RADIO
There are 15 games on the schedule today, which meant more work for me. I know that you do not want to go game by game to find the best DFS matchups, so I will gladly do that for you. I will exploit the matchups that have the best statistical probability to perform above expectations for your FanDuel lineups.
The descriptions will be shorter than normal but consist of players that should outscore their current projections. I understand certain people, like myself, feel biased to choose players from their favorite teams so I should give plenty of options from each game to accommodate those desires. Some of these games may not even receive a full analysis due to questionable circumstances whether it is park factors, facing a certain pitcher/batter, etc. I will do my best to provide as many options as possible that should allow you to fill your lineup with players that have the best statistical matchups for reasonable prices. Remember to check your lineups and good luck RotoBallers.
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Game by Game DFS Analysis for FanDuel Lineups
Definitely a park in favor of pitchers but slightly more lenient to RHB. Kevin Gausman is consistent and should fair well against the Mariners. Iwakuma on the other hand struggles a bit against LHB. Chris Davis is the only real threat with his .371 wOBA / 138 wRC+ / .541 SLG% when facing LHP.
Petco Park in San Diego is one of the most pitcher favorable parks in the MLB. That being said, there are not many offensive options that I can confidently advise. Rasiel Iglesias has a 33.1 K% against RHB but that drops significantly to a 12.3 K% when facing LHB. A dominant James Shields, who kills RHB with a 31.3 K% / 11.14 K/9 / 2.99 ERA. Against LHB he struggles only slightly with a 20.7 K% and 4.63 ERA which makes Joey Votto and his awesome .418 wOBA / 167 wRC+ / .544 SLG % against LHP is a potentially rewarding matchup. If anybody is going to be able to hit off Shields, chances are it is going to be Votto.
The park notably favors RHB, but facing LHB is not Aaron Nola’s strong suit. While he has only pitched around 24 innings this year, a 7.1 K% against LHB gives David Peralta a high ceiling. His .383 wOBA / 142 wRC+ / .535 SLG% should evidence his chances of destroying Nola. If you need to free up some “cap space”, Jake Lamb is batting slightly above average with a .340 wOBA / 112 wRC+ / .445 SLG% against LHP.
First off, AT&T Park in San Francisco is a pitcher friendly park but the Giants powerful offense should feel, dare I say, “safe at home.” Stacking the Giants against a hittable Scott Feldman, 4.98 ERA / 12.8 K% against RHB and 3.92 ERA / 13.8 K% against LHB would be a smart move. Brandon Belt (.371 wOBA / .516 SLG%), Brandon Crawford (.365 wOBA / .505 SLG%), and Gregor Blanco (.341 wOBA / .422 SLG%) are viable options on the left side of the plate. Buster Posey (.391 wOBA / 159 wRC+), Hunter Pence (.386 wOBA / .517 SLG%), and Matt Duffy (.370 wOBA / 145 wRC+) protect the other side of the plate so take your pick. Chris Heston struggles with LHB and suffer a 4.35 ERA with a 14.6 K%. Preston Tucker and his 145 wRC+ and .547 SLG% would be your best bet on the Astros roster.
Adam Conley has a limited amount of inning under his belt which makes this a tough analysis. Much of the Red Sox offense also has limited experience which is does not give me enough confidence to advise any Boston players. Eduardo Rodriguez has been fairly consistent against both RHB and LHB this season but Adeiny Hechavarria (.426 wOBA / 176 wRC+/ .553 SLG%) and Cole Gillespie (.381 wOBA / 144 wRC+ / .500 SLG%) should be able to handle the Rodriguez as they have handled LHP all season.
Aaron Brooks is another young pitcher with only 18 innings pitched in his career. In those innings he has struggled against RHB which leaves an opportunity for a cheaper option in Chris Colabello (.363 wOBA / 131 wRC+ / .478 SLG%) and the obvious Josh Donaldson (.385 wOBA / 147wRC+ / .547 SLG %) options that dominate RHP. For the Athletics, assuming Josh Phegley (.392 wOBA / 157 wRC+ / .543 SLG%) gets the start against the struggling LHP Mark Buehrle, he would be a solid option for a low price.
Tropicana Field is slightly favored towards pitchers while favoring LHB. Matt Wisler struggles against LHB which means Logan Forsythe (.407 wOBA / 168 wRC+ / .604 SLG%) should have his work cut out for him. Jake Odorizzi should be able to keep the Braves under control and could be the sleeper pitcher for the day. His 3.28 ERA / 15.8 K% against RHB and 2.36 ERA / 24.5 K% against LHB, is complemented by their lack of offensive production.
This game revolves around two of the league's most dominant pitchers, Jorge de la Rosa and Jacob deGrom. de la Rosa does have trouble with RHB but is still above averaging when facing them with his 19.8 K% and 4.54 ERA. I would suggest Wilmer Flores (.364 / 137 wRC+ / .521 SLG%) cautiously as the only Mets player worthwhile. For the Rockies, I will start off with Carlos Gonzalez who has destroyed RHP this season to the tune of .431 wOBA / 162 wRC+ / .650 SLG%. Sadly, he faces Jacob deGrom which is atop the MLB with a 1.92 ERA / 27.8 K% against RHB and 2.34 ERA / 24.9 K% against LHB. Jacob deGrom should be confidently started with Carlos Gonzalez being the only player with enough potential to counter his fantastic pitching.
