Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups July 20th ‘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 8 games in the afternoon followed by 7 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:
- 12:35pm ET (All Day)
- 1:10pm ET (Early Only)
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.
The top two value picks for pitcher in the early portion of games isn’t honestly enticing, but it’s worth discussing and then we’ll focus on our more likely best value option. Ervin Santana (1:10pm ET) is a hot topic with the trade deadline approaching. While the veteran right hander does have impressive career stats, he’s not having a good season. Santana is 3-8 after 17 starts, has a 4.12 ERA, and 73 K’s over 98.1 total innings. Ervin typically has a higher strike out ratio and I’m not excited about his ERA. Also, Santana is facing a Tigers lineup who historically feasts off of only right handed pitchers. But, over the last month Ervin averaged 34.2 PPG, not bad. And with a $6,600 salary, that’s a 5.2X value, the 3rd best of all pitchers and not only the best value in the early portion of games, but the best value all day at pitchers. That being said, it’s still a risky pick with Santana facing the Tigers today. The next best value option is Jorge De La Rosa (3:10pm ET), with a 4.8X value. However, I’m not excited about De La Rosa pitching against the Rays in Coors Field. Pass.
Now, let’s look at Kyle Hendricks (2:20pm ET). The Chicago Cubs continue to face a formidable Mets offense, although an offense that has been crippled with injury lately. The Cubs also tend to play well at Wrigley in the early afternoon. Over the last 30 days, Hendricks averaged 41.4 PPG, 13th among all starting pitchers. Kyle isn’t cheap, with a $9,000 salary, but that’s still a very good 4.6X value, 17th among all starting pitchers and the 3rd best value this afternoon. Of the top three value options, I like Hendricks the most, but the first two will give you better hitting options across the board.
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.
After talking about Stephen Vogt, C, (3:35pm ET) for Tuesday’s game, he sat. Hopefully the A’s will bring Vogt back into the lineup today as he’s by far the best option at catcher. Stephen averaged 21.9 PPG over the last week. Vogt’s salary dropped to $2,800 giving us a tremendous 7.8X value. Either way, you’re in great shape. If you’d like to consider other options at catcher, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.
Again, like yesterday, Mike Napoli, 1B, (2:15pm ET) is an attractive option for the second day in a row, however Napoli played on Tuesday and as of the bottom of the 5th inning, had at least 1 home run, 2 Runs, 2 RBI’s, and a walk totaling 28.4 points. Over the last week leading up to Tuesday, Mike averaged 18.7 PPG, the most of any first baseman. Napoli’s salary is a reasonable $3,400 today giving us a great 5.5X value. I’m sticking with Napoli again this afternoon.
Jason Kipnis, 2B, (2:15pm ET) continues to have a great season, has been hot lately, and we’ve discussed him for the Sunday games. I’m coming back to Kipnis, again, today because he continues to have great value. Kipnis is averaging 16.7 PPG, second only to Daniel Murphy, over the last week. Jason isn’t cheap, with a salary of $3,800, but that’s still a decent 4.4X value, one of the best values in the early part of the day.
Most of today’s value at third base is in the evening, so we’re short on options at the ‘hot corner.’ On intriguing option, even with Hendricks pitching, is Jose Reyes, 3B, (2:20pm ET). Since returning to the Mets, Reyes has been hot and cold. Jose is averaging a modest, but solid, 12 PPG over the last week. With a cheap $2,600 salary, Reyes is a solid 4.6X value. If you’d like to consider other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position for FanDuel MLB lineups.
Eduardo Escobar, SS, (1:10pm ET) doesn’t jump out as a great option at shortstop. Escobar is having a sub-par season hitting .259 with only 3 home runs, 19 runs, 22 RBI’s, 2 triples, and 1 stolen base after 58 games. But over the last week, Escobar averaged 15.7 PPG, 4th among all starting shortstops. Eduardo’s salary is a very low $2,400 giving us a very good 6.5X value. But for more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position.
Next: Value Hitters - OF
Value Hitters – OF
Like yesterday, Eddie Rosario (1:10pm ET) is the best outfield value option today. Rosario is averaging 15.4 PPG, 6th among all starting outfielders. Eddie’s salary is a very cheap $2,500 this afternoon, providing a 5.9X value, the best of all outfielders for the entire day.
Khris Davis (3:35pm ET) is having a deceiving year this season. Davis is hitting only .255, but that’s a respectable average for a power hitter like Krish. With 23 home runs and 61 RBIs already this year, Davis is flexing his power this year for the Oakland A’s. Over his last four games, Khris has 4 home runs, hitting two against Toronto, and 6 RBI’s. Over the last week, Davis is averaging 15.7 PPG, 4th among all starting outfielders. Khris’ salary dropped for today to $2,900 making him more appealing while on his power surge, now a 5.4X value, and the 2nd best outfield value option throughout the entire day.
Like Eddie Rosario, Jarrod Dyson (2:15pm ET) is another revisit from Tuesday. Jarrod remains one of the best value options, now 3rd among all outfielders and for the early portion of MLB games. Assuming Dyson is still in the good graces of the Royals management and stays in the lineup, Jarrod should continue to be locked in at the plate, averaging 14.4 PPG over the last week. Dyson’s salary has climbed to $2,800, but that’s still a 5.1X bargain and he’s worthy of another play today.
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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!