RADIO
One man stands above the rest entering play Thursday: Nationals ace Max Scherzer. His performance will likely largely determine how the slate plays out, for better or worse. As the only true high-priced elite arm, Scherzer’s exposure is likely to be sky high, so owners will need to decide if they want to stay chalk or explore additional options.
Checking which contests will go off without a hitch is particularly imperative Thursday after three games were postponed Wednesday due to boycott in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting. In any addition to checking which games will go on, individual players have also chosen to not participate, so stay locked in at RotoBaller as we update you on any last-minute opt-out decisions.
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 8/27/2020. Be sure also to check out all the MLB player news including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like DraftKings, and other sports too.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Chris Bassitt - OAK @ TEX ($7,800)
Having accrued a 2.97 ERA through his first six starts this season, Bassitt has allowed more than three earned runs in a start just once. But his real appeal and DFS consideration stems from facing a Rangers offense that has delivered a sub-standard .600 OPS at home to begin 2020, which ranks last in the Majors. (Texas’ .206 BA and .306 SLG at Globe Life Field also ranks last.) The club’s new home yard has proven to be a pitcher’s haven, while Texas is also missing at least Elvis Andrus and Willie Calhoun from their starting nine. With the A’s facing Jordan Lyles, who as of Wednesday was the lowest-priced pitcher on the slate, there’s also upside to selecting Bassitt as a potential winning pitcher, which would extend his value even further.
Sixto Sanchez - MIA @ NYM ($6,600)
The Marlins’ top prospect was so impressive after his first big league start Saturday that he was immediately granted another look. This time, he faces a Mets offense that was shutout twice Tuesday during a doubleheader inside of a ballpark that has been friendly to pitchers thus far in 2020. Sanchez displayed elite fastball velocity (98.5 MPH) in his first start, an indication that he could rack up strikeouts with frequency. His price tag allows for owners to stack up numerous high-priced sluggers, giving him considerable GPP appeal.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B - TOR v. BOS ($3,200)
After opening the year with just one walk and seven strikeouts in July, Guerrero has prioritized the walk in August, having drawn five base on balls with three K’s in his last seven contests. That increased eye has led to him having reeled off a nine-game hit streak entering play Thursday, with a matchup against Martin Perez as his next hurdle. In nine games at Sahlen Field, Guerrero has mashed to the tune of a .969 OPS.
Hanser Alberto, 2B - BAL @ TB ($2,900)
Alberto has tagged southpaws through the early part of 2020, slashing .364/.375/.591 through his first 22 at-bats. Whether he bats leadoff Thursday or not (after batting fifth Wednesday), Alberto should get at least two plate appearances against the Rays’ Ryan Yarbrough, whom he has gone 3-for-9 against with a home run in his career.
Brian Anderson, 3B - MIA @ NYM ($2,800)
With the third base market fraughtfully thin Thursday, Anderson represents arguably the safest floor of any hot corner bat. While the Mets have not yet officially announced a starter as of Wednesday night, it’s likely to be either Steven Matz or Robert Gsellman, neither of whom should force owners to pivot off of Miami’s most consistent hitter. With eight total bases and a pair of walks over his last four games, Anderson is a solid consideration no matter whom the Mets deploy.
Trea Turner, SS - WAS v. PHI ($3,900)
Paying up for Turner amidst his current hot streak is worth a consideration when eyeing the shortstop bunch Thursday. Entering play with a 12-game hit streak, Turner has averaged 18.1 FD points per contest in that span. Facing off with rookie Spencer Howard, who has had an up and down start to his career, Turner boasts a high floor when factoring in that he stole his third base of the year Wednesday.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz - OF, MIN @ DET ($4,300)
Anytime that Cruz faces a left-hander, he’ll have significant DFS appeal. Matched up against Tigers southpaw Matthew Boyd, who has allowed an American League-high eight home runs and Major League-high 27 earned runs this season, Cruz is in a prime spot, irrespective of his gaudy price tag. Factor in that the Twins’ lineup anchor has a 1.493 OPS against lefties to begin the season and he should see a massive level of exposure.
Michael Conforto - OF, NYM v. MIA ($3,000)
Conforto has torpedoed fastballs thus far in 2020, having compiled a .339 BA and .554 SLG against the pitch. He should see plenty of hard fastballs Thursday when facing Marlins rookie fireballer Sixto Sanchez, which may play to his advantage. Having homered Wednesday, the Mets’ slugger has considerable upside potential at his price tag. Even with Citi Field not representing a true hitter-friendly yard, Conforto has slashed .367/.475/.551 at home this year.
Kevin Pillar - OF, BOS @ TOR ($2,800)
The Red Sox have opted to utilize Pillar near the top of the lineup against left-handers for the vast majority of 2020, so Thursday against Blue Jays southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu shouldn’t present much deviation from the norm. All three of Pillar’s homers this season have come against left-handers, with his OPS more than 240 points higher against lefties. Sahlen Field has proven to be a hitter’s paradise in it’s brief Major League exposure, entering play Thursday with the third-highest run factor in the bigs.
