Tag: Fantasy Baseball

Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Best MLB DraftKings Late-Day Picks for August 13

There are only four Major League Baseball games on Thursday’s afternoon schedule. Short schedules are ideal for stacking your DraftKings lineup with position players from one team.

This time around, the Chicago Cubs are the team to lean onhard.

 

Bleed Cubbie BlueAt Least for Day

The Cubs are among the hottest teams in the majors. They have scored 38 runs in the last seven games.

Chicago will be facing the Milwaukee Brewers and rookie pitcher Tyler Cravy at Wrigley Field. Cravy has struggled in his last two starts. He’s allowed 10 earned runs over that time while pitching just 10 innings. Cravy has just seven strikeouts and three walks with two home runs in that time as well. Perhaps worst of all for Cravy, opponents are hitting .303 against him.

The Cubs come in with multiple players swinging the bat well. Kris Bryant ($4,700) is on a nine-game hitting streak. He homered Wednesday night and is hitting .280 at home, with 13 of his 16 home runs coming at Wrigley.

Anthony Rizzo ($5,300) has cooled off a bit from the tear he was on a couple of weeks ago, but he’s still a problem for Cravy. Rizzo is hitting .351 in his last 11 games. 

Jorge Soler ($3,700) is also swinging the bat well. He had his 10-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday, but he has raised his batting average by seven points since July 30. 

We threw in Miguel Montero ($2,800) (walk-off home run Wednesday) Addison Russell ($3,200) (hit safely in 19 of his last 25 games) and Chris Coghlan ($3,200) as low-cost options who are also in line to put up numbers against Cravy.

 

One More Cub for the Road

Jon Lester ($10,800) had a rough start to the season, but few pitchers have been more consistent over the last month. In his last 10 starts, Lester has allowed more than two runs just once. In that time, he has averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game and just 1.4 walks.

In his only previous start against the Brewers, Lester went seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. Lester isn’t the only Cubs pitcher the Brewers have struggled against.

In the last six games against Chicago, the Brewers scored just 13 runs. Milwaukee lost all those games.

Lester should get the run support to feel comfortable on the mound. With a strong performance from the pitcher and the lineup, the Cubs should cruise to a win Thursday.

 

Jose Bautista is a Must-Have

He’s not a Cub, but you have to draft Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista ($5,600) on Thursday. He’s on an eight-game hitting streak after going 2-for-4 on Wednesday against the Oakland Athletics. Bautista has homered four times during the streak.

To add to Bautista’s draft appeal, he has hammered the A’s scheduled starter for the day. Sonny Gray is undoubtedly one of the game’s best young pitchers, but Bautista is hitting .500 against Gray in 10 at-bats. 

One of his five hits was a home run. The Blue Jays are red-hot. Toronto is the only team in the majors hotter than the Cubs right now, having won 10 in a row. Bautista is more than pulling his weight of late.

 

One More Jay

Mark Buehrle ($7,600) hasn’t been great this season or even in his last three starts, but he’ll almost always give you innings. 

Only four of Buehrle’s starts this season have been shorter than six innings. In his only start against the A’s this season, Buehrle pitched seven innings, allowing one run and no walks but just three strikeouts.

The performance was good for just 19 fantasy points, but that should be all you need if the Cubs hitters, Lester and Bautista do their jobs.


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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Studs and Duds for August 13

The 2015 MLB season continues to roll along with less than two months before October. Most daily fantasy owners have likely gotten into a groove at this point, but the names at the top of lists are constantly changing.

Some players have risen to the task in August, while others have fallen off under the pressure of a playoff push. Ahead of Thursday’s slate of games, here’s a look at some studs and duds for August 13.

 

Studs

Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs ($10,800)

That massive investment by the Chicago Cubs in the offseason is finally starting to pay off. As October approaches, Lester is starting to turn it on with two runs or less allowed in his last four starts. Three of those happened to come at Wrigley Field, which is where the Cubs will play on Thursday.

Not to mention, Lester is facing off against the lowly Milwaukee Brewers. With an average of two runs scored over the last five games, it seems pretty obvious that Lester should put up similar results. At $1,400 less than Sonny Gray, Lester is an affordable ace for owners to target.

 

Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers ($4,500)

Prince Fielder’s comeback season just keeps on going with another hot stretch recently. Over his last 10 games, Fielder is averaging over 10 fantasy points with five extra-base hits, including two homers.

Oh, let’s also note that he has a perfect matchup on Thursday.

