
FanDuel Economics: MLB Sunday, April 17th Picks
Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the MLB Sunday April 17th Picks edition. Ā 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!
AnotherĀ full slate of games for MLB today, with 15 scheduled. Ā Today the majority of games are held during the afternoon, will all games pitching-off at 4:40pm ET or early, except for a Giants vs. Dodgers match-up at 8:00pm ET.Ā FanDuel mayĀ expand on these options throughout the day, but hereās a brief look at the breakout of times so far:
- 1:05Ā ET (Main)
BeforeĀ 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. Ā However, the salary analysis is as of today. Ā Also, if you have any questions while filling out your MLB FanDuel lineups, follow me atĀ Matt Rogers.
Now, letās take a look at todayās MLB value options:
Next: Value Pitchers

Value Pitchers (SP)
Andrew Heaney was a hot young staring pitcher option for the Angels, then he started the season on the DL. Ā Enter Nick Tropeano (2:10pm ET). Ā Nick has looked better than most of the starting pitcher options for the Angels. Ā Tropeanoās start to the season was last Monday in Oakland. Ā He pitched 5 innings fanning 6 and landed the win. Ā In total, Nick compiled 45 points. Ā On a $5,400 salary, thatās a very attractive opportunity. Ā Getting 45 points on a $5,400 salary is an 8.3X value option, which is the best among all starting pitchers. Ā If you need to find salary, heās an obvious option at pitcher.
The Nationals have been a hot team and lately seem to be crushing every pitcher. Ā However, thereās an exception. Ā Jhoulys Chacin (1:10pm ET) was able to hold the Nats no runs over 6 innings and struck out 8 over that time. Ā Considering how hot the Nats bats have been, thatās impressive. Ā If the Braves were a tab better than worst, he probably wouldāve also landed the win. Ā Chacin is facing off in Miami this afternoon and after the Nats game has 42 points, over one game, for the season. Ā Thatās not a bad point compilation considering heās only at a $6,000 salary. Ā Heās not as cheap as Tropeano, but heās also a strong consideration for value pitcher today.
Another top 10 value pitcher option is Kris Medlen (4:05pm ET). Ā Kris lasted 5 innings and gave up two runs, but he also struck out 7 and took the win in Houston, a good hitting team. Ā In total Medlen compiled 42 points and at a $6,900 salary Kris is another great value option in Oakland today. Ā If you donāt have a tolerance for Tropeano or Chacin and need to find another value option but willing to pay more for it, Medlan is your guy.
Next: Value Hitters

Value Hitters (C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF)
When we look for value hitters, we typically focus on how many points each hitter is getting per $1,000 of salary you need to spend. Ā This ratio provides an understanding of how many points youāre getting for what you paid. Ā Itās important to consider other factors when evaluating this information, though, like how many games they played in the average PPG or how they do vs. RHP/LHP. Ā At the start of this season the values were all over the place. Ā There were several hitters in the 5x-9x range, which is incredible value, and several in the 1x-3x range which is pretty bad value. Ā Recently, the value range has started to level off as FanDuel adjusts salaries to players who are having hot/cold starts to the season. Ā For today, anyone over a 4.5X value is now top 20. Ā So these picks are focusing on those players, and some below, over the last week.
While Enrique Hernandez, OF, (8:05pm ET)Ā was supposed to be a lefty-only type of hitter option, heās quickly playing his way into the daily starting lineup for the Dodgers. Ā Over the last week, Hernandez has averaged 18 PPG. Considering a salary of $3,200, thatās a 5.6X value. Ā That is the top value option among all consistent starters over the last week. Ā Hernandez is a great value option against the Giants, tonight, at home facing off against Samardzija.
Mark Trumbo , OF, (3:05pm ET) has fit in well in the lineup for the Orioles. Ā Over the last week Trumbo has laid down a tremendous 22 PPG. Ā His salary has climbed $400 recently to $4,100, but that still lands Mark at a 5.4X value, which is an outstanding value option. Ā It doesnāt hurt that Trumbo had his 5 HRās over the last 5 games, which is likely something he can not maintain. Ā But itās usually good to ride a hot hitter while heās on a streak. Ā Also, as weāve already discussed, HR hitters are by far the most valuable options in FanDuel.
I keep playing Aledmys Diaz, SS, (2:15pm ET)Ā thinking heāll disappoint me or will eventually climb to far in value and so far neither has happened. Ā Over the last week Aledmys has averaged 16.5 PPG. Ā Diaz has hit especially well against the Reds compiling 45 points over the last two games. Ā Aledmysā salary has climbed from $2,800 to $3,100 over the past day. Ā However, that still lands Diaz at a 5.3X value. Ā For a SS, Aledmys provides a tremendous amount of point upside. Ā Until he disappoints, heās worth a strong consideration as a value play.
To re-visit otherĀ value picks over the past couple of days, visit some of myĀ other columnsĀ for more value options today.
For additional FanDuel MLB analysis, take a look at my good friend and follow staff writer Brian Tullochās MLB Picks & PivotsĀ column. Ā Also, Mike Marteny provides Draft Kings MLB PicksĀ analysis. Ā DraftĀ KingĀ uses a different point system and Mike does a great job of breaking down your options. Ā Both also provide great āstackingā options which I like to discuss and use as well.
Next: DraftKings NBA Picks For April 17
I wish you all well tonight FanDuelers!Ā Spend smartly and enjoy the return on your savings!