Fansided

FanDuel Lineup and picks for Wednesday, April 18th

By Adam Strangis

FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 11: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after flying out to right field during the first inning of the Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Jet Blue Park on March 11, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 11: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after flying out to right field during the first inning of the Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Jet Blue Park on March 11, 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 17: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo homerun during the eighth inning, his third of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 17, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 17: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo homerun during the eighth inning, his third of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 17, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Outfield, High End Spend

Early

Starling Marte, $4,300

.333/.333/.333 with 0 HR in 3 at-bats

The last righty bat from Pittsburgh to be highlighted is likely the best play of the group as Starling Marte has started off very hot to begin the season. He’s flying under the radar due to teammate Gregory Polanco but Marte is hitting over .300 with three homers, two doubles, and three triples. He’s also chipped in five stolen bases and he’s always done well against lefties.

Also Consider – Charlie Blackmon, $5,000 and Christian Yelich, $3,500

Main

Mookie Betts, $4,900

.500/.667/.500 with 0 HR in 2 at-bats

Say it with me everyone – you will play Mookie Betts tonight. It’s not a question, it’s just a fact. He’s a mortal lock after his three homer night last night and the fact he is just ripping up lefties. What’s funny is Betts has just a .222 average and still has a 1.253 OPS and a .507 wOBA. That’s not even fair, as the average will catch up sooner rather than later. He’s not scored under 6.2 points in 13 straight games and has two 60 point games and seven over 12 points. Play. Mookie. Betts.

Also Consider –  Rhys Hoskins, $4,800 and J.D. Martinez, $4,100

Mid-Range

Early

Mallex Smith, $3,200

N/A

The price is a little high in a vacuum but that’s what happens in the small slates. Many players will be turned off by the lefty on lefty matchup but Cole Hamels isn’t a pitcher that you actively avoid. Smith should still be fine in this matchup and really with him, you just want some stolen bases. I likely would be more willing to go the value route elsewhere and jam my outfield full of big bats.

Also Consider – Adam Jones, $3,000 and Lorenzo Cain, $3,000

Main

Nick Markakis, $3,400

.364/.429/.455 with 0 HR in 11 at-bats

If you’re riding in the middle lane tonight, Markakis might be your man. Opposing starter Vince Velasquez doesn’t have a lot of luck against lefty hitters and Markakis may not be flashy, but he’ll bring a relatively safe floor. He’s got a great walk rate on top of everything else and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Braves offense had themselves a very good night.

Also Consider – David Peralta, $3,300 and Preston Tucker, $3,100

Value

Early

Jesse Winker, $2,500

N/A 

The young outfielder for the Reds hammered righties to death last year in his limited playing time and while he hasn’t replicated that feat yet this year, it wasn’t an accident either. Winker has some decent pop in his bat and is way too cheap for the spot he’s in today. He’s always got a chance to get on base via walks and if he’s on for Joey Votto, the points could rack up in a hurry.

Also Consider – Craig Gentry, $2,300

Main

Jay Bruce, $2,800

.188/.350/.250 with 0 HR in 16 at-bats

If there’s a way to get to Tanner Roark, it’s left-handed batters. Jay Bruce is at way too cheap a price for a matchup with a pitcher giving up a .375 wOBA and an ERA over 6 to the handedness. It will be interesting to see if players are on Bruce as the day moves forward. He seems like a great way to get some power potential alongside the core group of players.

Also Consider – Nick Williams, $2,300 and Bradley Zimmer, $2,100