Ervin Santana has struggled in his last three starts, allowing 19 runs over that stretch with his last outing ending after 2.1 innings. Fielder holds a .444 on-base percentage against Santana with three home runs and a double. If you aren’t convinced by now, maybe this isn’t for you. Fielder is a lock.

 

Michael Cuddyer, New York Mets ($3,400)

In order to afford the Jon Lesters and Prince Fielders of the world, you’ll need a value pick. Look no further than Michael Cuddyer. The New York Mets outfielder is back to the torrid pace he was on before hitting the disabled list last month.

Cuddyer’s three hits, two runs, RBI and stolen base over the last two games prove he doesn’t have any lingering effects. He’s also facing Eddie Butler, who has been horrid at the MLB level this season. The stars are aligned for Cuddyer to go off, so don’t miss this opportunity before his price goes up again.

 

Duds

Mat Latos, Los Angeles Dodgers ($7,200)

Most of the pitchers at the top of DraftKings‘ price sheet on Thursday are worthy of their salary. However, when looking for a pitcher to pair them up with, Mat Latos is not a formidable option. Even at $7,200, Latos is coming at too high of a price for his recent performance.

In his last two starts, Latos hasn’t fooled anyone with just one strikeout—combined. While Latos would likely love to shut down his former team, the Cincinnati Reds are simply too patient at 22nd in the MLB in strikeouts (822). Wielding bats like Todd Frazier, Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips, the Reds stars will get the better of their former teammate.

 

Josh Reddick, Oakland Athletics ($4,100)

Josh Reddick is struggling. Like, getting the bat remotely close to the ball has been a tall task recently. Over his last 10 games, Reddick has barely averaged three fantasy points and has just one game where he reached double digits.

Reddick doesn’t have a difficult matchup with Mark Buehrle on the mound, but the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher has a habit of making batters uncomfortable. His fast approach to the plate combined with Reddick‘s recent struggles are a bad omen for DraftKings owners.


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Bleacher Report’s Guide to Acing Your 2015 Fantasy Baseball Home Stretch

For fantasy baseball players uninitiated to the 162-game MLB grind, the 2015 campaign has already lasted forever. While it’s nearing the finish line, roughly two months remain to chase a championship.

With most trade deadlines approaching and head-to-head playoffs in sight, make-believe managers across the world are pressing the panic button. Even if only down a few points, the cavernous gap between fourth and first can feel wider than the Springfield Gorge.

There’s not much time to cement a victorious season, leaving antsy owners unsure of how to handle the closing weeks. Should they stay the course and trust their early evaluations or blow up anything that isn’t working? Is it time to take drastic measures or simply exude patience?

Nothing is ever so black and white, but a proactive approach goes a long way while the competition grows complacent and fatigued. Some research, dedication and a sprinkle of luck will optimize an individual’s chances of capturing fantasy glory.

Here are some steps to ensure a strong finish.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Best MLB DraftKings Picks, Advice for August 12

Wednesday is getaway day for a number of MLB teams, which means most daily fantasy baseball contests are divided into day and night games. On the plus side, there are a number of quality options regardless of when you sign up.

Here is a breakdown of the best overall picks in each set of games.

 

Afternoon Contests

Chris Heston, SP, San Francisco Giants ($9,000)

A lack of elite options raises the price for a number of mediocre pitchers, so it will be tough to get your money’s worth on the mound. Still, Chris Heston is arguably the best option overall thanks to his performance at home this season.

At AT&T Park—which ESPN.com rates as the best pitcher’s stadium in baseball this season—Heston has a 2.57 ERA compared to a 4.45 ERA on the road. The Houston Astros have a good offense but still strike out more than anyone else in the American League. This could allow Heston to come through with a quality fantasy performance.

 

Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore Orioles ($4,300)

With the help of an awesome mustache, Chris Davis has been red-hot in August:

He is now over 30 home runs on the season for the third time in four years and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Seattle Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma has looked better as of late but still only has a 4.41 ERA thanks in part to 12 home runs allowed in 10 starts. Davis has a good chance of continuing his recent streak.

 

Robinson Cano, 2B, Seattle Mariners ($3,800)

Orioles starter Kevin Gausman has struggled immensely on the road lately, allowing 17 earned runs in 15.1 innings over his last three games. If he can’t turn it around, this could be an opportunity for just about everyone on the Seattle Mariners to put up some big numbers on Wednesday.

