RADIO
As the MLB slowly takes the reigns as the premier professional sport of the summer, highlight reels will be filling up with diving catches, innovative double plays, precise pitching, and of course, home run shots that would make Mark McGwire look like he was playing in a little league. Ok, that last part is not true but I can only imagine what Mark has to say about Giancarlo Stanton’s 475 foot rocket that cruised over the Dodger Stadium wall into the parking lot.
Baseball is a combination of strength and finesse. The finesse players find ways to show their strength through contact hits and speed, the others prefer raw power and trotting around the bases. There is nothing wrong with either one of these players and the key difference is the consistency. What I am going to help you do is find the most consistent players for the least amount of price. I will be posting my lineups for Thursday, June 18th for comparison and like always, hit me up on twitter for any questions @JakeFinnen22.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings
Los Angeles Angels vs. Diamondbacks RHP Allen Webster
Allen Webster has pitched a little over five innings this season. He is a very young pitcher going up against an experienced and aggressive Angels lineup. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are above .400 wOBA facing RHP this season. Other Angels like David Freese and Kole Calhoun both share a .311 wOBA and a 104 wRC+. This matchup is more focused on Webster’s inexperience against a solid hitting team rather than the Angels’ ability to score runs outside of Trout and Pujols.
Brewers LHB vs. Jeremy Guthrie
This particular matchup is like the previous situation with the Angels and Diamondbacks where it is less a showing about the Brewers’ hitting but more about their chances of getting hits off of Guthrie specifically. The Brewers’ have been posting a .250 BA against RHP as LHB. This is another stat that does not necessarily jump out at you, but it should be high enough to where Guthrie will have his hands full. Adam Lind holds a .365 wOBA against RHP as a LHB along with a wRC+ of 130. Where the Brewers’ hitters can gain support is through Guthrie’s horrid .333 BAA and .431 wOBA when facing LHB. This is where Milwaukee should make up ground and where the LHB should take over in this game.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Target for DraftKings
Shelby Miller (ATL, RHP - $8,500)
This seems like an obvious pick seeing how Shelby Miller is currently one of the top pitchers in the league and his price is fairly low. With a BAA of .160 facing RHB, and .233 facing LHB, Miller has a great matchup with the Red Sox. The Red Sox have power in Ortiz, but they are the 25th worst Away offense with a putrid 79 wRC+ away from Fenway. Miller’s .194 BAA and his .254 wOBA at home should be enough to shut the Red Sox down.
Chris Archer (TB, RHP - $10,500)
Another pitcher who may actually own the current title of best pitcher in the MLB faces a tough Nationals’ team. Bryce Harper and Denard Span should not be enough to scare individuals away from picking Archer, but their BA has been fairly high compared to the rest of the team. To combat the rising numbers of Harper and Span, Archer comes into this game representing a .196 BAA for RHB, and .197 for LHB. Along with his .217 wOBA for away games, Archer has the opportunity to stake his claim as the top pitcher in the MLB with a big win against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.
DFS Infielders to Target for DraftKings
Matt Wieters (BAL, C - $4,100)
Matt Wieters has a BA of above .400 against RHP and leads the team in wRC+ with 248 and a wOBA of .527. His matchup with Sean O’Sullivan is downright tasty. O’Sullivan struggles against LHB, giving up a .462 wOBA. Wieters switch-hitting ability allows him to decide how he wants to face O’Sullivan making this matchup even better. O’Sullivan is also giving up a .321 BAA in home games which stacks the odds against him even more.
Hank Conger (HOU, C - $3,600)
I know this is the second catcher on the list so far, but it is a nice cheaper option if you need the space. With a wOBA of .425 and 179 wRC+ against RHP, Conger is facing a promising matchup in Collin McHugh. McHugh has a wOBA of .380 against RHB along with his .332 wOBA at home. Conger can add to his stats as a result of a favorable matchup with McHugh.
Jeff Baker (MIA, 2B - $2,700)
As one of the Marlins’ top options against LHP, Baker has a .405 wOBA and a 158 wRC+ on the season. C.C. Sabathia is also giving up .336 BAA to RHB as well as a .403 wOBA. The opportunity is there for Baker, and this could be his moment to shine. Look for Baker as a cheaper option on the day.
Nick Ahmed (ARI, SS - $2,800)
Nick Ahmed has been fairly productive lately, as his numbers have continued to rise. With a .418 wOBA and a 164 wRC+ vs. LHP, his offensive game is coming around. He faces the LHP C.J. Wilson and he is one of the top offensive options against LHP on the Diamondbacks and should be a great value play.
DFS Outfielders to Target for DraftKings
Mark Canha (OAK, OF - $3,300)
Mark Canha’s production has had significant contributions to the Athletics recent success. He is currently at a .407 for wOBA and that should increase after facing Ian Kennedy and his .391 wOBA at away games. Along with his ability to get on base, his 169 wRC+ should be enough to earn him a spot in your lineup today. He has improved greatly and this could be the start to a breakout season for Canha.
Mike Trout (LAA, OF - $5,300)
There is nothing I enjoy more than being able to afford a plethora of fantastic hitters in one lineup. Trout is going to be my go-to-guy for today because of his ability to get on base and his matchup with Diamondbacks pitcher Allen Webster. With Trout’s .409 wOBA against RHP, and 173 wRC+ this season, look for him to pick apart Webster.
Chris Denorfia (CHC, OF - $2,600)
As my cheapest pick of the day, this gem is hiding in the Cubs dugout with a .391 wOBA and 147 wRC+ through 36 PA. The amount AB he gets is a little unnerving, but he has been producing solid lines when the opportunity is available. A .394 BA against a pitcher that is letting up .329 wOBA to opposing RHB should be enough for Denorfia to yield some serious interest from the MLB community and contribute to the Cubs effort tonight.
