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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings DFS Playoff Strategy for October 12

If you have a case of the Mondays, you’re in luck. Monday features a full slot of four MLB postseason games to watch to start your week the right way.

As each division series has gained ground, it’s been easier to figure out which players are the best picks for daily fantasy baseball leagues. Star players have shined, but a few surprise players have made a huge impact for their respective teams.

When attempting to figure out how to construct your daily fantasy baseball lineup for Monday, it’s best to make positional offensive talents a priority. Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is the only true ace who will take the mound on Monday.

Here are five of the top daily fantasy baseball picks for October 12.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings DFS Playoff Strategy for October 9

The MLB postseason is here, and there have already been plenty of exciting moments. While only a few teams have played up until today, Friday presents four different playoff games to watch.

The benefit of playoff baseball is that each individual game is important with the best teams squaring off in search of a World Series championship. When it comes to daily fantasy baseball leagues, this can be a blessing as well as a curse, and it can be difficult to decide which players stand out the most during the postseason.

For Friday’s games, it’s best to take low-value offensive options in order to make room for proven pitching aces. Clayton Kershaw, Jacob deGrom, Jon Lester and Cole Hamels are just a few of the pitching options to choose from.

Here are five of the top picks for Friday’s MLB postseason matchups.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Best MLB DraftKings Picks, Advice for September 30

Wednesday’s MLB action features all 30 teams playing as the postseason draws near. On days when every MLB team is set to play, it’s important to have a specific plan in mind when planning your daily fantasy baseball lineup.

New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka and Chicago Cubs starter Jon Lester are the only ace-caliber pitchers set to take the mound Wednesday. The best course of action is to take a gamble on undervalued pitching options to make room for high-caliber offensive players.

Here are some of the top DraftKings picks for Wednesday, September 30.

 

Drew Smyly, SP, Tampa Bay Rays vs. Miami Marlins ($9,900)

Smyly has arguably been the most consistent pitcher for the Rays recently. The former Arkansas standout has recorded an unblemished 4-0 record with a 2.70 ERA over his past seven outings.

What has recently caught the attention of many fantasy owners has been his ability to consistently strike batters out. He has averaged more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched this season.

Smyly faces a favorable matchup against the struggling Marlins, who rank 29th in MLB with just 594 runs scored this season. On a day when there aren’t many true pitching aces to choose from, Smyly is an excellent option for Wednesday.

 

Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles ($7,800)

Stroman was originally scheduled to pitch on Monday, but his start got moved back due to a postponement. Now, the former Duke standout is ready to perform at a high level with an additional day of rest against a struggling Orioles team.

Stroman has dominated through three starts this season for the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old has a 3-0 record with an impressive 1.89 ERA so far this season. While he isn’t a particularly sharp pitcher when it comes to recording strikeouts, he’s able to get out of jams early and often, as he has left 86 percent of runners on base.

The Orioles have struggled offensively in 2015 and rank 25th in MLB with a .248 team batting average. Stroman should be even more dangerous with an additional day of rest, which doesn’t bode well for Baltimore.

 

Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Texas Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers ($5,100)

Choo has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball during the second half of this season. He has a .421 batting average over his past 15 games and has helped lead the Rangers to the top of the American League West division.

What’s been particularly impressive about Choo has been his power at the plate. He has a .759 slugging percentage over his past seven games with three home runs. Choo will face Tigers starter Matt Boyd, who has struggled this season with a 6.91 ERA.

Choo has a great opportunity to keep his hot streak at the plate going against a struggling pitcher. As the regular season draws to a close, fantasy owners should take advantage of his reasonably low value given his recent performances.

 

Kris Bryant, 3B, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds ($4,900)

It seems Bryant is finally finding his identity at the plate after a transition period for the 23-year-old this season. He has recorded a .339 batting average over his past 30 games played with a .386 on-base percentage.