This includes Robinson Cano, who has been much better after the All-Star break. With better batting numbers and increased power, he is finally starting to resemble the player we are used to seeing.

 

Night Contests

Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets ($11,400)

There is no shortage of elite pitching options, but Gerrit Cole and Michael Wacha could struggle against tough lineups in a head-to-head battle. As for Clayton Kershaw, the cost at $14,200 might be simply too expensive to justify.

Danny Salazar is a good bet thanks to his high strikeout totals, but Jacob deGrom remains the best option on the board. He has been dominant at home (1.60 ERA, 24.5 fantasy points per game) and has at least seven strikeouts in each of his last five starts.

There is no such thing as a sure thing in baseball, but deGrom might be the safest option for the cost.

 

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies ($4,000)

When you have more home runs since the All-Star break than entire teams, you are obviously red-hot. That is the case with Carlos Gonzalez, who has clearly been the best power hitter in baseball in the league’s second half.

It’s at the point that his teammates are trying to get some of the heat to rub off on them:

Usually, it’s smart to avoid a Rockies hitter on the road, especially against an elite pitcher like deGrom. However, Gonzalez has simply been too good to avoid at this price.

 

Ian Desmond, SS, Washington Nationals ($3,100)

As good as Clayton Kershaw has been this season, the Pittsburgh Pirates showed he isn’t unhittable while totaling nine hits and four runs against the MVP. This gives hope for Ian Desmond, who is making up for his terrible first half of the season with a strong second half.

Desmond provides potential for home runs and steals as well as runs and RBI in a deep lineup. Add in more success against lefties, and the shortstop could be a great bargain pick in this one.

 

Note: All prices and fantasy score info courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 


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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: DraftKings Strategy, DFS Rankings for August 11

With a deep list of high-priced talent both as pitchers and hitters, you don’t necessarily have to grab the top daily fantasy baseball players on August 11. As long as you grab some of the best options at each position and complement them with a few bargain picks, you could be in position to make some big money.

Here is a look at predictions for the top scorers for Tuesday’s contests as well as a breakdown of some bargain options.

 

Value Picks

Luis Severino, SP, New York Yankees ($5,500)

Although he has only made one career start that lasted five innings, Luis Severino showcased a lot of potential in his lone appearance. The 21-year-old pitcher allowed just two hits and walked zero while striking out seven batters in his limited showcase.

Jack Curry of YES had great things to say about the young starter:

The Cleveland Indians have been red hot as of late, but Severino has loads of talent and could end up being a bargain at this price.

 

Brian Dozier, 2B, Minnesota Twins ($4,300)

A slump has dropped the price on Brian Dozier to the point he is now a bargain at second base. The good news is he can still hit a home run at any point, with his shot on Friday bringing him up to 24 on the season.

Meanwhile, Dozier is 5-for-7 in his career against Yovani Gallardo with a home run and four RBI, according to ESPN. Even with a small sample size, this is a good sign for Tuesday’s matchup.

 

David Peralta, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks ($4,200)

The Philadelphia Phillies have played much better as of late, but the same cannot be said about pitcher David Buchanan. Tuesday’s starter allowed seven runs in his latest outing to lift his ERA to 7.23 on the year in nine starts.

There are a number of quality options in the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup, but David Peralta has hit the ball as well as anyone over the past week and could be in store for a big game.

 

Khris Davis, OF, Milwaukee Brewers ($3,600)

Consistency remains an issue for Khris Davis, but the outfielder does have the ability to put together a huge fantasy game. In the past week, he already has one game of 39 points and one of 32 points, according to DraftKings.

While Davis hasn’t been able to take advantage of his power all year, he is clearly seeing the ball well and faces a pitcher in Dan Haren who has allowed eight home runs in his last four starts. This is a chance for his recent success to continue.

 

Francisco Cervelli, C, Pittsburgh Pirates ($3,300)

In his first real chance to be a full-time catcher in the majors, Francisco Cervelli is quietly having a very impressive season. After going 8-for-16 in five games during the recent home stand, the Pirates backstop is now hitting .307 on the year.

The St. Louis Cardinals have been tough to hit this season no matter who you are, but look for Cervelli to make some big plays in this important series.

 

Note: All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. 


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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Ideal Lineup Picks for August 11

There are 15 games on the MLB schedule Tuesday night, allowing DraftKings daily fantasy players a full array of possibilities when it comes to setting a lineup.

