MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 5th

Jun 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien (10) bat lays in front of home plate after he struck out against the Houston Astros in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 5th edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy sports column focused on FanDuel player salaries and FanDuel point-per-game (PPG) trends.

The purpose of this column is to evaluate player salary and PPG averages over a period of time 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 your FanDuel MLB lineups!

With a full slate of 15 games today, we have plenty of value options for our FanDuel MLB lineups. Most of the days games are in the early afternoon. There are a couple of games in the late afternoon and evening as well providing multiple timing options for the day. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:

1:05pm ET (Main)
1:05pm ET (Early Only)
2:10pm ET (Express)
4:10pm ET (Late)

Before we dive into the FanDuel MLB lineups for today’s value, a reminder. The point analysis provided does not include some evening and late night game results, from the night before. However, the salary analysis is as of today.

If you have any questions while filling out your FanDuel MLB lineups feel free to contact me, Matt Rogers. Now, let’s take a look at today’s FanDuel MLB value options:

Next: Value Pitchers

May 21, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez (16) throws against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Pitchers

So far this season, we have focused on year-to-date statistics for pitchers, since they typically only pitch once per week. However, now that we’ve had more time to develop a greater body of work over the season, we’re going to move toward an every 30-day trend for pitchers, for your daily fantasy baseball lineups. We’re also looking at anyone with three or more starts within the last 30 days.

Even after a so-so 31 point game in his last outing, in L.A. against the Angels, Justin Verlander (1:10pm ET) continues to be solid this month. Over the last month, Verlander averaged 49 PPG. Justin’s salary is continuing to climb, now at $9,000. Still, that gives us a 5.4X month-long value. Verlander is worth taking another shot at today, at home against a White Sox lineup starting to struggle. However, if you’re willing to spend more, there’s another really good option in Miami.

Jose Fernandez (1:10pm ET) is having another outstanding year as the ace for the Miami Marlins. Fernandez has 8 wins, a 2.53 ERA, and 96 strikeouts over 67 innings, 11 games. Jose has been consistently dominate the entire month of may. With the exception of a 39 point game May 4th against the Diamondbacks, Fernandez has exceeded 50 points almost every game this month, 5 times in total. Over the last month, Jose averaged a tremendous 60 PPG, secondly only to Clayton Kershaw‘s 61.6 PPG. Fernandez isn’t as expensive as Kershaw as been, at $11,300. While that’s still an expensive option, he is a very good 5.3X value, 5th among all starting pitchers. Even against a tough Mets lineup at home, Fernandez should continue to roll today.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

May 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) hits a one run ground rule double to tie the game in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – INF

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. Recently, the value range has started to level off as FanDuel adjusts salaries to players who are having hot/cold starts to the season. Lately, anyone over a 4.5X value is top 50 among your daily fantasy baseball lineups.

Wilson Ramos, C, (1:10pm ET) continues to have a great season this year, after getting lasik surgery during the offseason. Wilson’s vision continues to be sharp over the last week, averaging 21.5 PPG, the most of any catcher starting at lest 3 games during that time. Ramos has a $3,400 salary today, giving us a very good 6.3X value.

We talked about Mike Napoli, 1B, (1:10pm ET) on Friday and he’s worth revisiting. Napoli averaged 17.6 PPG over the last week, 2nd only to a red hot David Ortiz. Napoli still has a reasonable $3,500 salary, giving us a solid 5X value. Look for Mike to continue to roll today with a very good value.

DJ LeMahieu, 2B, (9:10pm ET) is back to a solid year at the plate, no doubt the thin air in Denver isn’t hurting his performance. While at home, recently, and now in San Diego, DJ continues to perform well. Over the last week, LeMahieu averaged 15 PPG. And with a very reasonable $2,900 salary, DJ gives us a great 5.2X value at the second base position.

Having a terrific start to the season, followed by a slump, Eugenio Suarez, 3B, (1:10pm ET) appears to be gaining steam once again. Over the last week, Eugenio averaged 21.4 PPG, second only to Kyle Seager‘s 22.6 PPG. But Suarez is much cheaper than Seager, with a $3,200 salary. So with a 6.7X value, Suarez is one of your all-around best options for your lineup today.

Another Seager, the Corey Seager, SS, (4:10pm ET), is easily the best value option at shortstop. Corey averaged 19.7 PPG over the last week, the best average among all regularly starting shortstops. With a somewhat pricey $3,900 salary, Seager still provides a very good 5.5X value and should be strongly considered for your SS lineup spot today.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

May 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Duvall (23) hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

Adam Duvall (1:10pm ET) continues to have a surprisingly strong season this year. The best part of Adam’s game has been his tremendous power, ideal for FanDuel MLB lineups. Over the last week, Duvall averaged 20.7 PPG, 3rd among all daily starters in the outfield. Adam also still has a reasonable $3,500 salary, giving us a great 5.9X value today. I am looking for Duval to continue to crush the ball with a great value.

Over the last several weeks, Carlos Gonzalez (9:10pm ET) has been absolutely crushing the baseball. Gonzalez remains hot over this past week as well, averaging 23.9 PPG, secondly only to our next best value option Mookie Betts (1:35pm ET), averaging 24.9 PPG. Gonzalez is a more reasonable $3,700 salary, and a bargain 6.5X value. Betts, more pricey at $4,700, still provides a solid 5.3X value. If you’re choosing between the two, I like CarGo’s value more. Betts may be too expensive, unless you’re finding value in other positions to afford him.

More from FanSided

To re-visit other recent value options for FanDuel MLB, view some of my other columns.

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 Kings 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.

Best of luck today daily fantasy baseball gamers! Make sure to check lineups as they are announced before locking in your FanDuel MLB lineups!