FanDuel Lineup and Picks for Thursday, May 17
A’s at Blue Jays
A’s Probable Starter – Andrew Triggs, RHP
5.31 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 24.6 strikeout rate
Vs LHH – .250 average, .339 wOBA, 48.0 fly ball rate and 43.1 hard contact rate
Vs RHH – .225 average, .314 wOBA, 29.3 fly ball rate and 37.3 hard contact rate
At first glance, we want the lefties from from the Blue Jays and I’m totally fine targeting them. I’m really not that interested in Triggs in this spot as the Jays rank 19th in ground ball percentage as a team. Curtis Granderson is super cheap and even Teoscar Hernandez has a nice price point. The one exception to targeting lefties is Kevin Pillar. First, he ranks very high in wOBA against righties on Toronto. Secondly, the stolen base upside is immense for him tonight. Triggs is awful at holding runners. If Pillar gets on base, he should be able to swipe at least one bag.
Blue Jays Hitters to Target
Elite Options – Kevin Pillar, Curtis Granderson, Yangervis Solarte
Secondary Options – Justin Smoak, Josh Donaldson
Blue Jays Probable Starter – Aaron Sanchez, RHP
4.08 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15.5 strikeout rate
Vs LHH – .309 average, .395 wOBA, 28.8 fly ball rate and 31.5 hard contact rate
Vs RHH – .187 average, .276 wOBA, 28.6 fly ball rate and 34.3 hard contact rate
That is a massive split that is being displayed for Sanchez. His fly ball rate looks a little unattractive from both sides of the plate but I still might want a piece of the Oakland lefties. I definitely don’t want Sanchez tonight as Oakland has too much power to mess with. This seems like a spot for hitters like Matt Olson and Jed Lowrie more than anyone else. Olson has a lower floor than Lowrie, but his ceiling might be a little higher. Lowrie is finally back down to a price that makes you feel better about playing him at $3,500.
A’s Hitters to Target
Elite Options – Jed Lowrie, Matt Olson
Secondary Options – Khris Davis, Dustin Fowler
Home Run Pick – Matt Olson
Orioles at Red Sox
Orioles Probable Starter – Kevin Gausman, RHP
3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 19.8 strikeout rate
Vs LHH – .244 average, .324 wOBA, 40.9 fly ball rate and 29.4 hard contact rate
Vs RHH – .248 average, .291 wOBA, 30.3 fly ball rate and 37.1 hard contact rate
Is as usual, I have little to know interest in Gausman against the Red Sox offense in Fenway Park. He’s actually been pitching well and could be an option later on down the road. By the numbers, Mitch Moreland rates as one of the best plays from Boston this evening not named Mookie Betts or J.D. Martinez. It works out nicely that he’s at least $1,500 cheaper than this two bombers and he actually has the best wOBA on the Red Sox against righty pitching. Andrew Benintendi is a great play as well in a vacuum but $4,500 seems a little high. Maybe you can go that route since pitching is relatively inexpensive.
Red Sox Hitters to Target
Elite Options – Mookie Betts, Mitch Moreland, Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez
Secondary Options – Hanley Ramirez, Brock Holt
Red Sox Probable Starter – David Price, LHP
4.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20.9 strikeout rate
Vs LHH – .214 average, .275 wOBA, 36.0 fly ball rate and 20.0 hard contact rate
Vs RHH – .261 average, .342 wOBA, 39.4 fly ball rate and 37.4 hard contact rate
Oh look, another offense in a great spot tonight. The Orioles have the ability to beat up on this version of David Price as he sees significant splits when facing righty hitters. The bad news for Price is Baltimore can roll out a lineup featuring nine righties. There’s a lot of solid plays form Baltimore and I won’t blame you if you go the stacking route. Aside from Manny Machado, I think Danny Valencia is my favorite play off the Orioles tonight. He kills both lefties and Price, with a career average of .591 in 22 at-bats against him.
Orioles Hitters to Target
Elite Options – Manny Machado, Danny Valencia, Trey Mancini
Secondary Options – Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones
Home Runs Pick – Both Machado and Valencia go deep here