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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Baseball kicks off the week with 10 evening games Monday, leaving plenty of quality options to choose from in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

Cole Hamels vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $9,000

Hamels being traded to the Cubs should provide a significant boost to his value. He was terrible pitching at home for the Rangers, posting a 6.41 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP across 10 starts. He has a 2.69 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over his other 11 starts outside of Globe Life Park in Arlington. The move to the National League helps, as well, since he will get to avoid the DH. He will have to navigate the DH playing in Kansas City on Monday, but the Royals have scored the fewest runs (413) in the league.

Matthew Boyd vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angels Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $7,600

Boyd closed out July on a high note, allowing three runs and recording 20 strikeouts over 19 innings in his last three starts. Two of those starts came against the Royals and the Reds, but one was against the potent Red Sox lineup. Boyd has been aided by a .264 opponents’ BABIP this season, but his 4.22 ERA is actually slightly higher than his 3.84 FIP indicates that it should be. He does have a respectable 8.2 K/9 and can provide value in the right matchup, which could be the case Monday since the Angels have the third lowest OPS against lefties (.656) in baseball.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

Anthony Rizzo vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800

The Cubs have been hitting Rizzo leadoff lately and the move has paid off as he’s batting .370 with a .458 OBP in that spot of the order. He’s also slugged six home runs, helping to boost his total to 17 for the season. While he may have a hard time hitting at least 30 homers for the fifth straight season, he could still be in line for a big finish to the season. Lefties have held Rizzo to a .266 wOBA this year, but he’s a great option against Junis since he has a .374 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Jose Martinez vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,000

Martinez has found himself on the bench more often than not lately because he is a defensive liability. However, with Dexter Fowler and Tyler O’Neill injured, he’s going to see some time in the outfield moving forward. He can hit, posting a .298 average and a .462 slugging percentage. Chen has allowed a .374 wOBA to righties this year, making Martinez a cost-effective option with upside.

Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and J.T. Realmuto (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

Javier Baez vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,500

Baez is showing no signs of slowing down, batting .362 with five home runs, five doubles and 14 RBI over his last 16 games. He’s already set new career-highs in home runs and RBI and is making a case to be named the NL MVP. Don’t worry about him not having the platoon advantage against Junis because Baez has a .376 wOBA against righties.

Ben Zobrist vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Zobrist only hit .232 last year, but he was dragged down by an abnormally low .251 BABIP. He’s been on the opposite end of the spectrum this season with a .335 BABIP, leading to a .310 batting average. He’s in line for some regression, but that might not start Monday considering his .391 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Neil Walker

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

Jurickson Profar vs. Wade LeBlanc, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,700

LeBlanc has hit a bit of a rough patch, posting a 6.11 ERA across his last five starts. He has a 3.50 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP at home overall but has had issues on the road with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Profar is finally getting a chance to play every day and is swinging a hot bat right now as he is 22-for-72 (.306) with 14 runs and 12 RBI over his last 21 games. He’s also excelled with a .361 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season.

Jedd Gyorko vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000

Gyorko slugged 30 home runs over 400 at-bats in 2016 but followed that up with only 20 homers across 426 at-bats last year. His power numbers have continued to regress this year with just eight homers in 246 at-bats. However, his 181 wRC+ against lefties still makes him someone to consider in tournament play at this cheap price.

Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Maikel Franco

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,100

Gregorius’ batting average is down this year, but his walk rate has almost doubled at 8.1%. He’s already reached the 20-homer plateau for the third-straight year and his 10 steals are a new career best. He’s more deadly at Yankee Stadium, but he could still put up big numbers Monday considering Covey’s 5.57 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.

Jean Segura vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Perez was initially slated to start Sunday against the Orioles, but he was pushed back a day in favor of Drew Hutchinson. That’s good news for the Mariners since Perez has an unsightly 6.50 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. He’s allowed 10 home runs in only 45.2 innings and doesn’t miss many bats with a 5.9 K/9. Segura might not carry the greatest home run upside, but he’s batting .309 and could be on base plenty in this game.

Others to consider: Trevor Story and Elvis Andrus

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18

Nelson Cruz vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Cruz is on another power surge, slugging four home runs in his last five games to bring his total to 29 for the season. He’s been one of the most consistent power hitters in baseball, hitting at least 39 home runs in four straight seasons. With Perez’s propensity to give up the long ball, Cruz is someone to build your lineup around.

Jason Heyward vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000

Heyward isn’t exactly knocking the cover off the ball, but he’s made significant strides this season to bat .283 with a .347 OBP. He has a career-low 11.7% strikeout rate and his 31.8% hard-hit rate is his highest mark since 2012. Junis has allowed a .360 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Heyward a viable option at his reasonable price on both sites.

Harrison Bader vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,800

Bader was already starting to see more playing time after Tommy Pham was traded to the Rays, but the injuries to Fowler and O’Neill is going to leave him with all the starts he can handle. He has a promising mix of power and speed, finishing with 20 home runs and 15 steals at Triple-A in 2017. He’s only gone deep six times with the Cardinals this year, but he’s flashed his speed with 11 steals and is batting a respectable .271. If you want to take a chance on a cheap outfielder in tournament play, Bader could provide value against Chen.

Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Mitch Haniger

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 20

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 20

Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians: vs. MIN, at CWS

Bauer has been extremely consistent for the Indians. He hasn’t allowed more than four earned runs in any of his starts this season and he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 23 outings. The end result has been a sparkling 2.34 ERA that is backed by a 2.42 FIP. Luck hasn’t been a factor as opponents have a .305 BABIP against him. One of the big reasons for his improvement is his career-high 13% swinging-strike rate, which has resulted in an 11.4 K/9. The Twins have had their struggles scoring runs and traded away two of their best hitters in Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier. The White Sox are in the bottom third of baseball in runs scored, as well, setting up Bauer for a very productive Week 20.

