We've got an eight game contest for tonight with first pitch slated for 7:05 EDT. There are a number of stud pitcher and household name guys taking the bump, so it should be a fun one to sort through.
As for Vegas insights, the Astros and Dodgers are the heaviest favorites on the moneyline, at -185 and-250, respectively. The games with the highest projected combined run totals are the Tigers at Orioles (9.5) and the Cardinals at Angels (8.5).
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/12/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on FanDuel.
DFS Lineup Stacks to Target for FanDuel
Cardinals versus Jered Weaver
For my primary stack, I think there's a lot of value in rostering a few of the Cardinals against Jered Weaver and his 1.29 HR/9 and low, low strikeout rate of 5.43 per nine frames. Collectively, the Cardinals have a very impressive .357 wOBA against right-handed pitching and Weaver wont be throwing anything much harder than the Cards seeing in batting practice. This game features one of the highest over/unders of the day as well, and I expect the -138 favorite Cardinals to be providing most of the offense. My favorite Cardinals are the left-handed batters - Jeremy Hazelbaker, Brandon Moss and Matt Carpenter.
Also Consider: Brewers versus James Shields and Orioles against Mike Pelfrey
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Vincent Velasquez (SP, PHI) - $9,100
After an incredible start to the season, Velasquez was sure to see his salary skyrocket, but I think it's at a number right now where he could still exceed value today. So far in 2016, he's done so by an average of over 13 points per start. Tonight, the stars align for another big performance against the Braves and their paltry offense. The Braves have struck out in roughly 24% of their at-bats versus right-handed pitching this season and sport only a .267 team wOBA. Velasquez gets a slight park boost moving from Philadelphia to Atlanta and he also owns a 10.25 K/9.
Also Consider: David Price (SP, BOS) -$9,400
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Catcher (C)
Jonathan Lucroy (C, MIL) - $2,900
Anytime you can grab a number four hitter for under 3K it's a bit of a value, especially when it's at a scarce position like catcher. Lucroy is playing in his home run friendly home park of Miller Stadium while facing James Shields, who is prone to giving up a long ball or two (1.24 HR/9). Over the last 15 days, Lucroy has a hard hit rate of 35% and an average batted ball distance of 234 feet.
First Base (1B)
Pedro Alvarez (1B, BAL) - $2,800
Chris Davis is an excellent choice at this spot too, but Alvarez is an incredible value at $1,300 cheaper than his Oriole teammate. They both face off against Mike Pelfrey, which is an opportune matchup, and Alvarez owns a .343 wOBA and .235 ISO against right-handed pitching this season.
Second Base (2B)
Jonathan Schoop (2B, BAL) - $2,200
Even more so than Alvarez, Schoop is an incredible value today at nearly the FanDuel minimum. He's not quite cash game friendly, unless you really need a punt, but he's an ideal tournament type today. He has strong numbers in the power department against right-handed pitching this season - .226 ISO and a .500 slugging percentage.
Shortstop (SS)
Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL) - $3,300
Diaz has continued to mash right-handed pitching this season, fading little after a great start. Tonight he has an opportune matchup against Jered Weaver, a pitcher whom he should be able to showcase his pop against. Diaz owns a .319 ISO and .725 slugging percentage against righties in 2016.
Third Base (3B)
Matt Carpenter (3B, STL) - $4,000
I really like Carpenter and his hot bat heading into this matchup with Weaver. He's carried a hard hit rate of over 43% in the past 15 days. Carpenter has been known to pick on right-handed fastball pitchers, and his .380 wOBA and .236 ISO are too great to pass up tonight.
Also Consider: Manny Machado (3B, BAL) - $4,300
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Here's my all-value outfield for tonight.
Jeremy Hazelbaker (OF, STL) - $3,000
As if it wasn't already clear from my above selections, I'm picking on Weaver and Pelfrey tonight. Hazelbaker is a great value at this price and he owns strong numbers this season with a .344 ISO and .625 slugging percentage.
Alex Presley (OF, MIL) - $2,300
He has cooled off a bit, but if you need a tournament guy with some upside or a cash game punt, I'd look to Presley. Taking on James Shield in a power hitter's park is pretty opportune and Presley also sports a .222 ISO and .467 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching this season. Solid numbers for nearly the FanDuel minimum price.
Justin Upton (OF, DET) - $2,700
There's a reason you can roster Justin Upton for under 3k and it certainly isn't because he's been impressive this season. Still, anytime I can roster of someone of his talents while facing a pitcher (Ubaldo Jimenez) that is prone to giving up home runs (1.1 HR/9 this season), I'll take my chances in tournament formats. Upton's .330 wOBA against right-handed pitching isn't too bad, either.
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