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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Although there are a couple of doubleheaders Monday, only nine games will make up the main slate in DFS. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Jose Berrios vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $12,100

Berrios has allowed five home runs in his last two starts and has had problems keeping hitters inside the park this season with a 1.3 HR/9. However, he still has a 3.54 ERA and a 3.39 FIP in large part because of his 1.00 WHIP. He had control issues when he began his career in the majors, 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). The Royals have hit the fewest home runs (70) and scored the fewest runs (310) in baseball, making Berrios one of the top pitching options.

Kyle Hendricks vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $7,300

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. Both his 1.25 WHIP and 1.5 HR/9 would also be the highest marks of his career. 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 he gave up only one run and recorded seven strikeouts over seven innings in his first start against the Giants this year. The Giants are in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored, so Hendricks is a viable option in tournament play despite his lack of strikeout potential.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Yuli Gurriel vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Gurriel has only hit six home runs this season, but he has followed up his .299 average last year with a .303 mark. He hasn’t been completely devoid of power as he does have 22 doubles on his way to what could be his second-straight season with at least 40 doubles. He doesn’t walk much, but he also only has a 10.6% strikeout rate. Montas has allowed a lot of baserunners with a 1.47 WHIP, so he could be in trouble with Gurriel’s ability to make contact.

Wilson Ramos vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKing = $4,200

Ramos has been named to his second All-Star team in the last three seasons. He’s earned the honor to start for the AL by batting .289 with 12 home runs. The Rays have scored the fifth-fewest runs in baseball, that hasn’t stopped Ramos from recording 47 RBI. His .368 wOBA against lefties makes him a great option against Liriano.

Others to consider: Matt Adams (first base) and C.J. Cron (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Max Muncy vs. Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,200

Muncy finished a rough three-game set against the Angels 1-for-11 with six strikeouts. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track as Perdomo has followed up his 1.51 WHIP last year with a 2.19 WHIP in five starts this year. He has also allowed a .361 wOBA against lefties for his career. Of note, Muncy is only second base eligible on FanDuel as he is listed at first base and third base on DraftKings.

Eduardo Nunez vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rangers starting rotation has been a mess this season. Minor’s numbers aren’t great, but he’s been one of their more reliable pitchers with a 4.63 ERA and a 4.41 FIP. He only has a 1.20 WHIP, but he’s been hurt by allowing 1.4 HR/9. Minor has held lefties to a .308 wOBA, but righties have had more success with a .336 wOBA. Nunez won’t cost much, but he is a viable option to consider in tournament play if you need to save money at second base.

Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Daniel Robertson

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,700

Ramirez already has more steals (19) this year than he did in all of 2017 (17) and his 24 home runs put him only five behind last year’s mark. His batting average remains excellent at .292 and he has 54 walks compared to only 44 strikeouts. He has a lofty .433 wOBA against righties, making him a great option again Monday even at this expensive price.

Matt Duffy vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,500

Liriano has dominated lefties this season by holding them to a .207 wOBA, but right-handed hitters have had plenty of success with a .343 wOBA. His ERA looks respectable at 4.03, but his 5.27 FIP indicates he is not having a good year. The Rays don’t exactly have a potent offense, but Duffy hits for a high average and has some upside Monday despite his lack of homers.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Colin Moran

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Xander Bogaerts vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,000

Bogaerts entered Monday 6-for-12 with two home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI in his last four games. Three of those contests came against the Royals terrible staff, but as already detailed, Minor hasn’t exactly pitched well either. Bogaerts has hit for a ton of power this season with a .520 slugging percentage and his batting average hasn’t suffered either at .281. He only has two stolen bases, but it’s hard to complain about the production he has provided.

Jorge Polanco vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800

Duffy has been prone to horrendous starts this season, allowing at least five runs in seven of his 18 outings. The end result has been a 5.19 ERA that is supported by a 5.39 FIP. Until he makes major improvements on his 1.50 WHIP and 1.7 HR/9, continue to target hitters against Duffy in DFS. Polanco has only played in seven games this year due to suspension, but he could be one of several Twins to have a valuable performance.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Chris Taylor

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Mookie Betts vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $6,100

Betts continues to swing a hot bat for the Red Sox as he is 23-for-64 (.359) with four home runs in his last 16 games. He only has six RBI during that stretch, but he scored 16 runs and had 12 walks compared to just eight strikeouts. His 212 wRC+ against lefties overall this year makes him a great option even though he will cost you a ton on both sites.

Juan Soto vs. Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,800

Nova does a great job limiting walks, but he’s an average starting pitcher at best. He doesn’t have great stuff with just a 6.9 K/9, which is a big reason why he has also allowed 1.7 HR/9. He has allowed a wOBA of at least .361 against lefties in each of the last three seasons and is close to that mark again this year by allowing a .358 wOBA. Stacking lefties against him Monday could be a wise move, Soto included.

Kyle Tucker vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $4,000

Tucker had plenty of success at Triple-A this season before the Astros called him up, batting .306 with 14 home runs, 14 steals and a .371 OBP. He’s 1-for-7 in his first two games with the big club, but he has some potential Monday considering Montas has allowed a .361 wOBA against lefties. His price isn’t great on DraftKings, but at the minimum on FanDuel, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Joc Pederson

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Friday brings a lot of high-end pitching options across baseball, so finding the right bats for your entry could be the key to bringing home some cash. 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 7/6/18

Chris Sale vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $12,500
DraftKings = $14,000

Sale continues to blow hitters away as he has allowed four runs and recorded 54 strikeouts across 35 innings in his last five starts. Two of those starts were shutouts against the Mariners and the Yankees. He’s towards the top of the Cy Young discussion again this year with a 2.41 ERA, 2.38 FIP, and a 0.89 WHIP. Not only does he have a 12.7 K/9, but his 0.8 HR/9 would be his lowest mark since 2014. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (297) in baseball, so don’t hesitate to pay the premium necessary to get him into your entry.