Cole Hamels, Chicago Cubs: at KC, vs. WAS

Hamels has to be happy after being traded to the Cubs. He was awful pitching at home for the Rangers, posting a 6.41 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP across 10 starts. He has a 2.69 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over his other 11 starts outside of Globe Life Park in Arlington. The move to the National League helps, too, since he will get to avoid the DH. Although he won’t get that luxury in his first start of Week 20 playing in Kansas City, the Royals have scored the fewest runs (413) in the league. The Nationals are certainly a much tougher opponent, but they only have a .708 OPS on the road compared to a .775 OPS at home.

C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees: at CWS, vs. TEX

Sabathia has found a way to pitch with diminished velocity and still be a valuable part of the Yankees rotation. He sometimes struggles to provide length, but he’s still managed to record a 3.59 ERA. His 4.70 FIP suggests he’s been a bit lucky, but his .282 opponents’ BABIP is close to his .293 career mark. With the White Sox struggles offensively already detailed, Sabathia could start Week 20 off on a high note. The Rangers are an excellent hitting team at home, but they have the sixth-lowest OPS (.682) on the road. To top it off, Sabathia has a 2.69 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP over 11 starts at Yankee Stadium.

Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers: at LAA, vs. MIN

Boyd finished July strong, allowing three runs and recording 20 strikeouts across 19 innings in his last three starts. Although two of those starts came against the Royals and the Reds, one was against the vaunted Red Sox lineup. Boyd has been aided by a .264 opponents’ BABIP this season, but his 4.22 ERA is actually higher than his 3.84 indicates it should be. He does have a respectable 8.2 K/9 and can provide value in the right matchup. Both the Angels and the Twins are in the bottom five of baseball in terms of OPS against left-handed pitching, making Boyd a viable streaming option who is still available in 80% of Yahoo! leagues.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 20

Rich Hill, Los Angeles Dodgers: at OAK, at COL

Hill has been limited by injuries again this season, but he’s pitched well when healthy. He’s been especially hot of late, recording a 2.90 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 10.5 K/9 over his last seven outings. His first start of the week isn’t bad because even though he has to face the DH, the Athletics are actually a far worse hitting team at home than on the road. However, his second start at Coors Field is scary. The Rockies have the second-highest OPS against left-handed pitching (.798) and the third-highest OPS at home (.827). Hill might not be worth the risk.

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners: at TEX, at HOU

Hernandez might be at a crossroads in his career. He’s struggled with diminished velocity, resulting in a 5.49 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP this year.  His strikeouts are down, as well, with a 7.4 K/9. He’ll need to make an adjustment like Sabathia did to once again become a viable fantasy commodity. He has a respectable 4.02 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP at home, but he’s been destroyed on the road with a 7.58 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. The Rangers love hitting at home and the Astros are still dangerous despite some key injuries, so make sure to keep Hernandez out of your lineup.

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

Stroman was crushed in his last start against the Athletics, giving up seven runs over five innings. He’s been prone to blowups this season, allowing at least five runs in six of his 15 starts. His 1.49 WHIP is by far the highest mark of his career, which is a problem considering he doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal. Facing the Red Sox in his first start for Week 20 could be a disaster. The Rays aren’t as daunting of a task, but they have averaged 5.3 runs across their last 20 games. With his limited strikeout potential, Stroman seems like an unnecessary to take if you need a streaming option.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Friday is loaded with excellent starting pitching options, so selecting the right hitters might be the difference in creating a winning entry for DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

Chris Sale vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $12,800
DraftKings = $13,500

Sale has completely shut down opposing hitters lately, allowing one run and recording 57 strikeouts in 33 innings across his last five starts. He only allowed 24 baserunners during that stretch and has a career-low 0.87 WHIP overall. His 16% swinging-strike rate has led to a 13.1 K/9, giving him elite upside in DFS. This is a great matchup against a Twins team that has hit right-handed pitching well, but only has a .677 OPS against lefties. In Sale’s first start against them this year, he allowed two runs and recorded 11 strikeouts over seven innings. Don’t hesitate to pay up for his services.

Wade LeBlanc vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $7,900

LeBlanc didn’t start a single game for the Pirates last year, but he’s made 15 starts in his 20 appearances this season. The Mariners couldn’t have asked for much more from him during his second stint with the franchise as he has a 3.44 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He’s not going to provide a lot of strikeouts with his 7.1 K/9, but he’s shown excellent control with a 1.8 BB/9. He’s had success against the Angels in his first two starts this year, allowing three runs and recording nine strikeouts over 12 innings. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering they have the second-lowest OPS against lefties (.647) in baseball.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

The fact that Perdomo is in the Padres starting rotation says more about their lack of depth than anything else. He’s having a terrible season with a 6.99 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP. His FIP is better at 4.66, but his 4.6 BB/9 isn’t exactly a recipe for success. Goldschmidt has better numbers against left-handed pitching, but he still has a .368 wOBA against righties and is 8-for-20 (.400) with three home runs in his career against Perdomo.

Greg Bird vs. Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,100

The Yankees suffered a big blow Thursday when Aaron Judge was lost for at least three weeks with a wrist injury. They still have time before the trade deadline to add a bat, but improved play from Bird could go a long way in helping to fill the void with Judge sidelined. Bird has hit better of late, batting 16-for-54 (.296) across his last 15 games. Keller has a 1.42 WHIP as a starter for the Royals and doesn’t strike out many batters, leaving Bird with some upside.

Others to consider: Josh Bell (first base) and Yadier Molina (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

Gleyber Torres vs. Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,100

The Yankees just got Torres back from an injury of his own. He’s only 1-for-7 in two games since his return, but he’s been a force in the Yankees lineup since being called up from the minors. Not only is he batting .289 with a .347 OBP, but he’s also slugged 15 home runs after never topping 11 in a full season in the minors. Like many hitters who play for the Yankees, he loves hitting at home with a .308 average and eight home runs there in 120 at-bats.

