MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 25 Early

Jun 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the sixth inning inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 25th ‘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’re in for an exciting and, beyond, full MLB schedule on Saturday, with 16 games scheduled. With a total 30 MLB teams, we have 16 games due to a double-header in Baltimore where the Orioles will face the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05pm ET and, time permitting, 7:05pm ET. The day is evenly split today, with 8 games in the afternoon followed by 8 games in the evening. So we’re splitting today’s FanDuel Economics MLB articles to focus on Early games first, followed by the ‘Main’ slate which begins around 7pm ET. This is the ‘Early’ portion of the lineups focus. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:

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

Jun 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-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.

Unlike last night, there aren’t many appealing value options at Pitcher in the first half of Saturday’s games. But there are two who jumped out at me while reviewing the digits.

At this point in the season, the pitchers who usually have a good year, start to hit their groove and lock-in on the mound. John Lackey (4:10pm ET) had a few discouraging outings this year, but for the most part he’s been rock solid for the Chicago Cubs, 3rd in a very good rotation. The 37-year-old veteran has struggled at times throughout his career, but over the last several years, while sometimes missing out on wins, Lackey hasn’t been giving up many runs and has been able to strikeout hitters at a decent ratio. We’ve discussed John in recent articles because he continues to keep his ERA down and is fanning 6-9 hitters per game, lately. Over the last month, Lackey averaged 44.8 PPG, 9th among all pitchers. John’s salary has been expensive over the last few outings, but with a $9,900 salary today he’s a 4.5X value, 16th among all pitchers and the best value option this afternoon.

Brandon Finnegan (4:10pm ET) doesn’t immediately jump out at me as an attractive option at pitcher this afternoon. However, the early part of the day is light on pitching value. Also, Finnegan is cheap, only $6,600 today. Brandon struggled in his last starting, only compiling a total of 6 points, ouch. Still, Finnegan is able to pull together a 27.4 PPG average over the last month. That’s not too bad. When considering his $6,100 salary, a 4.2X value, and he’s 28th among all pitchers in value, he’s worthy of a consideration in your lineup, and will give you plenty of options among all of the other MLB Lineup positions.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

Jun 19, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) round the bases after hitting a two run home run in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-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, (1:05pm ET) is having a mild offensive season or the Minnesota Twins. But lately Suzuki has been very productive at the plate. Over the last week, Kurt averaged 17.5 PPG. Suzuki remains cheap, at a $2,400 salary this afternoon, a very high 7.3X value at the dish today. Play Kurt before he cools off or starts getting too expensive. Also, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.

Justin Bour, 1B, (4:10pm ET) is having a solid season for the Marlins and is demonstrating power, which made him attractive to the Chicago Cubs organization in the 2009 draft, coming out of George Mason University, a school in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Bour has a modest .267 average but 12 home runs and 36 RBI’s in 61 games. Over the last week, Justin averaged 17.9 PPG, the most of any first basemen starting at least four games in seven days. Bour has a reasonable $3,200 salary, providing us with a very good 5.6X value this afternoon.

Scooter Gennett, 2B, (4:10pm ET) is having a great week, averaging 18.7 PPG, the most of any second basemen, for the Milwaukee Brewers. With a reasonable $3,500 salary, Gennett has an incredible 5.3X value this afternoon and is the best value option at second base for any game today.

Trevor Plouffe, 3B, (1:05pm ET) is having a decent week, averaging 11.9 PPG. Plouffe’s salary of $2,600 makes him more attractive, providing a 4.6X value. That may not seem like a high value, but Trevor is your best value option at third base this afternoon. If you can’t, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.

Troy Tulowitzki SS, (2:10pm ET) is demonstrating some sings of life lately, after a terrible start to the season. Troy averaged 15.6 PPG over the last seven days. “Tulo’ is also reasonably priced at $3,200, giving us a decent 4.9X value. 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

Once again, we’re talking about Steven Moya (4:10pm ET) who’s been in the lineup daily, due to J.D. Martinez hitting the DL. Over the last week, Moya averaged 16.5 PPG, 11th among outfielders. Steven’s salary remains incredibly low considering his productively lately, only $2,600. That’s giving us a fantastic 6.3X value tonight and the best value option in the outfield this afternoon.

Another Detroit Tiger who we’ve talked about recently and has been on fire is Justin Upton (4:10pm ET). An Moya/Upton should be a decent min-stack in the outfield. Upton is averaging 19.6 PPG, 5th among all outfielders. Justin’s salary is a very reasonable $3,100 giving us a 6.3X value today.

Another great value option in the OF spot is Marcell Ozuna (4:10pm ET). Ozuna is having a great year and over the last week, Marcell averaged 19.2 PPG. Ozuna’s salary a the most expensive of the three value options, but with a $3,500 salary this afternoon, Marcell is a very good 5.5X 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!