MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 8

Jun 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) slides home safe past the tag attempt of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Chicago Cubs won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 8th 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!

We continue Wednesday with another full slate of 15 games on the MLB schedule. However, Wednesday does have a slight split of game times, with 4 games starting between 1:05pm ET – 3:40pm ET. All other games starting at or after 7:05pm ET. The day starts with the first pitch off the mound from John Lackey, and the Cubs, facing off in Philadelphia against Vince Velasquez and the Phillies. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:

1:05pm ET (All Day)
1:05pm ET (Early Only)
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

May 27, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the St. Louis Cardinals during the during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-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.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have waited patiently over the past two season for Archie Bradley (3:40pm ET) to find his groove. That appears to be finally happening. After one terrible start in April, was given a second chance in May in Coors Field, of all places. However, he pitched well, fanned 4, and ended the game with a win. Archie followed the Rockies game with a dominating performance at home against the Padres, striking out 9, getting another win, and piling on 52 FanDuel points. Next, Bradley faced a tough Friday afternoon lineup in Chicago against the Cubs. While he ended the game with a no-decision, John Lackey also pitched exceptionally well, Archie had 10 K’s and totaled 45 points. Since being called back up to pitch again in the Diamondbacks rotation, Bradley averaged a great 42.3 PPG. Archie is still very cheap tonight at $6,600, and is the highest value option among all pitchers at 6.4X. Bradley is well worth another shot in your lineup tonight, at home, against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Max Scherzer (8:10pm ET) isn’t an ideal value option, because he’s pricey. However, Scherzer is also a strikeout machine and, even when he struggles, he is usually a lock for a high point total each game. Over the last month, Max averaged 55.4 PPG. That’s 3rd among all starting pitchers, behind only Jose Fernandez and Clayton Kershaw, and just above Madison Bumgarner. Not bad company. So while Scherzer’s salary is $11,200 tonight, if you can afford him he’s a 4.9X value, top 15 among all starting pitchers.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

May 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) scores a run against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-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.

James McCann, C, (1:10pm ET), no not Brian, is hot at the plate right now. James isn’t having a stellar season, but in the last week his hit two home runs and piled up 5 RBI’s. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the standard Tigers catcher, has been struggling at the plate, and McCann appears to be taking advantage of an opportunity. Over the last week, James averaged 16.3 PPG, 3rd among all catchers starting at least 3 games this past week. With a very cheap $2,400 salary, McCann is a very high 6.8X value, the highest of all options at catcher. If James is in the lineup for the Tigers tonight, he’s your best value option at Catchers.

I went into detail about Logan Morrison, 1B, (3:40pm ET) yesterday so I won’t dive in again today. And I try to avoid talking about the same people over-and-over again, but lately, Morrison is making that hard to do. Morrison has a 5.5X value, the best of all first basemen, again. And with a $3,400 salary tonight, he’s once again a bargain.

I can’t keep talking about Jurickson Profar, 2B, (8:05pm ET) every day, so I’ll move on after this. Profar is still very cheap at $3,100, is on fire, and is a 5.3X value at second base, the best value option in the position. If you’d like another option, or you’re tired of typing in his unique name while searching for his option, Profar’s counter-part at second base for the Texas Rangers, Rougned Odor, is back. It’s only been three games, but Odor is already averaging 17.7 PPG, is only $3,100 (like Profar), and the Rangers appear to have figured out how to keep both in the lineup, for now.

Eugenio Suarez, 3B, (7:10pm ET) is hot again, along with the rest of the Reds lineup. Over the last week, Suarez averaged 18.3 PPG, 4th among all third basemen. With a very cheap $3,000 salary, that’s a 6.1X value, the best among all third basemen. I’m going to assume Suarez and the Reds continue to smoke the ball and take advantage of Eugenio’s low salary tonight.

Corey Seager, SS, (10:10pm ET) continues to crush the ball, and his salary finally dropped a little from $4,100 to $3,900. Seager has the best average over the last week among all shortstops at 22 PPG. So if you can afford it, Corey’s 5.4X value is your best option tonight.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Jun 6, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a two run home run in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

We just reviewed Jay Bruce‘s (7:10pm ET) hot streak and incredible value yesterday. Bruce followed that up with a 34.9 point performance and made an even stronger case for today. Jay is averaging 24 PPG at this point, second only to Mookie Betts 26.1 PPG. However, unlike Betts, Bruce still has a very cheap $3,500 salary, an incredible 6.9X value. Continue to ride Jay’s hot streak until he disappoints or finally becomes more expensive.

Tyler Naquin (10:10pm ET) is having quite a June already, 3 home runs in his first 5 games of the month. Naquin hasn’t historically demonstrated this type of power, so at some point it’ll likely trail off, however, it may be worth catching him while he’s hot and cheap. Tyler averaged 17.5 PPG over the last week. Naquin’s salary is a very cheap $2,800 tonight, giving us a 6.3X value. Tyler is one of your best bargains among all hitters tonight.

Justin Upton (1:10pm ET) isn’t having a particularly good year. Upton, known for his power, only has 4 home runs. But he’s also had a few streaks here and there. Lately, Justin’s show some signs of focus at the plate. Over the last week, Upton averaged 16.2 PPG. Justin has a very reasonable salary, at $3,100, for someone who has historically demonstrated bursts of offensive production. So with a 5.2X value this afternoon, Upton is worth taking a shot with him in your lineup.

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!