MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 22 Early
By Matt Rogers
Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 22nd ‘Early’ 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 a full MLB schedule again on Wednesday, but today the schedule is split. Half of the MLB schedule starts between noon and 4pm, while the other half begins after 7pm. Due to the split, we’re writing two value articles for the day, as players tend to play games in groups of time, versus ‘all day’ plays, which can be risky, due to last min lineup changes for the later games. Today’s games start in Miami at 12:10pm ET, where Matt Wisler and the Atlanta Braves will face Adam Conley and the Marlins. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:
- 12:10pm ET (Early Only)
- 12:10pm ET (All Day)
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.
Matt Shoemaker (2:10pm ET) continued his dominate surge, since early May, during his last outing in Oakland. Matt ended the game with a no decision, due mostly to the Angles anemic offense lately. Shoemaker ended the game with 7 strikeouts and only 1 walk over 6 innings. That’s a very good outing for most starers, but for Matt, it was his worst outing in six games. That isn’t to suggest Shoemaker is declining, it’s a testament to how well his pitching lately, with a serious lack of offense behind him. Over the last month, Matt averaged 45 PPG, 13th among all starting pitchers. With a very reasonable $8,300 salary, Shoemaker is a 5.4X value, 4th among all starting pitchers.
Jon Gray (1:05pm ET) has been less consistent than Shoemaker. Gray has been all over the map with points, setting an unfortunate -8 point floor in St. Louis. However, Jon had a dominating performance at Coors Field against the Mets (51 points) and in San Diego against the Padres (63 points). Over the last 30 days, Gray averaged 41 PPG. Jon’s salary is also reasonable at $8,100. With a 5.1X value, Gray is 6th among all starting pitchers. I’m looking for the young, 24-year-old, 3rd overall pick in the 2013 MLB draft, out of Oklahoma, to bounce back after a 24 point start in Miami.
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, C, (1:10pm ET) remains hot this week. Perez only had 6 points on Monday, but he’s averaging 20.4 PPG over the last week, the most of all catchers. However, Salvador remains a bargain, with a $3,100 salary, a 6.6X value.
Kendrys Morales, 1B, (1:10pm ET) isn’t having a great season, but he’s locked in at the plate and crushing the baseball lately. Kendrys averaged 20.2 PPG over the last week, 3rd among all first basemen. That’s a decent turnaround over this short period of time. Morales is still a cheap $3,000 salary, a 6.7X value.
Since June 10th, Devon Travis, 2B, (4:07 PM ET) has been on a roll, and it appears to be snowballing. Travis has been getting points every game since the 10th, and over his last three games he had double-digit points. On Monday, Devon had 2 doubles, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 runs, and 3 RBI’s piling up a total of 43.9 points. Travis is a reasonable $3,400 salary, landing him at a 6X value, your best option this afternoon.
Yet again, Josh Donaldson, 3B, (4:07pm ET) continues to be your best option at third base. Donaldson is averaging an incredible 27.6 PPG. Josh is unfortunately very expensive, at $4,500, but that’s still a 6.1X value, due to his consistently high weekly PPG average. If you can’t, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.
Like Donaldson, we’ve talked about Didi Gregorius, SS, (1:05pm ET) before. Didi didn’t have any points in his last game, but he’s still averaging 17.8 PPG over the last week, 2nd among all daily starting shortstops. Gregorius is still very affordable at $2,900, a 6.2X value. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position, for FanDuel MLB.
Next: Value Hitters - OF
Value Hitters – OF
Brett Eibner (1:10pm ET) is getting time in the outfield for the Kansas City Royals, with Jarrod Dyson not yet panning out as expected by the Royals team management. If Eibner continues to play this well, Dyson is in trouble. Over the last week, Brett averaged 11.9 PPG. Eibner becomes incredibly appealing when you see his salary is a rock-bottom $2,000. So if Brett starts tonight, he’s an incredible 6X value and your best value option this afternoon.
Michael Saunders (4:07pm ET) is having a great season, hitting a .309 average, 15 home runs, 36 runs, and 32 RBI’s. Saunders is yet another piece in the impressive Blue Jays offensive puzzle. Over the last week, Saunders averaged 20.3 PPG, 6th among all outfielders. Marginally expensive, at $3,900, Saunders is still a 5.2X value, worth paying up and cheaper than a Yoenis Cespedes.
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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!