DraftKings MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 8/7/15
Before you get going with fantasy football, why not try some daily fantasy baseball?
DraftKings has contests going on each night where you can win real cash prizes. And with a nice slate tonight in baseball, it's the perfect chance to join and play. After all, new users at DraftKings get a free entry into a league with up to $100,000 in prizes.
Not sure who to select? Don't worry. We've got you covered with tonight's optimal lineup.
Be sure to check out our optimal lineups prior to games starting to ensure each player is in his team's lineup.
| Player | Position | Projected FP | Cost | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Hamels | SP | 19.63 | 10300.00 | 1.91 |
| James Shields | SP | 19.14 | 8600.00 | 2.23 |
| Joey Votto | 1B | 10.42 | 5100.00 | 2.04 |
| Mike Trout | OF | 10.53 | 4900.00 | 2.15 |
| Dee Gordon | 2B | 10.14 | 4100.00 | 2.47 |
| Hanley Ramirez | OF/SS | 9.74 | 4100.00 | 2.38 |
| Delino DeShields Jr. | OF | 9.12 | 3600.00 | 2.53 |
| Christian Yelich | OF | 8.48 | 3300.00 | 2.57 |
| Yadier Molina | C | 7.19 | 3200.00 | 2.25 |
| Derek Dietrich | 3B | 10.14 | 2700.00 | 3.76 |
On a day where all 30 teams are in action -- with only the Cubs and Giants playing in the early slate -- there are a number of aces taking the hill tonight. However, despite the fact that the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Jacob deGrom and Jose Fernandez starting for their respective teams, the man our algorithm likes the best tonight is newly-acquired Rangers starter Cole Hamels.
Hamels has been spectacular through his first 21 starts of the season, earning a 3.20 xFIP, 3.24 SIERA and striking out 9.44 batters per nine innings. Although he got roughed up in his first start for the Rangers, Cole draws a strong matchup against a Mariners team who ranks 19th in the league in wOBA against left-handed pitching (.303) and strikes out at the seventh highest rate in the league at 21.2%. The Rangers' ace also gets a boost with tonight's game taking place at one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in all of baseball in Safeco Field, which is why tonight's matchup between the Rangers and Mariners features one of the lowest totals on the slate at 6.5. With the aforementioned Kershaw, deGrom and Fernandez all costing more than $12,000 tonight, our algorithm feels that Hamels is a no brainer at just $10,300.
As I just mentioned, pricing for the elite pitchers is outrageously high tonight -- Kershaw's price has ballooned to an absurd $15,000. With that in mind, our algorithm suggests you go for a cheaper option for your second pitcher in James Shields.
The Padres' veteran starter has managed to put together another impressive season so far this year. In 23 starts, Shields has posted a 3.37 xFIP, 3.39 SIERA and has struck out the seventh most batters per nine innings among all starters at 9.79. What truly makes Shields a better value than the other aces listed above -- outside of his much less-expensive $8,600 price tag -- is the fact that he will be facing off against one of the worst offensive teams in all of baseball in the Phillies. Although they don't strike out a ton, Philadelphia ranks in the bottom five in the league in both wOBA .297, wRC+ (87) and ISO (.123) and should struggle to get their offense in rhythm tonight at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. Do not hesitate to plug shields into your lineups in all formats tonight.
With the algorithm recommending two pitchers who won't break the bank, we now have the ability to spend a few bucks on two of the best hitters in baseball -- Joey Votto and Mike Trout.
The Reds' star first baseman has been one of the hottest hitters in the league as of late. Votto has amassed a completely ridiculous .577 wOBA, .300 ISO and 1.403 OPS since the All-Star break and should have little trouble staying hot tonight against Diamondbacks' righty Chase Anderson. Votto has smashed right-handed pitching to the tune of a .423 wOBA, .246 ISO and .990 OPS this season, making Anderson and his 4.11 xFIP against lefties a strong target tonight. Look for Votto to continue his massive second half with another big game tonight.
Much like Votto, Trout has been one of the best hitters in the majors all season long. The Angels' star ranks in the top three in the league in wOBA (.421), wRC+ (180) and ISO (.308) and draws a plus matchup against Kevin Gausman and his 4.39 FIP against right-handed batters this season. Trout is in play pretty much any time he is in the lineup, and tonight is no exception.
Outside of these two elite batters, one group of hitters that our algorithm loves tonight is Marlins lefties. Miami draws a matchup with Braves' starter Julio Teheran tonight, who has put together one of the worst seasons of his career through his first 22 starts of the season. Teheran has earned a 4.46 FIP and 4.13 SIERA while giving up a whopping 1.23 homers per nine innings. Much of the reason for his less-than-stellar numbers is because he has been absolutely shelled by left-handed bats this season, giving up a .380 wOBA with a 5.17 FIP while allowing 1.37 home runs per nine innings against lefties.
With this in mind, there are three left-handed batters from the Marlins lineup that are featured in our optimal lineup today -- Dee Gordon, Christian Yelich and Derek Dietrich. Although he does not hit for much power, Gordon has posted a .322 wOBA against right-handed pitching and is a threat to steal a base any time he gets on base. Yelich has similarly posted a .330 wOBA against righties with a .114 ISO, but also can swipe a base whenever he gets on. Both of these guys are reasonably priced at just $4,100 and $3,300, respectively, and are in a great spot against the struggling Teheran tonight.
That said, Dietrich is the best value out of that Marlins' trio tonight. Dietrich has absolutely smashed right-handed pitching this season, posting a .380 wOBA, .258 ISO and .889 OPS against righties this season. With a minuscule price tag of just $2,700, the young Marlins' slugger is an absolute steal tonight.