Dereck Rodriguez vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $7,700

Rodriguez had never pitched above Double-A before this year, but he pitched well in his first taste of action at Triple-A by posting a 3.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 9.5 K/9 prior to being called up. Although his WHIP has room for improvement at 1.32 since being recalled, he has a respectable 3.16 ERA and a 3.34 FIP. His strikeouts aren’t as high with an 8.0 K/9, but he has only issued nine walks in 37 innings. It took him a few starts to get acclimated, but he has allowed six runs across 25 innings in his last four starts. Three of those starts came against the Marlins and Padres, so he will be faced with a tougher task against the Cardinals. That being said, he’s still priced low enough to warrant consideration in tournament play if you want to go heavy with high-priced hitters.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Yasmani Grandal vs. Felix Pena, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900

After getting off to a great start, Grandal really struggled in May and June by hitting .181 or lower in both months. He’s shown signs that he is coming out of his slump as he is 7-for-10 with two doubles, a triple and a home run in his last four games. Although he’s a switch-hitter, he’s been much better against righties with a .367 wOBA. Pena is prone to allowing base runners as he had a 1.38 WHIP at Triple-A this year and has a 1.47 WHIP since being called up.

Yonder Alonso vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,500

Blackburn shut out the Indians over 6.1 innings in his last start, but the Indians have hit much better at home this season. Alonso has similar averages at home and on the road, but he has two more home runs at Progressive Field in 31 fewer plate appearances. He also has a .349 wOBA against righties, so look for him to be one of several Indians’ hitters who fair better in this rematch.

Others to consider: Matt Adams (first base) and Chris Hermann (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Max Muncy vs. Felix Pena, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000

It’s pretty well noted by now that Muncy has been one of the most unexpected sources for power with 20 home runs in 236 plate appearances. He also gets on base a lot with a .419 OBP and has been hitting second, helping him score nine runs in his last four games. His price has increased significantly, but it’s hard not to ride his hot bat until he shows signs of cooling off. Of note, Muncy is only listed at second base on FanDuel as he is eligible at first base and third base on DraftKings.

Brock Holt vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,500

Hammel’s 4.20 FIP suggests he hasn’t pitched as badly as his 5.56 ERA would lead you to believe, but his 1.55 WHIP leaves him with a small margin for error. The Red Sox will likely be a popular stack, but if you want to get one of the elite starting pitchers into your entry, you’ll need to find some cheap bats with upside. Holt doesn’t provide much power, but his .294 average and .371 OBP make him someone to consider.

Others to consider: Starlin Castro and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,800

Ramirez has chipped in three steals in his last three games, bringing his total to 17 for the season. Add that to his 24 home runs and 24 doubles and he is one of most valuable players at any position most nights. He has a ridiculous .436 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year, setting him up nicely against the underwhelming Blackburn.

Rafael Devers vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,500

As we continue to hunt for cheap Red Sox hitters to include in a stack, Devers checks in as a viable option at third base. He hasn’t been as impressive this year, but he is still hitting for power with 14 home runs and 20 doubles. He’s virtually unplayable against lefties with a 56 wRC+, but with a 103 wRC+ against righties, he might be able to take advantage of this matchup.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,900

Lindor’s five-game hitting streak came to an end Wednesday, but he still drew a walk, stole a base and scored a run. His .297 average and .374 at the top of the Indians lineup has already led to 75 runs scored, which is only 25 away from breaking his previous career high. Add that to his excellent power numbers and Lindor will likely play a key role if the Indians are going to be successful against Blackburn.

Trea Turner vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

Turner helped the Nationals earn a comeback victory against the Marlins on Thursday by going 3-for-5 with two home runs and eight RBI. Turner is known more for his prowess on the base paths, but he does have 11 home runs already this year. He might not have the platoon advantage against Straily, but Turner actually has a higher wOBA against righties (.363) than he does against lefties (.317) for his career.

Others to consider: Chris Taylor and Jorge Polanco

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Juan Soto vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Soto was right in the middle of the Nationals wild win Thursday, finishing the game 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. He continues to show an excellent eye at the plate, drawing four walks and striking out only three times in his last five games. Straily has allowed plenty of baserunners this year with a 1.38 WHIP and has a .360 wOBA against lefties, possibly setting up Soto for another productive night.

Andrew Benintendi vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900

Benintendi is mired in a slump as he is only 6-for-38 (.158) in his last 10 games. He’s been a bit unlucky with a .214 BABIP, but he’s also struck out more with a 24.4% strikeout rate. Hammel is not a strikeout pitcher, though, with just a 5.9 K/9. Benintendi also has a .381 wOBA against righties, so this might be the game he gets back on track.

Josh Reddick vs. Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Before Reddick was placed on the DL towards the end of May with a knee infection, he was hitting just .227 with a .337 OBP. The time off seems to have done him good as he is hitting .329 with a .356 OBP since being activated. He’s someone to avoid against lefties, but his .341 wOBA against righties for his career makes him a cost-effective option with upside.

Others to consider: Michael Brantley and Brandon Nimmo

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/21/18

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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

Wednesday’s schedule is split evenly between day and night games, so let’s examine some favorable options for both slates 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 6/20/18

Corey Kluber vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $12,100
DraftKings = $12,600

Kluber had his worst start of the season against the Twins in his last outing, allowing four runs in five innings. He had pitched at least six innings and allowed three runs or fewer in each of his previous 14 starts, so expect him to rebound quickly. He has a 2.24 ERA and his 0.84 WHIP is partly aided by his insanely low 0.9 BB/9. In his last start against the White Sox, he allowed three hits and recorded 10 strikeouts in six scoreless innings. Don’t hesitate to pay up for him in their rematch.

Frankie Montas vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $6,700

Montas really struggled in his last start against the Astros, allowing seven runs (five earned) and recording only one strikeout in 5.1 innings. He was pitching well before that outing, allowing three runs across 21.2 innings in his first three starts. He’ll certainly get a much easier matchup in this game against a Padres team that has scored the sixth-fewest runs (285) in baseball. Montas hasn’t shown big strikeout upside, but the Padres do have the second most strikeouts (710), so he’s a viable cheap option in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18

Brandon Belt vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

Injuries have plagued Belt during his career, limiting him to 137 games or fewer in three of the last four seasons. He’s already made one trip to the DL this season, but he’s still managed to play in 57 games. He’s putting up excellent numbers when he’s on the field, batting .296 with 12 home runs. Facing the right-handed Urena makes Belt someone to target for your entry since he has a .409 wOBA against righties this year.

