MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 23

Jun 21, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of Target Field during the sixth inning in a game between Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 23rd 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!

Thursday’s MLB Schedule is very light, with only 9 games playing. So with 12 teams taking the day off, our options are limited. To provide additional challenge, the day is split, with only four games in the afternoon and five games in the evening. This will make for tough game options. Oddly, even though many lineups will be uncertain by the start of the games, it may be more beneficial to play ‘All Day’ lineups.

The day starts with Albert Suarez taking the mound in Pittsburgh at 12:35pm ET, where the Giants will face off against Jon Niese and the Pirates. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:

12:35pm (Early Only)
12:35pm (All 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

May 20, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Christian Friedrich (53) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-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.

Christian Friedrich (7:10pm ET) had good and not-so-good results over his 7 starts this season. Although, for the season, Christian is 3-2 with a solid 3.15 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 40 innings. Friedrich is becoming one of the best starting pitchers in the San Diego Padres rotation. Over the last month, Friedrich averaged 35.8 PPG. That’s OK. But considering Christian’s very reasonable $6,800 salary, he’s now very attractive. Friedrich has a 5.3X value, which is 2nd among all starting pitchers. Landing 30-40 points from a pitcher and getting an additional $3,000 – $4,000 to spend on hitters is certainly a great option to have today.

Jon Lester (7:10pm ET) is the most dominating pitcher on the list of options tonight. Lester averaged 54.8 PPG over the last month, 2nd among all starting pitchers putting him in-between Clayton Kershaw and Jose Fernandez, not bad. While Jon is fairly expensive tonight, at $11,400, he’s still a 4.8X value, 14th among all starting pitchers. Of all the pitcher options, you should try your best to afford Lester first.

Jerad Eickhoff (1:10pm ET) was a hot commodity earlier in the season, then he had a few rough outings and dropped like a rock through the value board. However, Eickhoff has improved lately, winning two of his last four games. Jerad is 4-9, but that is mostly due to the anemic Phillies offense. Eickhoff has a solid 3.49 ERA, and has 73 K’s over 85 innings, so he’s capable of building points without the confidence in a win. Over the last month, Jerad averaged 35.6 PPG. Similiar to Friedrich, that’s not jaw-dropping, but when you look at Eickhoff’s reasonable $8,100 salary, he becomes an attractive option. Eickhoff carries a 4.4X value to the mound today, 20th among all starting pitchers, as the Phillies face off against the Twins in Minnesota.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

Jun 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb (R) is congratulated by catcher Welington Castillo (L) after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Arizona Diamondbacks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-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.

Kurt Suzuki, C, (1:10pm ET) went absolutely bonkers on the Phillies yesterday. Kurt went 4-for-5 with a 2-run home run, 2 doubles, and 6 RBI’s. That’s Suzuki’s second home run in three games. Over the last week, Kurt averaged 15.9 PPG, the most of any starting catcher. Suzuki is a cheap $2,500 going into today’s game, giving us a 6.4X value, again the best of all catchers. Also, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.

Wil Myers, 1B, (7:10pm ET) has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy baseball owners and DFS players this year. Myers does it all, hitting a .290 average with 16 home runs, 46 runs, 45 RBI’s, 16 doubles, 1 triple, and 10 steals. Over the last week, Myers has averaged 20.2 PPG, 2nd most among all first basemen. Tonight, Wil’s salary is $4,000 leading to a 5.1X value, one of the better value options at 1B tonight.

The Braves offense continues to show signs of life lately. Jace Peterson, 2B, (7:10pm ET) is one of those hot bats. Peterson hit a walk-off HR on Tuesday in Miami, playing the hero for the struggling team. Over the last week, Jace averaged 16.4 PPG, 3rd among all second basemen. Jace continues to be affordable, with a $2,900 salary tonight and 5.7X value. Peterson is the best value option today at second base, and he’s work choosing in your MLB lineups while he’s hot.

Jake Lamb, 3B, (8:40pm ET) is having a great season, averaging .278 with 14 home runs, 34 runs, 45 RBI’s, 17 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 stolen bases. The young, 25-year-old, is doing it all. Lamb averaged 17.4 PPG over the last week. Unfortunately, his salary sky-rocketed, now that he’s hitting with power in Coors Field, to $4,600. Still, that gives us a 3.8X value, which isn’t bad. Considering the lack of options tonight due to the limited number of games, this is definitely your best pick at third base. But for other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.

Zack Cozart, SS, (7:10pm ET) historically has flashes of brilliance at the plate, but usually level’s off over the course of the season to an average hitter among shortstop options. However, this season Cozart appears to be more consistently great at the plate, hitting a .284 average with 11 home runs. Over the last week, Zack averaged 19.3 PPG, the most of all shortstops. Cozart’s salary is climbing, and is now $3,800, but he still brings a 5.1X value to the dish tonight. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position, for FanDuel MLB.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Jun 17, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Justin Upton (8) hits a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

For the past couple of days, we’ve talked about Franklin Gutierrez (1:10pm ET). Until he disappoints, I’ll continue to revisit Gutierrez for my lineups. Franklin has 7 hits over his last 5 games, 3 of those hits were home runs. So over the last week, Gutierrez averaged 23.7 PPG, topping all outfielders, and with a reasonable $3,300 salary today, he’s a 7.2X value and the best value option of the night.

We talked about Justin Upton (1:10pm ET) on Tuesday, and he remains an attractive value option this week. Upton has been more consistently locked in at the plate, leading to more consistent results and a better average of points over time. In the last seven days, Justin averaged 17.9 PPG, 7th among all outfielders. And with the limited options today, Upton is right in-between Gutierrez and O’Brien. Justin’s salary is still reason, at $3,100 today, leading to a 5.8X bargain. Also, Upton is best when facing right-handed pitchers, and Adrian Sampson is the righty he’ll see this afternoon. Justin should be one of the best value plays in the outfield today.

Peter O’Brien (8:40pm ET) is not a consistent hitter, averaging only .152 in 10 games. However, he does have 3 home runs over the last 5 games. So, now O’Brien is averaging 16.5 PPG on a very cheap $3,100 salary, or a 5.3X value. Still, Peter is a risky option as he has 13 strikeouts and only 5 hits this season. However, if you’re looking for someone cheap who could provide some surprise pop, in order to fit a more expensive option into your lineup, he could be your best bet.

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!