FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for Wednesday September 14

FanDuel MLB: Picks and Pivots for September 14

Welcome to the Wednesday 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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Wednesday’s MLB schedule kicks off at 12:37 PM EST with one early game, an additional 4 games on the 1:45 PM EST Early Slate and an additional 10 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	$ 8,629	25%	75%	$ 3,296	7.31
5 Day	253.0	$ 8,250	24%	76%	$ 3,344	7.23
Prev Day	263.2	$ 10,600	30%	70%	$ 3,050	7.52

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 Wednesday's Slate?

Sep 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tim Adleman throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel MLB Pitching: UPDATE

Over night two late breaking news items hit which will alter the plan slightly for the Main Slate on FanDuel.

First, Yu Darvish was pushed from his scheduled Wednesday start to now a start on Saturday which now allows LHP Derek Holland to take his place. The Astros bats were priced down due to the match-up with Darvish and now face an incredibly favorable spot against a hittable lefty. Jose Altuve ($3,700) & Carlos Correa ($3,600) now become easy pug and play options!

Secondly, Tyler Skaggs was scratched from his start which now leaves us scrambling for another SP option. Without Darvish on the slate, Jose Fernandez becomes the clear top dog for cash games but we can pivot off him for tournaments.

Tim Adleman ($5,900) is a sneaky GPP play as he gets one of the best match-ups on the board against a league leading strikeout team in the Brewers. The Brewers strike out at a 25.4% clip, the most of any team on the slate and Adleman has already faced them once this year, delivering 36 FanDuel points which would exceed 6x value. This is a risky play, but one that allows you to easily stack up your offense with high upside bats!

Original Post

The main slate on Wednesday’s FanDuel docket is loaded at the top with Jose Fernandez and Yu Darvish leading the charge as the top priced pitching options.

Tyler Skaggs ($7,300) at home versus Seattle: With two of the best pitchers in baseball on the hill, I certainly cannot fault you if you want to pay up at starting pitcher on Wednesday but do not overlook the value that the Angels left-hander can provide.

Would it surprise you to know that over the last two weeks, Tyler Skaggs has actually averaged more points per start than either Fernandez or Darvish?

Skaggs comes into Wednesday’s game after posting FanDuel totals of 42, 42 and 48 points facing the Rangers, Mariners and Tigers during that span. On Wednesday, Skaggs gets to face the Mariners again after posting an 8 inning, 7 strike out win (42 points) his last time out.

I expect on a smaller slate, most will look to pay up at starting pitcher but keep in mind that Darvish is facing an Astros team he only lasted 4 innings against his last time out ( 9 FanDuel points) and Fernandez is on the road against a Braves team who in his only road start against them put up 23 points.

Considering Skaggs has averaged 44 points per start, which would be 6x value at this price point, I love the idea of playing the fade game and looking to differentiate with a SP I feel will go widely over-looked.

Next: Top Hitting Options

Detroit Tigers versus RHP Tyler Duffey: One of my favorite spots for offense on this slate can be found in Detroit where the Tigers face a Twins RHP who was tagged for 6 ER in only 3 IP the last time these two teams met.

In a short sample size, the Tigers top end bats have elite BvP numbers against Duffey and make for one of the top stacks on this slate. Miguel Cabrera ($3,900) is 5/10 with 1 HR while Victor Martinez ($3,200) & J.D. Martinez ($3,600) are 5/10 and 4/10 respectively.

Justin Upton ($3,300) may have the best BvP with a 3 for 5 mark with 2 HR’s and assuming he is back in the lineup on Wednesday makes for a great addition to a full on Tigers stack!

Texas Rangers LHB versus RHP Joe Musgrove: Outside of Detroit, targeting the Rangers left-handed bats against Musgrove may be the next best stacking option. Musgrove has struggled against LHB this season giving up a 37% hard contact rate and .362 wOBA.

Rougned Odor ($3,900) & Carlos Beltran ($3,500) are the top two targets from Texas in my opinion as they come into the game both riding significant hot streaks, averaging 19.6 and 14.6 points per game respectively.

Next: Top FanDuel MLB Lineup

Sep 4, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a triple in the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Pitcher: Tim Adleman ($5,900)

More from FanSided

Catcher: Victor Martinez ($3,200)

First Base: Miguel Cabrera ($3,900)

Second Base: Rougned Odor ($3,900)

Third Base: Nolan Arenado ($3,500) With a game in the hitter friendly Arizona and a match up against LHP Rubby de la Rosa who has given up 36% hard contact to RHB, this is too good of a price to pass on Arenado

Shortstop: Carlos Correa ($3,600)

Outfield: J.D. Martinez ($3,600)

Outfield: Ian Desmond ($3,600)

Outfield: Carlos Beltran ($3,500)

Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level

Best of luck tonight gamers!