Josh Harrison vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,800

Vargas has been on the DL for over a month with a calf injury, but he is expected to start Friday. He’s having a dreadful first season with the Mets, posting an 8.60 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP across nine starts. Harrison doesn’t have a lot of power, but he has hit two home runs in his last three contests. Although you shouldn’t count on him to go deep again Friday, he can still provide value in tournament play at this cheap price.

Others to consider: Whit Merrifield and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

Matt Chapman vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,300

Chapman is coming off of a great series against the Rangers where he finished 7-for-15 with two home runs, two doubles, five RBI and seven runs scored. The Athletics had a fantastic series as a team, which helped lead to plenty of counting stats for Chapman. They have been a very good hitting team on the road this season, leaving them with significant upside for this game in Coors Field. Freeland is having a strong campaign, but Chapman has had plenty of success with a .351 wOBA against left-handed pitching.

Adrian Beltre vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500

The Rangers have already started to trade away some of their better players, but it’s unclear if Beltre will be dealt based on his desire to eventually end his career with the team. Injuries have hampered him this season, leaving him with a .405 slugging percentage. He’s still batting .288 despite his lack of power and he’s had success against Keuchel, going 22-for-71 (.310) with two home runs and seven doubles against him during his career.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

Trevor Story vs. Sean Manaea, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,700

Manaea has pitched well, but Story has two significant splits that make him a great option Friday. He’s crushed the ball at Coors Field, batting .322 with 16 of his 20 home runs coming there this season. He also has a .416 wOBA against left-handed pitchers overall.

Didi Gregorius vs. Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,800

Speaking of players with extreme home and road splits, enter Gregorius. He started off this series against the Royals in grand fashion Thursday, hitting 2-for-5 with a home run and a double. He’s now batting .289 with 13 of his 18 home runs coming at Yankee Stadium. His low price stands out on FanDuel, but he’s a great option on both sites.

Others to consider: Jean Segura and Xander Bogaerts

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/27/18

Andrew Benintendi vs. Lance Lynn, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,900

Lynn has had control issues throughout his career, including an unsightly 5.7 BB/9 this year. That has been a major contributing factor to his 1.66 WHIP, which has resulted in a 5.23 ERA and a 4.69 FIP. He’s been even worse on the road with a 7.58 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP over 10 starts. The Red Sox will likely be a popular stack Friday, including Benintendi, who has a 158 wRC+ against righties.

David Peralta vs. Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Stacking Diamondbacks could be a wise move Friday as well with how poorly Perdomo is pitching. Peralta excels versus right-handed pitchers with a .392 wOBA against them this season. He’s having a great year in general, batting .290 with 16 home runs, which is only two homers away from setting a new career best.

Nick Williams vs. Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900

Williams’ overall numbers don’t jump off the page with a .260 batting average and a .336 OBP. However, he’s raking in July, batting .333 with a .412 OBP and five home runs. DeSclafani has struggled mightily with a 5.40 ERA and a 6.23 FIP, setting Williams up with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent run of success.

Others to consider: Khris Davis and Michael Conforto

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Friday brings the first packed schedule in baseball since the All-Star break, leaving 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 7/20/18

Trevor Bauer vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $12,200
DraftKings = $13,600

Bauer was selected to be an All-Star for the first time in his career, but he did not appear in the game because he last pitched Sunday. He was fantastic in the first half, posting a 2.24 ERA, 2.23 FIP, and a 1.08 WHIP. Not only does he have an 11.6 K/9, but he’s allowed just six home runs in 136.1 innings. He was on top of his game heading into the break, allowing seven runs (six earned) and recording 54 strikeouts across 42.2 innings in his last six starts. The Rangers have struck out the second-most times (916) in baseball this season and didn’t do much against Bauer in their first meeting, scoring two runs and striking out 11 times over 6.2 innings.

Kyle Gibson vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,600

The Twins disappointing start might turn them into sellers as we approach the trade deadline, but Gibson has been one of their few bright spots. After posting underwhelming numbers the last two seasons, he has a 3.42 ERA this year. His FIP is improved as well at 3.79 in large part because of his 1.23 WHIP, which is significantly lower than his 1.41 career mark. He also has an 8.9 K/9 after never posting a K/9 higher than 6.9 previously in his career. This is a great matchup against a Royals team that has scored the fewest runs (337) in baseball. Gibson had no trouble handling them in their first meeting when he recorded eight strikeouts across seven shutout innings.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Steve Pearce vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000

The Red Sox couldn’t have asked for a better start to Pearce’s tenure with the team as he is 11-for-26 (.423) with a home run and four doubles in 10 games. He has a .433 wOBA against lefties this season, which is nothing new since he has a .364 wOBA against them for his career. Boyd pitched well to start the season for the Tigers, but he has allowed at least five runs in four of his last five outings.

Yan Gomes vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $4,300

The Indians appear to be confident enough in Gomes moving forward that they traded top catching prospect Francisco Mejia to the Padres on Thursday. Gomes’ offensive numbers aren’t flashy, but he has a .422 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season. Perez has a tendency to give up plenty of runs in large part due to his 1.47 career WHIP.

Others to consider: Paul Goldschmidt (first base) and Brandon Belt (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Brian Dozier vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

Dozier is starting to heat up as he is 13-for-40 (.325) with four home runs and three doubles in his last 10 games. He’s shown a trend of being a better hitter in the second half of the season and could be in for a strong finish, although it might not be as a member of the Twins. Duffy gives left-handed hitters plenty of problems, but he’s allowed a .345 wOBA to righties.

Joey Wendle vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Speaking of hot hitters, Wendle is 17-for-42 (.405) with two home runs and eight RBI in July. He tends to sit against lefties, but he’s someone to target against righties. Straily’s 4.29 ERA doesn’t look terrible, but his 5.43 FIP indicates he has been a bit lucky. He allows plenty of base runners with a 1.35 WHIP despite opponents posting just a .250 BABIP against him, so his numbers could be even worse.

Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Dee Gordon

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Stacking against Perez will likely be a popular strategy Friday. Not only does he allow a lot of hitters to reach base, but he’s not a strikeout pitcher with just a 5.4 K/9 for his career. Ramirez is making a case for AL MVP honors this season with his power, speed and ability to hit for a high average. Although he’s expensive, he’s one of the top options available at any position.

Kyle Seager vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,300

Seager is only batting .233 this season in large part because of his career-high 21.9% strikeout rate and career-low 5.5% walk rate. He’s still hitting for power, though, with 16 home runs and 23 doubles, making him a viable cheap option with upside in tournament play. He’s also 8-for-22 (.364) with three homers in his career against Shields.

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Colin Moran

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Xander Bogaerts vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,000

Bogaerts has certainly regained his power stroke, posting a .535 slugging percentage after a disappointing .403 mark last year. He also has 64 RBI in a loaded Red Sox lineup and should easily surpass his career-high of 89 RBI as long as he stays healthy. The Red Sox should be another popular stack Friday with Bogaerts someone to key in on at shortstop.

Jorge Polanco vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,800

Polanco has yet to leave the yard since returning from suspension, but he’s flashed his speed on the base paths again with three steals in only 14 games. It’s hard to read too much into 60 plate appearances, but his walk rate has been much improved at 11.7%. His upside isn’t close to that of Bogaerts, but he can still provide value if you need to save money at shortstop.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Tim Anderson

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

J.D. Martinez vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,300

It seemed nearly impossible for Martinez to keep up the torrid pace he was on as a member of the Diamondbacks last year, but he’s been just as good since joining the Red Sox. His homer rate isn’t as high, but he’s not exactly struggling with 29 dingers in 92 games. He had 104 RBI last year and is going to blow by that with 80 RBI this season already. He also has a .393 wOBA against lefties, so expect him to give Boyd plenty of problems.

Matt Kemp vs. Wade Miley, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,000

The Brewers sure could use another starting pitcher. They will continue to try and get by with Miley in the rotation for now, who has been injured for most of the season. Miley had a 5.61 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP with the Orioles last year and usually allows a lot of base runners with a 1.40 career WHIP. Kemp has a .402 wOBA against lefties this year, making him a great option at a reasonable price on both sites.

Steven Duggar vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

Jackson continues to find his way onto a major league roster, making four starts for an Athletics team that has seen their rotation decimated by injuries. He’s posted a 2.59 ERA, but it’s hard to have much confidence in a journeyman pitcher who has finished with an ERA of at least 5.21 in both of the last two seasons. The left-handed Duggar should be in the lineup Friday and won’t cost much, leaving him as someone to consider in tournament play.

Others to consider: Rhys Hoskins and David Peralta

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Only seven games make up the main evening slate in DFS on Thursday, but the night is loaded with pitching as Max Scherzer, Corey Kluber, Luis Severino, Blake Snell and James Paxton are all scheduled to start. 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 7/12/18

Max Scherzer vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,300

Scherzer had a subpar performance by his standards in his last start against the Marlins, allowing four runs in seven innings. He gave up three home runs and only recorded three strikeouts. He has allowed 0.9 HR/9 and has a 12.5 K/9 for the season overall, so don’t read too much into one bad outing. After winning the Cy Young award in both of the last two seasons, he’s going for three straight with his 2.33 ERA, 2.60 FIP, and 0.89 WHIP. The Mets have scored the third-fewest runs (347) in baseball, setting Scherzer up for a potentially dominant outing.

Steven Matz vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $5,900

With so many aces taking the mound Thursday, there is no shortage of top options. However, if you want to go the cheap route, Matz is someone to consider. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, lowering his ERA to 3.31 overall. He had problems keeping runners off base last year with a 1.53 WHIP, but he has made significant progress this season with a 1.23 WHIP. His strikeouts are back up as well with an 8.1 K/9. The Nationals lineup had a couple of good games recently against the Marlins, but have scored four runs or fewer in nine of their last 12 games. The Mets probably won’t be able to get him a win facing off against Scherzer, but that doesn’t mean Matz can’t provide value.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18

Jesus Aguilar vs. Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,800

Aguilar racked up three more hits Wednesday and is now 25-for-72 (.347) with 10 home runs in his last 20 games. He’s put to rest any fears people had about him against right-handed pitching, posting a .409 wOBA against them this season. He’s expensive, but he carries significant upside again Thursday.

Steve Pearce vs. J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,500

Pearce is off to a hot start with his new team as he is 11-for-24 (.458) with a home run and four doubles. He’s normally someone you want to target against lefties considering his career .363 wOBA against them. He is 10-for-28 (.357) with five home runs in his career against Happ as well.

Others to consider: Yasmani Grandal (catcher) and Josh Bell (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18

Max Muncy vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,900

Muncy logged two more hits Wednesday, bumping his average up to .276 this season. He’s done a great job of getting on base in general with a .416 OBP, not to mention his 21 homers in only 262 plate appearances. He presents a very tough matchup for Ross, who has allowed a .381 wOBA to lefties this year. Of note, Muncy is only eligible at second base on FanDuel as he is listed at first base and third base on DraftKings.

Joey Wendle vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,500

Wendle doesn’t play against left-handed pitchers, but he’ll likely be in the lineup Thursday against Gibson. He doesn’t provide much power, but he’s currently on a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .278 overall this season. Gibson has pretty even splits against lefties and righties, but Wendle is someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Muncy.

Others to consider: Eduardo Nunez and Josh Harrison

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18

Matt Duffy vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,100

Third base is a little thin, especially with top options like Jose Ramirez and Eduardo Escobar dealing with tough matchups. It might be a position to target spending less on as a result. Duffy isn’t exactly dirt cheap, but he won’t bust your budget either. He’s 5-for-12 in his last three games to raise his overall average to .310 this year. He also only has a 16.5% strikeout rate. Home runs have been few and far between, but Duffy has proven to be one of the most consistent hitters for the Rays.