What’s been impressive about Bryant has been his ability to drive in runs for the Cubs. He has racked up 99 RBI this season despite missing the first few weeks. Bryant and the Cubs will face Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani, who has allowed nine earned runs combined over his last two starts.

Bryant is living up to his potential as an upper-tier fantasy third baseman and should continue his hot hitting against the Reds on Wednesday.

 

Lorenzo Cain, OF, Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox ($4,700)

The Royals have struggled in recent weeks, but Cain has flourished despite their mishaps. He has a .333 batting average over his past seven games played and faces a favorable matchup against the White Sox.

Cain has been a balanced hitter all season long with a .835 OPS. He has a .455 batting average against White Sox starter Jose Quintana this season, which gives him a great advantage heading into Wednesday’s game.

Cain is one of the few Royals to trust right now as the team goes through a season-ending slump. Kansas City is still poised for a deep run in the postseason, and he will be a great fantasy option for the final games of the regular season.

 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via FanGraphs.com and MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: DraftKings Strategy, DFS Rankings for September 29

As we enter one of the final weeks of the MLB regular season, the time is now to figure out which players are the best options for daily fantasy baseball. Tuesday’s MLB action features a full slot of games, which allows fantasy owners to make some tough decisions when setting a daily fantasy baseball lineup.

Below is a table featuring the top three players at each position to put you in the right direction, followed by five players to consider when attempting to balance your DraftKings budget.

Pos. 1 2 3
1B Paul Goldschmidt Joey Votto Anthony Rizzo
2B Jason Kipnis Daniel Murphy Jose Altuve
3B Josh Donaldson Nolan Arenado Adrian Beltre
SS Francisco Lindor Corey Seager Carlos Correa
P Clayton Kershaw Tyson Ross Madison Bumgarner
C Kyle Schwarber Russell Martin Travis d’Arnaud
OF Bryce Harper Mike Trout Jose Bautista

 

Value Picks

Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles ($7,700)

Stroman has been sensational through just three starts this season for the Blue Jays. While he lacks professional experience, he has recorded a 3-0 record and a 1.89 ERA in 2015.

What’s been especially impressive about Stroman has been his ability to get out of jams early and often in games. The former Duke standout has left 86 percent of runners on base this season. He will face an Orioles team that ranks 24th in MLB with a .248 team batting average.

The Blue Jays are on the brink of clinching their first division title since 1993, and Stroman will play a huge role in helping the team move closer to that goal. He’s on a hot streak through just three starts this season and is a steal because of his reasonable current value.

 

Dee Gordon, 2B, Miami Marlins vs. Tampa Bay Rays ($4,200)

Gordon has been a pleasant surprise for the Marlins this season and has been one of the best hitters in baseball. The 27-year-old has recorded an impressive .371 batting average over his past 15 games and has carried the Marlins with star slugger Giancarlo Stanton sidelined with an injury.

Gordon has hit safely in seven of his past nine games played with three multihit games over the current span. The second baseman will aim to continue his hot hitting against struggling Rays starter Matt Moore, who has recorded a 2-4 record with a 6.48 ERA in 2015.

Gordon’s value has slipped dramatically since he suffered a thumb injury in mid-July, and it’s best to take advantage of his bargain price tag while you still can. His low value provides owners with budget flexibility and the ability to have an All-Star second baseman for a great asking price.

 

Adam Eaton, OF, Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals ($4,000)

Eaton has found a home with the White Sox and has played great since the All-Star break. The 26-year-old has recorded an astounding .355 batting average over his past 30 games played with a .381 batting average over his past 15 appearances.

The risk associated with Eaton has been his tendency to be too aggressive at the plate. The outfielder has struck out in nearly 20 percent of his at-bats this season while walking in just 9 percent of his plate appearances.

However, his aggressive hitting has paid off, as he has been arguably the hottest hitter for the White Sox as of late. Eaton and the White Sox will face Royals starter Johnny Cueto, who has struggled since joining the team at the trade deadline. Eaton’s low value makes him a bargain buy heading into Tuesday’s MLB action.

