🖥 CYBER WEEK - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE CYBER
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

MLB Hitter Cheat Sheet (4/21/16): Daily Fantasy Baseball Value Picks

It doesn't take an expert to tell you to play Bryce Harper against right-handed pitching. It is much more difficult, however, to sift through the cheap DFS options for the right value plays that can help you fit in the studs you want and put your lineup over the top.

That is the purpose of this article -- to provide you with the best DFS value hitters available each day. Consider this your MLB hitters cheat sheet for sneaky DFS lineup picks.

Today I'll be bringing you five value hitters for daily fantasy baseball games on FanDuel and DraftKings for April 21st, 2016. Let's get started!

 

DFS Hitters - Lineup Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings

1. Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals

FanDuel Price: $3,600; DraftKings Price: $3,900

Moustakas and the Royals have the highest implied team total today, as Vegas expect them to get to Mike Pelfrey early and often. Hitting second in the order, the man they call "Moose" is in prime position to be a big part of the potential scoring barrage.

This matchup lines up very nicely for Moose from a statistical perspective, too. Pelfrey posted a 4.59 SIERA last year, and allowed a higher slugging percentage, wOBA, fly-ball percentage, and walk rate to lefties, while striking them out less often.

Moose has improved numbers against righties throughout his career, especially at home, where he has a significantly higher slugging percentage, ISO, wOBA, fly-ball rate, and hard-hit rate. Speaking of hard-hit rate, Moose has posted an absurd 43.2 percent hard-hit rate so far this season, while also having the highest average exit velocity on his batted balls among third basemen, at 94.3 miles per hour.

Quite simply, the lefty is crushing the ball right now. It's only a matter of time until those hard-hit balls start turning into more extra-base hits -- and, consequently, fantasy points. Against a weak right-handed opponent, that time could come tonight. Load up on Moose in tournaments tonight.

 

2. Kendrys Morales, 1B, Kansas City Royals

FanDuel Price: $3,300, DraftKings Price: $4,000

Similar to Moustakas, Morales will benefit from facing a weak right-hander and hitting in the heart of Kansas City's lineup.

Morales is a switch hitter but will be hitting from the left side against Pelfrey today. Last season, Morales raised his slugging percentage from .412 to .538 against righties, while also raising his ISO from .113 to .254. Morales' hard-hit rate rose to 38.3 percent against righties last year too. All of these stats used in conjunction offer an easy explanation as to why Morales hit 18 of his 22 home runs against right-handed pitchers last season.

It won't be easy to pass up on Chris Davis' upside tonight, but Morales is a crucial part to any Royals stack you make tonight.

 

3. Gregory Polanco, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

FanDuel Price: $3,500, DraftKings Price: $3,800

Polanco's progression this season has been pure awesomeness for the truthers who have stuck with the prospect through his first couple seasons. Particularly, his career-high 34.1 percent hard-hit rate sticks out, as do his ridiculous walk-to-strikeout ratio numbers. After posting an 8.4 percent walk rate last season, Polanco's walk-rate currently sits at 21 percent, while his strikeout rate is down to 12.9 percent. Obviously, it is a small sample size. But, strikeout rate and walk rate are the most quickly normalizing stats for hitters, so Polanco's improved plate discipline is certainly indicative of an improved hitter.

I almost got so carried away gushing about Polanco that I forgot to tell you why he's such a great play today. Sorry about that!

Polanco will face off against James Shields, who can still pass as a respectable pitcher against right-handed batters, but is beaten to a pulp by lefties. Last season, lefties posted a .522 slugging percentage against Shields, as opposed to righties' .376 mark. He also allowed lefties to post superior ISO, wOBA, walk rate, and fly-ball rates, while striking out less often.

Polanco, a lefty, has some pretty fun splits himself. In his career, Polanco has raised his slugging percentage from .258 against lefties to a robust .406 mark against righties. He's also seen improvement in his ISO, wOBA, walk rate, fly-ball rate, and hard-hit rate against righties, while striking out less often. It won't be easy to pass on some of the elite outfielders in terrific spots tonight, but Polanco comes at a discounted price and ownership.

