Fansided

FanDuel MLB lineup and picks for Friday, May 25

By Adam Strangis

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in relief during game five of the NLDS between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on October 12, 2017, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 9-8.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in relief during game five of the NLDS between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on October 12, 2017, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 9-8.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 18: Austin Meadows #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates safely steals second base in front of Freddy Galvis #13 of the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at PNC Park on May 18, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 18: Austin Meadows #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates safely steals second base in front of Freddy Galvis #13 of the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning at PNC Park on May 18, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Cardinals at Pirates

Cardinals Probable Starter – John Gant, RHP

4.67 ERA, 1.10WHIP and 25.0 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .293 average, .340 wOBA, 35.7 fly ball rate and 58.6 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .077 average, .126 wOBA, 45.0 fly ball rate and 20.0 hard contact rate

This game is legitimately hard to get a grasp on. Want is certainly nothing special but the Pirates offense can be very hit or miss. With 13 other games, I’m not sure I want to be holding the bag with a couple Pirates in my lineup sitting on zero points. The only ones I’d have interest in are the lefties. Austin Meadow is another young buck whose price has shot through the roof but he’s been scorching the ball since his call up. He was a highly regarded prospect as recently as last year. You could go with Corey Dickerson or Colin Moran but they aren’t the safest options.

Pirates Hitters to Target

Elite Options – Austin Meadows, Francisco Cervelli

Secondary Options – Corey Dickerson, Colin Moran

Pirates Probable Starter – Joe Musgrove, RHP

Season Debut

Musgrove is sitting at minimum price since it’s his first start of the season. Even having said that, I don’t want to use him. I just don’t see the pathway to success here. He bounced back and forth between starting and bullpen work for the Astros last season to the tune of a 4.77 ERA. I have a hard time believing the Bucs can make him a better pitcher than Houston could, based on the ream of evidence available. Righty hitters saw a little better success against Musgrove last season so hitters like Tommy Pham and Tyler O’Neil stand out. Pham can leave the yard and contribute a bunch of different ways. O’Neil just oozes raw power. Seriously, the dude is jacked. Again, I’m not going to go crazy with Cardinals here because we just don’t know what Musgrove is going to give us.

Cardinals Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – Tommy Pham, Tyler O’Neil, Jose Martinez

Secondary Options – Harrison Bader, Marcell Ozuna

Home Run Pick – Tyler O’Neil

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 15: Kevin Pillar #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates scoring a run against the Minnesota Twins during the game on September 15, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Blue Jays defeated the Twins 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 15: Kevin Pillar #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates scoring a run against the Minnesota Twins during the game on September 15, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Blue Jays defeated the Twins 4-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Blue Jays at Phillies

Blue Jays Probable Starter – Sam Gavigilo, RHP

*All stats are from one start* 0.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 29.3 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .214 average, .252 wOBA, 41.7 fly ball rate and 33.3 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .208 average, .235 wOBA, 35.7 fly ball rate and 28.6 hard contact rate

The stats aren’t much to look at with Gavigilo since it’s only one start. Still, it did come against the A’s which is no mean feat. Philly carries the reputation of being a tough offense and they do have some good hitters. They’re actually not as hard of a matchup as some may think. Odubel Herrera is the only player with a wOBA over .340 against the handedness and they strike out over 26 percent of the time as a team. You could always go with the Philly stack but I don’t think that’s the best move tonight.

Phillies Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – Odubel Herrera

Secondary Options – Rhys Hoskins, Cesar Hernandez, Carlos Santana

Phillies Probable Starter – Zach Eflin, RHP 

1.56 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 25.0 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .150 average, .288 wOBA, 75.0 fly ball rate and 38.5 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .167 average, .191 wOBA, 45.2 fly ball rate and 21.9 hard contact rate

Somehow, Eflin has survived with this fly ball rate and that’s got to come to an end sooner than later. I’m just not sure Toronto is the team to make him pay. They rate well as far as hitting for power as a team but they don’t hit for a high average. If I’m playing pieces from this side of the game, it has to be the lefty hitters from Toronto. A hitter like Yangervis Solarte could be the best bet here. Curtis Granderson would be interesting if he’s back in the lineup. I really don’t think I’m going to be too involved in this game. Nothing really jumps off the page as of now.

Blue Jays Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – Curtis Granderson, Yangervis Solarte

Secondary Options – Josh Donaldson, Kevin Pillar, Justin Smoak

Home Run Pick – Kevin Pillar