MLB Lineups: FanDuel Economics July 26

Jul 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A fan holds a sign supporting Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (not pictured) after being suspended for five days for a clubhouse incident at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups July 26th 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!

We’re back to a full slate of 15 MLB games on Tuesday. Most of today’s games are the second of each series, some are the first game of a new series. All games are being played in the evening, providing many MLB lineups to consider tonight. ESPN is covering a good one at 7pm ET with Kyle Hendricks and the Chicago Cubs taking on cross-city rivals the Chicago White Sox, who will have James Shields on the mound. 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.

While Bud Norris (10:10pm ET) has a 5-9 record after 14 starts, and a 4.56 ERA, Bud is having a better season than he appears, and Norris has been great for the Dodgers since being traded by the Braves in late June. Norris does have two straight losses, however, his last loss came in a desperate 16th inning relief attempt, pitching only 1.1 innings. Bud also took a tough loss to a good Washington Nationals team giving up 6 earned runs, but only walking 1 and striking out 8. Over the last month, Norris averaged a decent 35.2 PPG. Bud’s very low $6,600 salary makes him very attractive for 35 points, giving us a 5.3X value, 4th among all starting pitchers. While Norris’ season stats look like he’s having a bad year, Bud is a good pitcher on a good team, and the best value option tonight.

Chad Bettis (7:05pm ET) isn’t my favorite option at pitcher, regardless of value. However, given that we’re discussing best value options, we can’t ignore the 2nd best value at pitcher tonight. Over the last month, Bettis averaged 30.5 PPG, which isn’t bad. Chad’s salary is very cheap, $6,700 will allow you to really load up on hitters. So with a 4.6X value tonight, Bettis is a solid value. However, Chad is pitching against a good Orioles team in Baltimore. Chad’s recent success has been over his last three games, getting 41 points, 32 points, and 41 points. Those games were against the Phillies, Braves, and Braves again, not exactly tough hitting lineups. The Orioles will be a much more formidable challenge. So only if you don’t like Norris at all, Bettis is an option.

However, if you have some cash to burn, while Kyle Hendricks (7:05pm ET) isn’t a top three value option tonight, he’s 4th with a 4.3X value. The only problem with Hendricks is you’re limiting your hitting options because he’s much more expensive, at $9,200 tonight. Still, that’s not bad and he certainly worth a consideration.

Next: Value Hitters - INF

Jul 17, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto waits on deck during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-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.

Before you pay $3,400 for Jonathan Lucroy, C, (8:10pm ET) tonight, consider this. Lucroy is averaging 13.8 PPG over the last week, 6th among all starting catchers. However, Jett Bandy, C, (8:15pm ET) is also averaging 13.8 PPG, and Bandy’s salary is a measly $2,000 today. So you can pay $3,400 for Jonathan’s 4.1X value or only $2,000 for Bandy’s 6.9X value, assuming he’s in the L.A. Angels lineup tonight. For more options at catcher, here is a recent deep-dive into the catcher position.

As we already talked about in yesterday’s article, Joey Votto,1B, (10:15pm ET) is on fire right now. Joey followed up yesterday’s article with his six straight double-digit FanDuel result, and remains relatively cheap. Again, Votto is only $3,300 tonight. With a 24.5 PPG average over the last week, that’s the best value option at first base, a 7.4X value.

Jose Altuve, 2B, (8:10pm ET) had a ridiculous day on Sunday, hitting 2 home runs and knocking in a total of 6 RBI’s. Jose had a total of 54.4 FanDuel points on Sunday. Over the last week, Altuve averaged 19.7 PPG, the most of any second basemen. Jose is typically very expensive, but I’d consider $3,900 somewhat cheap for Altuve tonight. That’s also a 5.1X value, one of the best value options at second base tonight.

Until this past weekend, Jedd Gyorko, 3B, (7:40pm ET) was explosive at the plate. Jedd had five straight double-digit games in a row, four of the five were over 20 points and two of the five were greater than 30 points. Over the last week, Gyorko averaged 19.2 PPG. Jedd’s salary is only $2,700, a very good 7.1X value and the best of all third basemen. While Gyorko cooled off Saturday and Sunday, I’m willing to bet he’s going to bounce back a bit this week. If you’d like to consider other options, take a look at a deeper-dive into the 3B position for FanDuel MLB lineups.

Our primary focus yesterday was Trevor Story, SS, (7:05pm ET) and he followed that up with a 31.4 point performance. In short, Story is on fire and it continues this week. Trevor’s salary is a reasonable $3,600. So with another fantastic value tonight, 7.6X, Story is worth sticking with until he cools off or becomes too expensive again. For more on this position, take a look at a deeper-dive into the SS position.

Next: Value Hitters - OF

Jun 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Jake Smolinski hits a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Value Hitters – OF

Like Votto, Jay Bruce (10:15pm ET) is also on fire for the Cincinnati Reds. Bruce hit 2 home runs over his last two games, has 7 RBI’s, and 4 runs. He also snuck in a stolen base. In those tow games against the Diamondbacks, Jay had 31.7 and 47.6 points respectively. Over the last week Bruce averaged 19.9 PPG, second only to Mookie Betts for outfielders playing at least three or more games over the last seven days. Jay is also quite cheap, only $3,400 tonight, giving us a 5.9X value.

More from FanSided

is another value pick we discussed last night who followed up with a solid performance, 18.2 points. Jake continues to be hot, hitting home runs, doubles, knocking in and scoring runs. Over the last week, Smolinski averaged 16.1 PPG, 14th among all outfielders. Jake’s salary remains very cheap, only $2,800 tonight, giving us a very good 5.7X value. So once again, I’ll continue to play Smolinski until he cools off or finally becomes expensive.

Another re-play from last night, so I won’t go into much detail, is Billy Hamilton (10:15pm ET). I was nervous about playing Billy because his results rely heavily on him getting on base. Hamilton is less likely to get you double-digit points with one swing. However, Billy continues to get one base, continues to steal bases, and continues to score. So until this stops, I’m sticking with Hamilton at such a great value, also 5.7X tonight. The Reds are on fire, it’s worth considering them, even in a new series against a touch San Francisco Giants team.

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!