Devin Mesoraco vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,900

Bettis has been excellent on the road this season with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He’s been on the opposite end of the spectrum pitching in Coors Field, recording a 7.76 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Bettis gives up plenty of homers with a 1.5 HR/9, leaving Mesoraco as a cheaper option with upside.

Others to consider: Ian Desmond (first base) and Yuli Gurriel (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18

Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,400

The Mets don’t have a great lineup, but going against Bettis in Coors Field makes them a stacking option to consider for your entry. Cabrera has enjoyed hitting in Coors Field so far as he is 4-for-10 with two RBI in the first two games of this series. He was in a slump to start the month of June, but he’s showing signs of turning things around during his current four-game hitting streak. He only has a .308 wOBA against lefties this year, but he has a .351 wOBA against righties.

Whit Merrifield vs. Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900

The Royals are clearly sellers heading into the trade deadline as they have already moved Jon Jay and Kelvin Herrera. Merrifield is one of the building blocks of their team, though, batting .290 with 16 steals this season. He only has four home runs, but he already has 22 doubles in 269 at-bats after finishing with 32 doubles in 587 at-bats last year. Bibens-Dirkx has only made two starts for the Rangers this season, but he wasn’t impressive in either outing as he allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in 11 innings combined.

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Dee Gordon

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18

Matt Carpenter vs. Jake Arrieta, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,200

Carpenter is red-hot right now, hitting 13-for-43 (.302) with five home runs in his last 10 games. His overall numbers still aren’t great, but his .282 BABIP is still significantly lower than his career mark. He has a .351 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season despite his struggles, leaving him with the opportunity for a big game against Arrieta, who only has a 6.0 K/9.

Brian Anderson vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,700

Anderson has taken full advantage of being given an everyday role with the Marlins, batting .294 with a .373 OBP. His BABIP is high at .363, but his 41.1% hard-hit rate is encouraging. Holland has allowed a .360 wOBA to righties this year, making Anderson a viable option for your entry despite his lack of home run upside.

Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Anthony Rendon

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Gregorius has officially busted out of his prolonged slump as he is 13-for-33 (.394) across his last nine games. Not only does he have a .359 wOBA against righties this year, but 12 of his 14 home runs have come at Yankee Stadium. Once one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball, Hernandez has had trouble getting left-handed hitters out as he has allowed a .350 wOBA to them this year.

Amed Rosario vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,500

Rosario is 7-for-21 (.333) during his current five-game hitting streak. It’s no coincidence that streak has come on the road as Rosario is batting .282 away from Citi Field this year. With Bettis’ considerable struggles in Coors Field, Rosario could provide value based on his cheap price on both sites.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/18

Brandon Nimmo vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,000

Nimmo has been one of the bigger surprise success stories in baseball this year as he is batting .287 with 12 home runs and seven stolen bases. His BABIP is high at .358, but his 12.6% walk rate and 43% hard-hit rate are good signs for his continued success. His .454 wOBA against right-handers makes him someone you can build your entry around with Bettis on the mound.

Juan Soto vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Cashner will be activated from the DL to start this game, but he wasn’t pitching well before going down with a back injury. He allows a lot of base runners with a 1.69 WHIP and has had troubles keeping hitters in the ballpark with a 1.6 HR/9, which has lead to his 4.98 ERA and 5.17 FIP. Soto continues to shine since being recalled from the minors, posting a .326 batting average and 1.013 OPS.

Lonnie Chisenhall vs. Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,200

Chisenhall still doesn’t have a home run this year, but he’s been an asset to the Indians with a .339 average and a .439 OBP. His .404 BABIP won’t hold, but his .385 wOBA against righties makes him someone to consider in tournament play against Lopez, who doesn’t exactly have an overpowering arsenal with a 6.6 K/9 for his career.

Others to consider: Aaron Hicks and Nomar Mazara

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/15/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

June special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

Friday night brings a packed slate in baseball with 15 games. 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 6/15/18

Corey Kluber vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,600

Kluber’s consistency gives him an extremely high floor in DFS. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any start this season and he has pitched at least seven innings in 10 of his 14 outings. As good as his 0.87 WHIP was in 2017, he’s been even better so far this year with a 0.83 WHIP. He’s shown great control with a 0.9 BB/9, which certainly helps his pitch count and allows him to log so many innings each game. He thrives pitching in Progressive Field as well, recording a 1.26 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 there this season. He’s costly, but he should be worth it.

Seth Lugo vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $7,100

Lugo has pitched primarily out of the bullpen this season, but he should start until Noah Syndergaard (finger) returns from the DL. He pitched very well against a potent Yankees lineup in his last outing, striking out eight batters and allowing only two hits in eight scoreless innings. He has a career-high 9.3 K/9 this season with some of that possibility attributed to his average fastball velocity of 93.8 mph, which is up significantly from 91.8 mph last year. Some of that might be because he is giving max effort in short relief appearances, so it will be interesting to see if he can maintain that increased velocity as a starter. The Diamondbacks lineup has been much better lately, but they still have the third-lowest OPS against righties (.664) in baseball.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/15/18

Matt Adams vs. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $3,900

The Nationals have been using Adams and Mark Reynolds to fill in at first base for Ryan Zimmerman (back), with Adams normally playing against righties. With the DH in Toronto, both could play Friday anyways. Adams had an excellent .367 wOBA against righties last year but has been even better this season with a .415 wOBA against them. Left-handed hitters have had a lot of success against Sanchez as well with a .406 wOBA this year.

