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Long time no see, RotoBallers! I’m glad to be back writing again, and hopefully you’re glad to be reading more of my advice. I took an extended leave from DFS while I finished up my senior year of college, and after a successful graduation, I’m excited to get back to researching, reading, and writing about baseball as much as possible.
I have a feeling the transition back from an absence will have some bumps, so stick with me. As always, you can find me on Twitter @BellRoto. If you have any questions you can message or mention me on Twitter. Now let’s go win some cash.
We have an interesting slate on Thursday, with six games in the afternoon and six games at night. Keeping that in mind, I will try to touch on players from both sections of games to satisfy the early and the late FanDuel players. Baseball all day; there’s nothing better!
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 FanDuel DFS
Colorado Rockies (vs. PHI - Jerome Williams, RHP)
Especially in a cash game, it seems silly not to pick on Williams here. Everyone knows that the ball flies off the bat in Coors Field. Throw in a mediocre pitcher and some warm afternoon air to the mix, it’s an easy call. Any stack that includes Charlie Blackmon and Carlos Gonzalez is potentially golden on Thursday.
Atlanta Braves (vs. Matt Garza, RHP)
The Braves will certainly be a low-owned stack tomorrow, but finding an obvious stack for the late games was surprisingly challenging. Garza is by no means an ace, and he had long ball issues last year. I realized while researching this that the Braves’ first six hitters can hit lefty on some nights. So, take your pick. I’m thinking Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis have the best chance for a dinger.
Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets
DFS Starting Pitchers To Target for FanDuel
David Price (SP, DET) - $10,900
With Madison Bumgarner and Clayton Kershaw facing off against each other, David Price becomes the best bet to get a win on Thursday. He and the Tigers are facing off against a strikeout-prone Houston Astros team that is playing over their heads. Meanwhile, Price is more than due for a bounce-back game. He is certainly a premium cash play, but he may even be a solid tournament play if enough FanDuel players are scared off by his recent starts.
Archie Bradley (SP, ARI) – $6,800
As one of the cheaper pitchers on the board, Archie Bradley could end up being a great tournament play for the early slate on Thursday. He gets to play in a pitcher-friendly park in Miami, and as long as he can avoid a multi-RBI Stanton bomb, he should be able to put together a nice outing and maybe a win.
Danny Salazar (SP, CLE) - $8,900
Salazar seems to be the only logical “safe” play for the night games. I put that word in quotation marks because it’s probably the last adjective I would use to describe the right-hander. With that being said, the Chicago White Sox have shown they strikeout often, and the Indians supporting cast should be able to put up a crooked number on John Danks. Long story short, I would stick to the early slate if you want to play cash games.
Jesse Chavez (SP, OAK) - $7,600
Just about any pitcher could wind up being a solid tournament play for the late games on Thursday. This might be the first time I’ve ever recommended using Jesse Chavez, and it just might be my last. However, he’s in a good pitcher’s park, and the win probability for him is higher than the other guy’s. If you’re stuck and want to stay away from Salazar, take a shot on Chavez.
DFS Infielders To Target for FanDuel
Prince Fielder (1B, TEX) - $3,400
The Prince gets to battle against an inconsistent righty with the Pesky Pole in left. Fielder always has a solid chance to get two or more hits, but you can add in homer potential on Thursday, as well.
Robinson Cano (2B, SEA) - $3,000
Mariners fans are just pleading for Cano to burst out of his lame single-only pattern that he has been in. It has to happen eventually, right? Well, maybe it will be Thursday against a vulnerable righty in Chris Tillman. Cano’s price is certainly low enough to buy in at this point.
Eric Campbell (3B, NYM) - $2,600
For a righty hitter at the top of the lineup against a lefty pitcher making his season debut, Eric Campbell’s price is pretty intriguing. What you’ll get from him varies from a two-hit game to a goose egg, but he’s worth a shot if you need some spending room elsewhere.
Freddy Galvis (SS, PHI) - $3,100
Freddy Galvis is another player who I like simply because of his place in the order and his matchup against the pitcher. The thin air may be just what Galvis needs to poke one over the fence. The inflated price may scare away other FanDuel players as well, making him a low-owned infielder.
DFS Outfielders To Target for FanDuel
Hanley Ramirez (OF, BOS) - $3,600
After starting the season on fire, Hanley Ramirez has been struggling with his power stroke. A lefty like Wandy Rodriguez might be just what the doctor ordered on Thursday.
Anthony Gose (OF, DET) - $3,100
The lefty center fielder has a great matchup as long as he is in the lineup. Being the leadoff man in front of a very potent group of hitters helps his stock too.
Jeff Francoeur (OF, PHI) - $2,700
Be careful with this one, as Jeff Francoeur has fallen into a part-time role recently. However, he has a great opportunity at Coors Field against a lefty. If Franceour is deemed the starter in the Phillies’ outfield, he’s a great tournament or cash game option.
Good luck with your FanDuel and DFS lineups RotoBallers!
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