RADIO
Early season baseball slates are quite interesting for a number of reasons, ranging from small sample size to figuring out new park factors. However, another is that through the first few games of the season we see a lot of aces or other elite pitches on the same slate and likewise, as we move towards games four and five of the season we get a lot of fourth and fifth pitchers. Though pitchers have had the upper-hand in most slates to this point, the scales tip tonight to hitters likely putting up some big scores.
Finding the right pitchers to pick on will be key as a result and of course stacking the right combinations of players on those teams will likely be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful night on this slate. As a result, I'll focus a bit more on some of my favorite stacks and potential ways to differentiate lineups in this article.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/3/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and most of all - value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @BalesSJustin.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Chris Sale - P, at MIA ($11,400)
Sale looked outstanding in his first start, throwing six scoreless innings, while striking out nine Rays. He gets another elite matchup today, facing off against the Miami Marlins, who have one of the worst offenses on paper in the MLB. Last season, Sale posted an elite 12.9 K/9 to go along with a 2.90 ERA. He is a -250 favorite in a game set at 7.5 runs, making him the top pitching option on the slate.
J.A. Happ - P, vs CWS ($7,100)
Happ isn't an elite player, but this is an outstanding matchup. Last night, Jaime Garcia recorded seven strikeouts in only six innings against the White Sox. Happ enters this game with a decent 8.8 K/9 [in 2017], and Chicago has a high swing and miss rate. Happ is a -180 favorite in a game set at 9 runs, but we're attacking his strikeout potential in this matchup.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Yasmani Grandal - C, at ARI ($3,000)
Grandal has performed well early this season. There is not much to go on, but he has displayed both power and consistency. He is also hitting fourth in the Dodgers order against right-handed pitching, adding to his upside. He also had a 0.036 wOBA and 0.113 ISO differential against right-handed pitching last season. He's a cheap option that can be considered in all leagues.
Marwin Gonzalez - 1B, vs BAL ($2,600)
Gonzalez is in an elite position tonight, as he comes with a surprisingly low price tag. He has scored 18.7 and 16 fantasy points in two of his last three games, and he gets a great matchup against Mike Wright tonight. Gonzalez was a more consistent and more powerful hitter against right-handed pitching last season, as he featured a 0.085 wOBA and 0.02 ISO differential against righties. He is also playing in one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in the MLB, and he can be used in all leagues.
Rougned Odor - 2B, at OAK ($2,300)
Odor is a player that struggled to hit for a high average last season, but displayed tremendous power against right-handed pitching in 2017. During that season, 87% of his extra-base hits and 83.3% of his home runs came against right-handed pitching. He gets a solid matchup against Kendall Graveman, and Odor can be considered in tournaments tonight.
Luis Valbuena - 3B, vs CLE ($2,400)
Valbuena is in a situation extremely similar to Odor. Last season, he recorded a 0.146 wOBA and 0.14 ISO differential against right-handed pitching. He gets a solid matchup against Josh Tomlin tonight, and Valbuena comes with an extremely low price tag. He likely isn't safe enough to be used in cash games, but he is another high upside salary relief option in tournaments.
Elvis Andrus - SS, at OAK ($3,500)
Andrus has looked outstanding this season, hitting .538 with three extra-base hits and two RBIs in his opening series against the Houston Astros. Andrus is also expected to lead off for the Rangers, and they are an offense that has a lot of potential tonight. He will be a player that should have plenty of opportunities tonight, and he is playing well enough to be able to capitalize on them.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
George Springer - OF, vs BAL ($3,900)
Springer has been on fire to start the season, averaging 11.9 fantasy points per game over his first five starts. He's a better hitter against left-handed pitching, but that does not mean he struggles against righties. He is hitting at the top of arguably the best offense in the MLB, which adds to his consistency and upside. He gets a great matchup against Mike Wright, and Springer can safely be used in all leagues.
Nomar Mazara - OF, at OAK ($2,600)
Mazara was a dominant hitter against right-handed pitching last season, recording a 0.095 wOBA and 0.11 ISO differential against righties. He has also performed well early this season, and gets a plus matchup against Kendall Gravemen. Mazara still comes with a surprisingly low price tag, and it would be wise to take advantage of that price until it increases.
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