Greg Bird vs. Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,100

Bird is finally healthy, but he’s only batting .200 in his first 14 games. His .229 BABIP certainly isn’t helping his cause, but he is hitting for power with three home runs and four doubles. Eovaldi is not a big strikeout pitcher and he has allowed a .342 wOBA against lefties for his career, so this could be the matchup that Bird needs to start turning things around.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Wilson Ramos (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/15/18

Scooter Gennett vs. Chad Kuhl, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,700

Gennett is off to a scorching start with a .347 average, but his .397 BABIP indicates a bit of luck has been involved. That might be bad news if you own him in season-long leagues, but we can continue to ride his hot streak in DFS. Kuhl allows a lot of base runners with a 1.36 WHIP and also gives up a lot of homers with a 1.5 HR/9. He has held right-handed hitters to a .313 wOBA, but lefties have had a lot of success against him with a .363 wOBA.

Jedd Gyorko vs. Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,400

Gyorko is one of my favorite cheap players to target when he is facing a lefty since he has a 239 wRC+ against them this season. He has also owned Lester during his career, batting 9-for-22 (.409) with three home runs. Gennett may have a higher upside, but the savings you can get with Gyorko might make him just as valuable.

Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Josh Harrison

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/15/18

Justin Turner vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Normally an excellent hitter for average, Turner is batting just .253 this season. He may still be shaking off some rust after missing the start of the year with a wrist injury, but it’s a good sign that he has a 37.5% hard-hit rate. He still has a 173 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers despite his struggles, making him a great option against the underwhelming Holland.

Colin Moran vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,200

The Pirates try to limit Moran’s exposure to lefties, but that won’t be an issue against Harvey. Harvey is also horrid against left-handed hitters, allowing a .406 wOBA against them. Moran doesn’t have a lot of power upside, but all five of his home runs this year have come off of righties.

Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/15/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Gregorius couldn’t have been much worse in May, batting .151 with just one homer. He’s turned things around since the calendar flipped to June, batting .270 with two home runs. He loves hitting at Yankee Stadium as 11 of his 13 homers have come there this season. He has the opportunity for plenty of counting stats in the middle of the loaded Yankees lineup, making him a great option now that he is swinging a hot bat again.

Chris Taylor vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,100

Holland isn’t much more than a journeyman starter at this point in his career, but he still has an excellent .195 wOBA against left-handed hitters this season. Righties have a .351 wOBA against him, though, bringing Taylor into the discussion for Friday. Taylor also hit lefties well with a .363 wOBA, leaving him as someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Gregorius.

Others to consider: Trevor Story and Trea Turner

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/15/18

Juan Soto vs. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,400

Soto is only 19 years old and has played just 20 games in the majors, but the numbers he is putting up are staggering. He is batting .344 with a 1.088 OPS and actually has more walks (12) than strikeouts (11). Considering his young age, that walk to strikeout rate is even more impressive. With Sanchez’s struggles against left-handed hitters already detailed, Soto is someone to target for your outfield.

Matt Kemp vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,200

Kemp’s second stint with the Dodgers couldn’t be going much better as he is batting .335 with 10 homers. He has cooled off some since hitting .361 in May, but he’s not exactly struggling with a .300 average in June. He’s another Dodger righty who hits lefties well considering he has a 183 wRC+ against them this season.

Brandon Nimmo vs. Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000

The Mets lineup has been terrible, but Nimmo has been one of their few bright spots. He’s shown a nice combination of power and speed with nine home runs and six steals. His .265 average isn’t off the charts, but he gets on base a lot with a .403 OBP. He has a .452 wOBA against right-handers pitchers and since Godley has a bloated 1.54 WHIP, Nimmo could find himself on base plenty in this game.

Others to consider: Yasiel Puig and Austin Meadows

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 12

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*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

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 12

Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Braves: vs. NYM, vs. SD

The Braves have plenty of impressive young talent, including Foltynewicz, who has become one of their best starting pitchers. He had struggled in each of the last two seasons, finishing with an ERA of at least 4.31 and a WHIP of at least 1.30 both years. This season has been a completely different story, though, as he has a 2.31 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across his first 13 starts. One big reason for his improvement has been his increased strikeouts as he has a 10.7 K/9. He gets two excellent matchups in Week 12 against the Mets and Padres, both of which are in the bottom third in the league in runs scored. The Padres also have the second-most strikeouts (627) in baseball.

Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros: at OAK, at KC

The Astros have such a deep starting rotation that McCullers is sometimes overlooked. He doesn’t have the dominant numbers that Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander have, but his 3.94 ERA and 3.74 FIP are still valuable. Most of the damage against him this season came in two starts where he allowed a combined 15 runs. He has actually allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his 13 starts. He doesn’t allow many base runners with a 1.20 WHIP and he has a 9.1 K/9 as well.  This will be his third time facing the Athletics this season and he handled them well the first two times, allowing two runs to go along with 10 strikeouts in 12 innings. His second start of the week is favorable as well since the Royals have scored the fifth-fewest runs (252) in baseball.

Clay Buchholz, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. PIT, vs. NYM

With Robbie Ray (oblique) on the DL, they had to turn to Buchholz to join the starting rotation. Buchholz certainly had some excellent seasons with the Red Sox earlier in his career, but he had a 4.78 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in his last full season in the majors in 2016. He’s given the Diamondbacks more than they could have expected through his first four starts this year by posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and a 7.9 K/9. His 3.35 FIP indicates he hasn’t exactly been as dominant as his numbers look and he’s also been lucky that three of his starts have come against bad offensive teams in the Mets, Giants, and Marlins. The Pirates are no cake walk, but they do have more trouble against right-handed pitchers. He also gets to face the Mets again, leaving him as a viable streaming option who is still available in 63% of Yahoo! leagues.

