Fansided

FanDuel Lineup and Picks for Monday, May 28

By Adam Strangis

SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 11: Tommy Pham #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by Harrison Bader #48 after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 11, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 11: Tommy Pham #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by Harrison Bader #48 after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 11, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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WWEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals runs the bases during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 25, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Washington won 9-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
WWEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Trea Turner #7 of the Washington Nationals runs the bases during a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 25, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Washington won 9-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Nationals at Orioles

Nationals Probable Starter – Gio Gonzalez, LHP

2.38 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 23.2 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .167 average, .186 wOBA, 36.1 fly ball rate and 19.4 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .244 average, .318 wOBA, 29.8 fly ball rate and 31.1 hard contact rate

I don’t think I’m going to be heavily invested on this side of the game. Gonzalez is a great real life pitcher but he can be uneven for fantasy. His strikeouts just aren’t trustworthy every time out and Baltimore ranks 11th in strikeout percentage against lefties. The Orioles can throw out nine righties if they choose to do so and that is a clear disadvantage for Gonzalez. Could Baltimore beat Gonzalez up a little bit? They sure could but I think there’s only two hitters that I’d really chase and that’s Manny Machado and Danny Valencia. Gonzalez isn’t a terrible play but it’s tough to pony up $9,200 for him in a difficult matchup in a bad park.

Orioles Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – Manny Machado

Secondary Options – Danny Valencia

Orioles Probable Starter – Alex Cobb, RHP

7.32 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 11.6 strikeout rate

Vs LHH – .440 average, .506 wOBA, 28.1 fly ball rate and 38.5 hard contact rate

Vs RHH – .327 average, .394 wOBA, 28.3 fly ball rate and 35.9 hard contact rate

The metrics look just terrible for Cobb and the Nationals are surely going to be a popular option on this slate. Here’s the thing players might not notice – before his disaster against the White Sox his last time out, Cobb had thrown a quality start in three of four starts. It’s not like he’s a great pitcher but there’s at least a chance is he won’t be a total gas can like most expect. It’s still a little dangerous to not have any Nationals hitters in cash.

Finding a cheaper option from the Nationals is not really going to happen today. Wilmer Difo is the cheapest at $2,900 but there may not be a ton of upside there. Bryce Harper might just be one of the best hitters on the slate when not talking about price point. I’d love to play Juan Soto but $3,700 is rich to be sure. As far as the high end offenses go, I think I’d prefer Houston to Washington. There’s a bigger chance of Cobb being serviceable than German for the Yankees.

Nationals Hitters to Target 

Elite Options – Bryce Harper, Matt Adams, Trea Turner

Secondary Options – Juan Soto, Wilmer Difo, Anthony Rendon

Home Run Pick – Matt Adams