Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks for FanDuel, DraftKings, DraftDay and Draftster 9/19/14

Julio Teheran - FD 7500 DK 8700 DD 15500 DFSTR 7200
Our projection system actually likes both Teheran and Wheeler tonight - so it makes some sense to run a few lineups of each and see who comes up with a win. Both Atlanta and the Mets strike out a ton, and both Wheeler and Teheran are capable of a big strikeout night. If you're leaving it up to me, I'll take Teheran simply because he's the better pitcher and the Mets are the worse offense. The Braves strike out more, so one could argue Wheeler has more upside, but I think both are capable of a solid return tonight.

Catchers

Salvador Perez - FD 2300 DK 3500 DD 6750 DFSTR 3000
While he hasn't flashed it recently, Perez's 16 homers this season shows that he is actually capable of delivering some upside. Verlander is a shell of his former self, and Perez has been solidly a reverse-platoon split player this year (meaning he's been quite a bit better against righties than lefties). I'm not penciling him in for a bomb or anything, but on these low prices he could absolutely deliver value.

Jonathan Lucroy - FD 3000 DK 4100 DD 9500 DFSTR 6700
Lucroy is essentially a superstar at the catcher position. He's relatively platoon neutral, and going up against Locke's pitch to contact approach plays right into Lucroy's high-contact high batting average approach.

Wilson Ramos - FD 2600 DK 3700 DD 8950 DFSTR 6600
While it's tempting to think of Ramos as a no-upside guy, he has hit 2 homers in his last three games. Koehler's 4.18 xFIP speaks more to his true talent level than his ERA, and Ramos' incredibly reasonable price builds in a relatively low floor for the Nat's backstop.

Also considered: Miguel Montero

First Basemen

Freddie Freeman - FD 3100 DK 4700 DD 10100 DFSTR 4800
Freddie Freakman? Freak Freeman? Going to go ahead and trademark those beauties! Where was I? Right, making you a million dollars. So, Freeman is actually not the best hitting 1b in the league, but he's incredibly solid, and even more so against right handed pitching. These prices don't reflect what Freeman is capable of against righties - a .390 wOBA is a really nice number to be able to get in this value. Wheeler is a fine pitcher and all, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet with strong platoon guys.

David Ortiz - FD 3800 DK 4400 DD 10450 DFSTR 3000
If you're looking for more upside on higher price, look no further than Big Papi. With 32 homers this season, Papi does offer authentic position independent upside. Gausman has promise, but Ortiz can really handle right handed pitching, and you shouldn't be spooked by his 2 week home run drought. Heck, the last time he hit a home run he went ahead and hit 2! Lock it up! He's due!

Jose Abreu - FD 3800 DK 4900 DD 12300 DFSTR 9800
Speaking of upside, no first basemen has more than the White Sox young slugger. What slides him down this list is the opponent - Hellickson actually has plenty good stuff, and he does happen to be right handed, which isn't ideal for the right handed Abreu. And while he is better against southpaws, Abreu also happens to be one of the best hitters in the majors this year against right handeded pitchers as well. In my lineups designed for "home runs," I'm going Abreu.

Also considered: Albert Pujols
 

Second Basemen

Robinson Cano - FD 3200 DK 4400 DD 10400 DFSTR 6400
It feels like we’ve given you Cano every time he’s faced a righty this season. And frankly, it’s paid off for you. Cano has devastated right handed pitchers this season – and on this lovely night he happens to face one of the worst of them. Brad Peacock has racked up a startling 64 BBs in his 123 innings pitched this year. And what I love about Cano here is that he couldn’t care less about walking. That means that if Peacock is anywhere near the plate, we’ll have a chance to see a little Cano laser show.

Jason Kipnis - FD 3000 DK 3600 DD 8150 DFSTR 3000
I have to say, I like Cano a heck of a lot better than Kipnis today. But everyone's going to play Cano! Be brave! The thing about this match up is that Hughes will be around the plate, and he's fairly tough to score runs against. This doesn't sound like a case for Kipnis, I know - but I think Kipnis will put some balls in play, and if he does, the Indians may want to play small ball, allowing Kipnis to use his legs - which are currently his best fantasy tool.

