Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: Top DraftKings Bargains, Strategy for August 1 – Bleacher Report

MLB‘s non-waiver trade deadline proved a stressful time for general managers, players, fans and daily fantasy gamers alike. 

Constant maneuvering created a cloud of doubt around lineups, presenting opportunities amid uncertainty. With the deadline passed, the waves will die down over the weekend, while some of the transactions will materialize on the field.

Cole Hamels will make his Texas Rangers debut in a slate featuring Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, Dallas Keuchel, Lance Lynn and Clayton Kershaw, who was pushed back from Friday to Saturday, per the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Twitter page. All of these aces amplify the need to locate bargain buys around a high-priced stud. 

 

Aaron Nola, SP, Philadelphia Phillies ($5,700) vs. Atlanta

For his third major league start, Aaron Nola remains a tremendous value. The rookie has allowed five runs over 13 innings, collecting 12 strikeouts to three walks. Despite the small sample size, a solid start is enough to push him into the spotlight at $5,700 against a feeble opponent. 

Over the last 30 days, the Atlanta Braves have posted MLB’s second-worst weighted on-base average (wOBA) behind the Oakland Athletics. Even with Freddie Freeman back, there’s minimal danger in facing an offense with an MLB-low 61 home runs this season. 

 

Kyle Hendricks, SP, Chicago Cubs ($7,100) at Milwaukee

Despite relinquishing nine runs over his past two outings, Kyle Hendricks owns a 3.36 fielding independent pitching (FIP) and 15.7 strikeouts-minus-walks percentage. While the Milwaukee Brewers have worked their way up from the bottom to No. 20 in wOBA against righties, they’ll face the Chicago Cubs righty sans Carlos Gomez and Gerardo Parra.

 

Kevin Gausman, SP, Baltimore Orioles ($4,100) vs. Detroit

For an extreme pitcher punt, Kevin Gausman costs less than many hitters after tossing 7.2 shutout frames against Atlanta. The Detroit Tigers are a far superior offense, but one now without Miguel Cabrera and Yoenis Cespedes. That leaves J.D. Martinez (.913) and Ian Kinsler (.751) as the only two players with an OPS above .750 against righties this year.

Brandishing a career 3.68 FIP through 201.2 career innings, Gausman is oddly getting treated like a scrub by the Baltimore Orioles and DraftKings despite his high prospect pedigree. A risky play, especially with Nola also on the board for scraps, the 24-year-old could swing some tournaments.

 

Yasiel Puig, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers ($3,800) vs. Angels

A career .293/.392/.473 hitter against lefties, Yasiel Puig only requires a $3,800 investment against Los Angeles Angels southpaw Andrew Heaney. Before pointing to his 2015 difficulties, the polarizing outfielder sports a .392 wOBA off lefties this year.

He’s also heating up with three homers over the past nine games. Did he adapt his plate approach? Notice a kink in his batting stance? The 24-year-old detailed his transformation to the Los Angeles Times‘ Bill Shaikin:

Yasiel Puig on ending slump: “I just stopped playing soccer video games. I’ve found, when I play baseball video games, I do better.”

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 30, 2015

Hey, whatever works for him. Puig’s price won’t stay this low for long, so take advantage now.

 

Chris Young, OF, New York Yankees ($3,100) at White Sox

You know the drill by now. When the New York Yankees face a lefty, play Chris Young. Only Paul Goldschmidt and Nelson Cruz sport a higher wOBA against southpaws than Young, who still comes cheap due to his platoon status.

Also, it’s not like the Chicago White Sox are sending out Chris Sale. Opposing righties have a .380 wOBA against John Danks. The much pricier Mark Teixeira ($5,100) and Alex Rodriguez ($5,000) are also worth stacking—a possibility for anyone employing one of those discounted hurlers.

 

Stephen Vogt, C/1B, Oakland Athletics ($3,600) vs. Cleveland

Cody Anderson’s fast start quickly proved fool’s gold. After escaping his first four games with three runs allowed, he has coughed up 18 hits and 11 runs over his past two outings. Claiming an abysmal 9.2 strikeout percentage, the rookie’s 3.26 ERA will continue to ascend.

Even during a misleading start, he has surrendered a .524 slugging percentage against lefties. Stephen Vogt hasn’t recorded a hit since July 23, but why else would he fall in the bargain section? If going well, he’d cost at least $4,300 like teammate Josh Reddick, another strong Saturday option.

For all his recent troubles, he still carries a .367 wOBA and 13 homers against righties. Rather than overpaying for a hot streak, save money on a talented slugger waiting to catch fire again.

 

Xander Bogaerts, 3B/SS, Boston Red Sox ($3,500) vs. Tampa Bay

Xander Bogaerts is batting .378 against lefties this season and .341 over the past two months. Matt Moore is a mess, staked to a 7.91 ERA and .340 opposing batting average in five disastrous starts.

He doesn’t offer desirable power or daily upside, but the 22-year-old is fairly priced at shortstop with a golden matchup. Better saved for cash contests rather than tournaments, Bogaerts has a strong chance of producing some points.

 

Note: All advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.

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