Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups August 5th edition. FanDuel Economics is a daily fantasy sports column focused on FanDuel player value.
The purpose of this column is to evaluate player salary and projected points based on FantasyPros Value. Finding the best value options often leads to a big pay-day with your FanDuel MLB lineups!
After six MLB teams took the day off on Thursday, we’re back to a full slate of 15 MLB games on Friday night. Every game is in the evening, so the options are pretty simple for tonight. Also, with a full slate of games, we have many different lineup combinations to consider. However, many of the games tonight are the beginning of a new series and it may be hard to project the outcome. That being said, there are plenty of exciting values options ton consider while building your MLB lineups tonight. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:
- 7:05pm ET (Main)
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
Top Value Pitcher – David Phelps (8:40pm ET @ COL)
The Miami Marlins originally traded for Colin Rea from the Padres, but Rea had an elbow injury develop in his first outing for the Marlins. I’m sure the Marlins management were less than pleased when Rea hit the 15-day DL. However, during the trade deadline, they were able to find a deal to trade Rea back to the San Diego. With a big hole now in the rotation, David Phelps is now moving from the bullpen to a starter. Phelps has started before with somewhat unimpressive results. However, interestingly, David struck out 4 over 2.2 innings, and took the win against the Cardinals in his last relief opportunity, yielding 32 FanDuel points. Not bad for a reliever. Making his first start of the year in Coors Field is a risky play, but FantasyPros has Phelps projected at 31.6 points tonight, on a very cheap $5,500 salary. That would be a 5.7X value, easily the best of the night.
Safe Value – Anthony DeSclafani (7:05pm ET @ PIT)
Understanding there’s a lot of risk with the David Phelps play, another value option I like is Anthony DeSclafani in Pittsburgh against the Pirates tonight. DeSclafani is having a phenomenal season for the Reds this year, and has landed at 30+ points in each of his last eight games. FantasyPros projected 33.9 points tonight for Anthony, which makes sense considering his trend. Obviously at a $8,100 salary, you’re paying much more for DeSclafani, but he’s a much safer play than Phelps.
Other Top Value Options:
Christian Friedrich (10:40pm ET @ SD): 28.3 PP (Point Projection) / $5,600 Salary
Dillon Gee (8:15pm ET vs. TOR): 22.6 PP / $5,500 Salary
Lowest Value:
Felix Hernandez (10:10pm ET vs. LAA): 31.3 PP / $9,600
Next: Value Hitters - INF
Catcher – Jarrod Saltalamacchia (7:10pm ET @ DET)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, aka ‘Salty’, has had an up and down year this season. At times during the early part of the year, Jarrod looked amazing at the plate, locked in with consistent hitting and power. However, for most of the year Salty has been lackluster at the plate, barely yielding results each day. Yesterday, though, Jarrod had a hit and walk against the White Sox. Salty also hit a home run in July against the White Sox and knocked in 4 RBI’s over three straight games. With a very cheap $2,100 salary, if Jarrod can yield any results, he’s well worth paying for him. FantasyPros projected 7.7 points against Noah Syndergaard and the Mets tonight, that’s a decent 3.7X value. Still, with Syndergaard on the mound, it’s a risky play.
A less riskier play would be Carlos Ruiz, who’s projected at 9.4 points, with a still very cheap $2,200 salary. I also like that Ruiz would be hitting in San Diego. Assuming he’s behind the plate for the Phillies tonight, Ruiz would be the safer play tonight.
Other Top Value Options:
Jett Bandy (10:10pm ET @ SEA): 7.4 PP / $2,200 Salary
First Base – Tommy Joseph (10:40pm ET @ SDP)
Assuming Joseph gets the start at first base tonight, he’s the top value option. Joseph has displaying some solid power for the Phillies in his seasonal debut this year, and has been a more consistent hitter than Ryan Howard. Joseph has had a least a hit or a walk in every one of his last six games. FantasyPros projected an amazing 11.3 points tonight, with the 25-year-old in San Diego tonight that’s not too surprising. Tommy’s salary is a very cheap $2,400 giving us a 4.7X value. This isn’t as sexy as a Joey Votto or Chris Davis play, but if you’re looking for someone to help you boost other parts of your lineup, Joseph is the best value option.
Other Top Value Options:
Tyler White (8:10pm ET vs. TEX): 9.1 PP / $2,100 Salary
Marwin Gonzalez (8:10pm ET vs TEX): 11.5 PP / $3,000 Salary
Second Base – Devon Travis (8:15pm ET @ KAN)
Since joining the Toronto Blue Jays lineup last year, the young, now 25-yer-old, Devon Travis has been a nice addition to the hot-hitting lineup. Travis has consistently hit around a .300 average, currently .292 on the season, with some pop in his bat, 7 home runs so far this year, and around 30 runs and RBI’s so far this year as well. Over the last nine games, Devon has hit 3+ points in eight games. Travis hit double-digit points in 3 of those games. FantasyPros projected an awesome 12.4 point night for Devon, on a bargain $2,700 salary, a 4.6X value. There’s little risk in this play, he’s the best value option tonight, but also one of the best point plays of the night.
