MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 7

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 7th 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!

After a shortened schedule of only 10 games on Monday, MLB is back in full action Tuesday with a full slate of 15 games. We’ll have plenty of MLB lineup options to consider. The night starts Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets throwing the first pitch in Pittsburg against Juan Nicasio and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:

7:05pm ET (Main)

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

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.

Mike Leake (7:10pm ET) has been consistently solid for the St. Louis Cardinals in May. While Mike has only been fanning 3-5 batters per game, he also has 4 wins over his last 6 starts. Leake’s ERA has plummeted from a 6.03 ERA at the start of May to 3.82 ERA on May 31st. Over the last 30 days, Mike averaged 38.4 PPG. Leake’s FanDuel points over his last 5 games ranged from 30-48. With a cheap $7,000 salary, Leake is the best pitching value option tonight at 5.5X, second only to the hot young prospect Archie Bradley, who’s off tonight.

Zach Davies (8:10pm ET) has been up and down this season, but lately most of his starts are on the ‘up’ side. Davies has several appealing trends. After starting to season with no wins in his first four starts, Zach followed that up with 3 wins over 5 starts. After his first 5 starts, Davies averaged only 2.8 strikeouts per game. Over his last 4 starts, Zach’s strikeouts per game climbed to 6. Finally, at the start of May, Davies ERA was 6.98, after his first start of June, he ERA fell to 4.53. Over the last 30 days, Zach averaged 34.4 PPG. With a very reasonable $6,500 salary, Davis is giving us a very good 5.3X value, 9th among all starting pitchers.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

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.

Salvador Perez has been resting with a quad injury. In the meantime, Drew Butera, C, (7:05pm ET) has been making the most of his time filling in for Perez. Assuming Perez continues to sit, Butera is an intriguing option tonight. Drew hit 2 home runs over his last 3 starts. Over the last week, Butera averaged 15.7 PPG, 5th among all catchers. Drew’s salary is a very cheap $2,400, providing a tremendous 6.5X value.

Logan Morrison, 1B, (9:40pm ET) has been on a tear lately. In fact, I’ve already used Morrison in several winning lineups over the last couple of days. Logan has 4 home runs over his last 3 games. Over the last week, Morrison averaged 19.6 PPG, tied with Joey Votto for 2nd among all first basemen. Logan still has a reasonable $3,400 salary giving us a 5.8X value.

I’ve talked about Jurickson Profar, 2B, (8:05pm ET) often lately. Profar, who came up from the minors with Odor out for his suspension, is challenging the decision making of the Texas Rangers coaches and managers. Now that Odor is back, it appears they’re, smartly, looking for ways to keep Profar in the lineup, batting in the DH spot recently. Over the last week, Jurickson averaged 15.5 PPG, 2nd beyond Daniel Murphy‘s 18.8 PPG. Profar’s salary has climbed quickly all the way to $3,000, but that steal seems like a bargain. So with a 5.2X value tonight, I will continue to roll with Jurickson Profar at second base.

Anyone paying attention to baseball this season should know Nolan Arenado, 3B, (10:10pm ET) is absolutely crushing the ball this year. Arenado is clearly the best hitting third basemen at this point in the season. Nolan’s production has declined at times, allowing his salary to fall as well. However, over the last week, Arenado is hot again, averaging 22.9 PPG, the most of any third baseman. While Nolan’s salary has climbed to $4,100 for tonight, that’s still a 5.6X value, tremendous for that type of production.

Corey Seager continues to be hot, at the shortstop position lately, but he’s becoming too expensive. So I’m more interested in Zack Cozart, SS, (7:10pm ET). Cozart has a hot bat lately, averaging 19.2 PPG over the last seven days, 2nd only to Seager. Zack has a more reasonable $3,500 salary and gives us a very good 5.5X value and more cash to spend on picks like Arenado.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Value Hitters – OF

Carlos Gonzalez (10:10pm ET) is no longer cheap, with a $4,000 salary. However, over the last seven days, ‘CarGo’ averaged 25.1 PPG, the most of any hitter at any position. So it’s hard not to consider putting Carlos in your lineup daily. To make the argument easier, getting 25 points on a $4,000 salary is a 6.3X value and the best hitting bargain you’ll see tonight.

Another hot hitter, but further from the radar than CarGo, is Jay Bruce (7:10pmET). In May, a light seemed to go on for Bruce and he has been scorching the baseball since. Over his last 10 games, Jay had double digit points 8 times. That’s quite a run. After his first 5 games in June, Bruce smoked 3 HR’s. Over the last week, Jay averaged an outstanding 21.9 PPG, 3rd behind Gonzalez and Mookie Betts. Bruce still has a very reasonable $3,500 salary, giving us another fantastic 6.3X value.

One thing I’ve learned about playing FanDuel MLB over time, it’s best to ride hot hitters until they cool over. Along with several other Cincinnati Reds we’ve already talked about, Adam Duvall (7:10pm ET) is also crushing the baseball lately. Over his last 10 games, Duvall has 7 home runs, an amazing run. Over the last week, Adam averaged 18.9 PPG, 7th among all outfielders. Also with a very reasonable $3,500 salary, he’s a solid 5.4X and worth continuing to play again tonight.

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!

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