RADIO
Welcome to the weekend, RotoBallers. Let's kick it off in style by talking today's hitters that will give you the most bang for your buck. Today's full slate includes three early games beginning at 1:07 ET (that time drives my OCD-self crazy), six afternoon games at 4:05 ET, and six more games compiled into the main slate at 7:15. I have selected the top hitters at each position that you can roster on your DFS lineups for under $4,000.
That is the purpose of this article -- to provide you with the best value hitters available each day.
Today I'll be bringing you nine value hitters for MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball on FanDuel and DraftKings for May 28th, 2016. Let's get rowdy.
DFS Hitters - Lineup Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings
Jonathan Lucroy, MIL (C)
FanDuel: $3,000/ DraftKings: $4,300
Whoa there FanDuel, Freebie Friday was yesterday. The Brewers are facing Alfredo Simon, whose 10.16 ERA is the worst in the league among pitchers with at least 30 innings. Lucroy has faced Fettuccine 14 times in his career, slashing a modest .583/.643/1.167 with two HR. If you are playing on FanDuel, this is your catcher today.
If you are playing on DraftKings and don't want to pay the $4,300 for Lucroy, consider Yadier Molina. The 33 year old veteran is hitting .291 on the season, and .316 over 20 lifetime PA versus Gio Gonzalez.
Edwin Encarnacion AND Justin Smoak, TOR (1B)
FanDuel: $3,600 & 2,700/ DraftKings: $3,700 & 2,800
That's right, both of my top values at first base today come from the same team. Rick Porcello owns a 7.15 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 34 career innings at Rogers Center, and Encarnacion and Smoak have especially enjoyed his visits. In 21 lifetime PA against Porcello, Smoak is hitting .389 with three bombs. Edwin has had very similar numbers, including three HR, but with an additional 11 reps for experience.
When initially setting your lineups, throw Smoak in at first base. If you so happen to have $900 leftover when its all said and done, go on and bump up to Encarnacion. It's not everyday the slugger dips underneath $4K, especially on a day that includes such tasty BvP stats.
Scooter Gennett, MIL (2B)
FanDuel: $2,600/ DraftKings: $4,100
The $1,500 difference between the two sites shows DraftKings weighs BvP and splits a tad more than FanDuel. Gennett has been literally twice as effective against RHP this season compared to against lefties (.247 BA versus .125, respectively), and has hit all four of his dingers at Miller Park. I do not need to go over how terrible Alfredo Simon has been again, but head to head, Gennett has taken him deep twice in 10 career PA.
If you are playing on DraftKings today, Gennett's price is not low enough to earn my excitement. In this case, consider the second baseman on the opposing team in this game. Brandon Phillips squares off against Chase Anderson, who has allowed 12 HR in nine starts this season.
Nick Castellanos, DET (3B)
FanDuel: $3,400/ Draftkings: $3,700
No qualified player in the American League has hit RHP better than Castellanos this season. He owns an impressive .372 BA against the righties with six HR, 11 doubles, and 26 RBI. Today the Tigers do battle with Jesse Hahn and his 5.88 FIP. Hahn is only striking out 3.33 batters per nine and has allowed a 22.7 HR/FB% through four starts.
If you are looking to save a few more bucks at third base, consider Yunel Escobar. The curious case of Dallas Keuchel continues, after allowing seven runs on nine hits in his latest start, and is now allowing a .373 OBP to right handed hitters. Escobar on the other hand, is hitting .314 against southpaws, and .330 at Home this season.
Carlos Correa, HOU (SS)
FanDuel: $3,900/ DraftKings: $4,000
Much like Josh Donaldson last night, if an elite player drops beneath $4,000, you have to take advantage. Especially when said player is facing Jered Weaver and his menacing 83 MPH fastball. Although the BA has yet to show up in 2016, Correa has still hit seven HR and swiped eight bases. All seven of his long balls have come against RHP, and five of those seven have been hit on the road. Through two games against Weaver in his young career, Correa is 3-5 with a HR and a BB.
For a great GPP option on DraftKings today, consider Corey Seager, who drops all the way down to $2,900 thanks to Noah Syndergaard. I understand that its the freakin' god of thunder on the mound, but little Seager is no scrub. He has two hits in eight PA against Thor, one of which landed in the bleachers.
Steven Souza Jr., TB (OF)
FanDuel: $3,100/ DraftKings: $3,500
Souza has struggled mightily this season with plate discipline, rocking the sixth highest SwStr% (16.5) and the third highest K% (35.3) in the league. One would think that a match-up with a RHP that's striking out 10.15 batters per nine innings would not bode well. But, for reasons beyond me, Souza is 6-12 with three HR against Michael Pineda in his career. Maybe it's the fact that 45% of Pineda's pitches are in the strike zone. Maybe its due to Souza's keen ability to hit sliders (10.7 career wSL), which Pineda throws more than anyone in the league- not named Chris Archer. Whatever the reason, Souza has owned Pineda thus far, and makes for a great GPP play today.
Bryce Harper, WSH (OF)
FanDuel: $3,800/ DraftKings: $4,800
Well, someone at FanDuel fell asleep on the keyboard again. How in the world is the reigning MVP under $4K when facing a version of Adam Wainwright that has produced a 5.77 ERA and 1.54 WHIP this season? Harper has walked more than any other player in the league, has already hit 10 HR versus RHP this season, and is hitting .400 against Waino for his career. Not to mention, he's Bryce Harper. He should be in all FanDuel lineups today.
If Harper's DraftKings price is too steep for you, consider Ichiro Suzuki. Filling in for a banged up Christian Yelich, Ichiro is hitting .435 with only two SO over his last five games. He squares off against Aaron Blair today, who owns a measly 3.38 K/9 and 7.59 ERA through five starts. If Yelich sits again today, Ichiro will be back atop of the Marlins lineup, and should be causing all sorts of ruckus.
Odubel Herrera, PHI (OF)
FanDuel: $3,800/ DraftKings: $3,900
There hasn't been a much safer option in DFS this season than starting Herrera against RHP. Against righties, he is hitting .353 with five HR, owning an absurd .458 OBP. His opponent, Kyle Hendricks, is allowing a 90.5 Contact% on pitches in the zone in 2016. Herrera will get on base again today, which means an opportunity to add to his 27 R and six SB. Play him confidently in cash games.
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