 

Kevin Pillar, OF, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles ($4,000)

The Blue Jays are stacked with offensive talent, and Pillar has been one of the players who have been talked about the least for Toronto. He has recorded a .392 batting average over his past 15 games played and leads all MLB positional players with a .520 batting average over his past seven appearances.

Pillar has also demonstrated great power hitting as of late. The 26-year-old has recorded a phenomenal .960 slugging percentage over his past seven games. He will have a great opportunity to continue his hot hitting against Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez, who has allowed 14 earned runs combined over his past three starts.

While Pillar’s recent streak may be an aberration, daily fantasy baseball owners should take advantage of his great offensive value as the postseason draws near.

 

Lucas Duda, 1B, New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies ($4,700)

Duda has helped lead the Mets to a postseason berth for the first time since 2006. The first baseman has also performed admirably as of late with a .300 batting average and a .900 slugging percentage over his past seven games.

Duda is a well-rounded hitter who always seems to make an impact for the Mets. He has recorded a .836 OPS this season and will face struggling Phillies starter David Buchanan on Tuesday. Buchanan has been atrocious this season with a 2-9 record and a 7.96 ERA.

Duda’s recent hitting streak combined with his favorable matchup against Buchanan and the Phillies sets him up for a huge performance on Tuesday. His low value makes him a great pick in a crowded field of first baseman options.

 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via FanGraphs.com and MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: DraftKings Strategy, DFS Rankings for September 22

All 30 MLB teams are set to play on Tuesday, which makes the selection process of picking players for your daily fantasy league team difficult. On days when there is a full array of games, it’s important to know which players have the potential to outplay their low asking prices.

Below is a table that features the top three available players at each position for Tuesday, followed by five players around whom to plan your lineup.

Pos. 1 2 3
SP Jake Arrieta Tyson Ross Danny Salazar
C Kyle Schwarber Travis d’Arnaud Brian McCann
1B Anthony Rizzo Edwin Encarnacion Jose Abreu
2B Dee Gordon Jose Altuve Jason Kipnis
3B Josh Donaldson Matt Carpenter Manny Machado
SS Corey Seager Francisco Lindor Carlos Correa
OF Bryce Harper Andrew McCutchen Mike Trout

 

Value Picks

A.J. Pollock, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,900)

Pollock has been one of the biggest surprises for the Diamondbacks this season and has surged during the second half of the season. He is hitting .345 over his past 30 games played and .444 over his past seven games.

What’s been especially impressive above Pollock in 2015 has been his patience at the plate. The 27-year-old is striking out in just over 13 percent of his plate appearances, which makes him a consistent threat. He also leads Arizona in hitting with a .319 batting average this season.

Pollock and the Diamondbacks face a tough matchup against Dodgers starter Alex Wood on Tuesday. Wood has recorded shutouts in two of his past three starts. However, Pollock’s reasonable value and hot hitting make him a great pick on Tuesday.

 

Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Texas Rangers vs. Oakland Athletics ($4,200)

Choo’s 2015 season as a whole has been a disappointment since signing a multi-million-dollar deal with the Rangers this past offseason. However, his recent streak at the plate makes him a great short-term fantasy option.

Choo has recorded an astounding .434 batting average over his past 15 games played and is hitting .520 over his past seven starts. He has also demonstrated his impressive power with a .585 slugging percentage over his past 15 games.

Choo hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, but he faces a great matchup against Athletics starter Sean Nolin. Though he has been impressive through his last three starts with a 3.24 ERA, he has had little playing experience this season, which boosts Choo’s value.

 

J.A. Happ, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies ($7,300)

Happ has been up and down this season after a fast start in 2015 with the Seattle Mariners. However, he has been electric over his past seven starts and faces a solid matchup against a lower-tier team.

