RADIO
We have a nine game slate to kickoff the week, and there are some really solid options across the board. Whether you are looking for cash game options or tournament options, there are some picks for you. The better hitters parks aren't really in play tonight, so we should be looking at some great pitching match ups. Sit back, read up, and let's win some contests.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/17/17. Enjoy the read and good luck out there today!
You can read our DraftKings and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @DFS_Tom.
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Offensive Stacks
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
John Lackey - P, vs MIL ($9,600)
The Cubs have lost three straight at home and they are going to want to get back on track vs the Brewers. Lackey is coming off of a really solid game vs the Dodgers last week, and he is in a spot to do much of the same tonight. In his last start, he posted 6 IP, 10 SO, 1 ER, and got the quality start. He didn't pick up the win, but really strong numbers from the strikeouts. Today he is up against the Brewers who have the second worst strikeout rate in the majors at 27.7%. That is an absurdly high rate, and the type of number you want to key in on, when they are facing off against a pitcher like Lackey who has the strikeout upside. This is also two straight games for Lackey where he got the quality start, and that is super beneficial on FanDuel, where you get bonus points this year. If you are playing in cash games, you should be looking at Lackey as a major option. You need the consistency from a pitcher, and Lackey is one for the job.
Jharel Cotton - P, vs TEX ($7,000)
Cotton is coming off a very strong vs the Royals where he only gave up two hits in seven innings. Cotton is mainly a GPP play today, since he is young and largely unproven. But he is up against the Texan Rangers who have a 24.4% strikeout rate. In his last start, he was able to knockdown six batters via strikeouts, and now against a strikeout prone team, the upside is great. Last season he pitched 19.1 innings at home, so take theses stats with a grain of salt. He averaged 6.5 K/9 and had a 0.47 WHIP. Those are some really strong numbers, but again, its a super small sample size, so tread lightly with how much you play him, but he is worth the risk in GPPs.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Austin Romine - C, vs CWS ($2,400)
Romine offers you some salary relief, and gives you a bit of exposure to the Yankees offense at home, which seems to be on the right page lately. Romine has seen a huge increase in playing time due to the injury to Gary Sanchez. Romine is batting .312 with 1 HR. I'm not expecting earth shattering numbers from Romine, but for his price, he is a safe bet in either cash, or if you are planning on stacking some of the Yankees' players.
Edwin Encarnacion - 1B, @ MIN ($3,400)
Encarnacion aka E5, is a power hitter as we all known, but is off to a slow start this season. Only hitting .205 with 1 HR, he is struggling along with the entire Blue Jays teams. He is at Minnesota today, which is a positive park shift, so he has that going for him. He is up against at right handed pitcher, and last year versus such, he had a .370 wOBA and a .264 ISO. So the power and production are there, just yet to show up this year. Can't say that he is safe for cash games, but he is usable in a stack, since the park is hitter favorable.
Dee Gordon - 2B, @ SEA ($3,300)
Gordon is off to an electric start for the Marlins, as he has a hit in 10 of their 12 games this year. He is at Seattle, which isn't known as the best hitters parks, but the hot streak he is on right now has to be considered. He is cheap, consistent and can even be used in a stack, since the Marlins have some big power bats in the middle of their lineup. Gordon also has some good upside with his stolen base potential. So if he gets on base, he is a threat to get you some points.
Justin Turner - 3B, vs ARI ($3,900)
If you are looking to spend up at third base, Turner is a great option. He is mashing the ball to start the year, seemingly finding a way to contribute in nearly every game. Turner is up against a left-handed pitcher tonight, and last year he had some some struggles versus lefties, and for that reason, he should be lowered owned in GPPs. The Dodgers have a very solid offense, and if people are going to be stacking them, they will look past Turner. So for that reason, you should see his ownership super low in tournaments, and could be the winning part of the stack.
Addison Russell - SS, vs MIL ($2.700)
Over the past few games, Russell has been batting in either the fourth or fifth spot in the Cubs batting order, and he is only $2.7K. That is a bit odd to get a player in that spot in the lineup, for that cheap of a price, and not to mention its in the Cubs offense. Russell is a safe option for cash games, and a great option in a stack with other Cubs players. So far this season he is posting a .250/.264/.442 slash line.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Marcell Ozuna - OF, @ SEA ($3,900)
Ozuna is absolutely crushing the ball to start the season. He is hitting .404 with 5 HR and 18 RBI. Really elite numbers for a player hitting in a pitchers park. Tonight he is at Seattle, which is also known as a bit of a pitchers park, but due to his hot start to the season, he shouldn't have any trouble collecting some fantasy points for you. Great option for cash games, and as I mentioned with Dee Gordon, he is great in a stack with other Marlins players.
Melky Cabrera - OF, @ NYY ($3,000)
If you like a good narrative, there is one going for Melky tonight. He is back from his stint on the Paternity list, and is back for the game in New York. There are always mention of players becoming a father in the NBA and NFL, so why not MLB. He is coming back refreshed and with a new sense of purpose, so why not give the ole narrative street a run? He is also facing his former team, so a double story line going. Hasn't been off the best start this year, but that should keep his ownership low in GPPs.
Nelson Cruz - OF, vs MIA ($3,600)
Cruz is cruising right now. I'll see myself out. He has scored 13 FanDuel points or more in three straight games, and hit his first home run of the season in that stretch. He is facing off against a right-handed pitcher, and last year he had a .359 wOBA and .234 ISO vs righties at home. Solid numbers, and he should be considered in cash or GPPs. West coast teams generally have lower ownership in tournaments, so he is very stackable.
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