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Happy Sunday DFS players. Today's main slate is loaded with amazing matchups for high-priced superstars which makes finding value in cheap options more important than ever (see RotoBallers "Value Plays" article closer to game time). There are also quite a few solid options at starting pitcher in the FanDuel main slate such as Charlie Morton, Blake Snell, and Mike Clevinger. However, if DFS players are going to shop for top shelf hitters they may want to consider looking at cheaper options like Tyler Skaggs, Nick Kingham, Luis Castillo or Jon Lester. Weather looks like it may be an issue in both Baltimore and Seattle, impacting the Yankees vs. Orioles matchup as well as the Rays vs. Mariners. Be sure to check the lineups in case you need to pivot.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 6/3/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @MattWi77iams.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Jon Lester - SP, CHC (FD - $8,400)
Jon Lester goes into Sunday carrying a 2.71 ERA and 5-2 record. The Cubs lefty is not having a spectacular year if you look closely at the numbers, as evident from his 4.30 FIP. Lester's strikeout rate is down while his walk rate is up. Wait, why is he being recommended to start in DFS then? I am glad you asked (I am assuming you did). He is facing the New York Mets, that is the entire reason. To say the team from Queens was struggling this season vs. southpaws would be a huge understatement. The Mets are batting .213 with a .601 OPS vs lefties, both are good for worst in the major leagues. Lester may be having a down season, but Sunday looks like a good opportunity to throw him in your DFS lineup and save some cash.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Kris Bryant - 3B, CHC @ NYM (FD - $4,500)
Kris Bryant needs to put in every DFS lineup when the Cubs play a left-handed pitcher, it's that simple. The Chicago third baseman is batting an amazing .432/.490/.932 with a .500 ISO and .578 wOBA vs. southpaws in 2018. Are you kidding me? Those numbers are good for a 276 wRC+ which are powered by a 52.% hard contact rate. Bryant takes on Mets southpaw Steven Matz who carries a 5.54 FIP and 40% hard contact rate against into Sunday's matchup. Bryant is worth every penny on Sunday.
UPDATE! 5/3 11:16 AM: Kris Bryant is NOT in the lineup Sunday. This is why Sunday day games are frustrating....
Tim Anderson - SS, CWS vs MIL (FD - $3,700)
Tim Anderson is having quite the season so far, having already collected 11 home runs and 12 stolen bases. The young shortstop is having a field day against southpaws, batting .300/.363/.580 with a .280 ISO and a .407 wOBA. I bet you didn't expect that did you? Anderson is killing the ball this year. He will take on the Brewers' Brent Suter on Sunday afternoon. The Milwaukee left-hander has allowed a .517 slugging percentage and .353 wOBA to righties in 2018, good for a 4.49 FIP. Take a serious look at Mr.Anderson on FanDuel.
Travis Shaw - 3B, MIL @ CWS (FD - $4,000)
We continue "impressive split" day with Travis Shaw as he takes on right-hander Daniel Gossett and the Oakland Athletics. The Brewers' third baseman is slugging .604 with an insane .330 ISO vs righties this year with a .404 wOBA and 40.% hard contact rate. Those are numbers worth paying attention to. Shaw matches up against Gossett, who holds a 7.06 FIP vs left-handed hitters this year. Now that may be all you need to know, but its gets worse. Gossett has allowed 3.38 HR/9 so far this season, powered by a 57.9% hard contact rate by lefties. Ouch. Sunday looks like a good day for Shaw to tee off.
Daniel Descalso - 2B, ARI vs MIA (FD - $3,200)
If you were surprised by the season Tim Anderson is having, check out Daniel Descalso. The Diamondbacks infielder is slugging .545 with a .259 ISO and .396 wOBA this season vs. right-handed pitchers. That works out nicely for DFS players going into Sunday's matchup against Dan Straily. The Marlins' righty has given up a 47.3% hard contact rate and .387 wOBA to left-handers in 2018, giving him a 6.30 FIP. $3,200 seems like a great value for Descalso and his 40.7% hard contact rate. Toss him in your lineup.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Aaron Judge - OF, NYY @ BAL (FD - $5,000)
The best matchups in DFS tend to be players with a platoon advantage facing poor opposition. Well, we can check off one of those boxes with the fact that Aaron Judge is taking on the Orioles awful free agent acquisition Alex Cobb. The Orioles righty is getting lit up across the board in 2018. Cobb is being tuned up for a .412/.444/.687 slash line by left-handed hitters while also giving up a 5.28 FIP and .311/.354/.555 line to righties. Aaron Judge comes into Sunday with an insane .327 ISO and .449 wOBA vs. right-handers with a 45.5% hard contact rate and 187 wRC+. You will need to pay $5,000 to throw him in your lineup, but he seems like a good bet to set off some fireworks Sunday afternoon vs. Cobb.
UPDATE! 5/3 11:17 AM: The Yankees vs. Orioles game has been POSTPONED due to rain.
Bryce Harper - OF, WAS @ ATL (FD - $5,100)
Sunday brings another elite hitter worthy of consideration in Bryce Harper. Like Judge, you will need to pay up for Harper on FanDuel. Unlike Judge, Harper has a fantastic platoon advantage vs. Anibal Sanchez (who is awful). The Braves righty has allowed 2.35 HR/9 to left-handed hitters, giving him a 6.26 FIP. It's hard to imagine Harper not taking one deep Sunday if you consider his .404 wOBA, .357 ISO, and 48% hard contact rate against righties. You can't afford every superstar in your lineup, but Sunday might just be one of those stars and scrubs situations.
UPDATE! 5/3 11:33 AM: Bryce Harper is NOT in the lineup Sunday. This is why Sunday day games are frustrating....
Juan Soto - OF, WAS @ ATL (FD - $3,000)
Another day of Juan Soto not getting respect he deserves on FanDuel, and another day of him being a great value. $3,000 is a ridiculously low price for the kid at this point. FanDuel continues to ignore Soto's current value and he will remain an everyday DFS building block until that changes. Throw him in for a great lefty vs. righty matchup vs. Anibal Sanchez.
Albert Almora - OF, CHC @ NYM (FD - $2,900)
Almora makes for one of the best values on the board Sunday for just $2,900. He takes on Mets southpaw Steven Matz, giving the Cubs outfielder an attractive platoon advantage. In 2018, Almora is hitting .340/.396/.532 with a .394 wOBA and 150 wRC+ vs. left-handed pitching. At his price, Almora makes for a must add in all lineups that are paying up for the big guns on Sunday.
