FanDuel Economics: MLB Wednesday, April 13th Picks

Apr 10, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) celebrates after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel Economics: MLB Wednesday, April 13th Picks

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the MLB Wednesday April 13th 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!

We have a full slate of games today with 15 in total. The day will start off with one game at 1:10PM ET and two games just after 3:30PM ET. So injuries aside, everyone is on the table of options for Wednesday. So far, FanDuel has four schedule options for MLB. They sometimes expand the options throughout the day. Here’s a brief look at the breakout of times:

1:10pm ET (Early Only)
- Marlins at Mets (1:10PM EDT)
3:35pm ET (Afternoon Only)
- Angles at A’s (3:35PM EDT)
- Rangers at Mariners (3:40PM EDT)
1:10pm ET (All Day)
7:05pm ET (Main)

Before we dive into the MLB value picks for today, the point analysis provided does not include some evening and late night games from the night before. However, the salary analysis is as of today. Also, if you have any questions while filling out your MLB FanDuel lineups, follow me or tweet questions @MattyMcMatt17.

Now, let’s take a look at today’s MLB value options:

Next: Value Pitchers

Apr 8, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson (57) pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Pitchers (SP)

Ubaldo Jimenez gave up 8 hits in his first outing for the O’s. However, he also only gave up 1 earned run, had no walks, and fanned 9 hitters in a 7 inning win for Baltimore over the Twins. That’s a great start for the once powerful Jimenez. He’s losing velocity on his fastball, but over time he seems to be finding other ways to get outs. The Orioles also happen to be on a great early season run. Ubaldo dropped 57.0 points currently tied for 1st among all pitchers. Jimenez has a $7,900 salary which is incredibly cheap for a 57 point game. He may not pitch another game like he did against the Twins tonight, but a 7.2X ceiling it pretty good for only $7,900.

Over five innings Chase Anderson only gave up 5 hits, no walks, and K’d 5 while giving up no runs and getting the win over the Astros. Chase compiled 42 points on a $5,500 salary, which is a tremendous value. Anderson’s salary increased by $500, to $6,000, but at a 7X value he’s a top 10 consideration at SP. Anderson is in the 4 spot of the Brewer’s rotation and is a riskier play than Jimenez, but he opens up a lot of salary options across all hitting positions and has a decent ceiling. Chase is up against the Cardinals tonight in St. Louis.

There aren’t too many other value options at Pitcher today. Alfredo Simon is a decent consideration having dropped 33 points against the Pirates at home. Simon’s salary also dropped $200 to $7,600 which increases his value to 4.3X. That’s another decent consideration before you spend more on Strasburg or Carrasco.

Next: Value Hitters

Apr 6, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (41) is greeted at home plate by shortstop Greg Garcia (35) after Hazelbaker hit a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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

We talked about Nomar Mazara (OF) and Brock Holt (2B) yesterday, so I won’t go into detail again today. After two games Nomar is a 6.7X value and over the last week Brock is still a very valuable 6.6X value. Each are again great value plays for today.

The Cardinals seem to have an early season surging player every spring. Jeremy Hazelbaker (OF) is that player this year. Hazelbaker has been hitting 2nd in the Cards’ lineup and is smoking the ball right now. Jeremy played in six games, but only started in four. Since the start of the season, Jeremy’s hit for a .526 average, 5 runs, 2 HR’s, 5 RBI’s, 2 walks, and 2 SB’s. I would expect Hazelbaker to continue to start. Over the last week, Jeremy averaged 18 PPG, which is an outstanding value for a $2,300 salary tonight. At a 7.8X value, Hazelbaker is hard to pass on, tonight, at home against the Brewers.

Brandon Phillips (2B) has only played four games so far this season, being held out of the Reds’ lineup at the start of the season due to the Flu. Phillips has been hot since returning, or really starting his season late. Brandon is hitting .353 with 4 runs, 1 HR, 4 RBI’s, 2 SB’s. Phillips had a great come-back year last year and it seems to have carried over into this season. At 16.5 PPG over the last week and a salary that has only climbed to $2,900, Brandon has a fantastic 5.7X value. Phillips’ hopes to continue his roll in Chicago tonight against the Cubs.

While not a huge value, I wanted to talk about Manny Machado (3B). Before last night, over the last week Machado averaged 19.8 PPG on a $4,700 salary tonight. That’s a 4.2X value. Of the top 25 most expensive hitters today, Manny has the best value aside from Trevor Story, whom we highlighted yesterday. So if you’re planning on find an expensive option but you’re also looking for decent value, Machado is your best option.

Next: DraftKings MLB Picks For April 13

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