Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 25th ‘Main’ 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 Main portion of the lineups focus. 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
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.
Steven Wright (9:20pm ET) is having an amazing season. No team seems to be able to figure out how to consistently crush Wright’s knuckleballs. The 31-year-old veteran is consistently challenging every team every outing. Steven won five of his last six starts. His last innings was a no-decision outcome for Wright, but he still pitched an impressive 9 innings, fanned 6 white sox batters, and gave up no earned runs. Steven is 8-4 on the year, after 14 starts, has 80 K’s over 98.1 innings, and a very low 2.01 ERA, 4th in the majors behind only Kershaw, Arrieta, and Bumgarner. Over the last week, Wright averaged 45.3 PPG, 8th among all pitchers. Steven’s salary isn’t cheap, but still affordable at $9,500. With a 4.8X value tonight, 13th among all pitchers and the top value in the evening, Steven is a very good option at pitcher tonight.
Kenta Maeda (7:15pm ET) has been a strong, but quiet, additional the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation this season. Kenta is 6-4 with 79 strikeouts over 81.2 innings, and has a low 2.64 ERA. Maeda is 3-1, along with a no decision, over his last five games. Kenta has fanned between 5 to 8 batters per game in the month of June. Over the last 30 days, Maeda averaged 40.6 PPG, 18th among all starting pitchers. Kenta provides a cheaper value option tonight, versus Wright, with a salary of only $8,600, but a value of 4.7X, just below Wright’s value. The Dodgers have been hot lately, and we’ll see if Maeda helps them continue to roll tonight in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.
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.
Matt Wieters, C, (7:05pm ET) has been hot and cold this year, similar to his career. But over the last week, Wieters is piling up hits, knocked in a home run, and is compiling RBI’s. Over the last seven days, Matt averaged 17.4 PPG, 2nd only to Kurt Suzuki (see the ‘early’ article from today for more on Suzuki). Wieters salary is $3,200 giving us a 5.4X value, the best value at catcher tonight. Also, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.
David Freese, 1B, (7:15pm ET) is having a decent week, continuing to pile up hits maintaining a good average and he hit a 3-run home run at home, in Pittsburgh, against the Giants. Freese averaged 11.7 PPG over the last seven days. His salary makes him more attractive, only $2,600 tonight. So David brings a 4.5X value to the plate tonight, and is one of the best value options at first base.
We’re going back to Jonathan Schoop, 2B, (7:05pm ET) again tonight. Schoop has been on fire and has been hitting in the 3-spot of a good Orioles offensive lineup. Jonathan averaged 18.2 PPG over the last week, 2nd only to Scooter Gannett, who we talked about for the early slate of games. Schoop’s salary is getting pricey, now $3,600, but that’s still a solid 5.1X value tonight.
Justin Turner, 3B, (7:15pm ET) has been consistently hot at the plate lately. Tuner is averaging 17.8 PPG over the last week, 4th of any third basemen playing at least four games in that time. Turner’s salary is $3,500, providing a decent 5.1X value tonight. If you can’t, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.
Carlos Correa, SS, (7:15pm ET) hasn’t been a cheap option much this season, and tonight is no exception. But Correa is averaging 18.3 PPG, 2nd among all shortstops. As mentioned, Carlos has a pricey salary, $4,100, but that’s still a good 4.5X value, which is rare for someone who’s consistently so good for so long. 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
There aren’t as many value options in the outfield for the Main slate of games as there was for the ‘Early’ slate. But we still have some decent options.
My favorite thing about Paulo Orlando (7:15pm ET) is his ability to at least get 3-6 points practically every game played, due mostly to his .354 batting average. Over the last week, Orlando averaged 13.7 PPG, so he’s doing more than just getting on base once a game. Paulo’s salary is a reasonable $3,300 for someone consistently scoring points, and that’s a fairly good 4.2X value.
Peter Bourjos (10:05pm ET) isn’t my favorite option tonight, facing Madison Bumgarner. That’s a big part of the reason Peter’s salary is a paltry $2,000. However, Bourjos has been hot for the Phillies lately, getting 5 hits over his last three games, along with a home run, 3 runs, and 3 RBI’s. Over the last week, Peter averaged 11.2 PPG. Combined with Bourjos salary, that’s a very good 5.6X value. But again, he’s facing Bumgarner tonight, so there’s plenty of risk.
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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!