MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 29 Early

Jun 27, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of Great American Ball Park during a game with the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 29th ‘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!

On Wednesday, we continue with a full slate of 15 games in the MLB schedule. However, today’s schedule is split, with 7 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:

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

Jun 14, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley gainst the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-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.

As we’ve discussed earlier this season, Archie Bradley (3:40pm ET) is a hot prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks, picked 7th overall by the D-backs in the 2011 MLB draft, who has struggled year over year since being drafted, while being tagged with plenty of high expectations. Bradley has pitched in the majors before but has struggled and has worked through injuries. However, Archie appears to be settling into his MLB career this year. Bradley is 3-3 after 8 starts, which isn’t bad for the struggling Diamond backs. And Archie’s ERA has struggled at times, currently at 4.50. However, Bradley has been able to maintain a high strikeout ratio, fanning 49 over 46 inning so far. Archie continues to be an interesting fantasy option, and has worked out several times over the last month. In the last 30 days, Bradley averaged 36.3 PPG. With a very cheap $6,700 salary against the Phillies this afternoon, Archie is bringing a 5.4X value to the mound, 4th among all starting pitchers and easily the best value of the afternoon.

Tom Koehler (1:10pm ET) had an up-and-down start to the season, showing flashes of brilliance at times. Tom is having a great month of June, going 3-1 over 5 starts. Koehler has been able to maintain reasonable, but not stellar, 4.07 ERA and has 71 strikeouts (K’s) over 84 innings. Over the last month, Tom averaged 37 PPG, which may not seem like a lot, but considering Koehler’s salary of only $7,200 he’s a very attractive option. With a 5.1X value, Tom has the 7th best value among all starting pitchers and is the second best value option this afternoon, just behind Bradley.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

Jun 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour (41) hits a two run home run during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-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.

Derek Norris, C, (3:40pm ET) is having a less than better season at the plate, hitting only a .210 batting average. However, Norris does have 10 home runs and is on pace to hit more than 20 home runs this season, which would be the most of his career. Over the last week, Derek has been especially powerful, hitting 3 home runs over 8 games. Norris averaged 17 PPG over the last seven days. Derek’s salary is cheap, only $2,800 this afternoon, leading to a 6.1X value, the best value at Catcher this afternoon. Also, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.

Justin Bour, 1B, (1:10pm ET) continues to swing a hot bat at the plate over the last week. Bour has been a major bright spot at the plate for the Marlins, hitting a .270 average this season with 14 home runs and 43 RBI’s. Bour has 3 home runs over his last 4 games, and 4 home runs over his last 7 games. In the last week, Justin averaged 21.5 PPG, the most of any daily starter at first base. Bour’s salary is getting pricey, at $3,900, but that’s still a very good 5.5X value, which is outstanding considering his current production.

Jean Segura, 2B, (3:40pm ET) continues with his solid season, hitting .311 with 4 triples, 5 home runs, 46 runs, 32 RBI’s, and 13 stolen bases so far this year. Segura as been getting on base and scoring often lately, with 7 hits, 5 walks, 3 stolen bases, and 7 runs over his last four games. Over the last week, Jean averaged 18.5 PPG. With a somewhat pricey $3,800 salary, that still gives Segura a 4.9X value, the best option in the afternoon at second base today.

Maikel Franco, 3B, (3:40pm ET) appears to be a rising start within a somewhat sterile offense of the Philadelphia Phillies. Franco is only hitting a .243 batting average, but his average has been rising lately. Also, Franco has 12 home runs and 40 RBI’s, on pace to hit over 20 HR’s and nearing 100 RBI’s by the end of the season. Over the last week, Maikel averaged 16.1 PPG, 5th among all third basemen. Franco’s salary is a reasonable $3,400 this afternoon giving us a solid 4.7X value, one of the best this afternoon at third base. But for other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.

We all remember Trevor Story, SS, (3:10pm ET) and his incredible power surge at the start of this season. Unfortunately for Story and his Colorado Rockies, Trevor cooled off quickly with his power and batting average plummeting for a time during the rest of the early part of the season. However, Story appears to be regaining his focus and strength at the plate, and is now hitting a .271 batting average with 19 home runs, 47 runs, and 50 RBI’s. Incredible stats at this point int he season. Over the last week, Trevor averaged 18.6 PPG, 3rd among all shortstops and the most of any shortstop likely starting this afternoon. Story’s salary has leveled off recently, and is now an affordable $3,600. So with a 5.2X value this afternoon, Trevor is your best value at Shortstop. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position, for FanDuel MLB.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

May 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Michael Bourn (1) hits a one run double off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

Michael Bourn (3:40pm ET) is having a modest season, so far this year, with a .252 batting average, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 16 runs, and 15 RBI’s, along with 6 steals. However, due to injuries, Bourn has been giving more playing time lately and is having a solid June. Over the last week, Bourn averaged 15 PPG. Along with all of our outfield value options this afternoon, Michael’s salary is very cheap, his at $2,500. That’s a very good 6X value and Bourn is your best value option at outfield this afternoon.

Travis Jankowski (3:40pm ET) continues to have a surprisingly solid second half to the month of June for the San Diego Padres. Good timing for the Padres, as they placed Jon Jay, recently, on the Disabled List, and Jankowski is likely to continue to see increased playing time in the Padres lineup. Over the last week, Travis averaged 15.3 PPG, just more than Bourn. Jankowski’s salary is slightly more expensive than Michael Bourn‘s, at $2,600, but that’s still a 5.9X bargain value.

Peter Bourjos (3:40pm ET) appears locked in at the plate and has earned back his starting job in right field for the Philadelphia Phillies, who have struggled offensively all season. Peter averaged 14.2 PPG over the last week. Bourjos’ salary is the most expensive of the top value options this afternoon, at $2,800, but that’s still a very good 5.1X value and gives you plenty of options in your other MLB lineups options.

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!