Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups July 20th ‘Main’ 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 ‘Main’ portion of the lineups focus. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like tonight
- 7:05pm ET (Main)
- 8:15pm ET (Late Night)
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.
Bud Norris (7:05pm ET) continues to pitch well for the Los Angeles Dodgers, since being traded from the Braves on June 30th. Bud has proven to be a great stop-gap for the Dodgers given their numerous injuries within the starting rotation over the past month. Norris won three of his last four games, striking out at least 5-8 hitters in each game. Bud exceeded 50 points in two of his last four games, each at home, one against the Mets and the other against the Rockies. Over the last month, Norris averaged 38 PPG. Bud’s salary is quite cheap, at $7,000, although likely due to his opponent being a decent offensive unit in the Nationals, in DC, against a pitcher the Nats have seen before, with the Braves. However, that does give us a 5.4X value, 3rd best among all pitchers, and the Nats have struggled against the Dodgers this year.
Hector Santiago (10:05pm ET) has been focused on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels in the month of July. After three starts in July, Hector is 3-0, his ERA dropped from 5.27 to 4.27, and he averaged 6.7 K’s per game. Over the last month, Santiago averaged 40.4 PPG, 16th among all starting pitchers. Hector is a little expensive, not as expensive as Drew Pomeranz who’s registering in at $10,500, but only $400 more than Wei-Yin Chen, at $8,800 tonight. While that seems pricey, for 40 points, that’s a 4.6X value and a bargain.
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.
In the Texas Rangers quest for an offensive catcher, Robinson Chirinos, C, (10:05pm ET) has looked good at times, mostly due to the pop in his bat. Chirinos hit two home runs yesterday, and he may be working sticking to again today if he’s locking in at the plate for a short-term hot streak. With a cheap $2,600, Robinson is an attractive option as long as he’s starting. Averaging 15 PPG over the last week, gives us a 5.8X value, the best starting catcher value tonight. If you’d like to consider other options at catcher, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.
Assuming Albert Pujols, 1B, (10:05pm ET) is playing again tonight after getting hit by a pitch in the 7th last night, I really like how hot Albert’s bat has been. Pujols hit two home runs in a single game, twice, in the last three games. He also has 11 RBI’s over his last three games. Pujols is flat-out locked in at the plate right now and has plenty of pop with his swing, resembling the Pujols of old. Over the last week, Albert averaged 17.7 PPG, 4th among all starting first basemen. With a reasonable $3,200 salary tonight, we’re getting a fantastic 5.5X value from Albert.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, (7:05pm ET) appears to be back into the day-to-day lineup for the Nats again, after sitting, following the All-Star break, due to injury. Murphy didn’t miss a beat at the plate, going 3-5 with 2 doubles, 1 HR, 2 RBI’s and a run since returning. Over the last seven games, Dan averaged a ridiculous 26.3 PPG, the most of any second baseman. Murphy’s salary is reasonable, at $3,500, giving us an incredible 7.5X value.
On the other side of the Nationals/Dodgers lineup from Murphy, is Justin Turner, 3B, (7:05pm ET). Turner was our top value option last night, and didn’t disappoint with 18.4 points, following a 32.2 point outcome the day before. Over the last week, Justin averaged 17.2 PPG, also the most at his position. With another very reasonable $2,800 salary, Turner is a 6.1X value tonight. If you’d like to consider other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position for FanDuel MLB lineups.
Since being called up from Triple-A in late June, Chris Taylor, SS, (7:05pm ET) has been a surprise for the Dodgers, hitting .323 with 2 doubles, 2 triples, 1 HR, 3 walks, 6 RBI’s and 7 Runs in just 15 games played. Tylor seems to play most against lefties, and Gio Gonzalez (LHP) is on the the mound for the Nationals against the Dodgers, so there’s a decent chance Taylor gets another start, especially with Chase Utley struggling lately. Taylor is averaging 27.3 PPG over the last week, and has a very cheap $2,400 salary. So with an 11.4X value, if Chris is in the Dodgers lineup tonight, he should be in your MLB lineups as well. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position.
Next: Value Hitters - OF
Value Hitters – OF
Up and down all season long, Randal Grichuk (8:15pm ET) appears to be on the upswing for now. Randal has four double-digit games, 10+ points, in four of his last five games. Over the last week, Grichuk averaged 15.7 PPG, 3rd among all starting outfielders. Randal is still relatively cheap, likely due to his up and down offensive results, at only $2,800 tonight. So with a 5.6X value tonight, the 3rd best of all outfielders, put Grichuk in your lineup, as long as he continues to start for the Cardinals.
Tommy Pham (8:15pmET), another Cardinal, cooled off the past two games, after a 2 home run and 4 RBI night on Friday. Still, if Tommy stays in the St. Louis lineup this evening, he’s a cheap and valuable option. Over the last week, Pham averaged 14.5 PPG, 6th among all starting outfielders and not far from Grichuk’s hot streak. Tommy’s salary is only $2,600 this evening, giving us a 5.6X value at the dish, the 4th best value of all outfielders and just behind Randal.
Starling Marte (7:05pm ET) has been providing a lot of offense for the Pittsburgh Pirates in many ways in July. We’ve talked about Marte a lot recently, I’ve used him in multiple lineups this week, and I’m going to continue to play Marte as long as he stays hot and remains relative inexpensive. Marte’s average over the last seven days is now 15.8 PPG, 2nd among all outfielders. Starling’s salary has climbed $500 over the last week as well, now at $3,600. Still, that’s a solid 4.4X value and he’s a top ten value pick this evening.
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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!