FanDuel Lineup and Picks for Thursday, April 5th

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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 29: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees is congratulated by Gary Sanchez #24 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning on Opening Day during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Outfield, High End Spend

Early

Nicholas Castellanos, $3,900

.182/.182/.364 with 1 HR in 22 at-bats

This may seem like a slam dunk play, but the advanced stats aren’t on the side of Castellanos. He’s typically better in average, OPS, and wOBA against lefties. He also doesn’t have a good track record against James Shields Almost none of that means that much to me in this situation because of how putrid Shields truly is. Remember the tweet that we saw with the analysis for Cabrera. We’re talking the most home runs given up in MLB the past two seasons. That’s what we’re chasing.

In Consideration – Charlie Blackmon, $4,800 and Mookie Betts, $4,100

Late

Giancarlo Stanton, $4,500

.143/.333/.143 with 0 HR in 7 at-bats

I’ll be honest, I got spooked by the weather yesterday and fell on the wrong side of the Yankee chalk in the early slate. On a four game slate, that’s not going to happen tonight. The only way Stanton won’t be in my lineup is if he’s not in the Yankees. He should tee off against Cashner, who can’t strikeout batters and gives up fly balls. There could be two and even three homers coming from Stanton tonight.

In Consideration – Aaron Judge, $4,000(borderline lock as well) and Gregory Polanco, $3,700

Mid-Range

Early

Mitch Haniger, $3,200

.000/.000/.000 with 0 HR in 4 at-bats

When a player is swinging a hot bad against a mediocre pitcher, he demands attention. That’s the case today with Haniger, who should stick in the cleanup spot for the Mariners while Cruz is out of action. He’s been on fire and he brings the bonus of being able to do a little bit of everything. When he’s on, he can hit for a little average, power, and steal a base. He has a career mark of an .866 OPS and a .369 wOBA against righties.

In Consideration – Avisail Garia, $2,900 and Dee Gordon, $3,600

Late

Billy Hamilton, $2,800

0 at-bats vs. Steven Brault

Remember earlier when we talked about the RBI potential for Joey Votto? This man is the reason for that. He has TORMENTED the Pirates through the years, carrying an average and on-base percentage at least 50 points higher than his career average. If he gets on(likelier than normal), he’s stealing a base if not two. In 60 career games against Pittsburgh, Hamilton has swiped 50 bags. He’s on the wrong side of his splits and I don’t care. He always looks like a star when he plays the Bucs.

In Consideration – Adam Duvall, $2,800 and Brett Gardner, $3,100

Value

Early

Hunter Renfroe, $2,700

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

I’ll continue to go back to the well with Renfroe against a lefty without hesitation. He smashes lefties in his career and has hit double digit FanDuel points every time against one so far this season. There’s no reason to think he can’t continue doing it with his career 1.084 OPS and .441 wOBA against southpaws. Teammate Jose Pirela is in the same boat, as his splits against lefties are significant as well.

In Consideration – Lewis Brinson, $2,300 and Stephen Piscotty, $2,300

Late

Adam Frazier, $2,400

.400/.500/.600 with 0 HR in 5 at-bats

Jamming in those expensive Yankee bats comes with a tradeoff and Frazier can help make it work. His power is mediocre but he can hit a little. If Bailey struggles,Frazier has good upside to reach base twice and maybe score a run. That would be plenty to pay off his salary point.

In Consideration – Albert Almora, Jr, $2,100