We've made it to June. Small sample sizes have now graduated into medium sample sizes - hooray for that! There's an 11-game schedule on 6/1/2015, with first pitch at 7:05 eastern time.
My goal with these DFS picks, as always, is to try to choose players who will outperform their expectations. These players can be high-cost players, or they can be sleepers, but we are always looking for players that have a chance to return the greatest value. Let's get to it.
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Offenses to Target for FanDuel Stacking
The Dodgers' hitters are great options tonight at Coors Field against Kyle Kendrick, but you knew that already. Here are two more I like.
Orioles RHB versus Brett Oberholtzer
Lefty Oberholtzer is making just his second start this season, and it happens to be in a home run friendly park against a team with strong right-handed hitters. There's no denying the Orioles had a rough month offensively in May, but I like their chances to get back on track tonight. I'm targeting Delmon Young ($2,200), Chris Davis ($3,600) and Manny Machado ($3,100).
Diamondbacks RHB versus Alex Wood
A lot of their success falls directly on the shoulders of the incredible season Paul Goldschmidt is having, but the Diamondbacks' offense in general has been very productive. Tonight they matchup against a currently mediocre left-handed pitcher with control issues in Alex Wood. Tonight, I'll be trying to construct a lineup around the expensive Goldschmidt ($5,200), A.J. Pollock ($4,200) and Yasmany Tomas ($3,000).
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
There are quite a few aces and front-end starter types on the bump tonight. This is going to be fun.
I won't bore you with statistics you're likely already familiar with just to make cases for the likes of Felix Hernandez, Clayton Kershaw and Gerrit Cole. They are worthy plays in cash games, but they come at a very steep price, too. All three have five-digit salaries this evening. Let's take a look at some slightly cheaper options.
Michael Pineda - SP - Yankees ($9,700)
Earning a win tonight may be a tall task with Pineda's pitching counterpart being King Felix, but I still think he's a strong play in tournament formats. Pineda is looking like the ace/front-end starter type he was projected to be earlier in his career with Seattle, and tonight he faces former teammates that are really struggling at the dish. The Mariners are hitting only .228 against right-handed pitching this season, which puts them in a tie for dead last in the majors with Philadelphia. They're also striking out in 22.8 percent of their at-bats versus RHP (3rd worst mark in the majors), and their slugging percentage is a lowly .381. Add all that to the fact that Pineda is averaging almost 10 strikeouts and less than one walk per nine innings with a 3.36 ERA, and you've got a recipe for a high strikeout, low run scoring game in Seattle.
Garrett Richards - SP - Angels ($8,800)
The Angels are one of the biggest favorites on the board tonight at -157, and I think much of that can be attributed to Tampa Bay's anemic offense. Richards looking strong so far this season. When looking for offenses to pick on, I try to target teams with high strikeout rates and low power production. Tampa is playing the part perfectly, pairing a strikeout that's north of 21 percent with a slugging percentage well below .400 at .369. Richards has a solid ERA (3.12) and low WHIP (1.17), and I like his chances for at least five strikeouts and a win this evening.
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Yasmani Grandal - C - Dodgers ($2,700)
He's without a doubt the catcher to target for tournament formats. He's very cheap, owns Kyle Kendrick and is playing at Coors Field. Enough said.
Adrian Gonzalez - 1B - Dodgers ($3,800)
If you're not willing (or can't afford to) spend the cash for Goldschmidt, Gonzalez makes for a strong second option. He's hittiing over .400 against Kendrick dating back to 2008 and is a .544 slugger this season against right-handed pitching.
Dustin Pedroia - 2B - Red Sox ($3,200)
Like me you're probably less than thrilled with the second baseman options tonight, but I do think Laser Show is a good option. He's priced fairly and is slugging .482 over the past two weeks.
Nolan Arenado - 3B - Rockies ($3,200)
Third baseman options are looking nearly as weak as second base. Normally you can't call an amazing hitter like Arenado a contrarian play, especially at Coors, but that may be the case tonight as he faces Clayton Kershaw. The young corner infielder has five bombs in the last 14 days alone.
Nick Ahmed - SS - Diamondbacks ($3,000)
The D-Backs' shortstop is slugging over .670 in the past two weeks, and I think he's the best play on the board tonight among middle infielders.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Cameron Maybin - OF - Braves ($2,900)
Maybin has a chance to be a really high ROI guy this evening. His bat has come alive recently, and he's getting on base at a .364 clip in that two week stretch.
Joc Pederson - OF - Dodgers ($3,400)
He's got a favorable matchup against Kendrick, park factors going for him and he's hitting over .300 in his last five series. Pederson is a good candidate to go yard, too.
Chris Coghlan - OF - Cubs ($2,200)
An excellent price for a guy hitting so well in the last few weeks. Coghlan is facing a young right-hander in Jose Urena and has three home runs with a .674 slugging percentage in his two week hot stretch.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Heisey - OF - Dodgers ($2,200), Colby Rasmus - OF - Astros ($2,700), Oswaldo Arcia - OF - Twins ($2,800)
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