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Welcome to Thursday MLB on FanDuel. We have quite the weird split of games today, with three separate slates to play. We'll be focusing on the main slate, which consists of only four games. It's a pitcher heavy slate, but there are certainly a few arms to target.
Anthony Rizzo is still out for the Cubs, which certainly changes things. Mike Clevinger gets a phenomenal match-up against a Tigers team that can't hit anyone. Let's dive in further and find a top play at each position.
Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DFSVarney
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Mike Clevinger - CLE vs. DET - $11,800
Clevinger is clearly the best pitcher on this slate and it's not at all close. The Tigers are currently the worst team in baseball and they've dipped below the Miami Marlins against righties with a team .280 wOBA. They don't have a single hitter that holds a .320+ wOBA on the season. They strikeout 23% of the time and hold the league's 29th highest ISO. Clevinger strikes out 11 batters per nine innings and walks just two. He routinely goes over 100 pitches and can throw a complete game with no issue. You can expect seven great innings here with the upside for more. Personally, I will have 100% ownership to Clevinger.
Jack Flaherty - STL @ CHC - $10,900
Without Anthony Rizzo, this Chicago Cubs team is far less scary against righties. We saw Tyler Mahle dice them up last night and while that’s a silly sample size to point to, there was an obvious missing core piece. If Jack Flaherty can come out with the same stuff that’s picked him up 20 strikeouts over his last two games, the Cubs won’t have an answer. He’s the second most expensive arm on the slate, but I think you pay up. Hendricks and Gibson are fine as SP2’s, but we’re playing on FanDuel.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Mitch Garver - MIN vs. KAN (Montgomery) - $3,000
With such a small main slate, our options are pretty limited. Fortunately, the Minnesota Twins are facing off with a lefty. Specifically, a bad lefty. Mike Montgomery has given up a .346 wOBA and 11 home runs in just 65 innings of work to righties. Garver has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball against southpaws and he’s way too cheap on FanDuel. Close to a plug and play if the other options didn’t have so much upside.
Cavan Biggio - TOR @ BAL (Ynoa) - $3,900
Second base is barren. As we sit before lineups come out, it’s easily the weakest position of all. Cavan Biggio is luckily there facing off with a bad righty. Ynoa has allowed a .350+ wOBA to both sides of the plate and faces a red hot Blue Jays lineup. Biggio has posted a .348 wOBA so far against righties and is only getting better. The upside is huge and there isn’t much to pivot to for cheaper.
Renato Nunez - BAL vs. TOR (Kay) - $2,900
First off, make sure Renato Nunez is in the lineup. He was held out yesterday, but it seemed precautionary. The Orioles face off with a left-hander in Anthony Kay that has held onto a 5.87 xFIP in the minors this year. He’s run on good luck and the majors have given him a wake up call. Nunez is way too cheap for a guy that is a platoon specialist vs lefties. He has home run upside in this ballpark and I doubt he’ll be very highly owned.
Bo Bichette - TOR @ BAL (Ynoa) - $3,900
Shortstop is another position where it’s hard to find much to love. Gabriel Ynoa has been terrible against both sides of the plate, giving up a .350 combined wOBA. Bo Bichette is also just as good against righties as he is lefties, and he gets a slightly better shot at a stolen base. The Blue Jays have been on fire of late and they’ll look to keep things going for at least one more night in this tremendous match-up in Camden Yards.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz - MIN vs. KAN (Montgomery) - $3,800
I feel like a broken record at this point, but Nelson Cruz more than belongs in this spot when facing s lefty. Last night was a bullpen game, and hitters find a hard time getting rhythm. Mike Montgomery will stay in there for at least 90 pitches and he’s had a tough time with righties, as already highlighted. Nelson Cruz has sported a .440+ wOBA against lefties and will be hard to get away in the outfield. He’s also not overly expensive on FanDuel.
Oscar Mercado - CLE vs. DET (Norris) - $2,900
I’ve yet to touch on the Cleveland Indians, but they’re more than in play against Daniel Norris. He’s allowed 20 home runs to righties in just over 100 innings and has had a tough time keeping the ball in the park. The Indians have plenty of weapons, and Mercado is the most price efficient at $2,900. Mercado has been rock solid in the two hole for this team, giving them a guy between Lindor and Santana they can count on against both sides of the plate (.330 wOBA). Mercado is best served in cash games as a value outfielder. In tournaments, I’d much rather play Puig.
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