FanDuel Picks and lineup for Sunday, April 1st
Second Base, High-End Spend
Main Slate
Second base isn’t very attractive on either slate. This is especially true on the main slate. Brian Dozier is the highest priced option at $3,700 but I just can’t get interested. He’s a good player that can pay off but I’ll be taking lesser priced players in this position for Main.
All Day
You don’t need to listen to me talk about Jose Altuve vs. a lefty pitcher again, right? We all know how good he is? He’s kind of a big deal in baseball, what with being the reigning MVP on the defending world champion. Everyone on the same page with one of the best players in MLB? OK, good. Now we can move on and find some other guys that we can play.
Mid-Range
Main Slate
Yoan Moncada, $3,000
.500/.500/1.333 with 1 HR in 6 at-bats
It’s very easy to forget that just a year ago, Moncada was the toast of the prospect world in baseball. Many thought he was a can’t miss guy but he didn’t;t have the greatest 2017 season. While the real life numbers are a touch sketchy in the first two games, his raw talent is unquestioned. He’s got a double and a home run under his belt already and as we said earlier, Jason Hammel isn’t a scary matchup. You’re hoping Moncada doesn’t strike out as there’s no point to be had with that. The good news is at least you’re not penalized and Hammel only had a strikeout rate of 7.24 per every nine innings pitched.
Robinson Cano, $3,100
.267/.421/.333 with 0 HR in 15 at-bats
Cano isn’t in a terrible spot and his price tag is reasonable. Just understand exactly what you’re getting into. Cano hurt his hamstring towards the end of camp and has specific instructions no to push the injury too hard. He’s not going to be busting his butt down the line to make an infield single happen. There’s definitely risk he gets pulled in the middle of the game. Still, the matchup isn’t terrible and Bauer doesn’t look as bad when he’s pitching after Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.
Value
Main Slate
Yangervis Solarte, $2,500
0 at-bats vs. Marcus Stroman
If you read yersterday, we were on the Jays new everyday third baseman and he rewarded with home run. Solarte is actually a pretty good player and Toronto is looking pretty smart for bringing him in now that shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is on the 60-day DL and third baseman Josh Donaldson is dealing with dead arm. He should remain in the lineup and his price went up a whopping $100. He’s a easy value play on this shorter slate.
All Day
It’s just not advisable to try and scrape the bottom of the barrel at this position. There’s plenty of options listed above and forcing a player here doesn’t do anyone much good.