Blaine Hardy, Detroit Tigers: vs. MIN, at CWS

With the trade of Verlander to the Astros last year, the Tigers officially signaled it was time to rebuild. They entered this season with little starting pitching depth, which became even worse when Jordan Zimmermann (shoulder) and Francisco Liriano (hamstring) went down. Hardy had pitched in relief the last four seasons but has now been forced into the rotation. He’s pitched well in his five starts, recording a 3.81 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. However, he only has a 5.7 K/9 over that stretch and has never been a big strikeout pitcher in his career. Although he has only made five starts this year, he has already faced both the Twins and the White Sox. He allowed two runs and recorded four strikeouts in five innings against the Twins. He was even better against the White Sox, allowing one run and recording six strikeouts in seven innings. The White Sox have the fifth-lowest OPS against lefties (.674) in baseball, so his strong performance against them is not all that surprising. Hardy is still available in 97% of Yahoo! leagues and is someone to consider if you are in a deep league.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 12

Daniel Mengden, Oakland Athletics: vs. HOU, vs. LAA

The Athletics have had a lot of problems with their starting rotation this year, but Mengden hasn’t been one of them. His sparkling 1.02 WHIP has helped him post a 3.45 ERA through 13 starts. He has been a bit lucky, though, as opponents have only a .242 BABIP against him. He has also allowed a 37.8% hard-hit rate. His lack of overpowering stuff doesn’t help his cause either, which has resulted in a 5.9 K/9. Both the Astros and Angels are in the top-eight in baseball in runs scored and have had success against Mengden previously this season, making him a risky play for Week 12.

Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals: at NYY, at TOR

Roark has had an inconsistent career. He had an ERA of 2.85 or lower in 2014 and 2016, but an ERA of at least 4.38 in 2015 and 2017. He’s back to pitching better this season with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. His ERA could be on the rise, though, since opponents have just a .245 BABIP. His first matchup for Week 12 is horrible on the road against the Yankees, who mash at Yankee Stadium. The Blue Jays aren’t nearly as potent offensively, but he they do have the eighth-highest home OPS (.746) in baseball. This could be an ugly week.

Mike Leake, Seattle Mariners: vs. LAA, vs. BOS

Leake is on a roll right now, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. His ERA is down to 4.46, but his 1.2 HR/9 and 5.6 K/9 don’t exactly instill confidence moving forward. It should also be noted that three of those starts came against the Twins and the Rays, both of which are in the bottom-third of baseball in runs scored. He’ll get two very tough opponents in the Angels and Red Sox in Week 12, so get him out of your lineup if you have been riding his hot hand.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

Outside of a doubleheader between the Twins and White Sox, we’ve got a full slate of night baseball in the majors Tuesday. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

Max Scherzer vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,300

Scherzer mowed down the Orioles in his last start, allowing just three base runners and recording 12 strikeouts in eight shutout innings. In his 12 starts this season, Scherzer has allowed one or no runs six times. His 1.92 ERA is supported by a strong 1.94 FIP and 0.85 WHIP. Keeping runners off base continues to be a strength for Scherzer as this would mark his fourth straight season with a WHIP of 0.97 or lower. The Rays have scored the sixth-fewest runs (238) in baseball and won’t have the benefit of the designated hitter either, so don’t hesitate to pay up for Scherzer.

Sean Newcomb vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $9,200

The Braves rotation has been much improved this year with Newcomb becoming one of the best pitchers on the staff. Other than a 4.3 BB/9, there is a lot to like about his numbers. In his 11 starts, he has a 2.73 ERA, 3.13 FIP, and a 1.21 WHIP. He’s only allowed three home runs in 62.2 innings and is getting plenty of strikeouts with a 9.2 K/9. His numbers are even better on the road, recording a 2.06 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 10.8 K/9 across seven outings. The Padres have struck out the second-most times (581) in baseball, leaving Newcomb with the potential for a valuable performance.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

Mitch Moreland vs. Artie Lewicki, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Moreland is now locked in at first base for the Red Sox with Hanley Ramirez no longer with the team. Moreland is off to great start, hitting for both average and power. Not only is he batting .305, but his .631 slugging percentage would be by far the highest of his career. With a lofty .442 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year, Moreland is an excellent option against the underwhelming Lewicki, who will be making his first start of the season.

Greg Bird vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

After going hitless in his first game of the season, Bird has at least one hit in each of his last six games. He adds another power bat to an already loaded Yankees lineup as he already has two home runs and two doubles. Estrada gives up a ton of homers, following up his 1.5 HR/9 in 2017 with a 1.8 HR/9 this season. A Yankees stack could provide a lot of production Tuesday, Bird included.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Gary Sanchez (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

Whit Merrifield vs. Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,300

Merrifield is a bright building block for the Royals, hitting .288 with 19 home runs and 34 stolen bases in his first full season in the majors last year. He only has four homers this season, but he’s batting .291 with 14 steals. He’s also shown an improved eye at the plate, already recording 26 walks in 258 plate appearances after drawing just 29 walks in 630 plate appearances last year. With a career .389 wOBA against lefties, he’s a prime target facing Heaney.

Jonathan Schoop vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,500

Schoop was a force in the Orioles’ lineup last year, batting .293 with 32 home runs. He hasn’t been able to follow that up with a good start this season as he is batting just .238 with five homers. His hard-hit rate is way down at 22.3%, which is almost 14 percentage points lower than last year. Even with all of his struggles, he still has a .320 wOBA against lefties. Vargas has been getting hammered this season, so this might be the time to take a chance on Schoop in tournament play.

Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Jed Lowrie

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

Eugenio Suarez vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100

After providing reliable production the last two seasons, the Reds locked up Suarez to a long-term deal this spring. He has rewarded their faith in him, batting .297 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI. Although the .297 average is the highest of his career, his .308 BABIP is actually slightly lower than his career mark. His 244 wRC+ against lefties this year is especially impressive, which could make him a tough out for Freeland.

Matt Chapman vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium = Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Moore is one of my favorite pitchers to stack against. He is having a terrible year with a 7.85 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He has allowed fewer than three runs in only one of his starts and doesn’t carry much strikeout upside. Righties have a .390 wOBA against him as well, so Chapman is someone to consider even though he has cooled off after a red-hot start.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

Manny Machado vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200

Machado is thriving in a contract year and could end up being one of the highest paid players in baseball this winter. He requested to be moved back to shortstop likely to increase his value, so he’s well aware of the impact an excellent season could have on his next deal. He has a 1.030 OPS this season after never posting an OPS above .876 in his career. You could go on for days about his excellent numbers, but another key stat is that he has a .405 wOBA against left-handed pitchers.

