RADIO
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Holy pitching, Batman! As DFS analysts and players, it’s always interesting to find a slate that gives too few or too many viable options. In Friday, July 24th’s case, the options are plentiful. On a day like today, you have to weigh a few variables when selecting your go-to guy, especially because we only get to choose one in the FanDuel format. I will be weighing their strikeout potential, security for a win, opposing offense’s potential for a breakthrough, and ownership. Price is a little important, but I’d rather focus on these things first and deal with the price later.
Now you’re excited for the “Pitchers to Target” section, right? Maybe not. Either way, thanks for stopping by and giving me a read. As always, you can find me on Twitter @bellroto. At the time of this article being written I’m pretty sure I’m still at 99 followers. So, hey, you could be my hundredth! Let’s get to breaking down this full slate (minus the Cub’s game, as it starts at 4:05. Sorry Jon Lester fans).
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Offenses to Target for FanDuel DFS
Usually I can find one or two teams whose situation I love in the sense of stacking an offense. Not on Friday. It seems that most of the explosive offenses are squaring off with good pitchers. The vulnerable pitchers seem to be matched up with offenses who might not take advantage. So, I’ll briefly talk about four offenses that have a chance for great production. However, keep in mind that tonight might be the night to stray away from stacking and look strictly for the value plays (which I’ll outline later), especially since you’ll probably be spending big at pitcher.
New York Yankees (vs. Phil Hughes, RHP)
Ever since I dropped Phil Hughes unanimously across my teams, he has been able to limit the damage against him. He’s still not able to miss many bats, but for some reason those hits are being scattered and caught. So, I would expect a horrendous start to be on the horizon for Hughes. The Yanks have the perfect lefty-heavy offense to cause such a ruckus.
I’m a fan of Jacoby Ellsbury after his huge game yesterday. I also like Mark Teixeira and Brett Gardner, because their capable of doing the same thing. Brian McCann should be back in the lineup after a day off yesterday. For cheaper value I don’t mind Chase Headley or Stephen Drew as long as they’re in the lineup.
Cincinnati Reds (vs. Eddie Butler, RHP)
I really like the situation for the Reds on Friday, but because of the situation I outlined earlier, I think they’ll be very highly owned. It doesn’t mean stay away from them, but you might want to dig deeper for your Reds picks. Joey Votto and Todd Frazier will be crazy popular. Skip Schumaker and Tucker Barnhart might be sneaky good plays if they play. Obviously Jay Bruce gets a huge bump in this park, but he’s another player who will be on everyone’s radars. Keep that in mind when picking Reds for Friday.
Los Angeles Angels (vs. Colby Lewis, RHP)
This is going to be a more expensive stack, so picking a piece or two might be the only possible option if you are going with a stud pitcher (you should do that). I love the hot-hitting Kole Calhoun against a mediocre righty in Colby Lewis. Obviously Mike Trout and The Machine (Albert Pujols) always deserve looks against bad pitching. C.J. Cron might be worth a sneaky look too. He’ll be under-owned in this righty-on-righty matchup.
Seattle Mariners (vs. Drew Hutchison, RHP)
Seattle actually looks like a real team as of late! Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, and Kyle Seager are the obvious picks here. Guys like Brad Miller, Mike Trumbo, Seth Smith and Logan Morrison could be value plays depending on lineup spot in this lefty-heavy lineup. Safeco will be hopping too, as The King is taking the mound against a top-tiered offense.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Target for FanDuel
Corey Kluber (SP, CLE) - $11,000
No Max Scherzer. No King Felix. What is this world coming to? I think a lot people will be fooled by the White Sox dominate showing against Trevor Bauer yesterday, and bump Kluber down a tier. That would be a mistake. Chicago is still among the top strikeout candidates, especially for righties (28th in wOBA vs. lefties). Kluber has been a strikeout machine this year, and he’s in for a big game against this inconsistent offense.
What to do in tournaments:
Usually I put a tournament pitcher in this spot. Someone who is not top-tiered, but might provide those type of numbers today while giving salary relief and uniqueness. However, today I think it’s a mistake to stray from the big three that I’ve mentioned above. The chances that all three of those players falter today is very low. Therefore, the lower-tiered player will have to put up elite numbers in order to prove worthy. However, if you do want to get risky, I would say Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman are the only two that I could see successfully taking advantage of the salary relief strategy.
As far as the big three go, Kluber still stands as my favorite play. Hernandez comes in at second thanks to the fact that many will be scared off by the Toronto offense. The big park setting of Safeco should help keep some potential homers in the park. Felix is also due for a completely dominate outing. I can never argue with using Scherzer, but he’s not my favorite today. The Pirates are no slouches, and they have some redemption on their plate after being no-hit the last time they faced Mad Max. In cash games, Scherzer is a fine play. I do think he’ll get the win, and he is arguably the safest of the bunch.
DFS Infielders to Target for FanDuel
Phew. If you’ve made it through all that and are still reading every word, thank you. I’m going to shorten this section, but basically all of these players are great value plays in my eyes that would go great into a cash game lineup. Most will be fine for tournament lineups too, but keep in mind that all “chalk” lineups (the obvious value plays) rarely ever win the big bucks.
John Jaso (C, TAM) - $2,700
Jaso will be back in the lineup for good now that Tampa is back in an AL park. He should continue his hot hitting atop the Rays lineup.
Ben Paulsen (1B, COL) - $2,500
Does FanDuel know something we don’t? I’m surprise Paulen’s price is this low. If he’s in the lineup, he owns righties like DeSclafani. Not to mention… Coors Field.
Stephen Drew (2B, NYY) - $2,200
This is salary relief at its finest. If you can get a homer from a minimum-priced player, it’s a great first step towards winning a tourney. Drew has the ability to do just that in Yankee Stadium against Hughes.
Kyle Seager (3B, SEA) - $2,800
Check out Seager’s game log, and tell me his price shouldn’t be higher. He’s been raking lately, and he’s too cheap to pass up here against Hutchison.
Ian Desmond (SS, WAS) - $2,500
Don’t look now, but last year’s stud shortstop and this year’s fantasy turd has been showing signs of life lately. He has seven hits in his last four games and gets a lefty in Jeff Locke Friday.
DFS Outfielders to Target for FanDuel
Matt Holliday (OF, STL) - $3,400
Holliday hasn’t lost a beat after coming off the DL. His pinch-hit double yesterday was his third extra-base hit in his six games since early June. He gets a hittable lefty on Friday.
Shin-Soo Choo (OF, TEX) - $3,300
Taking a second look, I probably could’ve added Texas to my list of offenses I like above. Their lefties are poised for a good day against a Triple-A righty in a spot start. Choo will be looking to prove that his cycle on Wednesday was not fluke.
Josh Hamilton (OF, TEX) - $2,700
Hamilton is a very boom-or-bust pick. He has the ability to go deep every at-bat, but he has yet to find the consistency that made him one of the best hitters in the game a few years ago. He too gets the young righty, and has the potential for a big game.
Good luck with your FanDuel and DFS lineups RotoBallers!
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6PM on 7/24
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