MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics June 30
By Matt Rogers
Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups June 30th 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!
As we typically see on a Thursday, today’s MLB schedule is scaled down, with eight teams taking the day off. The day is also split, with three games in the early afternoon, followed by eight games after 7pm ET. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:
- 1:05pm ET (Early Only)
- 1:05pm ET (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
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.
Zach Davies (2:10pm ET) was drafted in the 26th round by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2011 MLB draft, straight out of high school. Now at the age of 23, Zach looks like the ace of the Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation. Davies is 5-3, after 13 starts, with a low 2.91 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 86 total innings. Zach has struggled in a game here or there this season, but for most of the year, so far, he’s been commanding off the mound for the Brewers. Zach is having a great June, winning 3 of his 5 starts, his other 2 starts were a no decision. Davies averaged 7.2 K’s per game so far in June, over an average of 6.6 innings per game. Over the last 30 days, Zach averaged 45 PPG, 7th among all starting pitchers. Davies salary climbed to $8,100 for today, a $1,000 increase from his last start, but he’s still a very good 5.6X value, first among all starting pitchers going into today.
Brandon Finnegan (7:05pm ET) is the next best value option, with a 30.6 PPG average over the last month and a very cheap $6,200, a 4.9X value. However, Finnegan has struggled mightily away from Cinnicinati, at times, and I’m not expecting Brandon to have a strong game against a Nationals team who just swept the Mets at home, including a game against ‘Thor’, Noah Syndergaard. So, I’d rather we look toward Michael Pineda (1:05pm ET) and his 4.6X value. Pineda has been consistently very good on the mound in the month of June, scoring between 34 and 39 points in each of his five games this month, so far. Michael faces a tough Texas Rangers lineup this afternoon, but I expect him to continue to roll at home, and he’s striking out batters at a high ratio, 96 K’s over 83 innings so far this season. Pineda is a better second value option to Zach Davies.
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.
Brian McCann, C, (1:05pm ET) has been hot and cold all season so far. Lately, Brian appears to be on a hot streak. Over the last ten days, Brian has two multi-home run games, hitting two against the Twins in Minnesota on June 19th and two yesterday against the Rangers, in New York, who he’ll see again this afternoon. McCann’s average of 17.3 PPG over the last week, is the most for any catcher with at least 3 games started over the last seven days. So with a $3,100 salary today, McCann is bringing a 5.6X value to the batter’s box today, the best value option at catcher today. Also, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.
We just talked about Prince Fielder, 1B, (1:05pm ET) yesterday so I won’t go into too much detail, but he continues to roll and easily makes the best case for best value at first base again today. Fielder had another double-digit day yesterday, 15.7 FanDuel points, his sixth in a row. You’re only paying $2,800 for Prince, so his value is now at 5.7X. I’m going to continue to roll with Fielder until he proves me wrong or becomes too expensive.
Brian Dozier, 2B, (2:10pm ET) hit 4 HR’s in four games this week, then cooled off with only 9 points yesterday. Still, Dozier has a very hot bat right now, averaging 19.8 PPG over the last week, second only to Jose Altuve. Dozier’s salary dropped to $3,500 this afternoon, bringing his value to a very high 5.7X value, making Brian the best value option at the 2B position.
Another great option we discussed yesterday is Adrian Beltre, 3B, (1:05pm ET). Also like Fielder, Beltre continues to scorch the ball, and while not making too much noise. Adrian likely is being over-looked in many MLB lineups submitted today. With an incredible 6.4X value this afternoon, I’m going with Adrian again. But for other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.
Tim Anderson, SS, (2:10pm ET) was recently called up to the majors by the Chicago White Sox, and has only played 18 games this season in MLB. But Anderson is quickly making noise, hitting .293 with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 14 runs, 5 RBI’s, and 2 stolen bases in those 18 games. Not bad for the rookie. Over the last week, Tim averaged 16.1 PPG, 4th among all shortstops. Anderson’s salary has quickly climbed to $3,000, though, today, but that’s still a 5.4X value and he’s the best value option as the SS position today. I’m rolling with the young guy. 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
Adam Jones (10:10pm ET) had a tough start to the 2016 season, but the veteran continues to be scorching hot in June. Jones has double-digit FanDuel points in 8 of his last 10 games. And in the two games he missed the double-digit point threshold, he still had 9.7 and 9.5 points, just missing 10 points. Over the last week, Adam has a 21.9 PPG average, 2nd only to Carlos Gonzalez‘s 23.2 PPG average. The big difference between ‘Cargo’ and Jones is, Jones’ salary is only $3,500 today, versus Cargo’s recent salary of $4,400. So you’re essentially getting a similar result with Jones paying almost $1,000 less. Also, Cargo is off today. So with a very high 6.3X value, Jones is your best value option, debatably, in the outfield position tonight, and expect Adam to continue to roll.
I said Adam Jones is your best value option, but it was debatable. The reason is, Coco Crisp (10:05pm ET) is actually factually the best value option tonight, with a 21.5 PPG average over the last week, just below Jones, and a very low $2,500 salary, giving us a ridiculous 8.6X value. However, a big reason Crisp is so cheap tonight is due to Madison Bumgarner pitching against him. With Bumgarner pitching, most of the Oakland A’s salaries plummet tonight, but be care thinking that means great value. Crisp is probably your best risk to take against Bumgarner, but Madison is a potential wall for Coco to run into after such a hot run.
Desmond Jennings (7:10pm ET) isn’t having a good year, hitting a miserable .198 average with only 7 home runs and 2 stolen bases. However, Jennings appears to be picking up some steam at the plate, now averaging 12.5 PPG over the last week. Two of Desmond’s seven home runs came within the last week and he’s gotten on base or driven in a run in each of his last 6 games, his best run so far this season. Also, with a very cheap $2,500 salary, that gives us a 5X value for someone who appears to be quietly coming to life at the dish. I may roll with Jennings tonight, given his value, but also to give me more options in my line, with more salary, and likely still get some good points out of the pick.
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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!