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Tom Vecchio highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 4/5/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
We have a split slate of games, with the early slate being the bigger one, but I will have players from both slates. Plenty of good options across the board, and whether you are looking for cash game players, or some that are more GPP focused, you will find them on this slate.
I will be referring to stats and notes from last season a bit since we have nothing to work with as of yet. As the season goes on, we'll get into all of the good stats and info, to bring the best quality I can.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/5/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @DFS_Tom.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Masahiro Tanaka - P, NYY vs BAL (FDS - $9,300)
Tanaka is up against the Orioles, who have a 26% strikeout rate vs right-handed pitchers to start the season, which is a small sample size but if they are struggling right now, we want to take advantage of it. This is a hitters park, but Baltimore has only scored 14 runs in their first six games, which, as you guessed it, isn't good. Last season Tanaka had a 49% groundball rate with only a 5% walk rate, so able to limit the damage of opposing offenses. We have a number of high priced pitching options on this slate, and he is just slightly cheaper than some, and still brings good strikeout upside.
Nick Pivetta - P, PHI vs MIA (FD - $6,300)
Pivetta is a cheaper option at pitcher today, but also comes with a bit of risk, so let's take a look at things. Last season he had a 24% strikeout rate, which sixth highest on the slate today, along with a solid 43% groundball rate. He is up against the Marlins, who are one of the weaker offensive teams in the league and come in with a 21% strikeout rate vs right-handed pitchers this season. He gave up three runs in four innings in his first start of the season, along with striking out three batters. We would like to see the strikeouts come up, which they should in this matchup, and with a full slate of games, he likely won't be too highly owned.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Welington Castillo - C, CWS vs DET (FD - $2,700)
Castillo and the White Sox are up against Jordan Zimmerman, who is a bad pitcher. He is bad any way you put, and you want to attack him when he is only the slate. Last season Zimmerman gave up over 1.50 HR/9 to both lefties and righties, while giving up a .368 wOBA to right-handed hitters. Castillo is a righty but still had a .325 wOBA and a .202 ISO last season vs RHP.
Miguel Cabrera - 1B, DET @ CWS (FD - $3,900)
Cabrera is off to a strong start this season and is now in a spot to continue that today. He is up against James Shields, who gave up 1.44 HR/9 to right-handed hitters last season and had a 17% HR/FB overall. Cabrera might not be the same hitter he once was, but this is a very favorable matchup for him vs a very bad pitcher. Should be good for cash games today, with some nice home run upside.
Neil Walker - 2B, NYY vs BAL (FD - $2,900)
Walker was out of the lineup yesterday, so he should be set to return for tonight's game. He is also a cheap option who can get you some nice exposure to the Yankees powerful offense, which is never a bad thing. Last season vs right-handed pitchers, he had a .366 wOBA, along with a .199 ISO, which should play well in this great hitters park. He is up against Andrew Casher, who gives up 1.17 HR/9 to left-handed hitters for his career.
Nolan Arenado - 3B, COL @ SDP (FD - $4,500)
Arenado is on the slate, check. He is facing a left-handed pitcher, check. Lock him into all of your rosters. Simply put, Arenado is a beast when facing a left-handed pitcher, and you should be looking to roster him anytime in this spot. Last season he had a .534 wOBA and a .420 ISO vs LHP. Those numbers are flat out silly, and as if you created a player in MLB the Show and just jacked up all his stats. He is on the early slate of games, and there is plenty of value out there for you to get up to his price.
Addison Russell - SS, CHC @ MIL (FD - $3,200)
Russell is up against Suter tonight, who gave up a .324 wOBA to right-handed hitters, which should put him in a good spot. This is a great hitters park, and with the upside the Cubs offense has, this should put them in a good spot. Last season he had a 111 wRC+ and a .184 ISO vs left-handed pitchers.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Andrew Benintendi - OF, BOS vs TAM (FD - $2,800)
Benintendi got off to a bit of a slower start this season, but is at home for the first time in a great hitters park, and will have the platoon advantage today. Last season he had a .344 wOBA and a .178 ISO vs right-handed pitchers. He isn't that expensive because of the slower start but is in a spot to get things going in the right direction up against a very unproven and young pitcher.
Gregory Polanco - OF, PIT vs CIN (FD - $3,700)
Polanco is up against Homer Bailey, who isn't a good pitcher. I don't care what kind of start he had in his first game, he isn't good. Last year, Bailey gave up a .356 wOBA to left-handed hitters and had a 5.19 SIERA. Polanco is on the night slate, which is only four games, so he could come in at higher ownership in tournaments since the spot is so good.