Brock Holt vs. Artie Lewicki, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,300

Holt is in line for more playing time with Dustin Pedroia (knee) back on the DL. Holt has dealt with his fair share of injuries during his career as well, but he’s healthy right now and batting a career-high .319. He’s been boosted by a .364 BABIP, but his strikeout rate is also down significantly. He has a .350 wOBA against righties this year, leaving him as a cost-effective option with upside.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/5/18

Aaron Judge vs. Marco Estrada, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,400

Judge had a day to forget in a doubleheader against the Tigers on Monday, striking out a combined eight times. There’s no question that Judge is going to strike out a lot, but he still has a .271 average for his career. Considering Estrada gives up a lot of home runs and doesn’t have overpowering stuff, it’s no surprise that Judge is 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles against him.

Khris Davis vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900

Davis’ .230 average leaves a lot to be desired, but he hasn’t disappointed in the power department with 13 home runs already despite spending 10 days on the DL. His .248 BABIP is also 30 points below his career mark, so he has some room for improvement with his average.  Davis has pretty close splits against lefties and righties for his career and is an excellent option against Moore.

Brandon Nimmo vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400

Cobb was hammered in his first three starts with the Orioles and while he has shown improvement, he has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) in his last 22.2 innings. He has allowed at least one home run in seven of his nine starts as well. Nimmo has played his way into the Mets leadoff role, batting .271 with a .421 OBP. He has seven home runs and six stolen bases and should continue to play every day even when Yoenis Cespedes (hip) does eventually return. Righties have found it very difficult to get Nimmo out as he has a .475 wOBA against them.

Others to consider: Nelson Cruz and Adam Jones

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

There are a few early games in baseball Wednesday, but let’s focus on 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

Max Scherzer vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $11,800
DraftKings = $13,900

Scherzer’s last start against the weak Marlins lineup seemed like a slam dunk, but he allowed four runs and only recorded four strikeouts in six innings. He came away with the win, but that’s certainly a disappointing start by his standards. He had logged at least 11 strikeouts in each of his previous three starts and has a 13.6 K/9 this season that would be the highest mark of his career. The Orioles have struck out the sixth-most times (499) in baseball, so look for Scherzer get back to his dominant ways Wednesday.

Ross Stripling vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,300

The Dodgers starting rotation has been hampered by injuries yet again this season, forcing Stripling to start after beginning the year in the bullpen. Only two of his 49 appearances last year were starts as well. The move to the rotation has been a success so far, recording a 2.42 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 11.4 K/9 across five outings. Two of those games did come against the lowly Padres, but those are still impressive numbers. The Phillies offense has struggled with a .677 OPS on the road this season compared to a .757 OPS at home. Stripling won’t bust your budget either, making him a viable option in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

Anthony Rizzo vs. Joe Musgrove, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,500

Rizzo is finally coming out of his slump and is currently on an 11-game hitting streak. He’s had three multi-hit games over that stretch, going 15-for-42 (.357) and homering in both of his last two games. He still has a .342 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year despite his early struggles, so look for him to continue his recent hot streak against Musgrove.

Ryon Healy vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,300

The Rangers will activate Moore from the DL on Wednesday, bringing back one of the better pitchers to stack against this season. Through his first 10 games (nine starts), Moore has been atrocious with a 7.99 ERA and a 2.02 WHIP. Righties have hit him particularly well with a .394 wOBA. Healy also has a .373 wOBA against lefties for his career, making him an excellent cheap option to consider.

Others to consider: Salvador Perez (catcher) and Max Muncy (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

Ozzie Albies vs. Jason Vargas, New York Mets
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,200

Vargas has really fallen off after a making the All-Star team with the Royals last year, posting a 10.62 ERA and a 2.16 WHIP through five starts. He has only pitched 20.1 innings but has already allowed six home runs. He does have a 9.3 K/9, but don’t expect that to hold considering he has a 6.1 K/9 for his career. With a .430 wOBA against left-handers, Albies could be in line for a big performance Wednesday.

Jed Lowrie vs. Nathan Eovaldi, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Lowrie got off to a scorching hot start this season but is only hitting .258 with three home runs in May. He had a .388 BABIP leading up to the month but has only posted a .296 BABIP since. He’s still someone to target against Eovaldi, though, who will be making his first start of the season after having elbow surgery. He has always allowed a lot of base runners with a career 1.38 WHIP and has never been a big strikeout pitcher either. Lowrie’s price has been dropping, especially on FanDuel, so this might be a good time to take advantage and get him into your lineup.

Others to consider: Asdrubal Cabrera and Starlin Castro

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

Nolan Arenado vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $5,400

Arenado is normally someone to target when the Rockies are playing at home as he has a .968 OPS at Coors Field for his career compared to a .795 OPS on the road. Add that to the fact that he is facing the lefty Holland and he becomes an even juicier option. Not only does Arenado have a 220 wRC+ against lefties this year, but Holland’s wOBA against righties is 134 points higher than it is against lefties.

Brian Anderson vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,200

The Marlins have scored the fewest runs (187) in baseball, but Anderson has been one of their few bright spots offensively. He has only hit two home runs, but he does have 13 doubles to go along with a .279 average and a .360 OBP. Anderson has a .365 wOBA against lefties this year while Richard has allowed a .350 wOBA to righties, so he could be someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Arenado.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Jacob Turner

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

Trevor Story vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,800

Stacking righties on the Rockies against Holland could be a great move Wednesday. Story has actually never had a wOBA below .409 against lefties in any season of his career. He also rakes at Coors Field with a career .962 OPS compared to a .694 OPS on the road.

Jean Segura vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600

Segura was inadvertently kicked in the head while playing the field Saturday but returned to the lineup Tuesday to go 3-for-5 with a double. He now has at least two hits in six of his last nine games and his batting .324 overall this season. With a .364 wOBA against lefties this year, he’s another Mariner to target against the struggling Moore.

