RADIO
RotoCole's Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Advice
In the preseason, we brought you Daily League Strategy Part 1 and Part 2. Now, all season long, I will be giving you my advice on who to start in your daily fantasy lineups. Initially, this advice will cater to those who play on Fanduel. They offer some of the best gaming options for beginners, intermediate, and expert level players. Our job here at RotoBaller is to make your daily fantasy gaming experience a fun and successful experience. Whether you are new to the daily fantasy scene or have been playing for years, our columns will be up-to-date and useful for all levels of experience. If you are indeed new to the scene, tweet me at @RotoCole and I will personally show you the ropes. Lets win together. One or two ladies and Gentlemen, here is your Daily Fantasy Baseball lineup advice:
Opening Day Prime Time Play: C Victor Martinez ($3,300) - It will feel like a minor league rehab stint when Martinez faces Vance Worley of the Minnesota Twins. He will bat fifth, so have him in your lineups while his price is still this low and the matchup is this good.
Top of the lineup:
1. Brett Gardner ($2,500) - Back healthy after a nice spring training, Gardner will assume leadoff duties and for only $2,500 he is a can't miss. His speed makes him a viable steals candidate and he should pile up plenty of plate appearances while hitting leadoff.
2. Justin Verlander ($9,800) - While pricey at $9,800, Verlander is the closest thing to a lock for huge fantasy production today. He faces a poor offense and if you want to make sure you get off to a good start get the Cy in your li...neup. (I'll be here all season ;-))
3. Jonathan Lucroy ($3,300) - Lucroy will hit out of the five hole against Jhoulys Chacin, who is one of the poorer opening day starters. Chacin routinely walks batters and doesn't pitch deep into the game. Lucroy is a safer pick than Martinez.
Prime Pine Play: OF Mike Stanton ($4,500) - He is an exciting player with a bright future but Stanton could struggle mightily against Strasburg on opening day. Keep him on your bench.
Suicide Squeezes - squeezing these players into your lineup will likely result in fantasy suicide:
1. Joe Mauer ($3,600) - Although he owns a career .400 average versus Justin Verlander, Mauer will have very little opportunity to drive in runs as he is slated to hit second in the order.
2. Robinson Cano ($4,300) - In 74 career ABs against Jon Lester, Cano has 0 HR, 5 RBI, and a .228 average. Find a cheaper option at second base with a better matchup.
3. Dan Uggla ($3,300) - For his career, Dan Uggla is 3-25 on opening day. Avoid the temptation of picking him and his Arnold-like pipes.
RotoCole’s Fanduel Opening Day Lineup:
C: Victor Martinez - $3,300
1B: Prince Fielder - $4,000
2B: Chris Getz - $2,500
3B: Ryan Zimmerman $3,900
SS: Tory Tulowitzki - $4,000
OF: Brett Gardner - $2,500
OF: Ryan Braun - $4,500
OF: Andrew McCutchen - $4,000
P: Brett Anderson - $6,200
Budget: $35,000
Lineup: $34,900
My goal was to load my lineup with stud hitters and seeing that Brett Anderson was only $6,200, I knew I'd be able to do that. I'm thinking most lineups will include Miguel Cabrera, so I went a different route with Ryan Zimmerman who had a nice spring. Placing Chris Getz into my lineup was more of a strategy to spend more on other positions and still get 4 at bats or so out of the second base slot. It will be hard to lose a double up with this lineup unless Brett Anderson absolutely bombs his start. Please feel free to use some or all of this lineup and tweet me at @RotoCole with any other lineup questions you may have. Now grab a beer (Jones Soda if you are a kid) and get ready for a spectacular open day. Let's play ball!
