RADIO
We have an 11 game slate to kickoff the week, and there are some great options on the board. A few games in some strong hitters parks, so you may be looking to stack up some lineups there. Baseball is officially in the second month of the season, so we are starting to get a better picture of how the players are doing, and hopefully we won't need to reference last years stats anymore. So 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 5/01/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options, and of course, value plays.
You can read our DraftKings and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you want to contact me, send me a message on Twitter at @DFS_Tom.
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Offensive Stacks
Atlanta Braves vs Robert Gsellman
The Braves aren't a team most people target when it comes to high scoring offenses, but this is a good spot for them. Gsellman is struggling to start the year, as he has four starts with giving up three or more earned runs and three games of giving up six hits or more. Not sure what is wrong with Gsellman or the entire Mets pitching staff, but they are becoming a better and better option to stack against. The Braves new stadium is actually a bit of a hitters park, but since its so new, not many people are trusting it yet, so you could get them low owned it GPPs. Also, with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs on the slate, not many people may be looking at the Braves as a GPP option.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Clayton Kershaw - P, vs SFG ($12,600)
When Kershaw is on the slate you always have to give him a look, because you know what he is capable of. He is very expensive, and if you want to lock him into your cash game lineups, you will have to find some savings elsewhere. In his five starts this season, Kershaw has scored 49 or more fantasy points in four of them. The one game he didn't reach that score threshold was a game at Coors Field, so nothing to put too much stock into. So I will leave the Coors game out of further stats. Kershaw has seven or more strikeouts in all starts this season, and has only allowed five earned runs over those starts. He is off to another blazing start this year, and against the lowly Giants, he should be in for much of the same.
Luis Severino - P, vs TOR ($8,500)
Severino had one bad start in his first outing of the season, and he has bounced back in a major way in the next three. Over those three starts, he has 27 SO, 11 HITS, and only 3 BB. Really strong numbers for the Yankees, and he should be in a spot to do that again on Monday night. He is up against Toronto who have a 22% strikeout rate vs right-handed pitching. This plays right into Severino, since he likes to pound the strike zone with his fast ball. The Blue Jays are struggling right now, and the Yankees are surging, Severino should have the run support to be able to pick up the win.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Tyler Flowers - C, vs NYM ($3,000)
The new Braves stadium is much more hitter friendly than the old Turner Field was, and I'm not sure everyone has noticed that yet. This could leave some Braves players, like Flowers, lower owned. Flowers has a .424 wOBA vs right-handed pitching this season, and a 14% walk rate. He is making solid contact and has 18 Hits in 18 games played. He isn't too cheap, and also ins't too expensive, but is a solid option for cash games.
Joey Votto - 1B, vs PIT ($4,000)
Votto has five of his eight home runs at his home ball park, and he is in a favorable match up to knock one out tonight. Votto has a .370 wOBA and a .288 ISO vs right-handed pitching this year. Votto has scored fantasy points in every game since April 11th. They all haven't been monster games, but there is some level of production he brings every night. The Reds are off to a hot start this year and are surprising some people, so get a piece of their offense with Votto.
Tyler Saladino - 2B, @ KAN ($3,200)
Saladino has had a modest level of production to start the year, and seems to seeing the ball better from left-handed pitching, as he is up against one tonight. He has a .323 wOBA and a 109 wRC+ versus left-handed pitching this year. The White Sox are hot right now, and are scoring a ton of runs, so why not get some exposure to that with a cheaper player. Only risk with him comes that he has a 24% strikeout rate vs left-handed pitching.
Francisco Lindor - SS, @ DET ($4,000)
Lindor is mashing the ball to start the year, and has some big games this past week or so. He has scored 12 or more FanDuel points in four of his last five games, with two home runs over that span. I may be a Lindor truther, since I think he is the real deal and try to get him into any lineup I have. He has power upside, contact upside, and is playing for a good offensive team, nothing not to like here. He has a .222 ISO and a .409 wOBA vs left-handed pitching this year.
Maikel Franco - 3B, @ CHC ($3,400)
Franco is one of the bright spots for the Phillies, and this year he is doing a solid job. He has put together some really nice games, just needs to find a way to be a bit more consistent overall. The match up for him tonight is very favorable, since he has a .357 wOBA and a .200 ISO vs left-handed pitching. It should also be noted that right now it shows there are 20 mph winds blowing out towards the outfield at Wrigley. That is super favorable for hitters, and is something to keep an eye on as its gets closer to first pitch.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Mookie Betts - OF, vs BAL ($4,200)
Mookie is in a great spot tonight, and hopefully can turn up the power on his swing. He is having a good start to the year, but the power isn't there for him yet, only two home runs in the first month of the season. He does have a .382 wOBA and a .394 OBP vs right-handed pitching to start the year. Also nice to have some hitters who are at Fenway since its a great hitters park, so this is a very stackable spot.
Aaron Judge - OF, vs TOR ($4,000)
Wow, what can you say about Judge to start this season. He is mashing the ball, and is seemingly getting it done regardless of pitching match up. He has a .417 ISO and a .434 wOBA vs right-handed pitching so far this year. Those numbers are insane for such a young player, and should be fun to watch him progress throughout his career. Judge is always a threat to go deep, and has multi home run potential almost every game, so no reason not to try to fit him into your lineups.
Andrew McCutchen - OF, @ CIN ($3,800)
McCutchen had a bit of an up and down start to the season, and it appears he has turned up the consistency a bit. He gets a positive park shift going to Cincinnati, and that is something you should try to take advantage of. He has a .259 ISO and a 173 wRC+ vs left-handed pitching this year, so great spot for him tonight, and is playable in cash, or as a one off in a GPP.
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