FanDuel Economics: MLB Tuesday, April 12th Picks

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) hits a solo home run eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel Economics: MLB Tuesday, April 12th Picks

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the MLB Tuesday, April 12th Picks edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy sports column focused on FanDuel player salaries and FanDuel points-per-game (PPG) trends. The purpose of this column is to evaluate player salary and PPG averages over a seven day period to provide daily fantasy sports players with a vital tool in their lineup tool belt. Finding the best value options often leads to a big pay day!

With twelve MLB games today, we’ll have a decent number of lineup value options to consider once again for your daily fantasy baseball picks. So far today, FanDuel has three schedule options for MLB. Like yesterday, they may expand the options throughout the day:

1:10pm (Early Only)
- Tigers/Pirates (1:10PM) and D-Back/Dodgers (4:10PM)
1:10pm (All Day)
7:05pm (Main)

If you have any questions while filling out your MLB FanDuel lineups, follow me or tweet questions @MattyMcMatt17. Also, while this column focuses on finding value picks, if you need more picks and pivot options for MLB, follow my friend and fellow staff writer Brain Tulloch@2lockSports. Now, let’s take a look at today’s MLB value options:

Next: Value Pitchers

Apr 6, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Juan Nicasio (12) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Pitchers (SP)

Juan Nicasio had a fantastic spring and carried the momentum right into his first start for the season. Against the Cards last week Juan gave up only 2 hits, no walks, fanned 7 Cardinals, and after 6 innings got the win and starts the season with a 1.50 ERA. Not a bad start. Nicasio’s salary was only $4,000 for that game so someone got a fantastic bargain. Nicasio’s salary has since climbed a remarkable $3,200, to $7,200. However, Juan is still a very good deal. At 48 points, Juan has a 6.7X value. Replicating 48 points won’t be easy but given Nicasio’s spring, it wouldn’t be that surprising either. Juan Nicasio is the best value option for tonight.

I haven’t seen the name Tyler Chatwood in a while, but he also jumps off the stat chart today. In Arizona, Chatwood pitched 6 1/3 innings, gave us 7 hits, no walks, 3 K’s, and ended the game with a win and 1.42 ERA. Not a bad return to the big league rotation for Tyler. In total Chatwood compiled 37 points. On a $5,000 salary tonight, that makes him a very attractive 6.4X value. I’m a little nervous about Tyler pitching in Colorado, where the ball flies forever, against a decent Giants lineup but he’s worth a play if you want to really load up on your hitting lineup with more expensive options.

A pretty similar value to Tyler Chatwood, Aaron Sanchez had a fantastic start as well. Sanchez gave up 5 hits, no walks, struck out 8, and while he didn’t get the win in Tampa against the Rays, he finished with a 1.29 ERA. The 8 K’s over 7 innings is pretty impressive. Aaron’s salary increased $1,500 to $6,700 making him a 6.3X value today. Sanchez will face a decent Yankees lineup but he’s pitching at home and likely ends the game with a good amount of strikeouts and a low ERA.

Next: Value Hitters

Apr 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara runs the bases after he hit a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters (C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF)

I talked about Brock Holt (2B) yesterday, so I won’t go into detail again. But Brock was able to drop 12 points, 2 runs on 2 walks, so his trend continues and his value is still outstanding. You should continue to use Brock at 2B as a great value option.

However, another great value option at second base is Daniel Murphy (2B). Murphy is averaging .471 so far this year with 2 runs, 8 hits, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, and 5 walks. Over the last week Daniel averaged 19.5 PPG. Murphy’s salary has climbed $500 to $3,300 so he’s currently a fantastic 5.9X value, 7th among all hitters. Daniel Murphy seems to be very comfortable in his new team’s lineup, Nationals, and he’s a great option while still cheap.

Brian McCann (C) is having a great start to the season for the Yankees. McCann is averaging .467 with 8 runs, 7 hits, 1 HR, 3 RBI’s, and 3 walks. Outstanding hitting stats for a catcher, although not that surprising from McCann. Brain has been hitting 5th in the lineup and should continue to get great RBI opportunities. Over the last week McCann is averaging 18.8 PPG. Brian’s salary has climbed $500 to $3,400 but he’s still at a 5.5X value. McCann is a great value option even at $3,400 for a Catcher.

Trevor Story (SS) has become very expensive very fast, but that surprises no one. Story is hitting .333 with 7 runs, 9 hits, 7 HR’s, 12 RBIs, and 1 walk. Yes, that’s 7 home runs over the first 6 games. Some baseball observers may think, well, he’s in Colorado so the ball is just flying there right now. That could be true, for three of his HRs. He hit four of his HRs in Arizona. Trevor Story is on fire! Trevor averaged 25.0 PPG, which is remarkable, over the last week. Story’s salary increased by a whopping $2,000, to $4,500, so several people played Story with a ridiculously high value. However, Story is still a 5.6X value and he’s well worth continuing to plug into your lineup until he either cools off or his salary gets to astronomical levels.

There isn’t a lot of seven-day trend value in the outfield position tonight. However, I’ve noticed rookie Nomar Mazara (OF) has been on fire since coming up to the big leagues three days ago. Mazara had a fantastic spring and in my fantasy league I picked Nomar up as a rookie-keeper option. Mazara’s salary is still only $2,700 but as he continues to hit well, I expect his salary to continue to climb. He may be worth a play in your OF lineup to give you money for some of the expensive options like Bryce Harper or Jose Bautista.

Next: MLB FanDuel Picks For April 12

I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers! Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!