MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 24

Jun 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) celebrates with catcher Jose Lobaton (59) after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 24th 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 several days of split schedules, and with the Cubs playing in Miami this Friday, Friday’s MLB schedule is pretty straight-forward with every team scheduled and each game in the evening. 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

Jun 12, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Zach Davies (27) pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-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.

There are many great options tonight, but a few quickly stuck out as very good value.

Zach Davies (8:10pm ET) is looking like the Ace of the Milwaukee Brewers. Davies won 4 of his last 5 and is averaging 6.7 strikeouts per game. Davies ERA is plummeting from 8.78 at the end of April now to 3.62 in June. Zach averaged 45.4 PPG, 9th among all starting pitchers. What really makes Davies appealing is his $7,100 salary, an incredible 6.4X value. Zach’s salary is likely so low because he’s facing a tough Nationals lineup. However, the Nats have struggled lately and are facing a pitcher who’s been hot lately. It’s possible Davies is a gem tonight. But with all great value, there’s risk. The Nationals are due to turn around soon, and Milwaukee may be were they stop their skid. Still, it’s worth playing Zach in several lineups today, getting plenty of salary for expensive hitters while still piling up points at the pitcher lineup spot.

Tom Koehler (7:10pm ET) won 4 of his last 5 starts, and his last three straight. Tom had 40+ points in each of his last 3 starts. In June, Koehler ended each game with either 6 or 8 K’s. After entering May with a 7.25 ERA, Tom’s ERA has plummeted to 3.92 by June 19th. Koehler has a tough match-up tonight, facing one of the league’s best lineups in the Cubs, but he’s also pitching against Hendricks, who as we’ll see later, has struggled to do well away from Chicago.

Danny Salazar (7:10pm ET) struggled at times around the start of the season, but in May Danny started to find his dominating form, at times, on the mound. In June, Salazar appears to have hit his regular season groove, and is now controlling each game. Danny won 4 straight, and 5 of his last 6 starts. So far in June, Salazar averaged 8 strikeouts per game over, and an average of 6.5 innings. Over the last 30 days, Danny averaged 49 PPG, 4th among all starting pitchers. Tonight, Salazar’s salary is an expensive $10,000, but that’s a 4.9X value, 9th among all starting pitchers.

Kyle Hendricks (7:10pm ET) hasn’t been as consistently dominate, lately as Salazar. Kyle struggled in two outings in June, a 19 point total in Washington against the Nationals, and a 27 point outing in Philadelphia against the struggling Phillies offense. However, in Chicago, Hendricks shut down the Dodgers and Pirates loading up 48 points and 63 points respectively. Over the last month, Kyle averaged 42.8 PPG, 16th among all pitchers. Hendricks salary is a cheaper $8,800 and Kyle has a slightly lower 4.9X (4.86X) value than Salazar. I’m worried about how poorly Hendricks does away from Wrigley, so I prefer Salazar, but Hendricks will give you more salary back for expensive hitting options.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

Jun 18, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-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.

With Tony Wolters struggling, Nick Hundley, C, (8:40pm ET) is getting the majority of time behind the plate, and lately Hundley has been on fire. Nick hit two home runs in his last two starts. Over the last week, Hundley averaged 18.3 PPG, the most of all catchers. With a reasonable $3,200, Nick is a 5.7X value and a great option at Coors Field tonight. Also, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.

We talked about Wil Myers, 1B, (7:10pm ET) yesterday, and even though he ended the night with 0 points, he’s still my favorite option tonight. Myers is allow to have a goose egg ever now and then, but he typically bounces back well. Myers also has a 18.7 PPG over the last week, 2nd among all first basemen. Wil’s salary is expensive, $4,200, but that’s still a 4.5X value, very good for someone consistently getting between 15-20 points most games.

Jonathan Schoop, 2B, (7:05pm ET) is scorching the baseball right now, now hitting 3rd in the lineup on Wednesday for the Baltimore Orioles. Schoop averaged 17.4 PPG over the last week, by far more than any other second basemen. Jonathan is becoming more expensive, now at $3,600, but he has the best value of all second basemen at 5.1X.

Juan Uribe, 3B, (7:10pm ET) is having a surprise surge this week for the Cleveland Indians. The 37-year-old veteran had 4 home runs over 4 straight games. Over the last week, Uribe averaged 20.7 PPG. Juan’s salary is starting to climb, but he’s still a reasonable $2,800, or 7.4X value. Assuming he continues to claim a position in the Cleveland starting lineup, Uribe is an attractive value option again tonight. But for other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.

Eduardo Escobar, SS, (7:05pm ET) has flexed some power lately. Eduardo hit 2 home runs in back-to-back games against the Yankees last weekend He followed that up with 2 triples over the past week. Escobar has at least 1 run and 1 RBI in each of his last six games. Eduardo is now averaging 18.9 PPG over the last seven games. Escobar’s salary is still a cheap $2,900, a 6.5X value and the best value at the shortstop spot. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position, for FanDuel MLB.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Jun 22, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Steven Moya (33) hits a home run against the Seattle Mariners in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

Since J.D. Martinez hit the DL for the Detroit Tigers, Steven Moya (7:10pm ET) is in the lineup almost daily. Moya was quiet earlier in the year, but over the past week, Steven has exploded with 9 hits and 2 home runs. In the last seven days, Moya averaged 16.1 PPG, 11th among outfielders. Steven’s salary is incredibly low considering his productively lately, only $2,400. That’s giving us a fantastic 6.7X value tonight and the best value option in the outfield.

Michael Taylor (8:10pm ET) had a terrible night, this week, in L.A. almost single-handedly blowing the game for the Washington Nationals. However, at the plate, Taylor has been doing better. Michael averaged 17.8 PPG, 7th among all starting pitchers, over the last week. Taylor’s salary continues to remain a cheap $2,700, landing Michael at a 6.6X value, our second best value option in the outfield tonight.

Marcell Ozuna (7:10pm ET) is having a great season, averaging .323 with 15 home runs, 45 runs, and 43 RBI’s. Ozuna is also hot over the last week, averaging 19.4 PPG, 4th among all outfielders and the best of any outfielder starting at least four games over the last week. Marcell’s salary dipped to $3,300 tonight, finding a very good 5.9X value.

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!