FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 25

Aug 10, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happ (33) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for August 25

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!

First off – WELCOME BACK NY! NY is now back up and running in DFS and I welcome all New Yorkers back to FanDuel and DraftKings.

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Thursday’s MLB schedule kicks off with 2 early afternoon games and an additional 9 games on the main slate which begins at 7:05PM 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	256.3	$ 8,616	25%	75%	$ 3,298	7.32
5 Day	270.4	$ 8,883	25%	75%	$ 3,265	7.72
Prev Day	232.0	$ 8,100	23%	77%	$ 3,363	6.63

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 Thursday's Slate?

Aug 20, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) pitches during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Although Thursday’s main slate has an abbreviated 9 games, we have numerous high-end pitchers including Max Scherzer and Cole Hamels who are both priced over $10,000.

J.A. Happ ($9,800) at home versus LAA: Although the slate sets up with two elite studs at the top, there are other high-end options to choose from below $10k and Blue Jays hurler J.A. Happ may be the best of the bunch.

Happ has been incredible over the last month, averaging 52 points per game which is the highest of any starter on the slate. What has been most impressive from Happ is the consistency in which he has delivered from a fantasy perspective, putting up 40+ in 8 of his last 10 games.

Happ is a massive favorite on the slate (-238) going up against Jered Weaver at home which should put him in line for the win and with his increased strikeouts (7.6 per game over last 10) which make him a great target in any format. Keep in mind, the Angels strikeout at a 15.9% clip which is lowest in all of baseball which does cap some of the strikeout upside in this match-up, but as a massive favorite and his recent success, he still makes for a top play.

Robbie Ray ($8,800) at home versus Atlanta: If you are looking for a pivot off Happ, dropping down to Ray and taking the $1,000 savings is another great strategy. Over the last month, Ray has been putting up solid numbers, 41.2 points per game, but has excelled in his recent starts putting up 47 points over the last 2 weeks. With a home date against one of the weakest offenses in the league, Ray should be able to deliver at this modest price point.

Next: Top Hitting Options

Aug 21, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) reacts with center fielder Trea Turner (7) and second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) after hitting a three run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Nationals against RHP Ubaldo Jimenez: Oh doctor! Any time I see Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound this is going to be one of the first places I look to attack in DFS!

Jimenez has given up a .335 average with 33 ER and 8 HR over 40 IP to LHP this season. Do you know who has some decent left-handed hitters? Bryce Harper ($3,900) & Daniel Murphy ($4,000) should absolutely feast in this game and I want as much exposure to them as possible.

Blue Jays against RHP Jered Weaver: Oh boy another of our favorite pitchers to stack against is on the mound in Toronto! Weaver not only gives up a .300+ average to hitters from both sides of the plate, but he has surrendered 30 home runs this year which is second most in all of MLB.

Russell Martin ($3,400) is red-hot right now averaging 18.5 points per game over the last two weeks which is the best mark of any catcher on the slate.

Michael Saunders ($3,400) is another reasonable Blue Jays bat you can roster to get exposure to this game and for all the BvP fans is 9 for 26 (.346) in his career against Weaver.

Next: Top FanDuel MLB Lineup

Aug 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Russell Martin (55) hits a double in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre. Toronto defeated Los Angeles 7-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Pitcher: J.A. Happ ($9,800)

More from FanSided

Catcher: Russell Martin ($3,400)

First Base: Josh Bell ($2,100) The Pirates get to tee off against RHP Willy Peralta which is another top spot to target offense and Bell, who is 5 for 12 since being recalled, is a great value option at 1B

Second Base: Daniel Murphy ($4,000)

Third Base: Jake Lamb ($3,400)

Shortstop: Darwin Barney ($2,600) With Devon Travis out the last two days, Barney lead-off for the Jays so keep an eye on the lineup to see if Travis misses another game which would make Barney a top value bat

Outfield: Michael Saunders ($3,400)

Outfield: Bryce Harper ($3,900)

Outfield: Matt Joyce ($2,200) If Joyce is in the lineup against Peralta he becomes a great value target putting up 30 points over the last 2 games

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!