After another night of no sleep and intense MLB research, I have come up with the players and teams I am looking forward to watching on Saturday, June 20th. My advice may seem unorthodox or downright wrong but they are all made with proper support and some outside perspective. I like to believe that just because a player has not gotten a hit in a few games does not mean that he is incapable of turning that cold streak around. Just remember that professional sports are one of the greatest facets of life because of its complete spontaneity and unpredictability. While I believe that numbers and data, especially in the MLB, are incredibly useful, there is no predicting miracle performances no matter how many numbers you crunch. I fully enjoyed developing my article today because of the amount of flexibility that is available. I wish you all the best of luck and as always, RotoBall is life.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings
Rockies vs MIL RHP Kyle Lohse
Colorado is home to the most hitter-favorable ballpark in the MLB. With the high altitude, home runs sail out of the stadium with ease. Kyle Lohse will be facing one of the most dangerous teams in the league right now in an all too familiar location. Lohse is giving up incredible numbers to batters this year including a .387 wOBA and .546 SLG% to RHB while sacrificing a .393 wOBA and .425 SLG% to LHB. It has been a struggle for Lohse, and with many of the Rockies like Ben Paulsen, Nick Hundley, and Charlie Blackmon, all contributing +.350 wOBA, the Rockies should look to dominate the right-hander as they have many times before, especially at home.
Athletics vs LAA RHP Jered Weaver
Here's another team in another favorable ballpark with a positive matchup in Jered Weaver. Jered Weaver has been giving up .330 wOBA along with a .447 SLG% to opposing RHB. To LHB, the number show no improvement with a .340 wOBA and .492 SLG%. The Athletics have been known to control RHP and their statistics prove that. With a .323 wOBA and 110 wRC+ this year against RHP, the Athletics are dangerous and their matchup should propel their numbers. They are also in the 12th most favorable park to hitters while owning the thirteenth spot in team wOBA against RHP with .322. The Athletics have the matchup they need to succeed.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Target for DraftKings
Taijuan Walker (SEA, RHP - $7,400)
The odds are already in the favor of Walker in this matchup before the game has even started. Pitching in the twenty-seventh most favorable ballpark for hitters, hopefully Walker can take advantage of both the ballpark difficulty and the fact that Astros hitters are struggling against RHP this season. Only one player on the Astros is over .400 in wOBA (although that is impressive), and the next closest player is at .369. Walker’s opposing wOBA, SLG%, and BAA also show significant decreases when at home. His .244 wOBA and .234 OBP are impressive enough to get the start and potentially shut down a hot Astros squad. The pitcher-favorable ballpark and the high K% (25.5%) of the Astros should allow Walker to accumulate a solid amount of points through strikeouts with a reduced price.
Carlos Rodon (CWS, LHP - $5,500)
While the Rangers seem like a dangerous team on paper, their intimidation is reduced when facing a LHP. Their ability to make contact against LHP suffers, and they are ranked 21st in the league. The Rangers are a team with a high K% (23%), and Rodon is an improved player when at home. This is a recipe for greatness for Rodon, and his at-home averages should stay low through today. Rodon has yet to give up a HR this year, and this ballpark plays to that statistic fairly well. Along with his .283 wOBA at home, Rodon should be able to handle the Rangers and come out with a solid line.
DFS Infielders to Target for DraftKings
Ben Paulsen (COL, 1B - $3,300)
The Rockies have a great matchup with Kyle Lohse and Ben Paulsen should capitalize. He has been batting spectacularly with a .392 wOBA and 135 wRC+ to go with a .546 SLG% when facing a RHP. Paulsen is a cheap option with a ton of upside against a very susceptible pitcher in Kyle Lohse.
Roberto Perez (CLE, C - $2,500)
Yan Gomes was out of the lineup yesterday which allowed Roberto Perez to fill in. He has managed to support to Indians well during his opportunities providing 118 wRC+ and a .435 SLG%. Perez is a great sleeper for today and has a solid matchup facing Erasmus Ramirez who has been giving up .345 wOBA and .400 SLG% to RHB. Perez should be able to produce given his low price as long as Yan Gomes sits out.
Jake Lamb (ARI, 3B - $3,600)
Jake Lamb has been dominating RHP all season and should do the same against Tyson Ross today. Ross has only given up a .272 wOBA to opposing RHB, but that number increases dramatically to .373 when facing LHB. This is a perfect matchup in the fifth most favorable ballpark to hitters. His .509 SLG% should be enough to secure Lamb as one of the top options for today.
Efren Navarro (LAA, 1B/OF - $2,100)
Efren Navarro has been all over the lineup and many times even out of it. When he has been implemented, he has proven that he is steady at the plate and is willing to swing away. His .313 wOBA is nothing to fret about seeing that his 105 wRC+ and cheap price make up for it. He does face Jesse Hahn who has been a dominant pitcher against RHB and has struggled against LHB. Hahn’s .321 wOBA and .373 SLG% against LHB makes Navarro a solid, cheaper option.
DFS Outfielders to Target for DraftKings
Anthony Gose (DET - $3,500)
Anthony Gose is facing Nathan Eovaldi who has been lit up by opposing LHB for a .440 wOBA and .556 SLG%. When Gose is producing a .327 wOBA and 108 wRC+, his potential to out score his projection seems automatic. These numbers are not fantastic, but along with a .302 BA and playing in the seventh most favorable ballpark to hitters, Gose should be able to produce easily.
Mason Williams (NYY - $2,200)
With the help of playing in one of the more home run supporting stadiums, Mason Williams has gotten a hit in his last four games. Alfredo Simon has been struggling against LHB this year and is allowing a .310 wOBA and .392 SLG%. Mason has been on a good streak as of late and it should continue today if he can manage to play through his shoulder injury. If he decides not to play, look for Brett Gardner to step up as the next most viable option for a LHB against Alfredo Simon.
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