Fansided

Opening Day picks and lineup for FanDuel, March 29th

By Adam Strangis

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 06: Mike Trout
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 06: Mike Trout /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 09: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros signs autographs before a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 09: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros signs autographs before a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Second Base – High-End Spend

Early Slate

Josh Harrison, $2,700

.333/.333/.333 with 0 HR in 12 at-bats

There’s a strong case to be made for a mini-Pittsburgh Pirates stack on the early slate to pair with Noah Syndergaard. They get to face Jordan Zimmerman, who was flat-out terrible last season with an ERA over 6.00 and a 1.55 WHIP. Harrison isn’t always the best option for power but is going to hit leadoff and could swipe a base.

Main Slate

Jose Altuve, $4,300

.333/.455/.500 with 1 HR in 18 at-bats

There aren’t many days when Jose Altuve wouldn’t be in play for the second base slot. The home runs aren’t going to be there as often as a big name power hitter but Altuve makes up for it. His batting average is always good, he scores a ton of runs and steals bases. He also gets a matchup with Cole Hamels. Globe Life Park was number two in park factor last year(this is going to be a pattern today) and Hamels is coming off a career-worst season and had a low strikeout rate last year. Altuve should feast Opening Day and hits the entire Texas staff well, not just Hamels.

Mid-Range

Early Slate 

Ben Zobrist, $2,200

.000/.000/.000 with 0 HR in 2 at-bats

If Josh Harrison being the high-end option didn’t tip this off, second base is a bit of a wasteland for the early slate. Zobrist really only makes the cut due to price point and the fact he doesn’t face a difficult pitching matchup. It’s unsure if he’ll start on Opening Day. If not, Harrison makes the most sense.

Main Slate

Brian Dozier, $3,700

.267/.250/.400 with 0 HR in 15 at-bats

 This is a touch more expensive for the mid-range than we’ll normally go but Brian Dozier is in a good offensive park and in a good lineup. On top of that, the Orioles are rolling out Kevin Gausman. He was terrible in 2017 with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP. In addition, he gave up 29 home runs across 186 innings. Dozier will bat lead off which should afford him a minimum four at-bats and he’s good a reasonable shot at a home run and a couple RBI.

Value

Early Slate

It’s likely the best option to play Harrison or Zobrist.

Main Slate

Ozzie Albies, $2,800

.000/.000/.000 with 0 HR in 3 at-bats

The young phenom doesn’t have the easiest matchup with Phillies starter Aaron Nola on Opening Day but he comes cheap enough. The hope is you could get a cheap homer but the likelier outcome is a couple base hits and maybe a stolen base. Albies was also slightly worse at home and against righties but it’s important to recognize the track record is only 57 games old. The youngster is a rising star and worth the gamble today.

Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis($2,600) makes a fine pivot if you need the couple hundred extra dollars. He’s got a .300/.400/.700 slash line vs. Seattle starter Felix Hernandez. Unfortunately for the Mariners, King Felix isn’t as intimidating as he used to be.