RADIO
Happy Friday, Rotoballers. Boy, do we have a ridiculous treat today in terms of pitching options on this 14-game Main slate. I'd go as far as to say it's a pitching bonanza. I don't think I've had a chance to do a write-up - or even seen, for that matter - a slate with seven double-digit priced pitchers on it. The top end options tonight look like the makings of an All-Star roster.
Before we dive into player selections, let's see what the folks in Vegas are projecting for this evening. For implied run totals, the Athletics and Twins are up top at 5.2, followed by the Cubs and Indians both at 5.1 and the Cardinals at 5.0. Not too surprising there aren't more north of 5, seeing as we have so many studs on the mound. As for moneyline favorites, the Rays lead that pack at -230, followed by the Indians (-210), Pirates (-198), Brewers (-170), and the Athletics (-167) round out the list of notables.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 9/7/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @kpLuch.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Blake Snell - SP, vs BAL ($10,700)
Of all the aces toeing the bump tonight, none have a greater matchup or strikeout projection than the fabulous Mr. Snell. He has been fantastic this season, with his big potential finally actualizing. He's posted a 1.0 WHIP, 0.8 HR/9 and an elite 10.7 K/9 dating back to March of this season. The Rays are the biggest favorites of the night at -230 on the moneyline, and Snell will be pitching at home giving the weak Orioles lineup a negative park shift. Speaking of that Orioles lineup, their projected one for this evening owns a high K rate split at 26% and a very low team wOBA at .290. Snell has pitched above salary based expectations in five straight starts and he's in a damn good spot to continue the trend tonight.
Chris Archer - SP, vs MIA ($7,400)
Rolling with Archer makes me a little queasy, but I can't ignore the favorable price and possible great return on value in what is a good (if not great) matchup for Chris. He was able to tame a pretty strong Braves offense in his last appearance and draws a very weak Marlins lineup tonight at home in a pitcher's paradise. The walks and big innings have been a thorn in Archer's side this season (1.5 WHIP), but the strikeouts (9.5 K/9) have been there for the most part, and tonight he faces a Marlins lineup with a 26% K rate split against righties. That gives him an above average strikeout projection in my models and it is comforting seeing that Vegas is siding with him as of Friday morning - the Marlins have one of the lowest projected run totals (3.1) and the Pirates are a top-five favorite on the moneyline this evening.
Also Consider for Cash or Tournaments: Carlos Carrasco - SP, at TOR ($10,800); Aaron Nola - SP, at NYM ($11,300)
Also Consider for Tournaments Only: James Paxton - SP, vs NYY ($9,200); Felix Pena - SP, at CWS ($6,800)
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Matt Olson - 1B, vs TEX ($3,300)
Olson looks like a steal at this price point. He hits right in the heart of the order for the team tied for the highest run projection of the night and gets to face off with the ever-hittable Yovanni Gallardo. Olson boasts huge splits and differentials, highlighted by a .283 ISO against right-handed pitchers this season. He's also been making strong contact at good launch angles with a 41% hard contact rate and 48% fly ball rate over the past two weeks of play.
Whit Merrifield - 2B, at MIN ($3,700)
The Royals 4.4 run projection might not look like much, but relative to where they're usually projected it's a strong number. They've got a really big opportunity against Stephen Gonsalves, who has struggled in the few MLB appearances he's had this season, allowing over a .400 wOBA to both lefties and righties. Merrifield brings strong splits to the plate, too (.383 wOBA) as well as a 44% hard contact rate over the past 10 days.
Miguel Sano - 3B, vs KCR ($3,000)
Sano is a little banged up, but he got good news on his leg (just a bruise) and is aiming to return tonight. If he's given the green light, I absolutely love the matchup and upside here. Sano performs better in righty-righty matchups than he does with the platoon advantage (.200 ISO split), and Health Fillmyer drastically struggles more with right-handed bats than he does lefties. In 2018, Fillmyer has allowed a .371 wOBA and a .529 slugging percentage to righty bats.
Hernan Perez - SS, vs SFG ($2,500)
Perez is a great value in this favorable spot and he has especially good upside relative to his priced-under-3k counterparts. Perez boasts a .209 ISO split against southpaws this season and draws Derek Holland away from Giants park, where he's run into some trouble. On the road this season, Holland has allowed 1.72 HR/9.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Joc Pederson - OF, at COL ($3,400)
Pederson's point totals have been a little disapointing this week to say the least, but his batted ball profile in that time has remained positive. He gets an enormous park boost tonight and provides good value at this price out of the leadoff spot for a Dodgers team projected for 4.9 runs. He'll also have the platoon advantage and boats a good power split with a .268 ISO this season.
Tyler O'Neill - OF, at DET ($2,800)
Speaking of value, I really like this price point and matchup for O'Neill tonight in Detroit. The park is a sneaky good power park for right-handed batters, and O'Neill has done some damage against southpaws this season, posting a .356 wOBA and a .286 ISO split. He's also had a 53% hard contact rate over the past two weeks.
