FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for September 8
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!
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Thursday’s MLB slate kicks off at 12:10PM EST with one afternoon game and an additional six 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 | 255.9 | $ 8,623 | 25% | 75% | $ 3,297 | 7.31 |
| 5 Day | 249.0 | $ 8,583 | 25% | 75% | $ 3,302 | 7.12 |
| Prev Day | 256.9 | $ 6,000 | 17% | 83% | $ 3,625 | 7.34 |
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?
Welcome to the Thursday abbreviated FanDuel slate which is frankly, hideous. This seems like one of those slates where gamers should practice strong bankroll management and tread lightly with their entries and maybe focus on their FanDuel NFL lineups!
A.J. Cole ($6,500) at home versus Philadelphia: The pitching slate is easily the hardest part to navigate on this slate and with my preferred strategy being to target the high-end hitters today, I will look for the best bargain play at SP.
Cole comes into this game as the largest favorite (-215) by far of any pitcher going Thursday as he not only gets to face one of the weakest lineups in baseball but also faces an opposing starter Alec Asher who has a 9.31 ERA in his big league career.
In his last start, Cole put up 42 FanDuel points, pitching 6 innings and striking out five batters in a win against the Mets. Cole has pitched very effectively so far this season, putting up a solid 1.04 WHIP and striking out roughly a batter per inning. As the third cheapest pitcher on the slate, I am happy to go “win hunting” at this bargain price and use the savings to pay up for my hitters.
Next: Top Hitting Options
Speaking of the Washington Nationals, I will not only look to target their SP but also their top end bats as they get one of the most favorable match-ups on the board.
Alec Asher in his limited big league career has given up a .373 average and .453 wOBA to left-handed hitters which puts Daniel Murphy ($4,100) & Bryce Harper ($4,200) in play as two of the top targets on the night.
The top overall bat on the day however belongs to Nelson Cruz ($4,300) who gets a home match up with Derek Holland. Any time Cruz gets a chance to face a LHP, he automatically becomes one of the staples in my lineup and with the savings we get at SP on this slate it is very easy to build him into your lineup.
My favorite under the radar play on Thursday is Jedd Gyorko ($3,200) who faces off at home against RHP Junior Guerra. Gyorko actually has reverse power splits, knocking 21 of his 25 home runs out against right-handed pitchers which may lead him to be under owned on this slate and a spot where we can differentiate ourselves from the field.
Next: Top Thursday FanDuel MLB Lineup
Below you will find my initial lineup for Thursday’s FanDuel MLB slate including notes/comments on my roster construction.
Pitcher: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
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!