RADIO
Kevin Luchansky analyzes some MLB DFS lineup picks & sleepers for 5/4/15 on FanDuel fantasy baseball daily leagues. His DFS advice and value picks help you win on FanDuel.
Eleven games scheduled for this evening, with first pitch at 7:05 eastern time. There's a nice balance of games with high expected run totals and reliable pitchers with strikeout potential to target. Guys like Clayton Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, Madison Bumgarner, Jordan Zimmermann, and Carlos Martinez all take the bump, and yet there are still a good chunk of offenses to stack.
That mix is always favorable, but especially so with eight teams with off days and and few teams facing aces. It also makes things a bit more interesting when you don't stack your lineups with guys that everyone else in your pool owns, too.
Editor’s Note: RotoBaller’s Premium DFS Lineup Picks & Tools help you get an edge for your FanDuel lineups with exclusive access to DFS tools and expert lineup picks. Also our DFS batters vs. pitchers tool helps you analyze today’s matchups and make optimal lineup decisions.
Offenses to Target for Stacking
Colorado Rockies
Yea, yea, I know. It's so cliche and obvious to suggest targeting the Rockies because they're back at Coors Field. But this isn't just a "because it's at Coors" suggestion -- and if you really want to avoid the Rockies guys, I've got a few other stack suggestions for you anyway. This is more of a (1) Rockies have a talented lineup that has the 5th highest slugging percentage against right-handed pitching at .443; (2) the game is at Coors; and (3) which is perhaps the biggest, they're facing Josh Collmenter. Collmenter just isn't very good - and although he's doing a decent job of getting ground ball outs this season, he's also giving up contact on over 94% of strikes he's thrown. The Rockies hitters will take what they're given and do so damage here. I'm targeting Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, Nick Hundley and Corey Dickerson. DJ LeMahieu could be a nice DFS sleeper as well, as he's hitting .409 this season versus RHP.
New York Yankees
The Yankees are in Toronto, a park that yields a good number of home runs, to face a pitcher - R.A. Dickey - that just so happens to be allowing them with a greater frequency than the Dickey of old. His strikeouts are down, walks are up, and his HR/FB percentage is just a tick under 14%, which is pretty awful. I think if you can get a few Yankees in your lineup, you can expect good results tonight. If I can fit them in, I'm going after Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Chris Young.
Dark Horse: The St. Louis Cardinals, who haven't exactly been explosive this season, but are slugging .584 lifetime against Cubs starter Travis Wood in 2013 at-bats. I'd take a look at their right-handed batters especially.
DFS Starting Pitchers To Consider for FanDuel
Dallas Keuchel - LHP -Houston Astros ($8,500)
I really like Keuchel in this spot. Not only has he been pitching well this season - 0.73 ERA in 5 starts - but he gets to face the shaky offense of the Texas Rangers. His own team has been providing a lot of run support, and I'm thinking he's a pretty safe play for tonight, while also a much cheaper option than the likes of Clayton Kershaw, King Felix and MadBum.
Jordan Zimmermann - RHP - Washington Nationals ($8,900)
The Marlins have strung a few wins together, picking up 9 of their last 11, but their luck ends here at the hands of Zimm. I'm fairly confident he can pick up a win in this spot at home and should be good for 5-7 strikeouts, too.
Additional: Carlos Martinez ($8,400) vs Cubs, Tyson Ross ($8,300) vs Giants
DFS Infielders To Consider for FanDuel
Stephen Vogt - C - Athletics ($3,000)
With the way Vogt is swinging it, I'm incredibly shocked he isn't more expensive. I'll be building a few lineups with Vogt in them tonight.
Brian McCann - C - Yankees ($3,200)
McCann has a good chance to tee off against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey in Toronto tonight. Not too expensive, either.
Mark Teixeira - 1B - Yankees ($3,400)
We are witnessing the re-emergence of Big Teix and now is a good a time as any to get on the train.
Ike Davis - 1B - Athletics ($2,200)
An amazing price point for a left-handed hitter facing righty Phil Hughes this evening.
Robinson Cano - 2B - Mariners ($3,600)
Just chasing the handed-ness matchup in this one. The Mariners lineup is platooned well against right-handed pitching, and I think Cano sees added RBI opportunities tonight.
Chris Owings - SS - Diamondbacks ($2,800)
Sort of a punt position today as I'm not seeing anything I love. Tulo could absolutely work in this spot, but I don't want to break the bank. Owings is capable of a dong as well, and he has a favorable matchup.
Nolan Arenado - 3B - Rockies ($4,300)
A lot more reasonably priced than I was expecting. Thanks, FanDuel!
DFS Outfielders To Consider for FanDuel
Corey Dickerson - OF - Rockies ($4,800)
I mentioned him in the stack targets section above as I like him for a few reasons tonight. The Rockies should feast on Collmenter.
Mark Trumbo - OF - Diamondbacks ($4,100)
A home run or bust guy, tonight seems like a night he's got a great chance to leave the yard. Certainly doesn't hurt that he's playing at Coors.
Bryce Harper - OF - Nationals ($4,300)
Probably the best left-handed hitter on the board today with the most favorable matchup against righty David Phelps.
MLB & DFS Chat Room
[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="700px"]
