MLB is officially back! I couldn't be more excited to start the season off for the RotoBaller readers. This is not the big slate that Monday is, but it is the first official MLB action.
There are only three games to choose from tonight. The San Francisco Giants should be able to hit in Arizona. Read on to find out who else is a viable option at the plate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/2/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on FanDuel.I Ifyou have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @thedominatordfs.
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
San Francisco Giants v. Zack Greinke
The San Francisco Giants provide the most valuable tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Zack Greinke. Greinke allows 1.33 home runs per nine innings, which is the most of any pitcher available on opening day. The Diamondbacks ballpark is one of the best ballparks in the league for hitters, so the Giants should be able to take advantage of that. Greinke struggled for a majority of last season, and he will have to prove himself before fantasy owners stop picking on him.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Madison Bumgarner - at ARI ($11,200)
The Arizona Diamondbacks do not strikeout all that often at only 0.24 times per at-bat, but Madison Bumgarner has an act for increasing that number when he is on the mound. The Diamondbacks are generally not the team to take advantage of the plus ballpark factor. That opposing teams generally do that for them. Bumgarner has a K-rate over 10, and his WHIP is 1.038. He is the best pitcher set to take the mound tonight. Roster him in all leagues.
Masahiro Tanaka - at TB ($8,800)
Masahiro Tanaka is a great tournament option tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are one of the worst offensive teams on the board tonight. There are only three games to choose from, so finding value at the pitcher position is almost impossible. The Rays strikeout 0.28 times per at-bat. Tanaka rarely allows home runs at only one per nine innings pitched, and he has a decent K-rate of 7.56. He is worth his reasonable price tag.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Gary Sanchez - at TB ($4,500)
Gary Sanchez is slightly more expensive than Buster Posey, but he is worth it. His upside is higher. He has a 0.351 ISO against right-handed pitchers, and his SLG is 0.689. He is a little bit more of a risk than Posey, but worth it in tournaments.
First Base (1B)
Brandon Belt - at ARI ($4,200)
Brandon Belt will hit in the two spot for the San Francisco Giants against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is a contact hitter with added power. He never swings for the fences, but home runs are possible. Belt is a little bit expensive, but a great piece in any Giants' stack.
Second Base (2B)
Ben Zobrist - at STL ($4,000)
Ben Zobrist is a power-hitting second baseman. That is always a great move in tournaments, as a lineup is 300 percent more likely to cash with at least one home run in it. Zobrist is projected to hit clean up for the Chicago Cubs, so he has plenty of opportunity for RBI.
Shortstop (SS)
Ronald Torreyes - at TB ($2,400)
Ronald Torreyes is very cheap. He is starting while Didi Gregorious is dealing with an injury. Just one hit will put Torreyes at value. Roster him to make rostering Madison Bumgarner easier.
Third Base (3B)
Kris Bryant - at STL ($4,800)
Kris Bryant is expected to hit second for the Chicago Cubs, and with all of the best starting pitcher options on the mound tonight, Carlos Martinez is one of the worst. Bryant has great upside, even if his price tag is too high.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Denard Span - at ARI ($4,000)
Denard Span is the San Francisco Giants lead off hitter. If stacking the Giants, which most fantasy owners should be doing, Span needs to be involved. He will likely get one more at-bat than most other hitters, and he has great speed for steals and extra base hits.
Corey Dickerson - vs NYY ($3,300)
Corey Dickerson is expected to lead off for the Tampa Bay Rays tonight against the New York Yankees. Even with Masahiro Tanaka on the mound, he is worth his price tag. Dickerson has a 0.266 ISO and 0.514 SLG against right-handed pitchers.
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