Is Zack Greinke worth $12,000 after getting roughed up in his previous start? How about Matt Harvey, or an under-the-radar rookie instead?

While star power always helps, the key to outscoring the competition lies in finding value from lesser-used names. A red-hot outfielder and a pair of veterans hitting their stride round out these five ideal lineup choices for August 11.

 

SP Matt Harvey, New York Mets ($10,900) vs. Colorado Rockies

Above are highlights of Harvey’s most recent outing, in which he allowed only two hits and no walks while striking out six in seven shutout innings. It was the latest in a string of excellent appearances for Harvey, who hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in any of his last nine starts.

In that time, Harvey has posted a 1.64 ERA over 60.1 innings since June 10. He’s also held opposing hitters to a .195 batting average during the stretch. In addition, the 26-year-old righty has gone 20.2 innings without walking a batter.

Harvey faces a Rockies team that owns just a .288 on-base percentage away from Coors Field, the second-lowest road OBP in baseball.

 

SP Taylor Jungmann, Milwaukee Brewers ($8,700) at Chicago Cubs

Taylor Jungmann will make only his 12th major league start, but at this point, there’s a large enough sample size to start taking his outstanding numbers seriously.

Through 71.2 big league innings, Jungmann has a 2.26 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 61 strikeouts. In 10 of his 11 outings, Jungmann has yielded two earned runs or fewer, with the lone exception being a four-run showing at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

As Brewers’ play-by-play man Joe Block noted, Jungmann is putting together one of the most impressive debut seasons ever for a Milwaukee pitcher:

Jungmann‘s average of 20.4 fantasy points per game is the fourth-highest of any established starter taking the mound on Tuesday, but his $8,700 salary is less than seven other pitchers. DraftKings players should take advantage of the low price that is still a reflection of Jungmann‘s inexperience.

 

OF Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners ($5,200) vs. Baltimore Orioles

No hitter in MLB can match what Nelson Cruz has done for the past three weeks. The 35-year-old outfielder is in the midst of a 20-game hitting streak, which is tied for the second-longest in the majors this year. During the streak, Cruz has launched an astounding 12 home runs while raising his batting average from .300 to .324.

Cruz is just 1-for-9 in his career against Baltimore starter Chris Tillman, but that one hit was a home run.

Before Monday’s three-point effort, Cruz had totaled at least 12 fantasy points in nine straight games, averaging 18.3 per day.

 

2B Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners ($4,000) vs. Baltimore Orioles

Unlike Cruz, Robinson Cano has a long history of success when opposing Tillman. Dating back to 2009, Cano has reached base 15 times in 32 plate appearances versus the Orioles righty:

Following a slow start to 2015, Cano is coming on strong of late. He hit just .238 through the first three months of the season but then batted .337 in July and is hitting at a .303 clip so far in August. Cano has 12 homers on the season, but he’s hit 10 since June 22.

In his last 20 games, Cano has six homers and 20 RBI.

 

1B Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers ($3,400) at Kansas City Royals

Five days ago, Victor Martinez clubbed two home runs in three at-bats off the Royals’ Yordano Ventura. ESPN Stats & Info pointed out how rare an occasion that was for Martinez:

For his career, Martinez is 4-for-8 against Ventura with two homers, three runs, five RBI and a walk—all of which occurred in 2014 and 2015.

Over his last seven games, the 36-year-old has three home runs and 10 RBI. There are more than 20 first basemen with higher price tags than Martinez’s on Tuesday, but don’t be surprised if he finishes among the leading scorers at the position.

 

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.


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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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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Top 10 Pickups for Week 19

Ride a hot streak or plan ahead? Roster management is no easy task for fantasy baseball players fighting for positioning down the stretch.

This late into a trying, often frustrating season, many gamers have developed a quick hook for struggling options. There’s no time to patiently wait for a star to get his act together, especially when alternatives are catching fire on the waiver wire.

Then again, streaks hot or cold don’t last forever. There’s nothing worse than a guy heating up for someone else after spending months tolerating his doldrums.

Among the week’s top adds available in over half of Yahoo Sports leagues, some choices will provide immediate, but probably temporary value. Others, including two young teammates flanking both sides of the top 10, will require more patience.

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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Strategy, Primer for August 9

Of all the aces operating on Sunday, none can take Max Scherzer’s spot as the top DraftKings selection.

While the alternatives face tough matchups, the National League Cy Young candidate gets the Colorado Rockies away from Coors Field. Not the easiest tilt, but they’re not an offense to avoid on the road against an ace. Roll with Scherzer despite a few recent hiccups.

