RADIO
We have 15 games on the slate today, which means every team is in action. I'll be covering picks from the early and main slate, just to hit on all the points. Some top aces on the mound today, so if you are going to try and fit them in, you will need some savings else where. There are a few games with some potential weather concerns, so be sure to check your MLB DFS weather sources on twitter, (I recommend @KevinRothWx, he is the best, IMO). So sit back, read up, and let's win some contests.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/19/17. Enjoy the read and good luck out there today!
You can read our DraftKings and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @DFS_Tom.
Offensive Stacks
Texas Rangers vs Jesse Hahn
The Rangers offense is one of the better ones in the majors, as the have the most runs scored this year, and they are up against Hahn, who is a relatively inexperience bad pitcher. Hahn only has an 11% strikeout rate for both right-handed and left-handed batters. He is especially bad vs lefties, and last year he gave up 3.26 HR/9. It is a small sample size at only 19 IP, but the trend is there, and if he doesn't have his control, expect the long ball.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Clayton Kershaw - P, vs COL ($12,900)
Its hard to ignore Kershaw when he is on the slate, and today is no different. He is pitching at home, a good pitchers park, and he is up against the Rockies who have the sixth worst strikeout rate vs left-handed pitchers at 24.5%. So the signs are pointing toward Kershaw having another textbook outing, and going deep in the game, big strikeout potential, while limiting the hits and runs. Kershaw has had eight strikeouts in two of his three starts this year, both of those games coming at home. Kershaw did face the Rockies in his second start of the season, but that game was at Coors Field, so the numbers were a bit inflated. His stat line for that game was: 6 IP, 8 H, 6 SO, and 4 ER. So not the best outing for him, but again, Coors is an outlier, and you shouldn't put too much weight into those stats. Kershaw is great for cash games, but since he is so expensive, you will have to find some savings elsewhere.
Chris Archer - P, vs DET ($9,300)
Archer is a bit cheaper than Kershaw, and he is also in a great spot vs the Tigers. Archer has three starts this year, and he has put up at least 35 FanDuel points in each game. Archer has a 1.14 WHIP so far this year with 18 SO, through 20.1 IP. He is keeping things under control for the most part, the problem so far this year, is that the Rays are having trouble providing the offense in every game, so he could pitch a great game, but may not come away with the win, since they can't score. Archer is good for cash and GPPs, he may be under owned in tournaments, since he isn't at the top of the pricing, but he also isn't cheap. Bit of a weird spot, which may cause him to go over looked.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Buster Posey - C, @ KAN ($3,900)
Posey is back from his short stint on the DL, and he was in action last night. He did slot into the Giants lineup as the DH, so not yet back behind the plate. Some people may shy away from him, since he is just coming back, but due to that, he could be low owned in tournaments, and he has nice upside. Posey is batting .333 for year and he has scored fantasy points in every game he has played in. He is at Kansas City, which is a middle of the road park for hitters, but there should be strong winds blowing out toward center, giving it a bit of a boost.
Mitch Moreland - 1B, @ TOR ($3,500)
Moreland just checking in for his daily double. Seemingly every game over the past week, Moreland has hit a double. Its almost unbelievable at this point, nine doubles in 13 games, and he is still this low in price. Moreland is a great option for cash games, since he gives you some exposure to the Red Sox offense, which should be hot this year. They haven't been the most consistent to start, but the potential for them is huge. Moreland is up against Liriano, who had a .326 wOBA vs left-handed batters last year.
Logan Forsythe - 2B, vs COL ($3,400)
Forsythe is pretty consistent as we know, batting .295 to start the year, and averaging 7.8 FanDuel points per game. He doesn't have a huge ceiling, but for his price, we are looking for someone we can count on day in and day out. He is up against a left-handed pitcher, and last year he had a .330 wOBA vs them, with a .191 ISO. So not numbers that are going to blow you away, but he can get it done.
Darwin Barney - SS, vs BOS ($2,100)
This is a punt play. Strictly a punt play. With Josh Donaldson going on the DL for some time, Barney has stepped into the starting role. He played last night, so not 100% sure he will start again, but if he does, you may want to consider him. Flat out, the Blue Jays have been horrible to start the season. Last year they had a solid offense, and it would be good to have exposure to them. This year, not so much. But if you use Barney as a punt play, it will allow you to get one of the big name pitchers into your lineup.
Kyle Seager - 3B, vs MIA ($3,700)
Love me some Kyle Seager. He has been good in a stack, and gives you that late night hammer to jump your spot up in some tournaments. Seager has scored fantasy points in 13 out of 14 games to start the year. Not every game is huge, but he does something to score points. He is facing off against Edinson Volquez, who had a .346 wOBA vs left-handed hitters last year. Seager has yet to hit a home run this year, and tonight may be his spot.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Seth Smith - OF, @ CIN ($2,600)
Simply put, Smith is still too cheap. He has been batting lead-off for one of the hottest teams to start the season. Baltimore has a lot of power in their lineup, and Smith is reaping the benefits of it. He is getting on base, and scoring fantasy points. Great options in cash games, since his low salary gives you some room to fit in one of the top pitchers, and also great in stacks, since the Orioles have been clicking offensively to start the year.
Billy Hamilton - OF, vs BAL ($3,000)
Hamilton, is a base stealing machine. He has six stolen bases in 13 games, and the Reds as a team are tied for first in the majors for most stolen bases. They like to run early and often. If Hamilton can get on, almost certainly he will try to swipe a bag. They are playing in Cincinnati, which is a great hitters park, so it makes the Reds players very stackable for cash or GPPs.
Nomar Mazara - OF, @ OAK ($4,100)
Nomahhh. No not that Nomar, but a different Nomar. OK, Nomar jokes. Mazara has been mashing the ball to start the season. He is hitting .352 with 4 HR, and 16 RBI. Great numbers from him, and he has a great match up in front of him tonight. He is facing off against Jesse Hahn, who has just dreadful numbers versus left-handed hitters. Last year, Hahn had a .443 wOBA vs lefties. That is staggering. He also gave up 3.26 HR/9. Unbelievably bad numbers, so lock Mazara in all your lineups.
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