 

4. Colby Rasmus, OF, Houston Astros

FanDuel Price: $3,500, DraftKings Price: $3,900

Rasmus should always be on your radar when he faces a weak right-hander as he does today. A.J. Griffin has a 5.97 SIERA this season and a 4.02 career SIERA. Vegas thinks that Houston will take advantage of Griffin's struggles on the mound, projecting them for the highest total behind the Royals.

Rasmus sports a career .338 wOBA and .212 ISO against right-handed pitchers and is coming off a 2015 season in which he posted a .339 wOBA (the third-best of his career) and a career-high .236 ISO. He has a 46.0 percent fly ball rate through his career, and with this favorable matchup, Rasmus offers strong home run upside.

He should be a big part of any offensive fireworks the Astros put on today, hitting cleanup. Target him in tournaments, where his risk/reward nature is more well-suited.

 

5. Starlin Castro, 2B, New York Yankees

FanDuel Price: $3,200, DraftKings Price: $3,200

Rich Hill will be charged with quieting the Yankees' bats tonight, and given his 4.15 SIERA last season, I don't see that going over too well. Hill, a lefty, has struggled with righties in his career, allowing higher numbers across the board.

Castro has hit lefties better in his career, posting a higher slugging percentage and wOBA against lefties, while striking out less and walking more. He's also posted a career 29.8 percent hard-hit rate against lefties, up from 26 percent against lefties.

He normally hits out of the two-hole against lefties, and should be in line for solid production at a cheap cost against the easy-to-pick-on Rich Hill.

 

Full Season MLB Premium Pass - Only $29.99

The clock is ticking... get a Premium Pass for the entire MLB season - including preseason draft kit and playoffs - for only $29.99. That's eight months of Premium access to over 10 tools, and over 20 valuable resources, for one incredible price.

No other site offers this type of deal. What are you waiting for?

 

What Do You Get With Your Full Season Pass

Premium In-Season Tools and Resources

  • Live Expert Q&A Chats exclusive to RotoBaller's premium subscribers
  • Hitter Daily Matchups Ratings & DFS Lineup Optimizer (all hitter matchups)
  • Pitcher Daily Matchups Ratings & DFS Lineup Optimizer (all pitcher matchups)
  • Pitcher Upcoming Matchups & Schedules (analyze the next 10 starts for any pitcher)
  • Home Run / Power Surgers (power hitter sleepers about to surge)
  • Stolen Base / Speed Surgers (speed demon sleepers about to surge)
  • Strike Out / K-Rate Surgers (strikeout sleepers about to surge)

 
Full Season of Premium DFS Lineup Picks (Including Playoffs)

  • DFS lineup picks and cheat sheets for FanDuel and DraftKings - seven days a week
  • Sample expert DFS lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings - seven days a week
  • Top DFS value plays (pitchers, hitters) for FanDuel and DraftKings - seven days a week
  • Top DFS avoids (pitchers hitters) for FanDuel and DraftKings - seven days a week
  • Top DFS stacks for FanDuel and DraftKings - seven days a week
  • Daily injury updates across MLB - seven days a week
  • Weekly DFS strategy, tactics and lineup construction advice columns

 

All of this for just $29.99... it's simply the best deal around. What are you waiting for?

 

 

Pictures Are Better Than Words

Access to our Premium Draft Kit, In-Season Tools and also DFS Lineup Picks (cheat sheets, sample lineups) delivered every single day. Take a look for yourself at some of these Premium resources:

DFS Lineup Picks (Cheat Sheets & Sample Lineups)

Published Every Day, Seven Days A Week - Including Playoffs!

Hitter Matchup Ratings & DFS Lineups Tool

All the Hitter Data You Need to Set Killer Lineups!

Pitcher Matchup Ratings & DFS Lineups Tool

Start/Sit Assistant for Pitcher Matchups - Every Day!

MLB Pitcher Upcoming Schedules & Matchups

Pitching Planner for the Next Ten Starts

No other site offers this type of deal. All of this for just $29.99... it's simply the best deal around!

