Daily Fantasy Baseball: Top Plays for Thursday, April 3rd

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Lineup

Daily Fantasy Baseball is certainly not a ‘can of corn’.  Never fear though, the Doctor’s here to cover all the bases for you.  Each day, I’ll put the ducks on the pond for you by presenting you with “The Natural” plays at each position, as well as a few “Savoy Specials” for good measure.  Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia is Thursday’s top play.

Let’s play ball!!!

Pitcher: Chris Archer, TAM ($6,600): Chris Archer, a decent pitcher on most nights, can be considered an ace this evening when he takes on the Toronto Blue Jays.  Last season,Archer performed well enough, posting a WHIP of 1.13 and a 3.22 ERA, while holding opponents to just a .223 BA, and performed even better at home.  Additionally, Tampa Bay is the most heavily favored team at -147, giving Archer a good probability to pick up the all-important four points for the win.

Also consider, Ivan Nova, NYY ($6,400), who is similarly favored vs. the Houston Astros.

Savoy Special: Brett Olberholtzer, HOU ($4,700)/Roenis Elias, SEA ($4,000): Both of these picks are better suited as GPP plays, given the fact that they could both get lit up.  That said, Olberholtzer could be an interesting play vs. the New York Yankees.  He’s talented and the Yankees have been cold to start the season.  If their cold streak continues, owning Olberholtzer in a few lineups could pay off big.  Meanwhile, Elias will be making his first start in the big leagues, and could mystify the Oakland hitters with his deception.

Catcher: Jason Castro, HOU ($3,300): Castro will bat third vs. the New York Yankees this evening vs. right hander Ivan Nova.  For his career, Castro owns a .276 BA vs. RHP overall, and a slightly better .284 BA vs. RHP at home.  Additionally, he posts a career .352 wOBA vs. RHP, along with a .356 OBP and .810 OPS.

Savoy Special: None

First Base: Mike Napoli, BOS ($3,300): Baltimore starter, LHP Wei-Yin Chen, struggles mightily vs. righties.  Conversely, Mike Napoli absolutely rakes vs. LHP.  Over his career, Napoli has a .276 BA vs. left handed pitchers, while posting a .389 wOBA and .380 OBP. Add to that, a .908 OPS and it’s easy to see why Napoli should provide considerable bang for your buck.

Also consider, Chris Davis, BAL ($4,500)

Savoy Special: James Loney, TAM ($2,300)

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia, BOS ($4,100): Pedroia is an astonishing 11/19, with five XBH vs. Wei-YIn Chen over his career.  If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, let his career .315 BA , .378 wOBA, .400 OBP and .466 SLG vs. LHP do it.

Also consider, Robinson Cano, SEA ($4,300)

Savoy Specials: None

Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Third Base: Josh Donaldson, OAK ($3,800): Donaldson owns a career .296 BA vs. lefties, while also posting very solid wOBA (.394), OBP (.367) and OPS (.921) vs. them.  Numbers of that caliber should spell success vs. Seattle.

Also consider, Evan Longoria, TAM ($4,200)

Savoy Special: Will Middlebrooks, BOS ($3,100)/Alberto Callaspo, OAK ($2,600)

Shortstop: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,200): Hardy has performed well vs. LHP during his career and faces a pitcher who has struggled vs. RHB.

Also consider, Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,100)

Savoy Special: Brad Miller, SEA ($2,900)

Outfielder:

Top Tier: Jacoby Ellsbury, NYY ($4,400)/Carlos Beltran, NYY ($3,800): In his short career, Houston Astros’ LHP has struggled vs. LHB.  Meanwhile, two of the more prominent bats in the Yankees’ lineup, LHBs Ellsbury and Beltran, have both had great success vs. LHP.

Middle Tier: Nelson Cruz, BAL ($3,400)/ Melky Cabrera, TOR ($3,000): Both these players situations play to their strengths this evening and should be rostered as a result.  Cruz is the player i’d trust more in cash games.

Also consider, Colby Rasmus, TOR ($3,100) and Dexter Fowler, HOU ($3,000)

Savoy Specials: David DeJesus, TAM ($2,600)/Delmon Young, BAL ($2,500)/L.J. Hoes, HOU ($2,700)

Thank you and good luck.