FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 14

Welcome to the Sunday 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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Sunday’s MLB action kicks off at 1:05PM EST with 10 games on the main slate and another 4 games on the late slate which starts at 4:05PM 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	255.4	$ 8,611	25%	75%	$ 3,299	7.30
5 Day	241.9	$ 8,350	24%	76%	$ 3,331	6.91
Prev Day	301.5	$ 6,000	17%	83%	$ 3,625	8.61

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 Sunday's Slate?

Tanner Roark ($8,900) at home versus Atlanta: Looking over the main slate on Sunday, we only have one option over $10k but a variety of very solid options in the $9k tier.

From a cash game perspective, Roark is the top option on the day as a massive home favorite (-215) against the Braves. Over the last 2 weeks no pitcher on the Sunday slate has averaged more points per game than Roark, who has put up 44 ppg.

Roark has limited strikeout upside, with only an 18% K rate and the Braves have only struck out at a 19.7% rate which limits his GPP appeal. Roark’s value is increasingly tied to his ability to get the 12 point FanDuel win, but his price point is reasonable which makes him a very “safe” cash game play.

Steven Matz ($9,600) at home versus San Diego: An equally large home favorite (-210), Matz and the Mets take on the Padres on Sunday afternoon. Matz has the second highest K rate of any starter going Sunday, 22.5% and gets a match-up with the Padres who strike out at a 24.2% clip which is one of the highest on the slate.

Matz is essentially the complete opposite of Roark as he pitches for a team that is struggling to score any runs which puts the win in question, In fact Matz has only 1 win in his last 10 starts which makes him a better tournament play but his strikeout upside at this price point makes him a great target!

Next: Top Hitting Options

Cleveland Indians against Jered Weaver: The Indians are the top projected scoring offense on the slate with an expected run total of 5.24 runs as they square off Jered Weaver and the Angels.

Carlos Santana ($3,800) is one of the best plays on the board as he has absolutely owned Weaver going 15 for 27 (.556 average) with 2 home runs in his career.

Lonnie Chisenhall ($2,900) may be overlooked in the OF but has similar career numbers against Weaver, going 7 for 19 with 2 home runs against Weaver.

Jason Kipnis ($4,100) is averaging 15.6 points per game over the last 2 weeks and is an elite 2B target while 3B Jose Ramirez ($3,300) is averaging a whopping 18.4 over the same time frame and they make for a great stack option!

Brewers RHB versus Cody Reed: One of the other top projected scoring spots to target is the Brewer RHB as they take on Cody Reed and the Reds in Milwaukee.

Reed has been demolished by RHB this season, giving up a .312 average and 10 HR’s in only 37 IP.

Ryan Braun ($4,000) is one of the top options on the day as is worth paying up for in the OF and can be paired with Orlando Arcia ($2,700) who will continue to bat at the top of the Brewers order and make for a great mini-stack!

Next: Top FanDuel MLB Lineup

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

Pitcher:

More from FanSided

Catcher: A.J. Pierzynski ($2,000)

First Base: Carlos Santana ($3,800)

Second Base: Jason Kipnis ($4,100)

Third Base: Jose Ramirez ($3,300)

Shortstop: Orlando Arcia ($2,700)

Outfield: Ender Inciarte ($2,600) Inciarte has been a model of consistency putting up between 9.2 and 9.7 points per game over his last 4 outings

Outfield: Ryan Braun ($4,000)

Outfield: Lonnie Chisenhall ($2,900)

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!