Happ has recorded a 5-1 record with a 1.30 ERA over his past seven starts. He has also demonstrated great command of his pitches with just seven walks over the current span. Though the Rockies have been impressive offensively this season, they rank 23rd in MLB with a .246 team batting average against left-handed pitching this season.

Happ’s recent streak of incredible performances may be an aberration but he has a great matchup against Colorado on Tuesday. His incredibly low value gives fantasy owners great flexibility and opportunities to pick up upper-tier hitters.

 

David Wright, 3B, New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves ($4,300)

Wright has been a great success story while battling through an injury-riddled 2015 season. Through just 29 games played this season, Wright has recorded a .300 batting average and a .798 on-base percentage so far in 2015.

The former All-Star has also been incredibly impressive as of late. He is hitting .346 over his past seven games played and has recorded just five strikeouts during the current span. Wright faces a favorable matchup against Braves starter Matt Wisler on Tuesday, who has recorded an abysmal 5.63 ERA so far this season.

It’s safe to expect that the red-hot Mets will continue their great hitting against Wisler on Tuesday, and Wright should have a great impact during the game. Wright’s reasonable asking price makes him a low-risk, high-reward pick in daily leagues.

 

Ketel Marte, SS, Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals ($3,700)

Marte has been an answer for an otherwise limited Seattle offense in 2015. The rookie is hitting .284 this season with an incredibly impressive .731 on-base percentage.

The 21-year-old is in the midst of a hot streak at the plate in which he is hitting .407 over his past seven games played. The downside to the young shortstop has been his tendency to be too aggressive at the plate, as Marte strikes out in nearly 18 percent of his at-bats.

Marte and the Mariners face a solid matchup against Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie on Tuesday. Guthrie has struggled mightily this season with a 5.55 ERA so far in 2015. While he is still a developing player, Marte is a great pick for Tuesday due to his high upside at the plate.

 

 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via Fangraphs.com and MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

 

Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: DraftKings Strategy, DFS Rankings for September 15

All 30 MLB teams are playing on Tuesday, which means there are plenty of daily fantasy baseball options to choose from. However, you rarely can have a fantasy team full of superstars, so it’s best to figure out which players have the opportunity to outplay their value.

Below is a table featuring the top three players at each position for Tuesday, followed by a list of five players to consider when balancing your fantasy baseball budget.

Pos. 1 2 3
SP Jacob deGrom Felix Hernandez Stephen Strasburg
C Buster Posey Travis d’Arnaud Kyle Schwarber
1B Paul Goldschmidt Chris Davis Joey Votto
2B Jose Altuve Jason Kipnis Brian Dozier
SS Carlos Correa Jose Reyes Francisco Lindor
3B Josh Donaldson Miguel Cabrera Nolan Arenado
OF Bryce Harper Yoenis Cespedes Jose Bautista

 

Value Picks

Carlos Martinez, SP, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers ($9,300)

Martinez has been incredible for the Cardinals this season, and he has the opportunity to have a great outing against one of the worst teams in MLB.

While Martinez’s season as a whole has been impressive, he has struggled as of late. He has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his past four starts. However, he dominated against the Brewers in his last start against the team in a four-hit shutout on April 24.

Martinez hasn’t been himself in his past few starts but has a great opportunity to get back on track against the struggling Brewers. His reasonable value makes him a great pick given his previous start against Milwaukee earlier in the season.

 

Jonathan Schoop, 2B/3B, Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox ($4,000)

Schoop has been a solid player for the Orioles since returning from injury on July 5. He has recorded a career-high .291 batting average this season and has flourished over the past week.

The 23-year-old has demonstrated great patience at the plate with a .321 batting average over his past seven games. He has also showed off his impressive power with a .679 slugging percentage during that span.

Schoop and the Orioles will face Red Sox starter Joe Kelly, who has been dominant with a 7-0 record over his past seven outings. However, Schoop is a low-risk, high-reward pick given his recent streak of games and his improved hitting overall.

