Welcome to my first FanDuel article at FantasyPros. If you’ve been following me, you know that I typically cover DraftKings on Saturdays for FantasyPros but I’ve added Tuesday’s to my repertoire. While these DFS sites generally price players similarly, it’s always nice to look at both and draw values that way. That’s one of the reasons we picked the pitcher we did, as he happens to be the highest-priced pitcher on DK and a huge value on FanDuel.
If you have any comments or questions, contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel.
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Pitcher
Chris Paddack (SD): $9,300 at SF
Coming in, I figured Paddack would at least be in the Top-3 in pricing for this slate but he’s actually ranked sixth on FanDuel. The reason for that is because of some recent struggles but I’d argue that he should be north of $10,000 in this premium matchup. In fact, the Giants currently rank 28th in runs scored, 29th in OPS and 27th in xwOBA. That’s really no surprise when you consider that they play in arguably the best pitcher’s park in the Majors. Paddack has shown signs of brilliance too, with the Padres righty posting a 2.97 ERA and 0.89 WHIP this season while striking out 66 batters across 60.2 innings of action.
Welcome to my first FanDuel article at FantasyPros. If you’ve been following me, you know that I typically cover DraftKings on Saturdays for FantasyPros but I’ve added Tuesday’s to my repertoire. While these DFS sites generally price players similarly, it’s always nice to look at both and draw values that way. That’s one of the reasons we picked the pitcher we did, as he happens to be the highest-priced pitcher on DK and a huge value on FanDuel.
If you have any comments or questions, contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel.
Win cash playing in FanDuel’s MLB Rally >
Pitcher
Chris Paddack (SD): $9,300 at SF
Coming in, I figured Paddack would at least be in the Top-3 in pricing for this slate but he’s actually ranked sixth on FanDuel. The reason for that is because of some recent struggles but I’d argue that he should be north of $10,000 in this premium matchup. In fact, the Giants currently rank 28th in runs scored, 29th in OPS and 27th in xwOBA. That’s really no surprise when you consider that they play in arguably the best pitcher’s park in the Majors. Paddack has shown signs of brilliance too, with the Padres righty posting a 2.97 ERA and 0.89 WHIP this season while striking out 66 batters across 60.2 innings of action.
First Base
Edwin Encarnacion (SEA): $4,000 at MIN
It would be easy to recommend Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit against Jason Vargas, but Encarnacion is quite the value in his own right. What I really like about E5 is his recent form, with Encarnacion hitting seven dingers over his last nine games. That is obviously absurd production and it’s clear that his power stroke is clearly back. What makes him an enticing play here is the fact that he gets to face a lefty, with E5 posting an .866 OPS against southpaws in his career. It happens to be a struggling lefty too, with Martin Perez providing a 9.82 ERA and 2.18 WHIP over his last two starts.
Second Base
Brian Dozier (WSH): $2,700 at CWS
It’s hard to get excited about a guy who has struggled for two years now but recent results are really encouraging. We’re talking about a player who used to have 40-homer, 20-steal potential and it’s clear that he’s returning to that form. Since June 1, Dozier is hitting .391 while accruing three homers, two doubles, seven RBI and seven runs scored in eight games played. That’s the Dozier that we used to know and love, as we get quite the bargain here at $2,700. Facing a lefty like Manny Banuelos is simply the icing on the cake, with Dozier posting an 1.134 OPS against southpaws so far this season.
Third Base
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR): $3,000 at BAL
Many fantasy owners have overlooked Vlad because of his nightmarish start but savvy DFS players know that this is a guy who should be closer to $4,000. This is a stud prospect who posted historical numbers at the minor league level and it’s just a matter of time before we’re looking at a .330 hitter with 1.000 OPS potential. He’s showing some signs of that hitter recently, with Guerrero hitting .278 over his last 23 games while providing an OPS just shy of .900 in that span. We also love that he gets to face a lefty, with Guerrero posting an OPS approaching 1.100 against southpaws in his minor league career.
Shortstop
Trea Turner (WSH): $4,000 at CWS
It’s really hard to understand this price. This is a guy who’s a Top-5 pick in most season-long fantasy leagues and he’s actually outside of the Top-25 in terms of price on this slate. It’s not like Turner has been bad either, as his 12.6 FD points per game are one of the top marks at his position. What adds to his intrigue is the fact that he gets the platoon advantage in his favor, with Turner posting a .928 OPS against lefties so far this season. We love the Nationals against Manny Banuelos too, with the White Sox southpaw posting a .414 wOBA this season to match his 7.36 ERA and 1.83 WHIP.
Outfielders
Nelson Cruz (SEA): $3,500 at MIN
Cruz is simply too cheap and he’s arguably one of the hottest hitters in the league. In fact, he enters this matchup in the midst of a four-game homer streak. That’s the power we expect from the slugging DH, with Cruz’ .419 xwOBA and .286 ISO proving that he’s still one of the best power hitters in the game. Getting the platoon advantage in his favor is huge too, with Cruz generating a .553 SLG and .931 OPS against southpaws in his career.
Franmil Reyes (SD): $3,200 at SF
Why do these sites continue to disrespect Reyes? This stud outfielder has simply been one of the best power hitters in the league and he’s being priced like an average player. The 19 homers speak for itself, as his .386 xwOBA and .311 ISO further solidifies him as one of the most dangerous bats in the Majors. We really love that he gets to face Tyler Beede too, with the San Francisco righty posting an 8.15 ERA and 2.21 WHIP so far this season.
Wil Myers (SD): $2,800 at SF
Those horrendous numbers from Beede put all of the Padres in play and that definitely makes Myers worth a shot below $3,000. This is a guy who has 25-25 potential every season, as his 11 homers and eight steals put him on track for close to that yet again. While he’s struggled so far this season, Myers does appear to be seeing the ball well lately. Over his last 15 games, Myers is posting a .390 OBP while providing four homers, four steals and 10 runs scored in that span.
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Joel Bartilotta is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @BartilottaJoel.