First off, a quick introduction, though if you don’t know what FanDuel is, well, you’re missing out. FanDuel is a site that offers daily fantasy sports games. Participants are given a chance every day to select new players, fill out a lineup and, most importantly, win some cash. If you choose poorly Monday you can come back Tuesday and try again. Easy as that. Click here to enter a $5 FanDuel contest that offers a $10,000 prize today!
As for what we’re going to be doing in this space: The goal here will be to direct your attention toward some players who you might not otherwise consider. If you’re here and reading this, then you already know that Mike Trout is really good. But when filling out a roster you can’t just pick out stars. You’ll blow your cap that way and get stuck praying to the baseball gods that a guy like Wilmer Flores actually gets a few hits. No, if you want to win, you have to take advantage of certain matchups — and in order to do that you have to know where to look. That’s what we’re here for. Below is the lineup I’ll be using for Tuesday, May 26.
Pitcher
Jacob deGrom, Mets ($9,700): DeGrom and the Mets face the Phillies Tuesday night, the lowest-scoring team in the National League. DeGrom has also been pitching great recently; over his last two starts he’s thrown 14 innings, surrendered just one earned run and whiffed 17 batters while walking just one. The best part about his Tuesday night matchup, though, is his price, which is about $1,000 less than Clayton Kershaw and David Price. Not only will deGrom likely give you a dominant performance, but he also allows you to have more cash to spend on other positions.
Catcher
Buster Posey, Giants ($4,000): Posey was given Monday off, which makes him a great play Tuesday night. He’s, by far, the best and most reliable hitting catcher in baseball. That he’s facing the Brewers and Matt Garza, owner of a 5.71 ERA this year, only makes the matchup better.
First Base
Mike Napoli, Red Sox ($3,500): Just keep riding his red-hot bat. Napoli has five home runs and a 1.580 OPS over the last week. He’s been consistent too, with at least two hits in five of his last seven games.
Second Base
Dee Gordon, Marlins ($3,700): No, you shouldn’t buy this start from Gordon. But that doesn’t mean you can’t ride it. At this point the numbers are ridiculous — a .373 average and 18 stolen bases. Gordon has also now hit safely in four straight games and faces the inept Jeff Locke of the Pirates (5.28 ERA) Tuesday night.
Third Base
Danny Valencia, Blue Jays ($2,300): One of Tuesday’s better cheap plays, Valencia has a .455/.455/.545 slash line in 33 at-bats this season against left-handers. He’s facing another one Tuesday, White Sox hurler John Danks. Making the matchup even more appealing is Valencia’s career numbers against Danks: 8-for-23 with three doubles and a home run. Not bad for $2,300.
Shortstop
Ian Desmond, Nationals ($3,400): The Nationals’ All-Star shortstop has, finally, begun to heat up as he’s now hit in 10 straight games. Surprisingly, Desmond — who hits from the right side — has been better when facing right-handed pitchers this season (.727 OPS, compared to a .528 one against southpaws). He’ll face a righty on Tuesday, in Cubs hurler Kyle Hendricks.
Outfield
Chris Young, Yankees ($2,200): Young and the Yankees face left-hander Jason Vargas Tuesday night, which is why Young should be in your lineup. The veteran outfielder is mashing southpaws this season, to the tune of a .359/.457/.744 slash line in 39 at-bats. That Vargas has also struggled this year (5.26 ERA) makes this matchup even more appealing.
Marlon Byrd, Reds ($3,00): Another power-hitting outfielder who crushes left-handers and will also be up against one Tuesday night. Byrd has a .306/.405/.667 slash line this season against southpaws, and has also been crushing the ball all month (eight home runs, 1.040 OPS in May). He’ll be teeing off against Jorge de La Rosa Tuesday, who comes into the game “boasting” a 6.51 ERA. Oh, and the game is at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
Chris Colabello, Blue Jays ($2,800): Yet another righty who mashes left-handers (sense a theme here?). Granted, he’s only had 19 at-bats this season against southpaws, but in those plate appearances Colabello is hitting .421/.476/.789. White Sox pitcher John Danks has also struggled against right-handed hitters (.925 OPS and seven home runs allowed). Exploiting matchups like these is what allows you to spend on big names like Posey and deGrom.