Others to consider: Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/30/18

Bryce Harper vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $5,700

Harper is hitting .238 this season, but that’s mainly because of an incredibly low .213 BABIP. To put that into perspective, even when he hit a disappointing .243 in 2016, his BABIP was .264. He is still hitting for a ton of power with 17 home runs and has as many walks as he does strikeouts. He has a .406 wOBA against righties this year despite his struggles, making him an excellent option against the inexperienced Hess.

Juan Soto vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,800

Soto has only appeared in nine games for the Nationals this season but already has four multi-hit performances. He has shown a good eye at the plate by drawing as many walks as he has strikeouts. He had 58 walks compared to 66 strikeouts in his career in the minors as well, so this could be a trend that he can sustain. He’s one of the bright young players in all of baseball and could provide plenty of value at this reasonable price.

Nelson Cruz vs. Matt Moore, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400

A career .275 hitter, Cruz is only batting .227 this year. He’s been unlucky with a .234 BABIP that is significantly lower than his .306 career mark. His strikeout percentage is actually down this season and he still has a 35.8% hard-hit rate, making him an excellent buy-low candidate if you play season-long fantasy. With a career .389 wOBA against lefties, he also makes for a great option against Moore on Wednesday.

Others to consider: Eddie Rosario and Brandon Nimmo

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
May special! Use Code PAMLB30 at checkout

With only one day game Friday, there is a bevy of options to choose 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Max Scherzer vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $14,000

Scherzer has won the Cy Young Award in both of the last two seasons and three times overall in his career. With the way he’s been pitching so far, he’s making a strong case to win it once again. He does an excellent job keeping runners off base with a 0.85 WHIP, which would be his fourth-straight season with a WHIP of 0.97 or lower. He also has a staggering 17.2% swinging-strike rate that has led to a career-high 14.3 K/9. What might be just as impressive is that he has only issued 16 walks in 65.2 innings. He’s a great option regardless of who he is facing, but especially against a Marlins team that has scored the fewest runs (167) in baseball.

Sean Manaea vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,600

Manaea began the season by allowing two runs or fewer in each of his first six starts, highlighted by a no-hitter against the Red Sox. His last four starts haven’t gone nearly as well, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) in 22.2 innings. One of the main reasons for his recent struggles has been a regression in his BABIP allowed, which was .148 in those first six starts and was .301 in the last four outings. However, this might be the matchup he needs to get back on track since the Diamondbacks have scored the second-fewest runs (180) and they sorely miss A.J. Pollock (thumb).

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Matt Adams vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,000

The Nationals have been decimated by injuries this season, opening up significant playing time for Adams. He’s come through in a major way, batting .273 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI. He even has those numbers despite his .264 BABIP being 50 percentage points lower than his career mark. He has followed up his .367 wOBA against lefties last year with a .441 wOBA this year, so Urena could have difficulty getting him out Friday.

Salvador Perez vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000

Minor’s transition back to being a starting pitcher has not gone well, allowing a 5.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across nine starts. His FIP has been a little better at 4.41, but he’s already allowed eight home runs in just 48.1 innings. He still gives left-handed hitters a lot of problems, but his .384 wOBA allowed to righties brings Perez into the discussion Friday.

Others to consider: Eric Hosmer (first base) and Edwin Encarnacion (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Ozzie Albies vs. Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,300

After hitting nine home runs in his first 27 games, Albies has slowed down a bit with five homers in his last 21 contests. He only hit 16 total home runs during his career in the minors, so it’s no surprise that he’s started to regress in that department. One interesting note is that 12 of his 14 home runs this year have come on the road. He is crushing lefties as well, posting a 232 wRC+ against them this season.

Whit Merrifield vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Stacking righties against Minor could be a path to success Friday. Merrifield broke out of his recent slump with two hits Thursday and is batting .286 this season. Not only has he shown a nice combination of speed and power this year, but he also has a 226 wRC+ against lefties.

Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Josh Harrison

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,300

Ramirez is officially over his early-season slump, batting .338 with seven homers and five steals in May. He only had a .241 BABIP heading into the month, so you knew he was bound to improve as the season progressed. Keuchel is certainly a good pitcher, but his wOBA against righties is 50 percentage points higher than it is against lefties in his career. This might not be an obvious matchup to take advantage of, but Ramirez has upside.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa vs, Eric Skoglund, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $3,500

Skoglund is getting his first chance to be a permanent member of the Royals starting rotation and it’s not going well as he has a 6.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across eight starts. He doesn’t carry strikeout upside with a 6.9 K/9 and has allowed a .357 wOBA against right-handed hitters, making Kiner-Falefa a cheap option who could provide value.

Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Jurickson Profar vs. Eric Skoglund, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,700

With Skoglund and all of his struggles, the Rangers are another team to consider stacking. Profar is finally getting consistent playing time with all of the Rangers injury woes and although he is batting just .237, he is hitting 7-for-22 with a home run, three doubles and 11 RBI in his last six games. He received the day off Thursday and missed out on a prime matchup against Danny Duffy, but facing Skoglund is just as favorable.

Dansby Swanson vs. Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,200

Swanson couldn’t capitalize on his first opportunity to be an everyday player in the majors last year, batting only .232 with six home runs. He’s still not hitting for much power this year, but his .273 batting average is much improved. His .374 BABIP is high, so his average could decline as the season progresses. However, that might not start against Rodriguez since Swanson has traditionally had much more success against lefties.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Trevor Story

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/25/18

Austin Meadows vs. John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $3,800

Meadows has wasted no time making his mark in six games with the Pirates, batting .440 with three home runs and two doubles. He already has four multi-hit games and is creating a hard decision for the Pirates to make when Starling Marte (oblique) returns. Until then, continue to ride his hot streak.

Juan Soto vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $3,400

Another one of the hot young prospects in baseball, Soto is 3-for-10 with a home run since being called up by the Nationals. Down some key outfielders, Soto should at least stay in the majors for the foreseeable future. Urena’s wOBA against lefties is 64 percentage points higher than it is against righties, making Soto another Nationals hitter to target.