Other Top Value Options:
Nick Franklin (7:10pm ET vs. MIN): 9.7 PP / $2,400 Salary
Brandon Phillips (7:05pm ET vs TEX): 9.2 PP / $2,500 Salary
Third Base – Justin Turner (10:10pm ET vs. BOS)
Justin Turner continues to be a wonderful surprise for the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup this season. Turner is now hitting .275 with 19 home runs, 52 runs, 64 RBI’s, a triple, and 3 stolen bases. Justin has become one of the most dangerous parts of the Dodgers lineup each day. Turner continues to have a hot bat in August, compiling three straight games with 9+ points (19, 25.2, and 9.2). I expect Turner to remain hot again tonight against Boston and knuckleballer Steven Wright, who has struggled lately. FantasyPros projects a 12.8 point night for Turner, which on a $3,000 salary is a solid 4.3X value.
Other Top Value Options:
Jorge Polanco (7:10pm ET @ TAM): 11.5 PP / $2,600 Salary
Maikel Franco (10:40pm ET @ SDP): 11.8 PP / $3,200 Salary
Shortstop – Danny Espinosa (7:05pm ET vs. SFG)
Danny Espinosa has been coming back down to earth recently, after a torrid mid-July power surge. Espinosa has never really been a consistent hitter, now averaging only .224, but he has always had some power and does get hot at times, now with 19 home runs. However, Espy has done more than just hit home runs lately, getting 6 hits over the last seven games, including 2 doubles, 4 RIB’s, 4 runs, and 4 walks. Danny has 3+ points in all but one of his last seven games. Tonight, FantasyPros projects Danny at 11 points. That’s a decent return on his cheap $2,800 salary and a much better value than a Brad Miller, 11.4 for $3,500, type play.
Other Top Value Options:
Javier Baez (10:05pm ET vs. OAK): 10.5 PP / $2,700 Salary
Freddy Galvis (10:40pm ET @ SDP): 7.9 PP / $2,100 Salary
Next: Value Hitters - OF
Outfield – Aaron Altherr (10:40pm ET @ SDP)
The Philadelphia Phillies lineups has been quite terrible this season, which is why many of their salaries are cheap each night. However, the Phillies lineup has been heating up lately, hitting surprisingly well versus a tough San Fransisco pitching rotation, and now set their eyes on the hitter-friendly Padres. Aaron Altherr has been crushing the ball lately, including a tremendous 51.1 point outing against the Giants on August 2nd where he hit 1 home run, knocked in 5 RBI’s, scored 3 runs, stole a bag, and had a total of 3 hits. Altherr was hot again last night, hitting a double, getting an RBI, 2 walks, and stole another bag, totaling 21.5 points. So it’s no wonder FantasyPros has Aaron listed at a projected 14.4 points tonight in San Diego. With a very cheap $2,600 salary, that’s an awesome 5.5X value. Altherr should be in your lineup tonight, regardless of value, but he’s also going to allow you to plug some other heavy hitters into your lineups as well.
Corey Dickerson (7:10pm ET vs. MIN)
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Dickerson has struggled this season for the Tampa Rays. Dickerson joined this team this past offseason with the expectation of the Rays adding power and average. Dickerson’s power has been evident at times (15 HR’s to date), but his average has struggled (.234) throughout the year. However, Corey is coming off a solid four game series against a tough Kansas City Royals pitching staff, and is now facing a struggling, and depleted after the trade deadline, Minnesota Twins rotation. With a
13.1 points tonight for Dickerson, FantasyPros is counting on Dickerson’s hitting streak to continue. With a decent $3,200 salary, Corey is a decent value play tonight.
Bryce Harper (7:05pm ET vs. SFG)
I rarely get to write about guys like Bryce Harper or Mike Trout in the value columns, because they’re typically too expensive, as some of the most popular picks each night. However, after an incredible hitting display to start the season, Bryce fell from rockstar to just a good hitter throughout the rest of the season. Harper has mostly great numbers, 20 HR’s, 15 stolen bases, 58 runs, 56 RBI’s, 13 doubles, all great stats. But, his average is now a paltry .234. However, as the Nationals spent their last two series on the East Coast, Harper seemed to lock in at the plate again, scoring at least 3 points in each game, including two double-digit point games. Harper’s salary has climbed back to $3,900 for tonight, but that’s still a decent value to play for a hitter with so much explosive potential each day. FantasyPros has Bryce projected at an amazing 16.7 points for tonight, likely due to the fact he’s facing a Giants rotation which struggled mightily against a sub-par Phillies lineup. Get Bryce in your lineups tonight!
Other Top Value Options:
Kevin Kiermaier (7:10pm ET vs. MIN): 11.1 PP / $2,700 Salary
Justin Upton (7:10pm ET vs. NYM): 10.3 PP / $2,600 Salary
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!