MLB Fantasy Baseball DFS Fanduel Lineup Picks for 4/8

Quick Notes

• Charlie Morton is a decent pitcher overall. Nonetheless, he’s got the highest wOBA against vs. LHH (.390) over the last three seasons amongst starting pitchers. Over that span, left-handers are hitting .326 AVG/.429 OBP/.455 SLG against him.
• Vegas expects far more runs in the CWS vs. COL game than in any other matchup. The over/under line is set at 10 runs. The next highest over/under line for the night games is 8.5 runs (HOU v. TOR), followed by several 7.5 run lines. Long-story short: consider some CWS and COL hitters for your lineup.

Daily League Lineup Options for 4/8

SP: Mark Buehrle vs. HOU ($6200)

HOU scores more runs this year, but they still aren’t great, and they should still strikeout out at a very high rate. Moreover, their best hitter against LHPs—Dexter Fowler—is still out of the lineup tonight. I like Buherle at home. He’s not a huge strikeout guy, but playing the Astros should help and he has a good opportunity to earn a W with an above average offense behind him.

1B: Jose Abreu @ COL (vs. Franklin Morales, LHP) ($3200)

Morales is highly effective against lefties and absolutely abysmal against righties. Morales is also a flyball pitcher at Coors Field. Although it’s tough to form an opinion on Abreu’s overall skills, his power is undeniable. If you aren’t sold on Abreu, I’d go with Rizzo ($3600) against Morton for reasons mentioned above.

3B: Pedro Alvarez @ CHI (vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP) ($3600)

I know Alvarez is always a threat to go 0-4 with 3 Ks against any pitcher. However, he’s shown absurd power against RHPs throughout his career. Alvarez hit 33 of his 36 HR against RHPs in 2013 and 24 of his 30 HR in against righties in 2012. Edwin Jackson is a below average starter. Moreover, Alvarez gets to play in a much smaller venue than he’s used to tonight (Wrigley Field). He’s a very high-upside play tonight (but you’ll have to stomach some risk of him going hitless).

OF: Seth Smith @ CLE (vs. Corey Kluber, RHP) ($2,800)

Smith is a left-handed hitter who is above average against RHPs. Kluber, although a sabermetrics darling, has struggled mightily against LHHs throughout his career (Opponents are hitting: AVG .289/OBP .355/SLG .450). Additionally, Smith is batting in the two-hole tonight, so he should get plenty of opportunities to accumulate hits and runs for your team. Smith isn’t a top-tier OF today, but he’s a strong play for $2800.

OF: Nate Schierholtz vs. PIT (vs. Charlie Morton, RHP) ($2700)

I’ll keep the analysis light here. Schierholtz is very good against RHPs. Charlie Morton is legendarily bad against LHHs. Schierholtz is a nice cheap play.