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Daily Fantasy Leagues - FanDuel Lineup Picks (5/8)
Please check the posted lineups and weather forecasts for each game before finalizing your lineup.
P: Drew Smyly ($6,900): Smyly should be a very popular pick tonight as he faces the less-than-intimidating Astros. However, it’s not just his opponent that makes him a great play. In his last two starts, Smyly has gone 13 innings while giving up just 2 earned runs and striking out 13. Those numbers bode well against an Astros team that is near the top of the strikeout leaders and bottom of the runs scored list.
C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia ($3,200): Salty has gone under the radar in Miami this year as Giancarlo Stanton has gotten most of the attention. The former Red Sox backstop has been on fire lately, with 4 home runs, 7 RBI and 9 runs scored over the past two weeks. Although he is unlikely go yard in spacious Petco Park, he does have a good matchup against Ian Kennedy tonight.
1B: Nick Swisher ($2,900): Not much about Swisher’s season suggests he will be a good play tonight, except the pitching matchup. He will face Kevin Correia, who owns a 6.09 ERA and has only struck out 15 batters in 34 innings pitched. For this price, you will not find a better upside play at first; don’t be surprised if Swisher can add to his home run and RBI total this afternoon.
2B: Dee Gordon ($3,900): For a player who has virtually zero homerun power, Gordon has made an excellent fantasy player thus far. Gordon has his average well over .300 to go along with 9 extra-base hits, 19 runs scored and an incredible 19 stolen bases. Look for him to get on base and improve that stolen base total against the right-handed Ryan Vogelsong.
SS: Alexei Ramirez ($3,600): Despite struggling recently, Ramirez has been outstanding this season. His .321 average, 20 runs scored and 20 RBI make him an elite daily fantasy short stop. Tonight the White Sox match up against Jake Arrieta, who pitched well in his first start of the season last week but struggled mightily last year, ending with a 4.78 ERA. It is hard to suggest anyone but Tulowitzki at shortstop, but Tulo’s price has simply climbed too high to be an option today.
3B: Manny Machado ($3,400): Machado is certainly a sneaky play today, as many will fade him because of the matchup with David Price. Although he has yet to get on track this year, he is 4-for-12 for his career against Price, and he is hitting high up in the Orioles lineup. He should provide a solid game while being owned by a small percentage of owners.
OF: Michael Brantley ($3,400): Unlike Machado, Brantley’s ownership should be way up today as the Indians number-three hitter has been playing well and has a great matchup. He is working on a seven-game hitting streak and has gotten his average over .270 along with solid run-production numbers. Like Swisher, Brantley faces Correia, who is probably going to be moved to the bullpen shortly. Expect a monster afternoon from Brantley.