy a hit in May as he hit only .195. He’s found a happy medium by batting .260 in June, recording at least one hit in all but three games he has played in the month. With a .361 wOBA against lefties, Pham has the potential for a big performance against Suter.
Kyle Schwarber vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300
We’ve already detailed that Harvey has struggled in general this season, but he has had even bigger problems against lefties, allowing a .393 wOBA. Harvey also gives up a lot of home runs with a 1.9 HR/9. Schwarber doesn’t hit for a high average and strikes out a lot, but he has a ton of power and enters Thursday having hit a home run in back-to-back games.
Jason Heyward vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900
Heyward hasn’t been able to live up to his big contract, although the Cubs did finally break their long World Series drought in his first season with the team in 2016. Heyward is currently having his best season in Chicago, batting .269 with a .749 OPS. He got off to a slow start, but he hit .283 in May and is batting .286 so far in June. You want to avoid him against left-handed pitching, but he’s some to consider against Harvey since he has a .349 wOBA against righties this year.
Others to consider: Juan Soto and Marcell Ozuna