 

Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies ($3,600)

Seager is the No. 1 prospect in the Dodgers organization for a reason and has performed admirably since being called up to the big leagues on September 3. He is hitting .412 this season with an astounding 1.171 on-base plus slugging percentage.

Seager and the Dodgers will face struggling Rockies left-hander Chris Rusin on Tuesday. Through 18 starts this season, Rusin has recorded a 5-8 record with an abysmal 5.14 ERA. Seager is hitting .417 against left-handed pitching this season, which sets up a favorable matchup against Rusin.

While Seager is just 21 years old, he is producing at a high level despite his limited amount of professional experience. However, fantasy owners should take advantage of his low value while they can before he emerges as a top-tier shortstop option.

 

Rajai Davis, OF, Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins ($3,200)

The veteran Davis has performed well recently, which makes him a steal of an outfielder pick for daily fantasy baseball.

The 34-year-old is hitting .320 over his past seven games and has recorded an astonishing .760 slugging percentage during that span. He has hit safely in seven of his past nine games with three multihit games during his streak.

Davis will face Twins starter Phil Hughes on Tuesday, who has struggled with his command over his past few starts. Hughes has recorded a 5.08 ERA over his past seven starts, which presents an opportunity for Davis and the Tigers to have a great day at the plate.

 

Trevor Plouffe, 3B, Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers ($4,100)

Plouffe has had an up-and-down season with a .250 batting average and a .444 slugging percentage. However, his recent streak makes him a great fantasy option for Tuesday’s MLB action.

Plouffe is hitting .375 over his past seven games with a solid .464 on-base percentage during that span. Plouffe and the Twins will face Tigers starter Alfredo Simon on Tuesday, a pitcher who has recorded an atrocious 7.10 ERA over his past 15 outings.

Plouffe isn’t a great long-term option in fantasy baseball, but he has a great matchup against Simon on Tuesday. He should be able to keep up his hot hitting and outplay his depleted fantasy value.

 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted.

Follow Curtis on Twitter: @CalhounCurtis

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com


Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Best MLB DraftKings Picks, Advice for September 2

Wednesday’s plethora of MLB games allows DraftKings participants to make the most out of low-value offensive options. Pitching aces such as Max Scherzer, Matt Harvey and Clayton Kershaw are a few of the upper-tier pitchers set to take the mound on Wednesday.

With a focus set on bargain positional players in order to make room for high-quality pitching options, here are the best DraftKings fantasy baseball picks for Wednesday.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Strategy, Primer for August 23

As a new week in fantasy baseball begins, Sunday’s MLB action features a full dosage of 15 different games. While pitching often presents better value for daily fantasy leagues, it’s smart to choose offense over subpar pitching for today’s games.

Clayton Kershaw and Cole Hamels are arguably the top two pitching options for Sunday and the only true aces taking the mound. Veteran talents such as R.A. Dickey, Edinson Volquez and Francisco Liriano are a few of the top options based on their reasonably low DraftKings values.

When selecting from a variety of veteran pitching options, it’s best to balance your budget for a plethora of high-quality offensive players. American League MVP candidates Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera are just a few of the great talents worth consideration despite their high asking prices.

Here are the top options for Sunday’s games, primarily focused on hitting rather than pitching.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Late-Season Pickups for August 10

Sleeper picks can sometimes make or break a fantasy baseball team’s season, especially as the 2015 MLB season is quickly coming to a close. As the wear and tear of the long season continues to impact every team in MLB, it is important to find the right players performing admirably at the right time.

Today’s late-season pickups feature former All-Stars, emerging young talents and veterans showing new life. Here are five players to keep an eye on as your fantasy baseball team begins a new week.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: These MLB Advanced Metrics Can Make You a Winner

When doing research on your favorite player, you may come across some statistic types you might have never heard of before. These metrics can help you win your fantasy baseball league if you know more about them and how they work.

Here are four types of MLB advanced metrics that can help you in your respective fantasy baseball leagues.

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