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FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 19

ByBrian Tulloch|
Aug 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the third base equipment during the seventh of the game between the Washington Nationals against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the third base equipment during the seventh of the game between the Washington Nationals against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
FanDuel MLB
Aug 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the third base equipment during the seventh of the game between the Washington Nationals against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 19

Welcome to the Friday 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!

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Friday’s MLB schedule kicks off at 7:05PM EST with 14 games on the MLB main slate to build our lineups around!

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 PeriodScorePitcher SalaryPitcher %Hitter %Hitter $/PlayerValue
Season256.3$ 8,61125%75%$ 3,2997.32
5 Day282.0$ 8,73325%75%$ 3,2838.06
Prev Day250.8$ 6,50019%81%$ 3,5637.17

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 Friday's Slate?

FanDuel MLB
Jul 28, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

I have to be honest, this slate is one of the harder ones to nail down as we have a game in Coors Field with the Rockies and Cubs and a variety of “maybe” starting pitcher options that we have to try to slot in while still getting exposure to Colorado.

Cole Hamels ($9,700) is my top starting pitcher option on the slate and the more I look at this slate, the more I want to pay up at starting pitcher as there are no great value options to choose from.

Hamels gets a road start in Tampa Bay against a Rays team that strikes out at a 25.3% clip which is the highest of any team on Friday’s slate.

Hamels has at least 30 points in 6 straight starts which build a safe floor for your lineups but also has surpassed 50 points in 6 of his last 11 starts which shows the upside he has. As a solid road favorite and with the best strikeout match-up on the board, this feels like a night where a 50+ point outing could be in the cards.

Next: Top Hitting Options

FanDuel MLB
Aug 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) hits an RBI single off of Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (not pictured) during the eight inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Coors Field: With a game in Colorado, getting exposure to the Cubs and Rockies is the clear top option and no player steps into the game with a better match-up than Kris Bryant ($4,800) who is coming off a 5-5, 2 HR game on Thursday and gets to face a LHP in Coors Field.

Javier Baez ($3,200) sits at a very reasonable price point and gives you easy exposure at a price that will not break the bank!

Jose Altuve ($4,000) is one of my top pivots away from Coors as he gets to face a LHP in Wade Miley in Camden Yards who he is 11 for 18 against in his career!

Joey Votto ($3,800) is another top priced hitting option that may get overlooked with the Coors game but with a home game against RHP Bud Norris, who he is 5 for 15 against in his career, this is a great spot to target the Reds star!

Next: Top FanDuel MLB Lineup

FanDuel MLB
Aug 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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

Pitcher: Cole Hamels ($9,700)

More from FanSided

  • Catcher: Tucker Barhnart ($2,400) The Reds bats have a great match-up and Barnhart is one of the top projected value plays per FantasyPros
  • First Base: Joey Votto ($3,800)
  • Second Base: Jose Altuve ($4,000)
  • Third Base: Kris Bryant ($4,800)
  • Shortstop: Javier Baez ($3,200)
  • Outfield: Tommy Pham ($2,400) If Pham is batting lead-off he makes for a fantastic value play against a LHP in the favorable hitting environment of Citizens Bank Park
  • Outfield: Scott Schlebler ($2,600)
  • Outfield: Darrell Ceciliani ($2,100) With injuries in Toronto, Ceciliani is seeing playing time in the OF for the Blue Jays and anyone in that lineup has value at this price point

    • 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!