What's up RotoBallers, and happy Wednesday. Welcome to another edition of my FanDuel analysis for DFS contests. There is a full slate of games on Wednesday, September 2nd with four early games and the Marlins/Braves starting at 12:10 ET, so double check those lineups before things kick off. Tons of aces which means we'll try and save some coin on the offense, but I've also found a cheap SP to consider for tourney formats.
My goal as always is to help you find matchups for your DFS lineups to help you win on FanDuel. The lineup picks I recommend below are based on individual player stats, trends and their DFS pricing on FanDuel. Good luck tonight RotoBallers!
Editor’s Note: We have some awesome rest of season MLB DFS Services Premium Lineup Picks deals, that include all of our Premium DFS lineup picks, analysis and also exclusive access to all our other Premium tools, apps and resources. Get MLB DFS Premium and get an edge!
Offenses to Target for FanDuel Stacking
Diamondbacks against Jon Gray (R)
This is not the day to try and fade the Coors games. There are aces abound on the board and you'll want to get the offense where you can find it. Opposing pitcher Jon Gray has struggled of late, allowing 10 runs in six innings in his past two starts. I'm not sure I'm ready to fork over $5,500 for Paul Goldschmidt and $5,200 for A.J. Pollock, but David Peralta ($4,000), Ender Inciarte ($3,800), and Jake Lamb ($3,600) are all at reasonable rates that get you in on the action.
Brewers against Jeff Locke (L)
Jeff Locke had a rough August, amassing a 5.46 ERA over five starts in the month. He's been awful on the road too, compiling a 5.61 ERA over 59.1 innings. The Brewers have been hot lately, scoring 25 runs in their past four games, with multiple players carrying the load. My favorite plays include Jonathan Lucroy ($3,400), Adam Lind ($3,700), Jean Segura ($2,400), and Ryan Braun ($4,300). Likely you can't afford them all, but make sure to snag Segura given his success versus Locke (26 AB, .308 AVG).
DFS Starting Pitcher to Consider for FanDuel
Sonny Gray (SP, OAK) - $10,600
Gray has been on fire since recorded a three-hit shutout in LA on July 28th, compiling a 1.60 ERA and putting himself in the CY Young conversation. He's running into an ice-cold Angels squad which just recorded a .221/.281/.344 line in August, all worst in baseball. He's dominated the Angels in the past with a 2.60 ERA and has a 8.30 K/9 in 65.2 innings. In addition, Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are a combined .160 in 50 AB versus Gray. He's our early-slate choice.
Cole Hamels (SP, TEX) - $10,700
I hate to pay for pitching but I can't pass up Cole Hamels returning home to San Diego. In eight starts at San Diego he's 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA, while overall he's 9-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 16 starts versus the Padres. Hamels has been on fire lately, compiling a 1.93 ERA in his past 14 innings. San Diego has struck out 1,069 times this year, sixth worst in baseball. The price hurts, but Hamels is the play.
R.A. Dickey (SP, TOR) - $7,800
This is a crazy low price for a pitcher who has a 3.07 ERA since the All-Star break and quality starts in eight of his past ten games. He's handled the Indians well in the past (3.54 ERA, six GS), and with the Blue Jays fighting to hold their lead in the AL East I expect them to take this game to win the series versus Cleveland. Dickey is a great option if you want to afford some Coors action.
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Yan Gomes (C, CLE) - $2,400
Always good to grab some cheap power at the catcher position. Gomes has three HR in his past three games along with seven RBI. R.A. Dickey has been on fire since the All-Star break, but if you choose to pay up for pitching Gomes is a good option at this price.
Ben Paulsen (1B, COL) - $3,500
His Name is Robert Paulsen. Or Ben. Hard to pass on some Coors action at $3.5K, especially considering Paulsen's .848 OPS vs RHP and .877 OPS at Coors. Chase Anderson has pitched well lately, but that was in Cincinnati and Oakland, not Coors Field.
Neil Walker (2B, PIT) - $2,600
Walker seems to enjoy playing at Miller Park. He has a .835 OPS with nine HR in 42 career games there and gets a rookie in Zach Davis making his MLB debut. He's performed better away from PNC Park all year, and I expect that to continue.
Todd Frazier (3B, CIN) - $2,500
It's crazy to see how fall Frazier has fallen in FanDuel. Once a top three priced 3B, his .204 AVG since the Home Run Derby has plummeted his value. He does own a .839 OPS at Wrigley Field, and he owns a HR to his name versus Jason Hammel. More importantly, he fits the budget if you pay up for pitching.
Jean Segura (SS, MIL) - $2,400
Sticking with my stack pick here. He's crushed Locke in his career (25 AB, .308) and has a .302/.318/.387 line versus lefties, all noticeably better to his numbers versus RHP.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Nelson Cruz (OF, SEA) - $4,300
Nelson Cruz versus a lefty? Sign me up. Cruz has a 1.123 OPS and a .361 average versus LHP, which are basically video game numbers. Scott Kazmir has handled Cruz in the past, but he's shown signs of fatigue in recent starts, and I love Cruz's chances tonight.
Franklin Gutierrez (OF, SEA) - $3,600
When it rains it pours for Scott Kazmir. Gutierrez represents another matchup nightmare for the southpaw, as he's owned him in his career (9-for-21, 3 HR). Like his teammate Cruz, Gutierrez owns ridiculous numbers versus LHP (.345 AVG, 1.051 OPS).
Chris Young (OF, NYY) - $3,000
Seeing a trend here? It's all about the BvP. Chris Young has a .322 AVG and .988 OPS versus LHP in 2015 and had success off Henry Owens in their first duel (2-for-3).
Avisail Garcia (OF, CHW) - $2,500
Just when you thought I was done, I found another right-handed bat with a tasty matchup versus a southpaw. And this one may be my favorite when you factor in cost. Garcia is 5-for-9 lifetime versus Tommy Milone and is batting .299 versus LHP.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6 PM on 9/2
Leave your question here and then come back at 6 PM when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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