MLB Picks and Pivots – FanDuel MLB Picks May 2

Apr 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (left) uses a towel to wave air on pitcher Adam Wainwright in the dugout after hitting three run triple in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB Picks and Pivots – FanDuel Picks May 2

Welcome to the Monday edition of Picks & Pivots, a daily fantasy column focused on providing analysis for the upcoming MLB FanDuel slate. The purpose of this column is to first identify key building blocks that can be used for any roster construction and then identify pivot points to help differentiate your lineup in hopes of a big pay day!

FanSided and FantasyCPR have you covered – For additional FanDuel MLB analysis, take a look at my fellow staff writer Matt Rogers FanDuel Economics column or Mike Marteny who provides Draft Kings MLB Picks analysis giving you the most in depth DFS coverage for tonight’s baseball slate.

Monday’s games kick off at 7:05PM EST with an abbreviated 10 game slate.

I will continue to track winning GPP lineups and compare trends over 5 day periods to help us understand what it takes to remain profitable. I HIGHLY recommend each of you do this each morning to look back on the previous night and understand how the winning lineups are constructed in the games you participate in.

The view below tracks GPP entries over various time periods, breaking out key metrics to understand the trends and compositions of GPP winning rosters:

Time Period	Score	Pitcher Salary	Pitcher Percentage	Hitter Percentage	Hitter $/Player	Value
Season	242.5	$8,053	23%	77%	$ 3,368	6.93
5 Day	263.0	$ 8,114	23%	77%	$ 3,361	7.52
Previous Day	219.35	$8,700	25%	75%	$ 3,288	6.27

I highly recommend gamers track their game performance across the various types of games they play – GPP’s, Cash, Multipliers etc – as this simple exercise will help teach you more about profitable roster construction than you can imagine.

Now on to the picks…

Next: Top Starting Pitchers

Apr 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting Pitching

Jason Hammel – ($8,900) – Hammel sits at a price point right below Gerrit Cole and is slightly above the bargain options which may lead to him to be over looked on this slate. Hammel is not thought of as a top end pitcher as he gets overshadowed by his teammate Jake Arrieta, but Hammel has been dominant this year striking out 22 batters over 24 innings and a sterling 0.75 ERA. Hammel has put up 51 and 45 points his last two starts which would eclipse 5x value and makes Hammel a great cash game target to build around at a reasonable price point.

Edinson Volquez ($7,800) – Last start out against the Angels, Volquez was hit hard and ended the night with a big fat 0 FanDuel points which will make gamers think twice about rostering him on this night. However take a closer look at Volquez’s last 3 home starts this season where he has averaged 44.67 points per game which would be good for 5.7x value. Volquez has flashed the kind of upside and is at a reduced price point which makes him the perfect GPP play.

At the exact same price point, Adam Wainwright ($7,800) has an incredibly enticing matchup against the Phillies and the fact it is a home start might make this the game that the Cards ace turns it around. Wainwright makes for a nice pivot if you are playing multiple entries as eventually he will figure out his early season woes and post the kind of numbers we have become accustomed to seeing. The Phillies have one of the lowest team totals on the board for Monday, making this a great spot to go after Wainwright!

Next: Top Hitters/Stacks

Jul 10, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Hunter Pence (8) third from left is greeted at home plate by second baseman Joe Panik (12), catcher Buster Posey (28), and third baseman Matt Duffy (5) after hitting a grand slam home run in the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Hitters/Stacks

Giants stack against LHP Brandon Finnegan – The Giants get one of the highest team totals on the board and a favorable hitting environment with this game being in Cincinnati. In his short career, Finnegan has given up 10 home runs to right handed hitters in only 62 IP so the Giants right handed hitters get a great matchup. The best part is that the Giants stack is very affordable as Buster Posey ($3,400), Hunter Pence ($3,500) & Matt Duffy ($2,700) will easily fit into your lineups even if you choose to pay up at starting pitcher.

Rangers at Toronto and RA Dickey – The inconsistency of the knuckleball and the Rogers Centre – a perfect recipe for a Texas Rangers stack! Dickey has been absolutely shelled at home this year giving up 12 ER in only 11 innings. The Rangers have one of the highest team totals on the board with a powerful middle of the order including Prince Fielder ($3,100), Adrian Beltre ($3,400) and Mitch Moreland ($3,300) as well as Nomar Mazara ($3,300) as the top of the lineup catalyst this makes for a great GPP stack.

Best of luck tonight gamers! Make sure to review the lineups as they are announced before locking in your lineups!