 

MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yves Missi

Trending Toward Game-Time Decision
Khris Middleton

Questionable With Knee Soreness Against Hawks
Noah Clowney

On Track To Suit Up Against Pelicans
De'Anthony Melton

Questionable With Knee Management
Draymond Green

Questionable With Mid-Foot Sprain
Jimmy Butler III

Day-To-Day As Warriors Prepare For Cleveland
Mikko Rantanen

Picks Up Three Points Against Sharks
Kyle Connor

Scores in Fourth Consecutive Game
Beckett Sennecke

Notches Two Points in Friday's Win
Ryan Leonard

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Friday
Carter Hart

Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Brayden Point

Questionable for Saturday
Victor Hedman

Expected to Return Saturday
Byron Buxton

Twins Not Planning to Trade Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton
Patrick Williams

Dalen Terry Available Versus Pacers
Coby White

Returns With Minutes Restriction Friday
Ayo Dosunmu

Out Friday Against Pacers
Zach Collins

Available for Season Debut Friday
Robert Williams III

Donovan Clingan Out, Robert Williams III in for Portland Friday
Evan Mobley

Ready to Play Friday
Kristaps Porzingis

Coming Off the Bench Friday
Spencer Jones

Available Against Hawks
OG Anunoby

Returns to Knicks LIneup Friday
Tre Mann

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Available Friday
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available
Brandon Miller

Returns to Action Friday
Steven Adams

Alperen Sengun Out Friday, Steven Adams Starting
Ozzy Wiesblatt

to Miss 8-10 Weeks With Upper-Body Injury
Jalen Johnson

Returning To Atlanta's Lineup On Friday
Pierre-Olivier Joseph

Out With Illness Friday
Evander Kane

Doubtful for Friday
Conor Garland

Back From Two-Game Absence Friday
Thomas Harley

Could Be an Option Next Week
Mikael Granlund

Returning From 10-Game Absence Friday
John Carlson

Misses Second Consecutive Game Friday
Rome Odunze

has Fractured Foot, Labeled Week-to-Week
Sauce Gardner

Ruled Out for Sunday
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Aaron Jones Sr.

Cleared to Play in Week 14
Chris Olave

Listed as Questionable for Week 14
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Rome Odunze

Ruled Out for Week 14
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Drake London

Ruled Out vs Seattle
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Lamar Jackson

Will Play on Sunday
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
CFB

Emmett Johnson Leaving Nebraska for 2026 NFL Draft
Dalton Kincaid

to be Questionable for Week 14
Tee Higgins

Clears Concussion Protocol, is a Full-Go for Sunday
CFB

Jam Miller Unlikely to Play in SEC Title Game
CFB

Penn State Expected to Hire Matt Campbell from Iowa State
Mike Evans

Not Quite Ready to Return This Week
Jayden Daniels

Will Start Against Vikings
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Practice, on Track to Play on Sunday
Kyler Murray

Won't Return This Year, Cardinals Non-Committal on his Future
Trey Benson

Out in Week 14; Could he Miss the Rest of the Season?
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Sunday's Game
CeeDee Lamb

in the League's Concussion Protocol
Brian Branch

Out with Torn Achilles
Detroit Lions

Brian Branch Feared to Have Suffered an Achilles Injury
CFB

Arkansas Targeting Ron Roberts for Defensive Coordinator Job
Jayden Daniels

Tracking Towards a Week 14 Return
Justin Herbert

Trending in the Right Direction to Play Monday Night
Mathew Barzal

Leads Islanders Past Avalanche
Elias Lindholm

Posts Hat Trick of Assists Thursday
Leon Draisaitl

Notches Season-High Four Points in Thursday's Win
Connor McDavid

Nets 13th Career Hat Trick
Teuvo Teravainen

Expected to Be Fine After Thursday's Exit
Shane Pinto

Exits Loss With Injury
Joseph Woll

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday
Jhostynxon Garcia

Pirates Acquire Jhostynxon Garcia From Red Sox
Cody Bellinger

Yankees Pushing Hard to Re-Sign Cody Bellinger
CFB

Penn State Eyeing Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell For Coaching Vacancy
Alex Bregman

Cubs Have Renewed Interest in Alex Bregman
CFB

Billy Napier Finalizing Deal to Become James Madison's New Head Coach
CFB

Buster Faulkner Set to Become Florida's New Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Joe Sloan Expected to be Kentucky's New Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Lane Kiffin Working to Keep Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker at LSU
CFB

Brian Daboll a Candidate for Penn State Head-Coaching Job?
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job