RADIO
Welcome RotoBallers, and happy Mothers' Day to all the incredible moms out there! Like most Sundays, today we have a full slate that includes 11 early games, three afternoon games, and is capped off by a Red Sox-Yankees classic rivalry game on prime-time. I have come in as long relief for Max the legend, but fear not, you are in good hands. I won't blow the lead (as long as there is plenty of cushion).
In this article, I’ll be providing you with the top starting pitcher streamers for daily fantasy baseball (DFS) and for seasonal leagues for 5/8/16. These streamers will range from high-priced / high-ownership options to low-priced / low-ownership options, and will be sleepers and value picks for your cash games and GPPs on DraftKings and FanDuel, and also for seasonal leagues with daily lineups.
There'll be three main sections of this article: our Pitcher Matchups Tool’s top plays, my value plays, and pitchers to fade. I highly recommend you check out the Daily Pitcher Matchups Ratings tool - it's an extremely useful tool for daily fantasy or seasonal streaming for finding the diamonds in the rough. Anyways, let's get rowdy!
Daily Pitcher Matchup Ratings Tool Top Plays
Patrick Corbin (SP, ARI) versus Atlanta Braves
FanDuel: $6,800/ DraftKings: $7,400
If you have paid any attention at all to baseball this season, you know the Braves offense is a sad mess. They rank dead last in the league in runs scored, BA, and OPS. To make this match-up even tastier, the Bravos have also struck out more times than any other team against southpaws in 2016.
Corbin has struggled a bit the past three starts, but his troubles with the long ball (22.2 HR/FB%, 1.96 HR/9) will have zero meaning today, as the Braves have mustered a whopping six HR all year. He is also almost guaranteed a W today, squaring off against Mike Foltynewicz and his 9.82 ERA. These prices are ridiculously low for this caliber of favorable match-up. Fire away in both cash and GPP games and enjoy the extra dough to spend on offense.
Aaron Nola (SP, PHI) versus Miami Marlins
FanDuel: $8,500/ DraftKings: $10,100
This feels like a potential trap. Yes the Marlins are 20th in the league in scoring, but they also own the third highest BA, eighth highest OPS, and have the sixth fewest SO in 2016. However, regardless of the opponent, Nola has a high ceiling every time he takes the mound. He's rocking a 2.93 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 ratio for the year. Over his last two starts, he has yielded only one ER, while striking out 14 in as many innings.
The high ceiling and strike out potential is enough to start Nola in GPP games today. But I am just not comfortable enough with his floor to recommend in cash games with Yelich hitting upper deckers to right, Stanton bombing over the flamingos in center, and Ozuna finding his power stroke again recently.
JB's Value Plays of the Day
Matt Andriese (SP, TB) versus Los Angeles Angels
FanDuel: $5,200/ DraftKings: $4,700
Andriese is the perfect example of a value play today. In six starts at AAA this year, the 26 year old owns a 2.17 FIP, 11.53 K/9, and a 1.83 BB/9. He will do battle with an Angels squad that ranks 26th in scoring and OPS, and 20th in BA against RHP this season.
You can get second basemen for the same price as Andriese today, and utilizing him will open up offensive spending opportunities usually reserved only for your dreams. The match-up, his AAA performance this season, and expected low ownership percentage make him a great GPP option. His 2015 big league numbers and the ever present threat of a three HR game from Mike Trout, however, tell me to avoid Andriese in cash games.
Jeff Samardzija (SP, SF) versus Colorado Rockies
FanDuel: $9,000/ DraftKings: $9,400
Samardzija has looked much improved in 2016 after a forgetful year in Chicago last season. His K% is right back to his career average (21.5), and the WHIP is down to a comfortable 1.13 after six starts this year. He has also been able to hang around in games this go-around, as his 40.2 IP is eighth most in the league among SP with six GS. The Rockies can be a nightmare for pitchers (see the 5th inning from three nights ago), but the Shark has already handled them once this season. On 12 April, he hurled eight strong innings to earn the win, allowing only two ER and striking out five.
The prices are very reasonable for Samardzija today, as he represents a safe play and a solid cash game option. Did I mention he's facing off against Eddie Butler? I'll take "Fantastic Chances for a Win" for 9,000, Alex.
Starting Pitchers to Fade in Daily Fantasy Baseball
Tanner Roark (SP, WAS) versus Chicago Cubs
FanDuel: $8,300/ DraftKings: $7,600
I don't really care that he struck out a bunch of Twins back in April. In two starts against Miami following that gem, he gave up nine runs (seven earned) in 10 IP with only five combined K. Now he is unfortunate enough to take on the top offense in the league backed by arguably the best pitcher in the league ("arguably", take it easy Dodgers fans). No thank you, nope, and a whole lot of nope.
Justin Verlander (SP, DET) versus Texas Rangers
FanDuel: $7,800/ DraftKings: $7,800
Don't get me wrong, the prices are nice for a previous ROY, MVP, Cy Young winner, and six-time All-Star. However, that is certainly not the Verlander that has showed up in 2016. He has surrendered the most ER in the league (25) on 37 H so far this season, carrying an embarrassing 6.49 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. He's allowing a career high 40.2% of fly balls, which has unfortunately translated to a career high 1.82 HR/9. His fastball velocity is down from 93.2 in 2015 to a career low 92.4 MPH.
While the Texas Rangers are not the greatest offensive team against RHP so far this season, they have the fourth fewest SO against righties. I am all for believing Verlander gets his groove back at some point in 2016, but today is not that day.
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