Yankees @ Indians
Another great pitching matchup in park that favors neither pitchers or hitters. The most exploitable matchup would be CC Sabathia's lack of success against RHB, where he suffers a 5.61 ERA and a below average 16.7 K%. Giovanny Urshela should be able to produce off of Sabathia and has maintained a .394 wOBA / 156 wRC+ / .512 SLG% against LHP this season. Danny Salazar, on the other hand, has been extremely consistent with a 26.3 K% against RHB and an even better 30.3 K% against LHB. Not only that, but his 10.68 K/9 rating makes him a frightening pitcher in his home park.
Jason Hammel is a force to be reckoned with and faces a weaker offensive team in the Brewers. With an impressive 26.5 K% against RHB and 8.22 K/9 against LHB makes him an option with a very high ceiling and potential. The Cubs offense faces Matt Garza who has been below average with a 5.16 ERA against RHB and 4.71 ERA against LHB which gives Kyle Schwarber (.472 wOBA / 208 wRC+ / .662 SLG%) and Anthony Rizzo (.383 wOBA / 146 wRC+ / .524 SLG%) as must start options.
Although this park slightly favors pitchers, both Daniel Norris and Edinson Volquez have struggled this season. I would suggest skipping out on both pitchers so I will not waste your time with riddling off their below average stats. For the Royals, Ben Zobrist has been on a tear recently with a .333 BA, one homer and four RBI in the past seven days. Tigers, Jefry Marte would be the other option as he has a .381 wOBA / 144 wRC+ / .500 SLG% and should produce against Norris.
To my knowledge, the White Sox SP has yet to be announced which causes a problem for my analysis. I would just skip out on this game completely as no matchups stick out well enough to confidently advise. Sorry White Sox and Angels fans. Atleast Angels fans may get a NFL team soon.
Another contest that has two well below average pitchers in Nick Martinez and Mike Pelfrey. This is where you should look to for cheaper options to excel. Nick Martinez has a 13.0 K% / 4.78 ERA against RHB and 13.8 K% / 3.05 ERA against LHB. Look for Miguel Sano (.436 wOBA / 183 wRC+ / .611 SLG%) to dominate Martinez. On the other side, Pelfrey and his 10.7 K% / 3.67 ERA against RHB and 11.5 K% / 4.56 ERA when facing LHB allows for cheap options Mitch Moreland and Joey Gallo to have respectable projections. Both Moreland and Gallo have a .392 wOBA and 148 wRC+ which should allow you take your pick or even both for Wednesday.
This is going to be one of the most popular games today and for a good reason. Gerrit Cole has been dominant, 8.39 K/9 / 2.92 ERA against RHB and 26.5 K% / 1.82 ERA when facing LHB. While the Cardinals are seemingly unstoppable, Randal Grichuk and his .384 wOBA / 149 wRC+ / .578 SLG% would be the best option against a fantastic pitcher. For the Pirates facing Michael Wacha and his 2.77 ERA against RHB, Andrew McCutcheon (.386 wOBA / 152 wRC+ / .513 SLG%) and Jung-ho Kang (.357 wOBA / 132 wRC+ / .448 SLG%) should significantly outperform their projections.
I would be worried if I was a Nationals player as Kershaw is just downright scary. A 32 K% against RHB and even scarier 35.4 K% against LHB is enough to solidify Kershaw as a must start. There are not many Nationals players that I can advise confidently to beat Kershaw. For the Dodgers, Yasmani Grandal has a .391 wOBA / 155 wRC+ / .519 SLG% against RHP which should be enough to overcome Jordan Zimmermann who is below average when facing RHB with a 16.5 K% but still maintains a solid 3.25 ERA.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Target for FanDuel
James Shields (SD, SP) - $8,900
Jake Odorizzi (TB, SP) - $8,800
Jacob deGrom (NYM, SP) - $11,300
Danny Salazar (CLE, SP) - $8,700
Jason Hammel (CHC, SP) - $8,300
Gerrit Cole (PIT, SP) - $10,400
Clayton Kershaw (LAD, SP) - $13,000
DFS Infielders to Target for FanDuel
Chris Davis (BAL, 1B) - $4,800
Joey Votto (CIN, 1B) - $3,500
Jake Lamb (ARI, 3B) - $2,700
Matt Duffy (SF, 3B) - $3,300
Adeiny Hechavarria (MIA, SS) - $2,400
Josh Donaldson (TOR, 3B) - $5,600
Josh Phegley (OAK, C) - $2,700
Kyle Schwarber (CHC, C) - $4,000
Anthony Rizzo (CHC, 1B) - $4,200
Jefry Marte (DET, 3B) - $3,000
Miguel Sano (MIN, 3B) - $2,800
Joey Gallo (TEX, 3B) - $3,100
Jung-ho Kang (PIT, SS) - $3,500
Yasmani Grandal (LAD, C) - $3,200
DFS Outfielders to Target for FanDuel
David Peralta (ARI) - $3,800
Preston Tucker (HOU) - $3,100
Cole Gillespie (MIA) 0 $2,400
Chris Colabello (TOR) - $2,800
Carlos Gonzalez (COL) - $4,400
Ben Zobrist (KC) - $3,800
Mitch Moreland (TEX) - $3,300
Andrew McCutchen (PIT) - $5,100
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