Welcome to another edition of Sunday MLB DFS Picks and Advice. I am your host, JB. Today we have yet another full plate of day baseball as we tie up our weekend. FanDuel features a nine game main slate, while DraftKings adds in a bonus HOU-TEX 2:05 ET game to make an even 10 on the main slate. We have quite an interesting day of pitching, as we are blessed with the presence of both Corey Kluber and Max Scherzer against struggling offenses in the form of Tampa Bay and San Francisco. But other than that, things are looking pretty hairy. This means after you finally decide which elite ace you want to choose, then the daunting task of finding the right value bats will ultimately determine your fate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/13/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @RowdyRotoJB.
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DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider
Corey Kluber, CLE at TB (DK - $13,500, FD - $11,800)
Having to choose between Klubot and Mad Max literally took me hours to decide. In the end, it came down to the opposing team. Over their last 7 games, the Rays have scored eight runs. Eight. Ocho. The next closest team has 21 over the same span. Their OPS over the last 7, is at an absurd .498. To add a cherry on top, they are striking out at over a 33% rate. Kluber is coming off a CG, 11 K performance against the Rockies, and owns the highest K/9 (13.73) and lowest xFIP (1.82) since the All-Star break. The prices on both sites sting, but you can't miss out on this match-up.
Michael Wacha, STL vs ATL (DK - $9,300, FD - $8,300)
GPP's are won by contrarian picks, so if you aren't going Kluber/Scherzer today, Wacha is the only other soul I trust with my money. Not necessarily because he's facing the Braves, but because he is facing the Braves at home in Busch Stadium. Wacha's 2.67 ERA at home this season ranks 11th among qualified SP, while his three HR allowed is tied for first. Through five starts since the All-Star break, he owns a stellar 2.61 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. Lastly, in six day game starts this season, Wacha is a perfect 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA and 34 K in 34 1/3 IP. Not too shabby for the amount of money he'll free up to reinvest into your bats.
DFS Infielders to Consider
Cameron Rupp - C, vs NYM (DK - $3,200, FD - $2,200)
In order to afford the big arms today, we're going to find some value right off the bat behind the dish. According to wRC+, Rupp has been most successful this season when facing RHP at home where he owns a .544 SLG and .309 ISO. Today he gets a dream match-up with RHP Chris Flexen who has allowed 11 ER and four bombs in just 11 2/3 innings in 2017. In his two starts on the road, Flexen owns a 12.00 ERA and 3.00 WHIP and has lasted just six innings combined.
Eric Thames - 1B, vs CIN (DK - $4,200, FD - $2,900)
The Thames vs the Reds narrative continues, and it is truly mind blowing. Two games into this series with Cincy Thames has five hits, two HR, and a SB. I don't know why it happens, I just know that Sal Ramano doesn't have the stuff to make it stop. FanDuel continues to give us a treat with his pricing this weekend.
Also Consider: Adam Lind - 1B/OF, vs SFG (DK - $3,000, FD - $2,200) *Salary Relief on DK, .538 SLG at Home vs RHP, Chris Stratton allowing 1.159 OPS to LHB.
Scooter Gennett - 2B, at MIL (DK - $4,100, FD - $2,700)
If you havn't learned I love riding the Reds on DFS by now, there is nothing more I can do. It was Cozart and Duvall last night, and Suarez the night before. Me and those Reds bats just have a symbiotic relationship. The price on FanDuel is simply too low for Scooter today, as he is hitting .313/.363/.584 against RHP this season, and is still looking for that big revenge game against his former team. Why not today against Matt Garza?
Also Consider: Josh Harrison - 2B, at TOR (DK - $3,200, FD - $2,900) *Salary Relief on DK, .843 OPS against LHP, J.A. Happ- 1.54 WHIP at Home.
Travis Shaw - 3B, vs CIN (DK - $4,600, FD - $3,400)
The Mayor of Dong City was my top play at the hot corner last night, and he rewarded me with 28.7 FP (FD). He is hitting .302/.364/.557 at Home against RHP this season, and took Romano deep the first time these two squared off. 32 runs have been scored in the first two games of this series. The kids would say that it is has been quite lit, I think. Fact check me on that one.
Also Consider: David Freese, at TOR (DK - $3,400, FD - $3,000) * Salary Relief, 1.012 OPS Away vs LHP
Zack Cozart - SS, at MIL (DK - $4,600, FD - $3,500)
Okay, this is my last pick from this game, I promise. But how can you not love Zack Cozart? Yesterday he celebrated his birthday and continued his dominance at Miller Park by hitting a HR in his third consecutive game, and is now hitting .363 with six XBH at Milwaukee this year. Matt Garza surrendered four bombs in just 3 1/3 innings his last time on the mound. Look for an encore performance today onto celebrate his 11,681st day on this planet.
Also Consider: Freddy Galvis - SS, vs NYM (DK - $3,600, FD - $3,000) *Salary Relief, .508 SLG Home vs RHP, Chris Flexen exploit
DFS Outfielders to Consider
Odubel Herrera - OF, vs NYM (DK - $4,300, FD - $3,700)
Since the All-Star break, Herrera is hitting .385/.449/.719 with six HR. He is absolutely on fire. One could say he has plenty to make up for after disappointing fantasy owners for the first three months of the season. His OPS is 70 points higher at home, and I've already discussed Chris Flexen's woes. The big names surrounding Herrera in the salary list should keep his ownership down today.
Randal Grichuk - OF, vs ATL (DK - $3,600, FD - $3,000)
In his last seven games, Grichuk is hitting .357 with six XBH. He doubled and went yard yesterday, and faces R.A. Dickey today. Grichuk has faced the knuckle-baller once before and surprisingly held his own, knocking two doubles in three PA. This is the high upside, low cost type of bat you need on a day consisting of such top heavy pitching.
Dexter Fowler - OF, vs ATL (DK - $4,500, FD - $3,600)
While we're talking Busch Stadium, I can't pass up the man who enjoys hitting there the most. Like his aforementioned teammate, Fowler has been on a tear over the last week. In his last seven games, he is hitting .364 also with six XBH. He has also scored eight runs and drawn 10 BB over the span, meaning he is one of the safest bets for FP right now. He owns an impressive .581 SLG at Home this season, and has been hitting cleanup for the Cards amidst their eight game winning streak. For his career, he is 4-10 with a double against Dickey.
Also Consider: Steve Pearce - OF, vs PIT (DK - $3,400, FD - $3,400) *Salary Relief on DK, 1.042 OPS over last 14 days
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