MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 18

Jun 17, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; A general view of Tropicana Field where the Tampa Bay Rays play the San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 18th 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!

Typical for a Saturday, the MLB schedule is full of afternoon games. Ten of the full slate, of 15 games, start between 2pm and 6pm. The remaining five games start after 8:15pm ET. Michael Pineda will kick the day off at 2:10pm ET for the New York Yankees, facing off against Ricky Nolasco and the Minnesota Twins. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:

2:10pm ET (All Day)
2:10pm ET (Early Only)
4:05pm ET (Afternoon Only)
8:15pm 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

Jun 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-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 Philadelphia Phillies had a surprisingly good start to the season, but quickly fell back to earth as the season entered the summer months. However, the Phillies young pitching staff continues to impress, and is a nod to the bright future for the organization. Jerad Eickhoff (3:05pm ET) pitching in his first 8 games of his career last season for the Phillies, ended the season 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 51 innings. Not a bad start to his career. So far this season, Jerad is 4-8 with a 3.40 ERA and 67 K’s over 79.1 innings. Eickhoff would likely have more wins if it weren’t for the tepid Philly offense. Still, Jerad was able to average 38.8 PPG over the last 30 days. With a very reasonable $7,500 salary today, he’s your best pitching value option at a 5.2X value.

Chase Anderson (10:10pm ET) had an up-and-down season so far this year. However, Anderson has some flashes of brilliance. At home against a great Cubs lineup, Anderson took the win with 6 K’s and totaled 50 FanDuel points. He also had two 44 point outings in June already, against the Phillies and A’s. Over the last 30 days, Chase averaged 30.2 PPG. That may not seem like much, but considering Anderson’s very cheap $6,600 salary, that’s a 4.6X value, the second best value option at pitcher tonight. If you’re confident about some expensive batting options, Chase is your best option to fit them into our lineup.

Zack Greinke (3:05pm ET) had a rough start to the season with his new team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. For the most part, I’ve stayed away from Greinke because he’s struggled to gain control, with little command at the mound. However, Zack appears to be regaining his old focused form off the rubber. Greinke won all 6 of his last 6 starts, including an 11 strikeout performance in Houston. Over the last month, Zack averaged 46.8 PPG, 10th among all starting pitchers. Greinke, likely because of his great career and current surge, is expensive this afternoon with a $11,000 salary. But, that still squeaks out a decent 4.2X value, one of the best options today.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

Jun 16, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) celebrates with first baseman Ike Davis (24) after hitting a three-run home run in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-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.

The Texas Rangers continue to find their best option at Catcher, and Robinson Chirinos, C, (4:15pm ET) is the latest intriguing option. Chirinos hit 3 home runs and 5 RBI’s over his last two games. In the last week, Robinson averaged 18 PPG, just behind Russell Martin for the most PPG in the last seven days. Chirinos is a cheap $2,500 and a 7.2X value this afternoon. If he’s in the lineup again for the Rangers, I’m looking for Chirinos to continue his hot streak on a very cheap salary.

Almost verbatim from yesterday’s article, we talked about Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, (4:05pm ET) and I would continue to try to play him while he’s destroying the baseball (35.6 PPG). As long as you can afford him, play him. If you need a more affordable option at first base, consider Freddie Freeman, 1B, (8:15pm ET). Freeman is catching fire lately, averaging 18.7 PPG, and is much cheaper at $3,300, a very good 5.7X value.

Because of injuries, Jace Peterson, 2B, (8:15pm ET) continues to get starts for the Atlanta Braves. Peterson may, arguably, have earned more time at the plate for the Braves. Over his last seven games, and among a seven game hitting streak, Jace had 9 hits. Peterson is also piling up walks, runs, and some RBI’s. Over the last week, Peterson averaged 14 PPG. Jace has a cheap $2,600 salary, providing one of the best value, 5.4X, options at second base today.

Josh Donaldson, 3B, (4:05pm) is locked in at the plate, and demolishing the baseball right now. I will continue to afford Donaldson until he disappoints me, which hasn’t happened in a while. Over the last week, Donaldson averaged 23.2 PPG, the most of all third basemen. Josh’s salary dropped a bit today to $4,500, still expensive, but a very good 5.2X value. Try your best to afford Josh tonight. If you can’t, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.

We’ve talked about Didi Gregorius, SS, (2:10pm ET) before. Gregorius shines from time to time this season, but he’s also quietly hitting .280 with 6 home runs. That’s more production than expected from Didi. Over the last week, Gregorius averaged 17.4 PPG, 2nd among all starting shortstops. Didi’s salary is a reasonable $3,100, and he’s a 5.6X bargain. I like Gregorius to quietly continue to roll in Minnesota this afternoon, against the struggling Twins. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position, for FanDuel MLB.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Jun 16, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) follows through on a swing for a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox in the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

Adam Jones (4:05 pm ET) had a so-so season so far. At times, Jones appears to resemble his dominating self at the plate. However, Adam has struggled for long periods of time as well. But in June, Adam seems to be getting comfortable at the dish. Over the last week, Jones averaged 18.8 PPG, 3rd among all daily starting outfielders. Adam is an affordable $3,500 salary, and fantastic 5.5X value, one of the top options among outfielders. Look for Jones to continue to roll at home against the Blue Jays.

Melvin Upton Jr. (10:10pm ET) is only hitting .250 this year, but he already has 9 home runs and 15 stolen bases. Melvin is a multi-threat offensive option for the Padres this year, and he’s paying off. Over the last week, Upton Jr. is averaging 16 PPG, 9th among all outfielders. Melvin’s salary has continued to remain cheap, at $3,100 tonight, and is a very good 5.2X value tonight.

Mallex Smith (8:15pm ET) has been flying around the base path. Smith has 14 stolen bases on the season, and 3 in his last two games. Mallex is also getting on base more often, boosting his FanDuel points each game. Over the last week, Smith averaged 14.2 PPG. With a cheap $2,800, Mallex is a 5.1X bargain.

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!