FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for July 9 (Main)
Welcome to the Saturday Main edition of Picks & Pivots, a daily fantasy baseball column focused on providing analysis and insights into the top FanDuel MLB lineups. The purpose of this column is to first identify key building blocks that can be used for any roster construction and then identify pivot points to help differentiate your lineup in hopes of a big payday!
FanSided and Fantasy CPR have you covered – For additional FanDuel MLB analysis, take a look at Matt Rogers FanDuel Economics column or Mike Marteny who provides Draft Kings MLB Picks analysis giving you the most in-depth DFS coverage for tonight’s baseball slate.
Follow us on Twitter @FantasyCPR and on Facebook!
Saturday’s Main slate kicks off at 1:07PM EST with 5 games of MLB action to choose from when building your FanDuel MLB rosters!
I will continue to track winning Tournament lineups and compare trends over 5 day periods to help us understand what it takes to remain profitable. I HIGHLY recommend each of you do this each morning to look back on the previous night and understand how the winning lineups are constructed in the games you participate in.
The view below tracks GPP entries over various time periods, breaking out key metrics to understand the trends and compositions of GPP winning rosters:
| Time Period | Score | Pitcher Salary | Pitcher % | Hitter % | Hitter $/Player | Value |
| Season | 256.1 | $ 8,598 | 25% | 75% | $ 3,300 | 7.32 |
| 5 Day | 259.5 | $ 8,540 | 24% | 76% | $ 3,308 | 7.41 |
| Prev Day | 247.0 | $ 5,850 | 17% | 83% | $ 3,644 | 7.06 |
Now on to the picks…For more DFS Strategy insights, check out my latest article to help take your game to the next level! I highly recommend gamers track their game performance across the various types of games they play – GPP’s, Cash, Multipliers etc – as this simple exercise will help teach you more about profitable roster construction than you can imagine.
Next: Who are the top pitching options on Saturday's Main Slate?
The main slate pitching options start with the two high-priced aces as Max Scherzer and Jon Lester are both on the hill in road starts. With price points over $10k, will paying up for the high-end studs be the right play on Saturday night?
Brandon McCarthy ($7,900) at home versus San Diego: Maybe I am still reeling from the “safety” of paying up for Chris Sale on Friday night, but with a game in Coors Field I want to drop down at SP so I can afford the top end bats.
Brandon McCarthy returned from the DL last week and put up 51 FanDuel points in his first start, racking up 8 K’s in a 5 inning win against the Rockies in LA.
The Dodgers are massive favorites on the main slate (-220) which makes McCarthy an intriguing play and considering he has solid career numbers against SD including a 6-1 record and a 3.77 ERA, he makes for the top point per dollar option tonight.
Next: You want to pay up for Coors?
On a short slate and a game in Coors, my strategy will be to get as much exposure as possible here as I think it will be difficult to fade a game with a combined total of 12 runs when there are not many other spots to target hitters.
Coors Field: With RHP Jerad Eickhoff on the hill for the Phillies, paying up for Carlos Gonzalez ($4,400) & Charlie Blackmon ($4,300) is the top spot to target hitters considering Eickhoff has given up a .319 BA to left handed batters on the road this season.
Do not sleep on Trevor Story ($3,800) who has put up 60 fantasy points in his last two games and remains at a very reasonable price point.
Third base is going to be an interesting decision as Nolan Arenado ($4,800) is always in play but Maikel Franco ($4,000) against a lefty in Tyler Anderson provides you the same upside for an $800 savings.
Twins and Rangers: Ricky Nolasco versus Kyle Lohse: The Rangers and Twins have a combined total of 11.5 runs which provides a sneaky pivot away from Coors or can be used as an additional stack with he Coors hitters.
Prince Fielder ($2,900) & Rougned Odor ($2,900) are both under $3k and make for a great mini stack to fill your 1B and 2B slots. Odor has double-digit points in 4 of his last 5 games, making him an easy plug and play against Nolasco tonight!
Next: FanDuel MLB lineup for Saturday Main Slate
Below you will find my initial lineup for Saturday’s Main FanDuel MLB slate including notes/comments on my roster construction.
Pitcher: Brandon McCarthy ($7,900)
More from FanSided
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
- Clark Hunt throws cold water on potential Chiefs throwbacks
- Packers: 3 free agency mistakes Brian Gutekunst should already regret
Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level
Best of luck tonight gamer’s! Make sure to review the lineups as they are announced before locking in your lineups!