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Don’t look now, but I’m starting to get on a roll on FanDuel. I’ve cashed in small tournaments the past two nights (I’m writing this before the end of Wednesday’s games, but I’m in good shape if Miguel Gonzalez can get a win), and I’ve been doing well in head-to-head games if you don’t include the fact that I started some Nationals and Red Sox on Monday when they didn’t play (figure it out, Tom). The good news for you is that I sort of know what I’m doing after all. For any last minute questions or comments feel free to hit me up on Twitter. My handle is @BellRoto.
The slate for Thursday, June 3rd includes three afternoon games and seven games at 7:05 or later. Because there are only 10 games on the schedule, I’ll include all the games in my targets below, but I will likely wait it out and play in a few seven-game tournaments. I happen to like the middle-of-the-road slate the best. Seven games is not too few that everyone has the same players, but it’s not too big where it feels impossible to find the best producers. Let’s break it down.
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Offenses to Target for FanDuel DFS
Chicago White Sox (vs. Yovani Gallardo, RHP)
At first glance it seems like a difficult night for stacking offense. The good offenses are facing decent pitching, and the bad offenses are facing bad pitching. A sneaky stack that may work in owners’ favors could come from the non-Texas team in Arlington. The White Sox knocked around Nick Martinez on Wednesday, and they get another mediocre righty in Gallardo on Thursday. The entire top of the lineup has depreciated prices. Players like Adam Eaton, Melky Cabrera, and Adam LaRoche may finally be coming around. Don’t be afraid to throw in Jose Abreu either, as he put aside all finger worries with a homer on Wednesday.
Oakland Athletics (vs. Shane Greene, RHP)
About a week ago, this recommendation would’ve been considered crazy. However, the A’s have started to hit, and Greene got rocked by the Angels. Sure, it was just one start, but they hit five home runs! Greene simply just doesn’t have the put-away pitch he needs to finish off at-bats. Red hot hitters like Billy Burns, Ben Zobrist, and Stephen Vogt are great plays against a righty like Greene despite their rising prices.
Honorable Mentions: New York Mets, Boston Red Sox
DFS Starting Pitchers to Target for FanDuel
Dallas Keuchel (SP, HOU) - $9,800
Although they just handed him his first loss two starts ago, Keuchel against the Baltimore Orioles is my safe cash game play of the night on Thursday. Apart from the four-run outing against the O’s, Keuchel has been virtually untouchable throughout 2015. The only real competition was this spot came from Matt Harvey, but he is on the road against a D-Backs team that has shown they can really hit the ball lately. Although I can see the argument for Harvey, I am sold on Keuchel as a top-15 pitcher, and he will be looking for revenge for his lone loss come Thursday night.
Carlos Rodon (SP, CWS) - $6,800
With the enormous buzz around Prince Fielder, Joey Gallo, and the dynamite Rangers offense, most FanDuel players will steer clear of Rodon on Thursday. However, Rodon is a lefty. It just so happens that the Rangers are full of lefty hitters. Although they can mash righties, left-handed pitchers have been a problem for Texas in recent history. As I write this, another Chicago lefty is currently blanking the Rangers. Granted, this lefty is a proven ace (Chris Sale), but what’s even more promising is that Rodon didn’t walk a batter in his last outing against Houston. If he can keep that control sharp, his strikeouts will certainly increase from the four he collected against the Astros. If all goes well, Rodon could be a sneaky-good pitcher that can save you a ton of salary and maybe win you a tournament.
DFS Infielders to Target for FanDuel
Stephen Vogt (C, OAK) - $3,500
I touched on Vogt earlier. Although the price is steep for a catcher, you’re going to get at least one or two RBI situations for him every game. Against a right-handed contact pitcher in Greene, I’m willing to bet Vogt parks one on Thursday.
Joey Votto (1B, CIN) - $3,600
Not a whole lot is going right in Cincinnati right now, but Votto is finding his power stroke again. He has three homers in his last five games, and I don’t believe the righty Aaron Harang is actually this good.
Kolten Wong (2B, STL) - $3,100
Wong is a true difference-maker at the top of the Cardinals lineup. The scary part is they already had that in Matt Carpenter. At one point at the end of May, Wong had eight runs scored in six games. He will find a way to get fantasy points, and he faces up against a mediocre righty on Thursday.
Maikel Franco (3B, PHI) - $2,500
It’s about time the power that everyone raved about started to show. Franco has homered in clutch situations to tie the game in each of the last two games. For this price, the homer potential is too great to pass up, even against a righty in Anthony DeSclafani.
Starlin Castro (SS, CHC) - $2,700
Although his price has yet to reflect it, Castro has started hitting again in the middle of the Cubs batting order. Gio Gonzalez is still a good pitcher, but he has also been very hittable this year. He’s also a lefty, which benefits Castro slightly. At this price, you’ll be happy if Castro can capitalize on one of his RBI chances on Thursday.
DFS Outfielders to Target for FanDuel
George Springer (OF, HOU) - $3,600
He has made me look bad in the past, but this is an extremely talented hitter who can kill lefties. Spring has multi-homer potential with plenty of speed. After hitting a homer Wednesday night, I’m hoping Springer jump starts a hot streak on Thursday with a big game against lefty Wei-Yin Chen.
Adam Eaton (OF, CWS) - $2,700
Eaton is finally starting to look like the dangerous lead0ff man we saw glimpses of last year. He’s had two great games in a row, and as I’ve mentioned earlier, the White Sox get another so-so righty in Gallardo. Eaton should be able to keep it rolling on Thursday.
Delmon Young (OF, BAL) - $2,600
WARNING: Delmon Young is facing Dallas Keuchel. This is a super contrarian pick, as I never like going against a guy like Keuchel in DFS. However, Young has been mashing lefties lately, and if anyone is going to take a lazy pitch yard the third time through the lineup, my money is on Young. He’ll probably fall flat on his face against one of the best pitchers in the league, but if he doesn’t, he could really boost you to the top of tournament’s standings.
Good luck with your FanDuel and DFS lineups RotoBallers!
