Welcome to FanDuel Economics! This is the FanDuel MLB Lineups August 26th 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 MLB games today, so we have many options to pick from for our MLB lineups. However, tonight is the start of many new series, so it’s often hard to identify who the best options are, or know which value to pounce here. But, we have you covered. Here’s what the FanDuel schedule of options look like to start the day:
- 7:07pm 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 – Mike Montgomery (10:10pm ET @ LOS)
I’m nervous about this pick because it’s likely going to be a short outing for Montgomery. Mike is filling into Lack Lackey’s rotational position to continue to give him some time off and rest his shoulder. It’s likely the Cubs want Lackey fresh as they approach playoff time. Montgomery is a short-innings middle reliever type of pitcher, so it’s unlikely he’ll go more than 4-5 innings. However, on Monday in Colorado, Mike was able to go 4.1 innings, with five strikeouts and a low ERA, but no win. Still he did pile up 25 points. FantasyPros has Mike projected to hit 28 points, which is high to me, but not out of the realm of possibilities. On a $5,800 salary though, this is an intriguing value play and really lets you load up on high priced hitters.
Safe Value – David Phelps (7:10pm ET vs. SDP)
Phelps is a safer value play tonight. David is quietly having a fantastic year this year, with 95 K’s over 75 innings, a 2.28 ERA, and seven total wins. In Phelps last two starts, each away from home, he piled up 46 and 57 points respectively. So it’s possible David could rack up 30+ points today, and on a $7,000 salary, that’s a very attractive option. Phelps is projected by FantasyPros to hit 34.1 points, which seems short of a lock, but very close. This is the most comfortable value option at pitcher tonight.
Other Top Value Options:
Bartolo Colon (7:10pm ET vs. PHI): 30.7 PP (Point Projection) / $7,500 Salary
Francisco Liriano (7:07pm ET vs. MIN): 28 PP / $7,600 Salary
Lowest Value:
Felix Hernandez (8:10pm ET @ CWS): 38.3 PP / $10,600
Next: Value Hitters - INF
Catcher – Travis d’Arnaud (7:10pm ET vs. PHI)
Assuming Travis is back in the lineup, it’s worth noting that on an incredibly low $2,100 salary, he’s been able to rack up 6+ points in seven of his last eight starts. That’s quite a run! If d’Arnaud is back in the Mets’ lineup tonight, he’s well worth a value play consideration. You’re likely getting a hit and a walk out of him and have enough salary to plash on a higher priced option like a hot Trea Turner at SS.
Other Top Value Options:
Sandy Leon (7:10pm ET vs. KAN): 12.9 PP / $2,700 Salary
First Base – Xavier Scruggs (7:10pm ET vs. SDP)
Hardly anyone is familiar with Scruggs. But if you plan on playing FanDuel MLB through the end of the season, you may want to brush up on your Xavier knowledge. Scruggs has been absolutely crushing the ball in Triple-A New Orleans and was called up mid-August for the Marlins. He’s only played six game so far, but has a .278 batting average, one run, two walks, two RBI’s, and hit a home run in Pittsburgh on August 20th. Still relatively unknown, and with little MLB history, Xavier is a fantastically cheap $2,000 option with tremendous upside. I would consider plugging him into your MLB 1B lineup spot tonight for great value, but also continue to watch his progress each day
Other Top Value Options:
Mitch Moreland (8:05pm ET @ CLE): 10.6 PP / $2,900 Salary
Freddie Freeman (10:15pm ET @ SFG): 14.8 PP / $3,800 Salary
Second Base – Ryan Schimpf (7:10pm ET @ MIA)
We’ve been following Schimpf since mid-season, and have discussed his power on this column multiple times. Ryan’s batting average is still struggling, now at .225, so he is a hit-or-miss type of value play. When he homers, like he did on Wednesday, he’s a great option, even at his current $3,000 salary. FantasyPros has Schimpf currently projected at 11.8 points, hinting toward another possible swing going yard, so he’s worthy of a value play tonight.
Other Top Value Options:
Jose Peraza (9:40pm ET @ ARI): 11.1 PP / $2,700 Salary
Ian Kinsler (7:10pm ET vs. LAA): 13.5 PP / $3,900 Salary
Third Base – Jedd Gyorko (7:10pm ET @ MIA)
Gyorko has been off and on this season but is currently on a tear. In six of his last ten games, Jedd has double-digit points. And five of those games were 20+ points. Tonight, FantasyPros projected Gyorko to pile up an amazing 14.3 points. On a $2,900 salary, it’s hard not to play Jedd, regardless of value. But he’s also clearly your best value option at third base tonight.
Other Top Value Options:
Wilmer Flores (7:10pm ET vs. PHI): 11.3 PP / $2,500 Salary
Jose Reyes (7:10pm ET vs. PHI): 11.4 PP / $3,000 Salary
Shortstop – Jhonny Peralta (8:15pm ET vs. OAK)
Peralta is a play very similar to Jedd Gyorko. Jhonny can be hot or cold throughout the season, but is lately locked in at the plate. Yesterday, was the first time in over two weeks Peralta didn’t score a point. That could signal a turn toward a cold cycle, but it’s more likely Jhonny just had an off day. With a projected 13.3 points from FantasyPros, and a cheap $3,100 salary tonight, Peralta could be a steal.
Other Top Value Options:
Andrelton Simmons (7:10pm ET @ DET): 7.9 PP / $2,200 Salary
Freddy Galvis (7:10pm ET @ NYM): 8 PP / $2,500 Salary
Next: Value Hitters - OF
Outfield – Tommy Pham (8:15pm ET vs. OAK)
Pham’s unattractive .248 batting average will likely deter FanDuel players from dropping him into their lineups. However, Tommy has a .351 on-base percentage and .504 slugging average so he still has a high propensity to yield points. FantasyPros thinks so tonight, Tommy is projected to pile up 13.9 points on a low $2,800 salary. If you’re plugging in two high-priced OF options, Tommy is your best value to afford them.
Outfield – Matthew Szczur (10:10pm ET @ LOS)
More from FanSided
- Clark Hunt throws cold water on potential Chiefs throwbacks
- Packers: 3 free agency mistakes Brian Gutekunst should already regret
- Cowboys give a masterclass in defense construction with Trevon Diggs extension
- Jim Harbaugh facing 4-game suspension over NCAA violations
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
Szczur has been one of my favorite value plays over the past month. If he’s in the Cubs’ lineup tonight, he’s a great ‘throw-away’ option. On August 12th, I was frantically trying to find an outfielder who made me feel comfortable they’d get at least 3 points on a low salary, so I could afford Harper and Trout. I noticed Szczur was hitting lead-off for the Cubs, so I plugged him into my lineup. He hit two home runs, scored four runs, knocked in three RBI’s, and added a double for a total of 56.3 points. He won’t do that for us every night, but when he starts, he usually piles up some points for us. With a very low $2,000 salary, keep your eye on the Cubs lineup tonight.
Jackie Bradley (7:10pm ET vs. KAN)
Bradley had a fantastic season so far, but cooled off lately. Still, he’s had flashes off brilliance from time to time, even in August. FantasyPros pegged Jackie with 14.9 points tonight, that would be fantastic. I’m skeptical, but he may be work a lineup plug at only $3,300 tonight.
Other Top Value Options:
Justin Ruggiano (7:10pm ET vs PHI): 13.4 PP / $2,900 Salary
Billy Burns (7:10pm ET vs. HOU): 9.7 PP / $2,500 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 DraftKings 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!