RADIO
Well, it was an interesting week. I was up and down in a lot of the games I played in. I have done pretty well in my 50-50s, but I’m just missing out on the tournaments. I hope, like myself, you’re starting to get a hang of the advantages that can be gained in MLB DFS through FanDuel. I’ve been using FanGraphs.com religiously to scope out players’ statistics from basic OBP to more complex wOBA. Doing the research really does pay off in the long run. That will hold true more and more as we get a larger sample size throughout this season. I hope you’re enjoying this as much as I am. I assembled some picks that I’m considering for Friday below.
If you have any questions or comments about DFS or even season-long leagues hit me up on Twitter @BellRoto. And as always, thanks for reading!
Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s Premium DFS Lineup Picks & Tools help you get an edge for your FanDuel lineups with exclusive access to DFS tools and expert lineup picks. Also our DFS batters vs. pitchers tool helps you analyze today’s matchups and make optimal lineup decisions.
Offenses to Target for FanDuel DFS
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics face off against RHP Jeremy Guthrie on Friday night. A stack of the lefty-hitting A’s might turn out to give you loads of production, as Sam Fuld, Ike Davis, and Stephen Vogt can all produce good numbers at a moderate to low price. The A’s have a strange tendency going so far in 2015. They have been struggling to score every other game, but they have been separating those contests with huge scoring outings. So, if you’re into that kind of thing, the pattern would have them scoring in bunches after a one-run outing on Wednesday.
New York Mets
This one might seem a little unorthodox, but it jumped off the page at me when I looked at Friday’s pitching match-ups. The Miami Marlins will be experimenting with former reliever David Phelps. Phelps is a right-handed pitcher, so a stack of Lucas Duda (who I’ll touch on later), Daniel Murphy, and Curtis Granderson (who won’t bat .185 forever) could quietly rack up points in bunches. There may be better options, but you will certainly stand out from a crowd with this one.
DFS Starting Pitchers To Target for FanDuel
Max Scherzer (SP, WAS) - $11,000
This is probably the safest cash game play you will find. Mad Max should tease the Philadelphia Phillies hitters all night long and is a pretty safe bet to get a win. The other option I considered here was Corey Kluber. Kluber has a very similar situation against a poor-hitting team in the Minnesota Twins. I gave Scherzer the edge for two reasons: He is at home and he is on my season-long fantasy team (just kidding about the second one). But, in all seriousness, take your pick here. You’re only going to save 300 dollars with Kluber, so whoever your gut prefers should be your choice. Obviously Johnny Cueto and Klayton Kershaw are in play for cash games too, but if I want the safest possible play for my big bucks, I’m sticking with Scherzer or Kluber.
Michael Wacha (SP, STL) - $8,400
Michael Wacha will certainly be under-owned on FanDuel simply because of all the options ahead of him. The aces mentioned above will take most of the spotlight in the one-pitcher format. However, Wacha has a great opportunity to pitch well at home against the Cincinnati Reds. A repeat of his two strikeouts last game won’t cut it, but if he bumps it up to six or seven and gets a win, you will be glad you didn’t go with the crowd and pay big for a starter. Keep in mind that Wacha is far too risky for cash games. This pick would be justified strictly along the lines of wanting to stray from the pack.
Jason Hammel (SP, CHC) - $8,100
Jason Hammel put up a great fight and ended up with a win against the Colorado Rockies last Saturday after only giving up three earned runs and no walks in six innings. He also had six strikeouts in the progress. Hammel matches up with the San Diego Padres on Friday afternoon. I know there isn’t a huge crowd for tournament play with only two games on the schedule, but with David Price, Jeff Samardzija, and James Shields as his contenders, Hammel will certainly go overlooked in the afternoon slate. Getting big points from a player like this could make you a rich man/woman.
DFS Infielders To Target for FanDuel
Lucas Duda (1B, NYM) - $4,100
Duda has been stroking the baseball lately. He’s batting .353 so far this year with a .964 OPS. The righty-killer is facing Phelps of the Marlins who was a relief pitcher just last week. Duda has a .368 career wOBA against right-handed pitching, and with the tear he’s been on I will certainly be putting him in my FanDuel lineups regardless of cash or GPP play.
Neil Walker (2B, PIT) - $3,500
The switch-hitting second baseman is just one hanging curveball away from breaking out of this slow start. Neil Walker and the Pirates have not scored a run in two full games now, so there has to be an offensive explosion on the horizon. Jimmy Nelson is a young righty who might just give Walker the pitch to drive over the Clemente Wall on Friday.
DFS Outfielders To Target for FanDuel
Andre Ethier (LAD, OF) - $2,600
Andre Ethier has used this recent opportunity to begin a rekindling of his career. A great lefty hitter, he may have another opportunity to showcase any remaining skill that he has on Friday against a righty in Kyle Kendrick. Keep an eye on the status of Yasiel Puig and the starting lineups if you can. Obviously Ethier’s value drops if he’s not in the lineup. What makes it even more difficult is that first pitch isn’t until 10:10. That makes this a pretty risky pick.
Jacoby Ellsbury (NYY, OF) - $4,000
Facing an inexperienced right-handed pitcher in Nathan Karns, Jacoby Ellsbury should be able to put together a nice two-hit game. The center fielder always seems to be slow out of the gates. But a couple of singles, a couple of runs, and a stolen base can do wonders for a FanDuel lineup.
Good luck with your FanDuel and DFS lineups RotoBallers!
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