David Freese vs. Wade Miley, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,200

Miley made just two starts for the Brewers this season before landing on the DL with an oblique injury. He’s been out for over two months but is expected to start Thursday. He allows a ton of base runners with a 1.40 WHIP for his career and was hit hard as a member of the Orioles last season, resulting in a 5.61 ERA. Freese has a career .357 wOBA against lefties and might be worth the risk in tournament play at this price.

Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Yangervis Solarte

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18

Xander Bogaerts vs. J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200

Bogaerts’ power stroke is back this season as he has 14 home runs and 25 doubles in only 75 games. The Red Sox offense has been one of the most potent in all of baseball, which has helped Bogaerts amass 57 RBI and 43 runs scored. Happ has allowed 20 runs across 22.2 innings in his last four starts, leaving Bogaerts and the Red Sox with the potential for another big offensive performance.

Jean Segura vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Segura made the All-Star team this year for the second time in his career. The honor was well deserved as he is batting a career-high .329 with seven home runs and 14 steals. He’s also scored 63 runs and is on pace to top 100 runs scored for only the second time in his career. He doesn’t have the power upside that Bogaerts does, but Segura has a .389 wOBA against lefties.

Others to consider: Chris Taylor and Jordy Mercer

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18

Christian Yelich vs. Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,800

Yelich is coming off a series against his former team in the Marlins where he finished 6-for-16 with two doubles, five RBI, three runs scored and a steal. That’s the type of well-rounded production we have become accustomed to getting from him. With 11 home runs and 12 steals overall, this could be the season he finally reaches the 20-20 club. He’s had his problems against left-handed pitchers but has been much better with a .368 wOBA against righties.

Starling Marte vs. Wade Miley, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Speaking of players with a great combination of speed and power, Marte already has 11 home runs and 23 steals this year. He’s currently on a seven-game hitting streak, going 12-for-26 (.462) with two home runs and five steals during that stretch. Marte should be one of the top hitters included in any Pirates stack against Miley.

Andrew Toles vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $3,700

With Yasiel Puig (oblique) on the DL, Toles is going to get a chance to play against right-handed pitchers. He has a career .352 wOBA against them in parts of three seasons in the majors. He has a .311 career batting average in the minor leagues and could be worth taking a chance on in tournament play, especially at the minimum price on FanDuel.

Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Randal Grichuk

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 16

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July 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

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 16

Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins: vs. KC, vs. TB

Berrios has allowed five home runs in his last two starts and has had problems keeping hitters inside the park, in general, this year with a 1.3 HR/9. However, he still has a 3.54 ERA and a 3.39 FIP because he has kept runners off base with a 1.00 WHIP. He had control issues when he was first called up, but he’s thrown a first-pitch strike to 65.6% of the batters that he has faced and has a 2.0 BB/9 this year. He also has career highs in swinging-strike rate (11.4%) and K/9 (9.0). His first start in Week 16 against the Royals is an excellent matchup considering they have hit the fewest home runs (70) and scored the fewest runs (310) in baseball. The Rays aren’t much better as they have the fifth-fewest home runs (79) and the fifth-fewest runs scored (347).

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs: at SF, at SD

Hendricks has never finished with an ERA over 3.96 or a FIP over 3.88 in his career, but he has a 4.27 ERA and a 4.80 FIP this season. Not only would his 1.25 WHIP be the highest of his career, but so would his 1.5 HR/9. He’s never been an overpowering pitcher, but he has just a 6.7 K/9. He’s allowed 13 runs over 13.1 innings in his last three starts, but his fortunes could change this week since both the Giants and the Padres are in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored. He has yet to face the Padres this year, but he allowed only one run and recorded seven strikeouts over seven innings in his lone start against the Giants. You shouldn’t count on him for strikeouts, but he can still provide value in Week 16.

Zach Eflin, Philadelphia Phillies: at NYM, at MIA

Eflin was supposed to start twice in Week 15 but left his first start with a blister issue. The Phillies decided to give him an extra day of rest for his next outing, pushing him from Sunday to Monday. He was rolling before suffering the blister against the Orioles, allowing two runs and recording six strikeouts in seven innings. He’s having by far the best season of his young career, posting a 2.97 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and a 1.08 WHIP over 11 starts. Not only does he get to face the aforementioned poor Marlins lineup, but the Mets have been even worse, scoring the third-fewest runs (336). As long as his blister doesn’t cause further issues, this is shaping up to be an excellent week for Eflin.

Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers: at MIA, at PIT

Chacin has been a good addition to the Brewers starting staff, posting a 3.63 ERA, 3.84 FIP, and a 1.29 WHIP across 19 starts. He has only allowed 0.6 HR/9, which is nothing new considering he has a 0.8 HR/9 for his career. That’s especially impressive considering he spent six seasons having to pitch in Coors Field as a member of the Rockies. The Marlins have had a couple of big offensive performances lately, but they have still scored four runs or fewer in 8 of their last 13 games. The Pirates offense is middle of the pack at best, setting up Chacin with the potential for two strong performances. He is still available in 67% of Yahoo! leagues, so pick him up if you are looking to stream someone.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 16

Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners: at LAA, at COL

Leake was stellar for the Mariners in June, recording a 2.57 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in six starts. He was aided by a .225 opponents BABIP though and even with that hot stretch, he still has a 4.11 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP for the season overall. He’s never provided many strikeouts and this season has been no different with a 5.6 K/9. Leake has already faced the Angels three times this year and while he did have one good start where he allowed one run in six innings, he allowed seven runs (six earned) over 9.1 innings in the other two. It doesn’t get any easier having to pitch in Coors Field for his second start of the week, so this is not the week to take a chance on putting Leake into your lineup.

Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies: vs. ARI, vs. SEA

Like many of the Rockies’ pitchers, Anderson struggles to pitch in Coors Field. He has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP on the road this year, but a 4.37 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP at home. He has thrown seven fewer innings at home, but he has allowed three more home runs there than he has on the road. The Diamondbacks have had much more success against lefties with a .762 OPS this year and hammered Anderson for seven runs over 2.1 innings in their first meeting. The Mariners won’t have the use of the DH playing in the National League, but they still have a potent offense that can score in bunches. Keep Anderson on your bench.

Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays: at ATL, at BOS

Stroman got off to an abysmal start this season, then landed on the DL with a shoulder issue. He put together two strong starts upon first being activated, but was rocked for six runs over 4.2 innings in his last outing against the Mets. Things get much harder for him this week against the Braves and the Red Sox as both teams are in the top-six in baseball in runs scored. The Red Sox have also hit the second-most home runs (128). This has the potential to be a really rough Week 16 for Stroman.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/5/18

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 Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

After a quiet Thursday, Friday brings a full slate of 15 games in the majors. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Jacob deGrom vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $11,700
DraftKings = $13,600

This is the premier pitching matchup to target for your entry. The Mets season has been a disappointment, but deGrom has been spectacular with a 1.69 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 1.01 WHIP. He’s always provided plenty of strikeouts, but he currently has career-highs in both swinging-strike rate (15.2%) and strikeout rate (31.4%). When hitters do actually make contact, they haven’t squared him up with a 27.8% hard-hit rate and only five home runs in 101.1 innings. The Marlins have one of the worst lineups in baseball, leaving deGrom with tremendous upside.

Marco Gonzales vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,800

Gonzales had a daunting two-start week last week, facing both the Red Sox and Yankees on the road. He understandably struggled, allowing 11 runs in 12.1 innings. Before those bad outings, he had allowed three runs or fewer in six straight starts. He’s not a great source for strikeouts, but he’s shown excellent control by throwing a first-pitch strike to 67.6% of the hitters that he has faced and allowing just 2.0 BB/9. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (283) in baseball, leaving Gonzales with upside in tournament play despite his lack of strikeout potential.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Jesus Aguilar vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Aguilar went deep again Thursday, marking his third straight game with a home run. He is absolutely on fire right now, hitting 16-for-36 (.444) with nine home runs and three doubles in his last 11 games. Even with Eric Thames healthy, the Brewers are not going to take Aguilar out of their lineup. Romano has allowed 1.5 HR/9 and plenty of base runners with a 1.47 WHIP, potentially setting Aguilar up for another big performance.

Yonder Alonso vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,600

After a series in St. Louis without the DH limited Alonso’s playing time, the Indians return to American League play Friday. You want to avoid playing Alonso against lefties, but he’s a great option against righties since he has a .352 wOBA against them this season. Blackburn allows a ton of baserunners and doesn’t have strikeout stuff, so Alonso is a cheap option with upside if you don’t want to pay up for Aguilar.

Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and Tucker Barnhart (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Dee Gordon vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Gordon continues to hit for a high average and is 24-for-73 (.329) in his last 16 games. He provides close to nothing in terms of power, but he did score 11 runs over that stretch. Kennedy is having another bad season with a 5.09 ERA and allows plenty of base runners with a 1.45 WHIP, leaving Gordon as someone to consider despite his lack of home run potential.

Yoan Moncada vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,500

Gallardo hasn’t finished with an ERA below 5.42 since 2015. He’s only made two starts for the Rangers and didn’t pitch well in either of them, allowing nine runs and 17 total base runners in 10.1 innings. He also allowed three home runs after posting a 1.7 HR/9 with the Mariners last year. Moncada only has a .199 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he’s been much better against righties with a .336 wOBA.

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Jason Kipnis

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,400

Considering Blackburn has an 8.83 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP, the Indians could be one of the most popular stacking plays Friday. Ramirez has not only been one of the best hitters on the team this season, but he’s been one of the best hitters in all of baseball by batting .291 with 23 home runs, 52 RBI, 55 runs scored and 13 steals.

Justin Turner vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,900

Turner is showing signs of getting his power stroke back, slugging two home runs in his last five games. He’s had a slow start in general since returning from a wrist injury but is 6-for-15 (.400) during that same five-game stretch. Turner not only has a .436 wOBA against lefties this year, but he is 10-for-18 with a home run and three doubles against Anderson in his career.

Others to consider: Matt Carpenter and Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,300

Lindor had a rough series against the Cardinals, finishing 1-for-12 with one walk. He had homered in three straight games before the series began and is having the best power season of his career with a .539 slugging percentage. He’s still hitting for average as well at .288, so look for him to get back on track facing a much easier opponent Friday.

Kike Hernandez vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,500

Even though Chris Taylor returned from a hamstring injury Thursday, the Dodgers still found a way to keep Hernandez in their lineup. He rewarded them with two hits and two RBI and is now 19-for-55 (.345) with six home runs, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in his last 16 games. With a .359 wOBA against lefties, expect the Dodgers to start him against Anderson.

Others to consider: Jean Segura and Tim Anderson

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/29/18

Nelson Cruz vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Kennedy has allowed at least 31 home runs in each of the last three seasons and is on pace to do that again this year with 15 home runs allowed in 86.2 innings. That plays right into Cruz’s wheelhouse as he already has 21 homers this year and has slugged at least 39 home runs in each of the last four seasons.

Rhys Hoskins vs. Erick Fedde, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900

Hoskins couldn’t buy a hit in May, batting only .161 with two home runs in the month. Hoskins then fractured his jaw after fouling off a pitch at the end of the month, forcing him to hit the DL. He came back quickly and has found his stroke again, batting .329 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 18 games. Fedde has a 5.32 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in four starts this season and is really only in the starting rotation due to injuries to Stephen Strasburg and Jeremy Hellickson.

Avisail Garcia vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

The White Sox struggle to score runs, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look to stack them against Gallardo based on how poorly he has been pitching. Garcia was one of the prime regression candidates at the start of the season as his .338 average last year was largely aided by an unsustainable .392 BABIP. Injuries have limited him to 104 plate appearances, but he has two home runs during his current five-game hitting streak and is worth the risk at this cheap price.