Brandon Nimmo vs. Junior Guerra, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,600

With Yoenis Cespedes (hip) and Juan Lagares (toe) on the DL, regular playing time has opened up for Nimmo. He hasn’t let the opportunity go to waste, batting .294 with a .450 OBP. His .394 BABIP screams regression, but he did hit .280 with a .388 OBP in his career in the minors. He also has a .476 wOBA against righties this year, so he might be worth taking a chance on against Guerra.

Others to consider: Bryce Harper and Charlie Blackmon

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Earlybird special! Use Code PAMLB10 at checkout

As is the case most Wednesday’s, we’ve got game spread out between the day and evening slates for DFS today. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Walker Buehler vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $8,500

Regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, Buehler has continued to shine in the majors. He’s making a case to stick in the Dodgers’ rotation even when they get healthy, posting a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 through four starts. His FIP stands at 1.64 and he’s allowed a .288 BABIP, so his supporting numbers further highlight his strong start. His first start of the year came against these same Marlins, holding them scoreless over five innings while recording five strikeouts. Since they have scored the fewest runs (142) and hit the fewest home runs (31) in baseball, Buehler could again be in line for a valuable performance.

J.A. Happ vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $9,400

Happ’s 4.80 ERA doesn’t instill confidence, but it is a bit inflated after he allowed seven runs in 3.1 innings in his last start against the Mariners. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his eight outings and has a career-high 11.2 K/9, led by an 11.7% swinging strike rate. The Mets have one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring the sixth-fewest runs (165). They also have the worst OPS against left-handed pitchers (.593) by a wide margin, leaving Happ as a viable option in tournament play if you are playing the early slate.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Carlos Santana vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,900
DratfKings =$4,900

Santana has finally woken up after a slow start, batting .289 with five home runs in May. He still only has a .216 BABIP this month, leaving him with even more room for improvement. Cashner is off to a bad start as well with a 5.74 FIP and 1.50 WHIP through eight outings. Santana has hit right-handers well in his career and has a .337 wOBA against them this year despite all his struggles, so don’t sleep on him Wednesday.

Jose Osuna vs. Hector Santiago, Chicago White Sox
Stadium = PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,000

Santiago has made 11 appearances for the White Sox this season, but Wednesday will mark only his third start. He hasn’t pitched well, posting a 5.60 ERA, 5.67 FIP, and 1.68 WHIP. He started 14 of his 15 games last season and wasn’t any better, finishing with a 5.63 ERA, 6.02 FIP, and 1.44 WHIP. Osuna is batting cleanup in this game and already has two home runs in 10 plate appearances against lefties this year, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play. Of note, he is only first base eligible on DraftKings as he is listed as an outfielder on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Wilson Contreras (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Javier Baez vs, Brandon McCarthy, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DratfKings = $4,500

McCarthy got off to a hot start by allowing three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts but he has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four. His last two outings were particularly concerning since he gave up 14 runs to the Giants and Marlins, neither of which have a great lineup. The Cubs present an excellent stacking opportunity Wednesday, Baez included.

Howie Kendrick vs. C.C. Sabathia, New York Yankees
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,300

Sabathia’s 2.23 ERA and 1.02 WHIP look great, but he’s been a bit lucky with opponents posting just a .255 BABIP. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff anymore with a 6.9 K/9 this year, but he’s helped make up for it with a career-low 1.2 BB/9. Kendrick recorded a .385 wOBA against lefties last year, leaving him with a favorable chance to provide value.

Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,100

Ramirez is rolling right now, hitting 8-for-20 with three home runs and three doubles in his last five games. The lefty Carpenter did make one start for the Tigers earlier this year, allowing three runs in three innings against the Pirates. He wasn’t exactly pitching well in Triple-A this season either with a 5.01 ERA and 1.43 WHIP across seven starts. Ramirez finished with a .395 wOBA against lefties last year and has been even better with a .419 mark this season. He is one of several Indians hitters who could excel in this game.

Justin Turner vs. Caleb Smith, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Turner played in his first game Tuesday after missing the start of the season with a wrist injury. The Dodgers badly need his bat in their lineup with the loss of Corey Seager (elbow), so he is certainly a welcomed addition. He mashed left-handers for a 206 wRC+ last year, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry even though it’s only his second game back.

Others to consider: Eugenio Suarez and Daniel Descalso

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Ryan Carpenter, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,500

Lindor’s 15-game hitting streak was snapped Tuesday, but that’s mostly because he didn’t get a chance to do much damage, drawing a walk in four of his five plate appearances. He’s one of the hottest hitters in the league right now and already has eight home runs in May, making him yet another Indians’ hitter you want to try and squeeze into your entry.

Brandon Crawford vs. Matt Harvey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,300

Speaking of shortstops on a hot streak, Crawford is batting .412 with 1.017 OPS in May. Harvey pitched well in his first start with the Reds, but he still only had two strikeouts in four innings. After he allowed a .426 wOBA to left-handed hitters last year, Crawford could have a good chance of keeping his hot streak alive for at least one more game.

Others to consider: Trea Turner and Chris Taylor

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 5/16/18

Odubel Herrera vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Herrera has been hot out of the gate, batting .360 with a .992 OPS. He likely won’t be able to sustain that average considering his .400 BABIP, but it is encouraging that his walk rate is up while his strikeout rate is down. His .436 wOBA against righties this year makes him another Phillies’ hitter to target against Cashner.

Nomar Mazara vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Bergman will be making his first start in the majors Wednesday, although he hasn’t exactly dominated in the minors this year with a 3.40 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He’s had trouble keeping runners off base in his previous appearances in the majors, posting a 1.50 WHIP for his career. Mazara only has a .272 wOBA in his career against lefties but has been much better against righties with a .340 wOBA.

Joey Gallo vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000

It’s all or nothing when it comes to Gallo, who has 12 home runs despite batting .199 and striking out in one-third of his plate appearances. Not only has Bergman struggled to keep runners off base, but he also has a 1.6 HR/9 for his career to go along with only a 5.5 K/9. This is the type of matchup that Gallo thrives off of.

Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Denard Span