FanDuel Economics: MLB Monday, April 18th Picks

Apr 17, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) celebrates his solo home run during the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-2 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel Economics: MLB Monday, April 18th Picks

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the MLB Monday April 18th 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!

Monday’s slate of games is light, which is typical during the MLB season. Only 8 games throughout the day. Toronto starts the day off in Boston at a very early 11:05am ET start time. So, All Day plays begin very early and you’ll need to get your lineups in quickly in the morning if you want to include players in that game. Blue Jays/Red Sox aside, every other game starts at 7:05pm ET or later. FanDuel may expand on these options throughout the day, but here’s a brief look at the breakout of times so far:

11:05am 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 at Matt Rogers.

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

Next: Value Pitchers

Apr 8, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Pitchers (SP)

For my top value play, I’m coming back to Chase Anderson (8:10pm ET). I focused on Chase recently, played him, and he didn’t disappoint. Anderson has faced off against tough hitting Cardinals and Astros lineups. However, he’s compiled an average of 36 PPG over those two starts. Also, he would’ve landed more points, an additional 12, if it wasn’t for the 3 un-earned runs during the Cardinals game. I’m surprised and delighted to see Anderson’s salary is only $6,100 today giving us a fantastic 5.9X value play, top 10 among all starting pitchers. Anderson is a great value option tonight against the Twins.

Jerad Eickhoff (7:05pm ET) is another young starting pitcher on the Phillies staff who’s starting the season hot. I like Eickhoff so much I picked him up for my team in our fantasy league, after I realized Velasquez was taken of course. Jerad didn’t have a stellar start to the season against the Mets, missing out on the win (12 points), only striking out 3, and giving up 2 earned runs. He ended the game with 18 points. However, like many pitchers this spring, he had a fantastic 60 points against the Padres, a little higher than most, with the win and 9 strikeouts. In total, Eickhoff is averaging 39 PPG this season. His salary is now $7,100, but that lands Jerad at a 5.5X value, which is top 25 and just ahead of Jon Niese who had a fine game yesterday. Eickhoff is worth considering for every start until he’s too expensive.

Carlos Rodon (8:10pm ET) has had a so-so start to the season. On one hand, Rodon has a 1.38 ERA over two starts, 12 K’s, and at least 1 win. However, his WHIP is a high 1.23 because of his 10 hits and 6 walks. I’m particularly worried about the amount of walks, as the high WHIP can often lead to a higher ERA later in the season. But, Carlos seems to walk more when he’s not giving up hits, and gives up more hits when he’s not walking hitters. Spreading out the hits and walks, while still not at an ideal amount, can keep him safe from giving up more runs. Also, Carlos is averaging 40.5 PPG over those two starts which is top 25 among all starting pitchers. Unfortunately, his salary has climbed to $8,500, but he’s still a decent 4.8X value. Rodon is a good, slightly expensive, value option finally pitching at home against the Angles.

Next: Value Hitters

Apr 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Brett Lawrie (15) is congratulated in the dugout after his two run home run during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

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. This ratio provides an understanding of how many points you’re getting for what you paid. It’s 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. At the start of this season the values were all over the place. 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. Recently, the value range has started to level off as FanDuel adjusts salaries to players who are having hot/cold starts to the season. For today, anyone over a 4.4X value is now top 25.

Anyone playing FanDuel MLB each day is probably noticing a trend of Cardinals hitters spiking in value, almost daily. They are a team to continue to watch as you’re tinkering through your lineup every day. Today, I’d like to focus on Brandon Moss, 1B, (8:09pm ET). The Cardinals are starting off against a righty, so it’s unlikely Matt Holliday takes over at first base. Also, Moss seems to be gaining the upper hand at the position (vs. Matt Adams), when hitting against RHP. Lately, Brandon averaged 17 PPG and Moss’ salary is only $3,400 landing him at a very valuable 5X position for today. As I’ve stated before, I like to focus on hitters who have a high HR potential and Moss has hit 4 HR’s over the last 8 games. Not a bad ratio for someone swapping in and out of the 1B position for the Cardinals.

Brett Lawrie, 2B, (8:10pm ET) was on a roll last season before an injury. He wasn’t the same when he got back toward the end of the season. However, Lawrie seems to be rolling as the spring progresses on his new White Sox team in Chicago. Over the last week Brett has averaged 12 PPG. While starting to get hot, Lawrie’s salary is still a very cheap $2,600 landing Brett a 4.6X value, which is top 20 among all hitters over the last seven days. I like Lawrie tonight in Chicago starting off against Hector Santiago.

I’ve tried playing Odubel Herrera, OF, (7:05pm ET) with mixed results so far this year. However, his value continues to climb as he consistently lands points and has big games here and there. Over the last seven days, Herrera averaged 13.3 PPG. On a $2,900 salary again today, that’s a 4.6X value which is again a top 20 value among the top 20 hitters. Herrera didn’t have a stellar series against a very good Nationals pitching staff, but he averaged 7 PPG which isn’t bad. Also, his lone home run came against the Mets, whom he plays at home tonight. Herrera is a great option to help you fit Harper and Bautista into your lineup as well.

To re-visit other value picks over the past couple of days, visit some of my other columns for more value options today.

For additional FanDuel MLB analysis, take a look at my good friend and follow staff writer Brian Tulloch’s MLB Picks & Pivots column. Also, Mike Marteny provides Draft Kings MLB Picks analysis. Draft King uses a different point system and Mike does a great job of breaking down your options. Both also provide great ‘stacking’ options which I like to discuss and use as well.

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