Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups August 12th 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!
We’re back to a full slate of 15 games on the MLB schedule this Friday. With the Cubs back in Chicago, they’re the the only afternoon game, starting at 2:20pm ET, a good one with Jake Arrieta taking on Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals. All other games start this evening and will be part of the ‘Main’ slot of MLB lineups. One key value I’d like to call out immediately, it appears FanDuel may be honoring Alex Rodriguez by making his salary $696, his total number of home runs going into Friday’s game, his final game, pounce on that! Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:
- 2:20pm ET (All 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 – Tyler Skaggs (7:10pm ET @ CLE)
After the Cleveland Indians borage of bats last night, I’m a little nervous with this play. However, with a projected 30 points (FantasyPros), and a very cheap $6,400 salary, that’s an outstanding 4.7X value, and allows you to really load up on your hitters tonight, especially if you’re also able to plug A-Rod into your lineup at 3rd. Tyler does have some attractive history leading into this game. Skaggs only has 3 starts for the Angels this year, but after those starts, he has 1 win, a very low 2.04 ERA, and 17 K’s over 17 innings, and only 16 hits and 6 walks over the same 17 innings. That’s a very good start for the young pitcher. Skaggs is definitely worthy of a value consideration, just understand the risk and maybe create another set of lineups to hedge this one.
Safe Value – Jon Gray (7:05pm ET @ PHI)
Admittedly, the Phillies bats have been hotter over the past couple of weeks. Also, Gray had a horrendous outing against the Miami in his last start, a dreaded -4 point result. However, for most of the season Jon has been a very good starting pitcher for the Rockies, one of the best in the rotation and a reason they Rockies are in a wild card race in August. Gray has 8 wins this year, a 4.34 ERA, and 123 K’s over 118 innings. The last time he had a rough game, June 22nd against the Yankees, Gray bounced back at home (Coors Field) against a very good Blue Jays lineup and piled up 45 points. I think Gray will bounce back again tonight, and cool off the Phillies bats, which are starting to get quiet again. FantasyPros has Gray yielding 35.8 points, on a reasonable $8,300 salary. I could buy that.
Other Top Value Options:
Paul Clemens (7:10pm ET @ NYM): 20.5 PP (Point Projection) / $5,300 Salary
Andrew Cashner (7:10pm ET vs. CWS): 24.9 PP / $7,000 Salary
Lowest Value:
David Price (7:10pm ET vs. ARI): 34.3 PP / $10,200
Next: Value Hitters - INF
Catcher – Roberto Perez (7:10pm ET vs. LAA)
If he gets a start tonight look out for Omar Narvaez. Narvaez has scored at least 6 points in every MLB game he’s played this year, only 6 but still, and is a very cheap $2,300. However, a more attractive option to me is Roberto Perez, a projected 6.7 points is reasonable for Roberto and a rock-bottom $2,000 salary allows you to do almost anything with your other hitters tonight. Perez doesn’t have great seasonal stats, but he’s getting regular starts behind the plate, now, for the Indians and he’s been able to produce some offense in three of his last five games. I played Perez last night and he really helped me do a lot of other great things in my lineup, while also getting 9.2 points out of Roberto as well.
Other Top Value Options:
Robinson Chirinos (8:05pm ET vs. DET): 10.5 PP / $2,500 Salary
First Base – Justin Morneau (7:10pm ET @ MIA)
It’s been a while since I haven’t played Freddie Freeman at fist base, he’s been hot. But he’s facing Stephen Strasburg tonight, no thanks. Justin Morneau is having a great August, getting at least 1 hit in seven of his eight games this month. With Justin projected to pile up 11.2 points against Andrew Cashner and the Marlins, tonight on a cheap $2,700 salary, I really like his 4.1X value.
Other Top Value Options:
Chris Johnson (7:10pm ET vs. CWS): 6.6 PP / $2,000 Salary
Mitch Moreland (8:05pm ET vs. DET): 11.6 PP / $3,000 Salary
Second Base – Devon Travis (7:07pm ET vs. HOU)
By now, you may be tired of me suggesting Travis, or putting him in your lineup each night. But Devon has been DFS MLB gold this month! Travis, and the Toronto Blue Jays, has continued with an offensive tear in August. Travis had double-digit points in five of his last seven games. On Wednesday, Travis had 2 hits, a run, and an RBI, scoring 12.7 points which seemed like a normal night for him. His salary is FINALLY rising, now at $3,100, but that’s still very attractive for a second baseman more than likely to get you double-digit points and allowing you to not use up too much salary for other bigger plays. I’ll continue with Travis in my lineup, yet again tonight with a projected 12.9 points.
Other Top Value Options:
Chase Utley (7:10pm ET vs. PIT): 11.2 PP / $2,600 Salary
Cesar Hernandez (8:05pm ET vs. COL): 10 PP / $2,800 Salary
Third Base – Alex Rodriguez (7:05pm ET vs. TAM)
With a projected 19.4 points, likely assuming A-Rod is hitting cleanup tonight against the Rays, and a very clear nod to A-Rod’s playing career, a salary of $696, his total number of home runs going into tonight’s game, you must put Alex Rodriguez in your lineup tonight, even if you hate him. There is no other option at 3B tonight.
Shortstop – Ketel Marte (10:05pm ET @ OAK)
Marte was recently activated from the 15-Day Disabled List, due to an illness. Ketel had been on a minor tear before hitting the DL in mid-July, but only has two walks since returning from the DL. Still, now with two games under his belt after the DL, and with another day off on Thursday, Marte should start to get back into mid-season form. With a projected 8.9 points, and incredibly low $2,200 salary, Ketel could be a steal tonight.
Other Top Value Options:
Danny Espinosa (7:05pm ET vs. ATL): 12.6 PP / $2,900 Salary
Brandon Crawford (10:15pm ET vs. BAL): 11.5 PP / $2,700 Salary
Next: Value Hitters - OF
Outfield – Aaron Altherr (7:05pm ET vs. COL)
While I do like Jon Gray as a pitching option tonight, it’s likely he’ll give up a few runs. And Altherr continues to have an impressive August, hitting double-digit points three times, one above 50 points, and scoring in every game except for one, August 3rd. With a very low $2,800 salary, for someone scoring so often, and a projected 19 points tonight, I’ll continue to put Aaron in my lineup, even if I have Gray at pitcher.
Scott Schebler (8:10pm ET @MIL)
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Schebler was out of the Cardinals lineup on Wednesday night due to a tight calf muscle. However, it’s important to note he would’ve been in the lineup otherwise. With two days off, and Scott playing most of August, it’s very likely Schebler will be back in the Cardinals lineup against the Brewers tonight. Scott is admittedly a hit-or-miss type of play. He’s been getting us either double-digit points, or nothing at all. So this is a good play to use if you want to really load up on OF for your other two picks. Still, FantasyPros has Schebler hitting 12.1 points tonight, and on a very cheap $2,200 salary, that’s a bargain!
Hernan Perez (8:10pm ET vs. CIN)
Another very attractive outfield play in the Cincinnati Reds @ Milwaukee Brewers game is Perez. The difference between Perez and Schebler is two-fold. First, Hernan is more expensive, but for good reason. You’re paying $2,800 to get a hitter who’s piled up five double-digit points this month, including three above the 20 point mark, and a 31.4 point game last night in Atlanta. Perez is hot lately, and has a 11.7 point projection for tonight. I really like this play, almost regardless of value.
Other Top Value Options:
Ben Revere (7:05pm ET vs. ATL): 10.4 PP / $2,500 Salary
Adam Eaton (8:10pm ET vs. HOU): 13.8 PP / $3,300 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!