MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics July 15

Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; National League infielder Daniel Murphy (20) of the Washington Nationals is forced out on a fielder /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups July 15th 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!

Major League Baseball returns from the Mid-Summer Classic, the All-Star Game, with a full slate of 15 games on Friday. The day starts with one afternoon game, 2:20pm ET, in Chicago where Martin Perez and the Texas Rangers will take on Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, at least so far, FanDuel does not have a timing option for this game. So we’ll focus only on the ‘Main’ portion of the MLB lineups, starting around 7pm ET. 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

Jul 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Bud Norris (28) in the first inning of the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-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.

Since acquiring Bud Norris (9:40pm ET) from the Braves on June 30th, the Dodgers have been able to fill the massive void placed on their starting rotation, as soon as they put Clayton Kershaw on the Disabled List. No one in baseball can replace Kershaw, but Norris has done an admirable job so far. Just before being traded to the Dodgers, Norris had struck out 8 in a win over the Mets, totaling 57 FanDuel points. After being traded, Bud followed the Mets performance with another 8 strikeout gem, and win over the Rockies, totaling 54 FanDuel points. Norris struggled in his last outing against the Orioles, only striking out 5 and giving up 3 earned runs in the no decision, but that’s still a solid outing for the veteran right-hander. Over the last month, Bud averaged 37.4 PPG. With a very cheap $7,000 salary tonight in Arizona, Norris has an outstanding 5.3X value, the best value of any starting pitcher over the last month. Bud is a bargain tonight.

Anthony DeSclafani (7:10pm ET) continues to be a pleasant surprise for the Cincinnati Reds. The 26-year-old only has 6 starts this season, so far, but he’s 3-0 with a 2.23, and has 29 strikeouts over 36.1 innings after those 6 starts, a very good result. DeSclafani is currently the best pitcher in the Reds rotation. Over the last 30 days, Anthony averaged 36.8 PPG. DeSclafani’s salary continues to rise, now at $7,200, but that’s still a 5.1X value, 3rd best of any starting pitcher, and the 2nd best value among all pitching options tonight. After turning in a gem of an outing beating the Cubs before the All-Star break, I expect Anthony to continue to roll at home tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

July 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) reacts after he hits a two run home run in the first inning against San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-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.

Yasmani Grandal, C, (9:40pm ET) went absolutely berserk, on July 8th against the Padres hitting 3 home runs and driving in 6 RBI’s, totaling 72.6 FanDuel points. But Grandal also had 2 home runs prior to the Padres game in the month of July and aside from a quiet game against the Orioles on July 5th, Yasmani has been consistently crushing the ball in July. Over the last week, Grandal averaged 21.3 PPG. With a reasonable $3,200 salary tonight, that’s a 6.7X value, the best on the board for catchers tonight. If you’d like to consider other options at catcher, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.

Since being called up from the minors in early July, Kennys Vargas, 1B, (8:10pm ET) has been on fire. Vargas hit 3 home runs and drove in 4 RBI’s in his 6 starts in July. Assuming Kennys remains in the lineup tonight, he brings a 21.6 PPG average over the last seven games, more than any other first basemen, a very cheap $2,700 salary, leading to a ridiculous 8.6X value to the plate tonight. I’m going to continue to roll with Vargas until he cools off.

Coming back from the Disabled List just before the All-Star break, Gordon Beckham, 2B, (7:35pm ET) is an interesting option tonight. Gordon was locked in at the plate, immediately after being inserted to the lineup fro the Braves, averaging 13.4 PPG. Beckham remains very cheap at $2,800 and gives us a 4.8X value. With so many hot but expensive options at second base tonight, Beckham has a very attractive value appeal.

Ryan Schimpf, 3B, (10:40pm ET) isn’t a generally appealing fantasy option at third base, but Schimpf has been hot in July, hitting 4 home runs and piling up 6 RBI’s so far. Over the last week, Ryan averaged a decent 14.5 PPG. But what makes Schimpf very attractive is his rock-bottom salary of $2,200 again tonight, giving us a 6.6X value for a starter at third base. However, if you’re not will to take the risk with Ryan, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position, for FanDuel MLB.

Another very cheap option is J.J. Hard, SS, (7:10pm ET). While Hardy is a more proven offensive player at the plate than Schimpf, they have similar circumstances tonight. Hard has been hot in July, averaging 13.7 PPG, but has a ridiculously cheap $2,100 salary tonight, give us a 6.5X value. Hardy is less risky than Schimpf, and the veteran appears to be getting some power back, so there is less risk with this pick. But for more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position, for FanDuel MLB.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Jul 11, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; National League outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) of the Miami Marlins in the semifinals during the All Star Game home run derby at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

Eddie Rosario (8:10pm) ended the first half of the season with a bang, hitting a home run for the Twins in Texas, along with two doubles and scoring 4 runs, piling up 43.3 points. Eddie followed that game up with a 15.7 point game, again against the Rangers, to end the first half of the season. Over the last seven games, Rosario averaged 16.1 PPG. Eddie’s incredibly cheap $2,300 salary tonight makes him very attractive and gives us a 7X value, the best among all outfielders tonight.

Giancarlo Stanton (8:15pm ET) likely doesn’t need much of an introduction. Stanton hit 4 home runs over two straight games in New York against the Mets in early July. Giancarlo also ended the first half of the season with a home run against the Reds. Then, Stanton put on a power show in San Diego easily winning the Home Run Derby this week. Yes, Giancarlo has struggled many parts of the season, but a light seems to have gone on in early July and MLB pitchers should be worried every time he approaches the plate now. Over the last week of games for the Marlins, Stanton averaged 23 PPG, the most of all outfielders. Giancarlo’s salary is quite cheap tonight for such a hot slugger, at $3,700, giving us a very good 6.2X value, the 2nd best value of the night.

Mark Trumbo (7:10pm ET) leads major league baseball with 28 home runs already this season. Trumbo is blasting the ball all season, and ended the first half of the season with 4 home runs in his final 4 games of the 1st half. Over the last week of games, Mark averaged 21.3 PPG, 3rd among all outfielders. Trumbo’s salary remains relatively inexpensive, at $3,600 tonight, giving us a 5.9X value, the third best value in the outfield tonight. Mark should be a lock in your lineup, regardless of the fact that he’s facing a touch Chris Archer for the Rays, who’s struggled most of the season.

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!