After ponying up $13,200 for the Washington Nationals ace, look at these players to fill Sunday’s lineup.  

 

SP Shelby Miller, Atlanta Braves ($8,800) vs. Miami Marlins

Shelby Miller sold his soul to the baseball devil earlier this season, and the regression gods have unsurprisingly caught up to his charade. His 1.48 ERA has risen to 2.44, and the Atlanta Braves righty has a ways to go before catching up to his 3.92 skill-interactive ERA (SIERA).  

So why invest in a sinking stock? The 24-year-old has enjoyed a 1.97 ERA at home, where his unappetizing strikeout percentage jumps to 23.2. Also, he achieved his torrid start by stifling the Miami Marlins to one run over 19 innings. 

That was back when they had a healthy Giancarlo Stanton and a dangerous yet slumping Marcell Ozuna. Now they’re batting Casey McGehee fourth with Ichiro Suzuki and Derek Dietrich starting in the outfield. Give Miller one last spin before he limps to the finish line.

 

Stack No. 1: Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Charlie Morton)

This seems to happen a lot. Someone in charge of DraftKings pricing hates the Los Angeles Dodgers, constantly putting them on clearance sale against exploitable right-handed pitchers.

Brandishing a 4.19 ERA and a 14.6 strikeout percentage, Charlie Morton is nothing special. Surely not good enough to dip Adrian Gonzalez below $4,000 ($3,800) and Yasmani Grandal at $3,400. Andre Ethier wields an .872 OPS against righties, but he’s available for $2,900.

Mired in slumps, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig’s deflated prices ($3,700 and $3,100, respectively) make more sense. But their upside is tantalizing against a contact pitcher with a 32.8 hard-hit percentage.

 

Stack No. 2 : Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox (LHP Henry Owens)

Henry Owens held his own during a difficult MLB debut, allowing three runs with five strikeouts through five innings at Yankee Stadium. The Boston Red Sox rookie isn’t someone to circle and routinely pick on, but he’s beatable.

So are the Detroit Tigers minus Miguel Cabrera, but several of their remaining bats post favorable splits against southpaws, making them an interesting, cheap Sunday stack the day after trouncing Wade Miley.

While in danger of sitting the day game after a night clash, James McCann provides a perfect catcher punt if starting. A career .307/.376/.488 hitter against lefties, Victor Martinez’s price lags behind due to his .623 OPS against righties this season.

Rajai Davis and Jose Iglesias receive primary positioning in the batting order versus southpaws, and Nick Castellanos has recorded five of his 11 homers after the All-Star break. Everyone besides J.D. Martinez ($4,700) and Ian Kinsler ($4,300) comes at a great value, a huge plus for anyone riding Scherzer.

 

1B Chris Davis ($4,200) and 3B Manny Machado ($4,400) at L.A. Angels

It doesn’t matter how many games Jered Weaver won in 2012. (For that matter, it really doesn’t matter how many victories any pitcher compiles ever.) The decaying 32-year-old returns from the disabled list with a 4.75 ERA, 4.79 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 8.2 strikeout percentage.

Toss those same numbers on an unknown hurler fighting to preserve a rotation spot, and his top opponents will cost $5,000 and up. Due to Weaver’s past success, however, Chris Davis and Manny Machado aren’t saddled with hefty price tags.

Weaver’s career 47.5 fly-ball percentage makes him a vulnerable target for the Baltimore Orioles’ corner infielders. Davis has crushed six homers over the past 10 days. Meanwhile, Machado costs as much as Nolan Arenado, who faces Scherzer away from Coors.

 

3B/SS Jung Ho Kang, Pittsburgh Pirates ($3,300) vs. L.A. Dodgers

Even with a cold August, Jung Ho Kang’s .355 weighted on-base average (wOBA) ties Troy Tulowitzki for second among shortstops behind Carlos Correa. He’s hitting .281/.379/.491 against lefties, but he receives little attention with only eight home runs and five stolen bases to his name.

Alex Wood is a solid southpaw, but righties are hitting .301/.364/.419 off him during a letdown season. For a soaring shortstop with favorable splits, $3,300 sure seems like a bargain for Kang.

 

OFs Justin Upton ($4,300) and Matt Kemp ($3,800), San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Not much needs to be written here. Jerome Williams relinquishes a .404 wOBA against righties, so not even Petco Park and the stumbling San Diego Padres can save him. As long as the Philadelphia Phillies keep trotting him out, he’s prime picking.

