FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 11
Welcome to the Thursday 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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Thursday’s action is split into two slates with the early slate starting at 12:10PM EST and covering 6 games with another 4 games on the main slate at 7:10PM 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 | 255.3 | $ 8,622 | 25% | 75% | $ 3,297 | 7.29 |
| 5 Day | 250.6 | $ 7,783 | 22% | 78% | $ 3,402 | 7.16 |
| Prev Day | 217.0 | $ 9,300 | 27% | 73% | $ 3,213 | 6.20 |
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.
Jameson Taillon ($7,400) at home versus San Diego: Looking over the early slate, Noah Syndergaard sits alone in the elite price range but his recent performance and the Mets offensive struggles give me reason to pivot towards a cheaper option that allows me to spend big on my bats!
Taillon gets a home match up against the Padres, a team that strikes out at a 24.3% clip against RHP which is 2nd most in all of baseball. Taillon is also the second largest favorite on the slate (-193) which puts him in a solid position for the important FanDuel win.
Taillon has pitched 6 innings in 5 straight starts, and has struck out at least 6 batters in his last three games which builds a very solid floor at a reasonable price point. With the match-up against the Padres, it is reasonable to expect an uptick in Taillon’s K output which gives him additional strikeout upside for GPP’s.
Next: Top Early Game Hitting Options
Looking over the early slate, even with a smaller selection of games we still have a few top spots to target option and with the savings we get from Taillon, we can afford to pay up for the best hitters that Noah Syndergaard owners will have to fade due to budget restraints!
Brewers and Braves: Matt Garza versus Roberto Hernandez. Roberto Hernandez versus Matt Garza. With these two fine gentleman on the mound, I recommend finding a way to build around the Brewers and Braves hitters as offense should be easy to come by in this game.
The Brewers bats should absolutely feast on Roberto Hernandez who has pitched to a 5+ ERA in the minor leagues this season and with a strikeout rate in the mid-teens, we can expect alot of contact from the Brew Crew.
Ryan Braun ($4,300) is averaging a ridiculous 19.7 points per game over the last two weeks and is one of the top projected bats on the slate according to FantasyPros.
On the other side of this match-up, Freddie Freeman ($3,400) continues to heat up, averaging over 12 points/game the last two weeks and is 4 for 15 with a home run in his career against Garza.
Rockies & Rangers: The highest projected scoring game on the early slate takes place in Texas and getting exposure here against Chad Bettis and Lucas Harrell feels like a profitable strategy.
Charlie Blackmon ($3,800) has been putting up 17+ points per game over the last week and has hit safely in 4 straight. With the game in Texas, the price points sit at very reasonable levels and Blackmon makes for a great cash game play with tournament winning upside.
Next: FanDuel MLB Early Lineup
Below you will find my initial lineup for Thursday’s Early FanDuel MLB slate including notes/comments on my roster construction.
- Pitcher: Jameson Taillon ($7,400)
- Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski ($2,200) I want to pay up elsewhere in my lineup so targeting AJ as a punt gives me added expsoure to the Atlanta offense at a bargain price
- First Base: Freddie Freeman ($3,400)
- Second Base: Rougned Odor ($3,500) Odor is averaging 15.5 points per game over his last 3 and gets the platoon edge in this match-up
- Third Base: Jonathan Villar ($4,000) Third base is loaded with Manny Machado and Nolan Arenado at similar price points, but Villar may be overlooked and is one of the top projected point scorers per FantasyPros.
- Shortstop: Orlando Arcia ($2,600) This pick may be chalky as Arcia continues to bat at the top of the lineup and sits at a price that is easy to slot in
- Outfield: Ian Desmond ($3,800)
- Outfield: Charlie Blackmon ($3,800)
- Outfield: Ryan Braun ($4,300)
Next: Top Main Slate Pitching Options
For a 4 game slate, the main games have some stellar pitching options to choose from when building your FanDuel MLB rosters and will be the cornerstone of your evening roster decisions.
Corey Kluber ($10,900) at home versus LAA: Over the last month, Kluber has been averaging just under 50 points per game which is artificially weighed down by a 7 point dud in Toronto. Six of Kluber’s last 10 starts have exceeded the 50 point mark which makes paying up for Kluber a rock solid foundation play in all lineups.
Kluber is by far the largest favorite on the slate at -230 and considering he has struck out 8 batters in 4 of his last 5 starts, he has tremendous upside which puts him in play for cash games and tournaments alike.
Next: Top Main Slate Hitting Options
Yankees versus Red Sox: On the 4 game main slate, the game with the highest projected total can be found in Fenway Park as the Yankees take on the Red Sox.
With Michael Pineda on the mound, the obvious LHB on the Red Sox are in play and you can build your lineup around David Ortiz ($4,200) & Jackie Bradley Jr. ($3,700) who anchor the top offense in baseball at home.
The Yankees present some intriguing value options including Gary Sanchez ($2,400) who has played 5 games in the big this season and scored over 12 points in 3 of those.
Alex Rodriguez ($2,200) has already been told he will start on Thursday and would you be shocked to see some fireworks from A-Rod in his last game at Fenway? For $2,200 I am happy to play the narrative here!
Next: FanDuel MLB Main Lineup
Below you will find my initial lineup for Thursday’s Main FanDuel MLB slate including notes/comments on my roster construction.
Pitcher:More from FanSided
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs
- Clark Hunt throws cold water on potential Chiefs throwbacks
- Packers: 3 free agency mistakes Brian Gutekunst should already regret
- Cowboys give a masterclass in defense construction with Trevon Diggs extension
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!