RADIO
Welcome to Thursday baseball on FanDuel. We have a fun slate on our hands, though it's a small one. The Mets are still hosting the Marlins, so we have a lineup to pick on. There are also some other options to choose from, and we'll get to those. Felix Hernandez is the worst pitcher on this slate and we'll be picking on him plenty.
Let's dive right in and find a top play at each position!
Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DFSVarney
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Zack Wheeler - NYM vs. MIA - $10,500
The Mets are facing off with the Marlins for the fourth night in a row, and Jacon deGrom finally shut them down last night. He went seven clean innings and struck out seven before the bullpen gave up a few. Wheeler will look to double down tonight, after going seven innings in three straight outings. They were all against tougher opponents, so this should be a relative cake walk. Wheeler has struck out a batter per inning on the season and is walking just over two per nine innings. The price isn't too crazy on Wheeler here and he seems like a pretty easy cash game option.
Sean Manaea - OAK @ SEA - $9,800
Sean Manaea has been phenomenal since returning from injury, allowing just three runs in 24 innings of work while striking out 25. The Mariners aren't great against lefties, ranking 24th in baseball with a .304 wOBA and 25% strikeout rate. The ballpark is spacious and Manaea uses that to his advantage a ton. He's certainly a tournament play as Wheeler is the safe option, but he will be half as owned and the upside for seven innings and double-digit strikeouts is there.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Matt Olson - OAK @ SEA (Hernandez) - $3,700
It definitely feels weird to pick on Felix Hernandez as our worst pitcher on the slate, but that’s the world we live in. Hernandez is a shell of himself and has limped his way to the finish line this season. He’s allowing a .350+ wOBA to opposing batters and an HR/9 close to two. The Athletics are expected to put up over five runs and Olson is their best lefty. He’s up to 35 home runs on the season and isn’t even power reliant. Olson makes for a great play in all formats and as the cornerstone of an Athletics stack.
Ben Zobrist - CHC @ PIT (Musgrove) - $2,600
If Zobrist is still hitting lead-off, this price is just too low. Joe Musgrove isn’t a terrible pitcher, but he’s a lot worse vs lefties and does have issues with the long ball. The switch-hitting Zobrist is a lot better against righties (.338 wOBA) and has more power from the left side. Second base is beyond ugly, and Zobrist will help you pay elsewhere. If you want to pay up, Jose Altuve is in a great spot.
Jeff McNeil - NYM vs. MIA (Yamamoto) - $3,400
You can go Cano at second as well, but I figured I will touch on the Nets right here. Jordan Yamamoto was one of the luckiest pitchers in baseball at one point. I preached to target him every outing until his peripherals caught up. They have. He’s a below-average young right-hander that struggles with lefties (.347 wOBA allowed). Jeff McNeil is a bit dinged up, but he’s a phenomenal play if in the lineup. He’s too cheap on FanDuel and you want exposure to the Mets one way or another.
Andrelton Simmons - LAA vs. HOU (Miley) - $2,700
Wade Miley has been absolutely terrible over the last month. He’s been lucky all year long, so some of his true talent has caught up to him. We’re looking at somewhere in the middle. Miley is a LOT worse than the other three pitchers in this rotation and I think you can target the Angels here. Andrelton Simmons is better against lefties and SS is pretty weak. Simmons is a good play in all formats.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
George Springer - HOU @ LAA (Barria) - $4,500
Jaime Barria is a reverse splits pitcher, so I’m all over George Springer here. In fact, he’s one of my favorite plays over the last month and you will see 100% Springer in my lineups. He already demolished right-handed pitching and now he faces off with a guy that is worse against righties. He doesn’t have a good slider and his fastball is very straight. If I’m paying up for one bat on this slate, George Springer is the one.
Ramon Laureano - OAK @ SEA (Hernandez) - $3,100
We'll bookend the outfield with another Athletics bat. The truth is that Felix Hernandez has the worst numbers on this slate and you play all of these A's. They're cheap enough on both sites and we have enough value elsewhere. As for Ramon Laureano, he's been in the heart of this Athletics order all year long and he produces against both lefties and righties (.341 wOBA). Laureano is too cheap on FanDuel and a great glue guy in all formats.
