FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 15

Welcome to the Monday 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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Monday’s MLB action kicks off at 1:10PM EST with one game and an additional 9 games on the 7:05PM EST main slate.

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	255.8	$ 8,605	25%	75%	$ 3,299	7.31
5 Day	253.1	$ 7,850	22%	78%	$ 3,394	7.23
Prev Day	339.0	$ 7,500	21%	79%	$ 3,438	9.69

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 Monday's Slate?

Drew Smyly ($8,500) at home versus San Diego: The big question of the night will be whether you should pay up for Max Scherzer in Colorado. Although Scherzer has an elite strikeout rate, he also is among the league leaders in home runs allowed and this may be a great spot to fade him.

After watching what Steven Matz did to the Padres yesterday, I am happy to go back to attacking San Diego with a LHP in Drew Smyly.

More from DFS

Smyly has eclipsed 40 points in two of his past three starts, and comes into the game as a -170 favorite which is the second highest on the board.

Smyly has a 25% K rate, which is 3rd highest on the slate and faced a Padres team that strikes out at a 24.2% rate which is highest on the slate.

At only $8,500, Smyly allows you to pay up for the big bats and provides you the upside that could make him the top starting pitcher on the slate!

Next: Top Hitting Options

Rangers RHB versus LHP Ross Detwiler: Although the Nationals bats in Coors Field have the top projected runs scored on the slate, the Rangers bats at home have a run projection of 5.32 which is just a shade behind the Nats.

The Rangers are loaded with high upside right-handed bats and come at a significant discount to the Coors field bats which allows you for a broader stacking option.

Jonathan Lucroy ($3,500), Adrian Beltre ($3,400) & Ian Desmond ($3,900) make for an elite stacking option all under $4k and Beltre is my top play has he is averaging 15ppg over the last week.

Lorenzo Cain ($3,200) is one of the best individual plays of the day with a game against LHP Daniel Norris and comes off a monster Sunday where he went 4-4 with 3 RBI’s and 31.9 FanDuel points.

Cain is one of the top value plays based off FantasyPros daily projections and makes for a top one-off play in any format.

Next: Top FanDuel MLB Lineup

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

Pitcher: Drew Smyly ($8,500)

More from FanSided

Catcher: Jonathan Lucroy ($3,500)

First Base: Paul Goldschmidt ($4,200)

Second Base: Nick Franklin ($2,300) Franklin comes off a monster Sunday, putting up 40.9 points and at a near bargain price makes for a great addition when looking to pay up for bats

Third Base: Adrian Beltre ($3,400)

Shortstop: Brandan Crawford ($2,600)

Outfield: Ian Desmond ($3,900)

Outfield: Lorenzo Cain ($3,200)

Outfield: Khris Davis ($3,400) Do not overlook the A’s as they get to play in a favorable ballpark against LHP Martin Perez

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!