Fansided

FanDuel picks and lineup for Saturday, March 31

By Adam Strangis

SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 05: Joey Gallo
SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 05: Joey Gallo /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 01: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Mets during a game at Citizens Bank Park on October 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 01: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action against the New York Mets during a game at Citizens Bank Park on October 1, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Outfield, High-End Spend

Early Slate

Starling Marte, $3,500

0 at-bats vs. Michael Fulmer

I certainly wouldn’t expect the same amount of offensive fireworks that we saw on Friday with the Buccos scoring 13 runs. Marte is still a major part of the Pittsburgh offense and can rack up points in a variety of ways. It’s nice for his RBI potential that he’s batting a little lower in the order than we originally thought.

All Day Special

George Springer, 

.000/.000/.000 in 3 at-bats

The young Astros outfielder has started off the 2018 campaign in a big way. he already has homered once and gets to face a lefty, which he’s mashed his entire career. Just because he has no pitcher vs. batter data means nothing. It may seem redundant to keep picking Astros but it must be noted when a powerful offense is in such a sweet spot.

Main Slate

A.J. Pollock, $3,600

.600/.600/1.200 with 0 HR in 5 at-bats 

Pollock looked fully recovered last night from his myriad of injuries he dealt with in 2017. He smacked around the Rockies for two hits and 2 RBI. There’s no reason to think he can’t do it again tonight. German Marquez is an average pitcher and he doesn’t have a great record against the Diamondbacks.

In Consideration 

Early – Yoenis Cespedes, $3,400 and Nicholas Castellanos, $3,700

All Day Special – Mike Trout, $4,700 and Mookie Betts, $3,900

Main Slate – Ryhs Hoskins, $3800 and Christian Yelich, $3,700

Mid-Range

Early Slate

Adam Eaton, $3,100

0 at-bats vs. Luis Castillo 

Whenever a player like Eaton with good on-base skills is batting near the top of a talented lineup, he’s worth a shot, even more so when we’re talking a three-game slate. Eaton faces a tough matchup but can still come through in spades at this price.

All Day Special

Brett Gardner, $3,200

.154/.195/.282 with 1 HR n 39 at-bats 

This pick is definitely a challenge to the believers of batter vs. pitcher data as Brett Gardner has an awful history against Marco Estrada. It isn’t the be all, end all here. That’s especially true when Gardner sits atop one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball. His run potential is through the roof every single day and he could chip in a step here and there.

Main Slate

David Peralta, $3,000

.308/.400/.508 with 0 HR in 13 at-bats

This is an especially attractive option if you’re going the route of an Arizona stack as Peralta affords you an additional piece of the offense at a very affordable price. The power potential isn’t enormous but you definitely have a shot at some base knocks and runs.

In Consideration 

Early Slate – Jay Bruce, $3,300 and Marcell Ozuna, $3,200

All Day Special – Khris Davis, $3,500 and Byron Buxton, $3,300

Main Slate – Yasiel Puig, $3,200 and Adam Jones, $3,100

Value

Early Slate

Gregory Polanco, $2,200

0 at-bats vs. Michael Fulmer

After putting up over 53(!) FanDuel points on Friday, Polanco is just simply far too cheap in a potentially good spot. Are you going to get another 50-burger? Almost certainly not. If you hit double digit points, it’s a profit. The Tigers don’t appear to have a strong pitching staff or bullpen on paper.

All Day Special

Carlos Gomez, $2,500

.333/.333/1.333 with 1 HR in 3 at-bats

I sure wish this was at a better park as Tropicana Field is’t hitter friendly at all. Still, this is a good matchup for Gomez as he was far superior against righties in 2017. Rick Porcello took pretty massive step backwards last year with a WHIP of 1.40 and his ERA jumped to 4.65. Even though Gomez is on the down side of his career, there’s still upside at this price.

Main Slate

Hunter Renfroe, $2,000

0 official at-bats

Oh look, the San Diego Padres are facing a lefty. That means we play Hunter Renfroe, every time. He will likely be chalky but I don’t care in this instance. Bare Minimum is just too good to pass up. In 2017, he finished fifth in MLB in OPS vs. lefty pitchers. He hit 11 homers in 114 at-bats and there’s virtually no reason to not play Renfroe today. Even if there’s a high ownership, it’s not going to scare me off.

In Consideration 

Early Slate – Adam Duvall at $2,300

All Day Special – Mitch Haniger, $2,400 and Delino DeShields, $2,400

Main Slate – Lewis Brinson, $2,300 and Odubel Herrera, $2,100