FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 9

Welcome to the Tuesday edition of Picks & Pivots, a daily fantasy baseball column focused on providing analysis and insights into the top FanDuel MLB lineups. The purpose of this column is to first identify key building blocks that can be used for any roster construction and then identify pivot points to help differentiate your lineup in hopes of a big payday!

FanSided and Fantasy CPR have you covered – For additional FanDuel MLB analysis, take a look at Matt Rogers FanDuel Economics column or Mike Marteny who provides Draft Kings MLB Picks analysis giving you the most in-depth DFS coverage for tonight’s baseball slate.

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Tuesday’s action kicks off at 3:10PM EST with 1 afternoon game in Colorado and the remaining 14 games on the main slate which begins at 7:05PM EST.

I will continue to track winning Tournament lineups and compare trends over 5 day periods to help us understand what it takes to remain profitable. I HIGHLY recommend each of you do this each morning to look back on the previous night and understand how the winning lineups are constructed in the games you participate in.

The view below tracks GPP entries over various time periods, breaking out key metrics to understand the trends and compositions of GPP winning rosters:

Time Period	Score	Pitcher Salary	Pitcher %	Hitter %	Hitter $/Player	Value
Season	255.5	$ 8,620	25%	75%	$ 3,297	7.30
5 Day	265.7	$ 8,183	23%	77%	$ 3,352	7.59
Prev Day	231.1	$ 7,000	20%	80%	$ 3,500	6.60

Now on to the picks…For more DFS Strategy insights, check out my latest article to help take your game to the next level! I highly recommend gamers track their game performance across the various types of games they play – GPP’s, Cash, Multipliers etc – as this simple exercise will help teach you more about profitable roster construction than you can imagine.

Next: Who is the top pitching option on Tuesday's Slate?

Max Scherzer ($11,800) at home versus Cleveland: Looking over Tuesday’s main slate, one thing that jumps out to me is the lack of “elite” run production that Vegas expects from the offenses playing on Tuesday. With the majority of the games sitting at totals between 8-9, there is no clear-cut “must play” offense and with the game in Colorado only being available on the all-day slate, paying up at Starting Pitcher may be your best strategy.

Over the last month, Scherzer has been flat-out dominant, averaging 50.4 points per game which is 8 points or 16% higher than the next closest pitcher on the slate. Scherzer has put up a 32.5% strikeout rate this season which is the 3rd most in all of MLB and although the Indians are middle of the pack in terms of K rate, they do lose the DH on Tuesday while playing in Washington.

Scherzer is a massive home favorite (-205) and although the price is high, locking in the “safety” of an ace like Scherzer with the upside he continues to show each time out makes him an easy play as the foundation of any lineup.

Next: Top Hitting Options

Blue Jays RHB versus LHP Drew Smyly: As noted in the previous slide, the hitting options are relatively spread out on this slate but the one spot where I believe the highest upside lies is in Toronto as the Blue Jays take on Drew Smyly.

Smyly has struggled this season against RHB, surrendering 17 home runs in only 99 IP and overall has given up 23 HR’s this year which is tied for 3rd most of any SP in MLB.

Smyly has given up a 47% fly ball rate to opposing right-handed bats and with the home run happy Blue Jays, this could be a match made in DFS heaven!

Josh Donaldson ($4,300) is my top play as he has great career numbers against Smyly, going 8 for 17 with 3 home runs! Edwin Encarnacion ($4,400) makes for an intriguing pivot as the top Jays bat and comes into Tuesday after a big night on Monday!

Jose Bautista ($3,700) is a great play as long as his price remains under $4k and Devon Travis ($2,800) continues to be criminally under priced as the lead-off hitter for Toronto and will be a staple of my picks until his price is adjusted!

Royals versus Chris Sale: Whenever I prepare for a slate, I typically look at the Batter versus Pitcher metrics for the upcoming games to see if any players really stand out and the Royals batters have a few value priced bats with great numbers against Chris Sale.

Lorenzo Cain ($2,800) is 17 for 49 (.347) with 3 home runs and Eric Hosmer (2,600) is 14 for 39 with 2 home runs against Sale. At the decreased price points, you can get two of the Royals top bats who have great career numbers and can be easily fit in with Scherzer and the Blue Jays elite hitters.

Next: FanDuel MLB Picks

Below you will find my initial lineup for Tuesday’s FanDuel MLB slate including notes/comments on my roster construction.

Pitcher: Max Scherzer ($11,800)

More from FanSided

Catcher: James McCann ($2,000) With a LHP on the mound, McCann should be in the lineup and makes for a great punt play at catcher

First Base: Eric Hosmer ($2,600)

Second Base: Devon Travis ($2,700) Yeah 5 days in a row. My Travis Man-Crush is strong!

Third Base: Josh Donaldson ($4,300)

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki ($3,000)

Outfield: Jose Bautista ($3,700)

Outfield: Lorenzo Cain ($2,800)

Outfield: Scott Schebler ($2,000) Schebler has taken over as the every day LF with the departure of Jay Bruce and gives you “guaranteed” at-bats at a punt price

Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level

Best of luck tonight gamer’s! Make sure to review the lineups as they are announced before locking in your lineups!