RADIO
Huge 12 game slate today, and we have tons of options at every position. Some big name pitchers going along with some stud batters in every spot. Good mix of cash options along with GPP options, so you can diversify your exposure. Look to target games with high run totals, and be sure to check that your players are in the starting lineups before first pitch.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/5/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on FanDuel.
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.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Rich Hill - SP, vs SDP ($9,600)
Hill is a bit of an interesting choice today, but he is in a good spot to pick up the win. Simply put, the Padres aren't that good, and they are going to be targeted when it comes to DFS. Hill is coming off a very strong season where he posted these numbers: 12 Wins, 1.06 WHIP, 129 Strikeouts, and 13 Quality Starts. Some people say that he is do for a bit of regression this year when it comes to his stats, but I don't think that will happen until later in the year. Last season he did average over one strikeout per inning, but he isn't a power pitcher, so I don't see him putting up big strikeout numbers. Overall, he is a solid option that should be able to get the win, and he isn't as expensive as some of the other big name pitchers.
Bartolo Colon - SP, @ NYM ($7,500)
BIG SEXY! Colon is on the Braves this year and going up against his former team the New York Mets. If playing into the narratives is your thing, I suggest taking a look at Colon tonight. He was beloved by Mets fans for the three seasons he was with the team, and now he is on a division rival. He had a 1.18 WHIP and 128 Strikeouts last season. He won't blow you away with his stats, but I could see him going low owned in some GPPs, since the Mets have a good offensive roster, and give you some diversity in your contests.
Tanner Roark - SP, vs MIA ($8,600)
Roark isn't one of the big names on the board, and he isn't super cheap today either. He falls into the middle ground, but he has some really strong numbers. Last season, he started 34 games and had 22 Quality Starts, which is 65%. That is quite an impressive number, and if he can come anywhere near that this year, he will be a great third option for the Nationals. 1.28 WHIP and 172 Strikeouts from last season, are some solid numbers and going against the Marlins who average seven strikeouts per game last year, you should be in a good spot to rack up some points.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Brandon Belt - 1B, @ ARI ($2,900)
Any time there is a game at Arizona you want to take a look at it. Some people call it Coors Field South, since there are usually a lot of runs scored. Last year Belt hit for .284 AVG on the road vs right-handed pitchers. So he is in a good spot, in a favorable ball park to continue that trend and put up some fantasy points. He didn't have any hits his first game, but he did have 2 Walks. So he is getting on base, and at least giving you the chance to score some points with some runs. His ISO vs right-handed pitchers in away games was .222, so he is seeing the ball and making good contact. Could also consider using him in a Giants stack, since as I mentioned, this could be a high scoring game.
Dustin Pedroia - 2B, vs PIT ($3,000)
Pedroia is generally a pretty safe option for cash games, since he is batting lead-off in a high powered offense. He will get plenty of plate appearances to have the opportunity to score you some fantasy points, and I see him doing just that since he hit for .320 AVG last year at home vs right-handed pitchers. First game for Pedroia was pretty solid, 1 Hit, 1 Run, and 1 RBI. Should be looking at much of the same for him in this game, with huge upside considering the Sox offense. Great for cash as I said earlier, but also love the Red Sox in a stack for GPPs. I know they should be fairly high owned, but the have such a high ceiling, that if you are running multiple GPP lineups, it is worth taking a shot.
Josh Donaldson - 3B, @ BAL ($3,900)
Donaldson certainly isn't one of my favorite players in the MLB, but he is a great fantasy option. He hits for good average and has the long ball ability. Last season vs right-handed pitchers in away games, he hit 10 HR, and hit for .279 AVG. So he is getting on base, which is great in a game where the run total is set at nine runs. Toronto has one of the better offenses in the American League, and getting a player in the heart of the lineup who hits for average and power is worth a look any day. Cash or GPP, take a look at him tonight.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Adam Jones - OF, vs TOR ($3,500)
Jones is a good option night in and night out, since he has decent power and hits second in the lineup. I will say, last season he had his struggles vs left-handed pitchers, and is going against one today. But for this reason, he is a good contrarian play in GPPs. Everyone can see his stats and see that he hit .200 AVG last season at home vs lefties. They will shy away from him, knowing that he doesn't get it done. For this reason, he will be lowed owned in tournaments and give you an edge. Not a cash game at all since he doesn't have the consistency you need, but he is worth taking a flyer on, if you are running multiple lineups.
Adam Eaton - OF, vs MIA ($3,500)
Really strong opening day for Eaton, he put up 21.2 Fanduel points. I don't expect him to have that level of output every night, but he bats second in the Nationals lineup, so there is plenty of upside there. Last year vs right-handed pitchers, Eaton hit .285 AVG, and hit 13 of his 14 HR. So if he is going to hit a home run, its going to be versus a righty. Good in cash games, and also some great up side in a stack for GPPs, since you can pair him with Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper. Ownership shouldn't be too high, but you'll need to find some savings elsewhere.
Brandon Guyer - OF @ TEX ($2,200)
Last season vs left-handed pitchers, Guyer hit for .333 AVG. That is the kind of stat you want to key in on, and roster that type of player. Guyer is super cheap, since he is going up against Cole Hamels, who has the potential to be a shut down pitcher. I don't expect Hamels to be the same player he was a few years ago, and Guyer is under priced, and you should be able to get him at lower ownership in tournaments, since most people will see that Hamels is pitching and shy away from the match up. Finding one or two gems like this a night, can really turn around a roster and jump you ahead of other lineups, due to lower ownership.
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