3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target on Friday 4/23/21
Just like in other sports, the focal point of your daily fantasy baseball lineups will be your high-salary studs. These guys take up by far the biggest chunk of your cap space, but they also offer the highest ceiling. And in the case of pitchers, the high-salary options typically come with the highest floors, too.
For hitters, we're looking for guys with big numbers, strong matchups, and with players around them that are likely to produce well, too, increasing our chances for runs and RBI. For pitchers, we want big strikeout numbers, while the ability to go deep in a game and pick up a win is also valuable.
With your high-salary picks playing such a big role in your lineup, you need to be right on these guys, so let's take a look at a few top-end options you can count on to anchor your lineup today.
Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets ($12,500)
It's deGrom day, and we are just living in Jacob's world. End commentary. Start him.
Jacob deGrom has been out of this world so far in 2021. In his first three starts, the right-hander owns a 1.39 SIERA with almost 35 strikeouts in 20 innings. Yup, you got that right. Dude has been incredible.
Oh, and the Washington Nationals, deGrom's opponent? They own a .280 wOBA against righties this year and will be sans Juan Soto.
The salary is up there, but we peg deGrom for a slate-high 42.3 FanDuel points.
Matt Olson, 1B, Oakland Athletics ($3,700)
When slugging first baseman Matt Olson is running pure for the Oakland Athletics, it's a sight to behold, and I am all-in as he attacks Camden Yards this weekend.
Against right-handed pitchers this season, Olson is committing, honestly, what would be considered a crime in most countries. He owns a laughable .495 wOBA in the split and has popped five dingers in 48 plate appearances.
And the pitcher Olson faces, Jorge Lopez, has been smacked around by lefty bats. For his career, Lopez has been pummeled by lefties to the tune of a .376 wOBA. Ouch.
In a great matchup with a huge park boost, Olson is a fantastic play.
Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies ($4,800)
A game in Coors Field is always an interesting option, but when you are running as hot as Bryce Harper is, this is a must-look spot.
On the season, Harper has been red-hot out of the gates with a .357 batting average and four home runs to his name. Sprinkle in German Marquez's ugly numbers in Denver, which reveal a 4.43 xFIP, and Harper should be cooking today.
It's hard to fit in Harper with deGrom, but that could lead to Harper not seeing as high of a draft percentage as he should. Giddy up.
Matt Kupferle is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Matt Kupferle also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username MKupferle. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