Others to consider: Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/28/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Only four of the 10 games in baseball have evening start times Thursday, so let’s examine some players with favorable matchups throughout the day 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 6/28/18

Aaron Nola vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $9,700
DraftKings = $12,100

Nola had a very good campaign for the Phillies in 2017, but his numbers are off the charts this year. His 2.58 ERA is supported by a 2.83 FIP and a 1.02 WHIP despite the fact that his strikeout rate is actually down from 26.6% last year to 25.1% this season. His swinging-strike rate is actually up, though, at 11.2% and he’s done a great job keeping hitters in the ballpark with a 0.5 HR/9. He’s also been stellar pitching at home with a 1.86 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. The Nationals lineup is finally getting healthy, but they have still only averaged 2.1 runs across their last seven games. One of those contests was against Nola, who held the Nationals to two runs while recording five strikeouts in six innings.

Chris Stratton vs. Colorado Rockies
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,900

Stratton’s numbers are very average this season with a 4.14 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and a 1.36 WHIP. Normally if you want to take a chance on a cheap pitcher in tournament play, you want to target someone with strikeout upside. That’s not Stratton’s strong suit as he only has a 6.9 K/9. However, he has pitched well in June with a 2.48 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in five starts. The Rockies are juggernauts at Coors Field with a .804 OPS, but they only have a .676 OPS on the road. Stratton might still be worth the risk at this price despite his lack of strikeouts.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/28/18

Jesus Aguilar vs. Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,200

Aguilar was presented with an opportunity to play every day when Eric Thames went down with an injury earlier this season and has played so well that he is still starting regularly even though Thames has returned. He has a ton of power with 18 home runs, four of which have come in his last four starts. His nine home runs in June are impressive, but equally as impressive is that he is hitting .300 in the month despite only having a .286 BABIP. He has shed his stigma of not being able to hit righties with a .399 wOBA against them this year, making him a great option again Wednesday.

Evan Gattis vs. Ryne Stanek, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

Stanek will start for the Rays, but this will be one of their bullpen games as Stanek hasn’t pitched more than two innings in a game this season. Lefty Ryan Yarbrough is expected to follow Stanek and should eat up several innings. He hasn’t exactly been lights out with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP and could have plenty of trouble with Gattis, who is batting .279 with eight home runs and a staggering 30 RBI in June, five of which have come in his last two games.

Others to consider: Mitch Moreland (first base) and Chris Herrmann (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/28/18

Scooter Gennett vs. Junior Guerra, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Gennett is 13-for-40 (.325) with three doubles, a home run and 10 runs scored during his current 10-game hitting streak. He has shown no signs of struggling after a breakout season in 2017, batting .336 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI this year. With a .377 wOBA against righties, Gennett is one of the best options available at his position Wednesday.

Dee Gordon vs. Jimmy Yacabonis, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,400

As if the Orioles starting rotation wasn’t bad enough, they’ll turn to Yacabonis to start against the Mariners. His 16 career appearances in the majors over the last two seasons have all come out of the bullpen and resulted in a 5.48 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. His 3.14 ERA and 1.10 WHIP as a starter in Triple-A look nice, but it’s concerning that he only posted a 6.8 K/9. Gordon doesn’t strike out much and can do a lot of damage when he gets on base, giving him upside against the inexperienced Yacabonis.

Others to consider: Ian Kinsler and Brock Holt

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/28/18

Alex Bregman vs. Ryne Stanek, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,300

Bregman must be sad to see the Astros series against the Blue Jays come to an end as he was 9-for-14 with three home runs in five doubles in the three contests. He’s shown a much better eye at the plate this season and actually has more walks (47) than strikeouts (46). With a .400 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he could put up some big numbers again once Yarbrough enters this game.

Kyle Seager vs. Jimmy Yacabonis, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Seager has taken advantage of the Orioles’ mediocre pitching in this series, hitting 5-for-16 with two home runs in three games. His average still sits at an ugly .230, but he’s up to 15 home runs and 20 doubles. He’s not overly expensive on either site and could be a valuable part of any Mariners stack.

Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Justin Turner

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/28/18

Jean Segura vs. Jimmy Yacabonis, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900

A Mariners stack against Yacabonis will probably be one of the most popular plays of the day. Add Segura into the mix, who appears to be fine after missing some time with a forearm infection as he is 5-for-9 with four runs scored in the last two games. Segura only has six home runs this year, but he’s hitting .338 and could score plenty of runs if the Mariners do explode offensively.

Kike Hernandez vs. Jose Quintana, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,600

Hernandez has made a compelling case to start more regularly, hitting 17-for-51 (.333) with six home runs, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored in his last 15 games. Chris Taylor’s hamstring injury has opened up playing time for Hernandez, but he is expected to rejoin the lineup Thursday. Hernandez is much better against lefties with a .349 wOBA, so he still might find his way into the lineup.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Andrelton Simmons

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/28/18

Andrew Benintendi vs. Jaime Barria, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,000

Benintendi’s success is sometimes lost in the crazy seasons that Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are having, but he’s been excellent as well by hitting .290 with 13 home runs and 13 steals. With so many potent bats around him in the Red Sox lineup, he’s racked up the counting stats with 51 RBI and 56 runs scored. Barria’s 4.77 FIP indicates he is not pitching as well as his 3.40 ERA might make you think. Benintendi only has a .297 wOBA against lefties but is much better against righties with a .404 wOBA.

Eddie Rosario vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,500

One of the key pieces of the trade that sent Adam Eaton to the Nationals, Giolito has been awful this year with a 7.01 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. Not only does he have a 5.4 BB/9, but he’s allowed 12 home runs in 78.1 innings. He has allowed a .403 wOBA to left-handed hitters and will have to face one of the hottest ones in baseball in Rosario. He’s expensive on DraftKings, but his price on FanDuel provides the potential for excellent value.