San Diego’s only slugger with an OPS over .800 against righties, Justin Upton is best equipped to take advantage. Matt Kemp has shown life after the All-Star break, hitting .280/.356/.453 with a 10.3 walk percentage and 17.2 strikeout percentage.

Anyone wanting more than the pairing should look to Yangervis Solarte, who is eligible at second base for $3,300 with 12 hits in eight August games.

 

OF David Peralta, Arizona Diamondbacks ($3,400) vs. Cincinnati Reds

Although Anthony DeSclafani racked up a season-high nine strikeouts during his last start, he still sports an unassuming 17.7 strikeout percentage and 3.89 FIP. He has also surrendered nine of his 11 homers to lefties, who boast a .341 wOBA against the Cincinnati Reds starter.

Looks like the perfect adversary for David Peralta, who exclusively terrorizes right-handed pitchers with a .520 slugging percentage. Despite his stellar splits and cushy spot behind Paul Goldschmidt in the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup, his price frequently falters. 

Take advantage now, as a big Sunday will cause DraftKings to later correct course again.

 

Note: All advanced statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs  


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Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Bargain Buys, Sleepers for August 9

Sunday Funday is about to commence. In order to make sure the fun continues after fantasy baseball ends, DraftKings owners will need to build a balanced lineup.

While it’s always easy to find the top players to target at the top of the price sheet, finding the hidden gems is tough. That’s why we’re here, y’all. Before locking up your MLB lineups on Sunday, here’s a look at the top bargains and sleepers for August 9.

 

Pitcher: Andrew Cashner, San Diego Padres ($6,700)

Don’t let the last two starts for Andrew Cashner fool you; the Padres pitcher is still a steal on Sunday. Cashner is not only facing a struggling Phillies team, but he is also toeing the rubber in the friendly confines of Petco Park.

Sure, the mullet-laden hurler has been less than sensational in his last two starts. But both of those came on the road. Carrying a 19.1 fantasy-points-per-game average at Petco, Cashner will be right at home—literally—against the Phillies and will make DraftKings owners very happy.

 

First Baseman: Logan Forsythe, Tampa Bay Rays ($3,400)

Logan Forsythe has cooled down a bit since his great series against the Chicago White Sox, but he’s still worth a roster spot to build a balanced lineup. With one swing of the bat, this first baseman is capable of changing the game for the Rays and DraftKings owners.

Forsythe has five hits in his last five games, with two doubles and a homer for a total of five runs and five RBI. Going up against an inconsistent pitcher in Bartolo Colon—who has allowed six or more earned runs in two starts since the All-Star break—look for Forsythe to put up solid numbers.

 

Second Baseman: Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles ($3,400)

If you don’t already know who Jonathan Schoop is, you gone learn today.

The Orioles second baseman has been on fire recently, holding a seven-game hitting streak with multiple hits in four of those performances. He’s also been outstanding this season against right-handed pitching, with a 1.021 OPS in 72 at-bats.

On Sunday, he’ll face off with a struggling righty in Jered Weaver, who has allowed four or more earned runs in his last four starts. Expect great numbers again from Schoop on Sunday, with double-digit points not out of the question.

 

Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians ($3,300)

The rookie just keeps on hitting. Since being called up, Francisco Lindor has lived up to the hype with both his glove and his bat. Even when he’s not raising his batting average or getting on base, Lindor is helping score runs with his plate appearances.

Lindor still went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI on Saturday. He’s averaged over 10 fantasy points in his last four games. He has better power numbers against righties, with four of his five homers coming against right-handed hurlers. Lindor truly can do it all and should be rostered in every lineup on Sunday at this price.

 

Outfielder: Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies ($3,700)

On Tuesday, Carlos Gonzalez carried a $5,400 price tag. Less than one week later, his price has dropped nearly $2,000. The reason? He’s facing off with Max Scherzer, one of the hottest names in MLB.

While Scherzer was unstoppable prior to the All-Star break, he’s been human since. Scherzer was shelled by the Pirates after allowing three homers and gave up three earned runs recently to the Diamondbacks.

Gonzalez has not only hit a homer off Scherzer in the past, but he has two in his last three games. Oh, and he’s hit 22 of his 23 home runs this season off right-handed pitching. Yeah, CarGo is certainly worth a roster spot against Scherzer at this price tag.

 


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