Denard Span vs. Jimmy Yacabonis, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Span has been a great addition for the Mariners, batting .296 with three home runs in 89 plate appearances since joining the team. He usually doesn’t provide much in the power department, but he is batting .282 for his career. He has a .347 wOBA against right-handed pitchers since the start of the 2015 season and is yet another Mariner worth considering for your entry.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Justin Upton

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/27/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Wednesday’s main evening slate in DFS is light on excellent starting pitchers, so there could be plenty of runs scored throughout baseball. 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 6/27/18

Kyle Gibson vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,500

Gibson entered 2018 having finished with an ERA of 5.07 and a WHIP of at least 1.53 in both of the last two seasons. This year has been a different story as he enters Wednesday with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He has been aided by a .254 opponents BABIP, but he also has an 8.7 K/9 after posting a 6.5 K/9 for his career. He has allowed two runs or fewer in five straight games and had success in his first start against the White Sox this season, allowing three runs and recording eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings. On a night short of elite pitchers, Gibson is shaping up to be one of the best options available.

Wade LeBlanc vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $7,800

LeBlanc pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the Pirates last year, posting a 4.50 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Without much starting pitching depth, the Mariners have had to turn to LeBlanc to fill out the back end of their rotation. He’s exceeded expectations so far, posting a 2.91 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP across 10 starts. His .292 opponents BABIP is right in line with his career numbers, so he hasn’t exactly been getting lucky. One big reason for his improvement is getting opponents to swing at 36.3% of his pitches outside of the strike zone, which is six percentage points higher than his career mark. The Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (285) and have the third-worst OPS against left-handed pitchers (.664) in baseball, so LeBlanc might be worth the risk in tournament play at this cheap price.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/27/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,400

Goldschmidt is currently on an eight-game hitting streak and has done a great job rebounding from an abysmal start. He’s batting .380 with 10 home runs in June while finally providing owners in season-long fantasy with the type of production they expected when they selected him in the first round. He has a 197 wRC+ against lefties and will get to face a struggling one in Chen, who has a 6.70 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP.

Buster Posey vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

Posey doesn’t put up flashy numbers, but he’s not exactly hitting poorly with a .285 average and a .364 OBP. He has just five home runs and has only hit at least 20 home runs in a season twice in his career, so don’t expect him to go on a power surge anytime soon. He can still provide a lot of value, though, against Freeland since Posey has a .390 wOBA against lefties.

Others to consider: Matt Olson (first base) and Carlos Santana (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/27/18

Brian Dozier vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $3,800

Dozier traditionally struggles in the first half of the season and this year has been no different. He has yet to go on a big run, but he does have at least one hit in five of his last six games. Dozier doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Shields, but he has actually performed better this year against righties. He has also had success against Shields in his career, hitting 13-for-42 (.310) with four home runs and a 1.114 OPS.

Ketel Marte vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,600

With Chen on the mound for the Marlins, it’s a good idea to target Diamondback hitters for your entry. Although their lineup is predominantly left-handed, the switch-hitting Marte has an edge because Chen has allowed a .398 wOBA to righties. Marte is also significantly better from the right side of the plate, posting a .366 wOBA against lefties compared to a .261 wOBA against righties.

Others to consider: Javier Baez and Dee Gordon

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/27/18

Matt Carpenter vs. Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

Carpenter hit .155 with two home runs in his first 105 plate appearances this season. He’s been a different hitter since then, especially of late as he is batting .319 with eight home runs in his last 104 plate appearances. He has great numbers overall against righties with a .384 wOBA this year, so look to ride is hot bat again Wednesday.

Kyle Seager vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800

Seager is hitting only .225 this year in large part because of a career-high 22.2% strikeout rate. He’s still provided value in the power department with 14 home runs, but he’s going to need to cut down on his strikeouts if he’s going to turn things around. The good news for Wednesday is that Cobb doesn’t strike out many hitters and has been prone to giving up crooked numbers as he has allowed at least five earned runs in a game six times already this season.

Others to consider: Max Muncy and Jed Lowrie

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/27/18

Jean Segura vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Jumping on the Mariners bandwagon against Cobb, Segura is another player to consider for your entry. He recently missed some time with a forearm infection, but he went 3-for-4 in his second game back Tuesday. He’s been one of the Mariners most consistent hitters this season with a .337 batting average and continues to be aggressive on the basepaths with 14 steals. Cobb allows a lot of baserunners with a 1.63 ERA, setting Segura up nicely for a productive game.

Scott Kingery vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,000

The Yankees called up Cessa to give their starters an extra day of rest in preparation for a series against the Red Sox this weekend. He’s pitched both out of the bullpen and in the starting rotation during his career in the majors, posting a 4.41 ERA, 5.40 FIP, and a 1.22 WHIP. He’s an average pitcher even on his best day and doesn’t have overwhelming stuff with a 6.6 K/9. A Phillies stack could pay off Wednesday and Kingery is priced so low that he can really help your budget while still providing some upside in tournament play.

Others to consider: Didi Gregorius and Elvis Andrus

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/27/18

Odubel Herrera vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Herrera was one of the hottest hitters in baseball heading into this series against the Yankees but he went 0-for-7 with a walk in the first two games. Don’t expect that slump to last long with Cessa on the mound Wednesday. Hererra also loves hitting at home with a .325 average and eight home runs at Citizens Bank Park compared to a .275 average and five home runs on the road.

Eddie Rosario vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,300

Speaking of hot hitters, Rosario is batting .353 with 14 home runs and a .437 wOBA since May 1st. Maybe one of the most impressive things about Rosario’s excellent first half is that not only are his power numbers up, but he’s also cut his strikeout rate down to 16.9% compared to his 21.3% career mark. He’s particularly excelled against righties with a .416 wOBA.

Brian Anderson vs. Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,600

Ray will be making his first start since April after suffering an oblique injury. He only threw 66 pitches in his last rehab outing, but with Clay Buchholz getting injured, the Diamondbacks are going with Ray probably one start sooner than they would have liked to. He could be on a pitch limit in this game as a result. Ray can be a dominating pitcher, but he also has a 1.36 WHIP for his career. Anderson has a .369 wOBA against lefties this season and is cheap enough to warrant consideration in tournament play.

Others to consider: Leonys Martin and Manuel Margot