A bunch of cheap garbage guys
2B is a mess after Cano, today. You can play someone of Brandon Phillips, a Rockies 2b, Tommy La Stella, Brandon Phillips. Our projection system thinks they are all basically the same thing. Have fun!

Shortstops

Jose Reyes - FD 3100 DK 4700 DD 9100 DFSTR 7000
Reyes is very reasonably priced for the combined safety and upside he brings to the table. He's had hits in 9 of his last 10 games, and we all know about what the speed and run scoring ability can do if the rest of the offense is clicking. Kuroda will give Reyes and the Jays plenty of opportunity to put balls in play, and this should lead to a game with a lot of potential outcomes.

Elvis Andrus - FD 2300 DK 3500 DD 7450 DFSTR 6000
I've recommended Andrus consistently for a couple of weeks now, and on these prices, he's been more than solid. Now, he is extremely unlikely to give you a 10 point game (Fanduel scoring), but what he does do is bat 2nd in a very potent lineup that can certainly drive him in once he's on. You don't need a lot to go right to have played Andrus at a low dollar amount, have him pay value, and invest big money elsewhere.

Other people?
Dude, I just looked at this for 10 minutes, and wrote 3 guys' name in this slot before disgustedly deleting them, sure that someone else out there could be better. I just can't do it. I can't recommend anyone except the two guys listed above. Play other guys at your own risk.

Third Basemen

Kyle Seager - FD 2900 DK 4000 DD 8250 DFSTR 3000
While he hasn't been quite as strong recently, Seager is quietly one of the bigger upside plays when he gets a chance to square off against right handed pitching. His .871 OPS and .381 wOBA are both quite strong for the position, and as mentioned in Cano's writeup, this is a righty you'd like to face.

Adrian Beltre - FD 3300 DK 4100 DD 9650 DFSTR 3400
Speaking of guys who can crush opposite handed pitchers, oh, gypsy. Beltre is batting a clean .350 this season against left handed pitching. Hector Santiago is a heck of a lot worse than his 3.55 ERA would suggest. His 4.56 xFIP places him as squarely below average, and Beltre's .426 wOBA against lefties will be a most unwelcome sight for him.

Todd Frazier - FD 2800 DK 4600 DD 8900 DFSTR 3500
With 26 homers and 20 steals this season, Frazier is one of the highest upside plays at the position. And while he's better against left handed pitching, Lackey has looked beyond done in his return to the NL. I think we see the 2 inning, 1 K Lackey of his last performance, and that Frazier and the Reds feast.

Outfielders

Mike Trout - FD 5200 DK 5700 DD 14150 DFSTR 10400
You've got to pay for it, but that's why you scrimped and saved your sheckles today, right? Lisalverto Bonilla has actually flashed electric stuff in the minors - but dude, it's the minors! He showed none of that in his 9 innings so far this year, and he can strike out all of the Loons and Mudcats he wants, he ain't fooling the world's best hitter.

Michael Cuddyer - FD 3200 DK 4500 DD 10650 DFSTR 5000
Cuddyer definitely prefers left handed pitching, but our projection system thinks he'll be all over the mediocre offerings of Chase Anderson as well. Coors is the bomb when it comes to being a hitting environment, so I think you can safely play Cuddyer regardless of the platoon split situation.

Billy Hamilton - FD 2700 DK 4200 DD 7800 DFSTR 3000
If you know me by now, you'll know that I'm a sucker for Bill the Thrill (tm). It's admittedly troubling that they've been pulling him for pinch hitters (which they should against lefties), but I think Hamilton will have plenty of opportunity against Lackey and the Cards. And while he hasn't been the super-duper-uber upside guy he is capable of being, he's only a couple of balls in play from justifying these prices and then some.

Yoenis Cespedes - FD 3200 DK 4300 DD 8750 DFSTR 3700
Cespedes has actually showed a reverse platoon split this year, and our projection system really doesn't think Gausman is quite major league ready just yet. If the Sox capitalize on the young Orioles' developing repertoire, Cespedes could have a big one.

Khris Davis - FD 2600 DK 3300 DD 7550 DFSTR 3000
Ryan Braun - FD 3700 DK 4600 DD 10500 DFSTR 5200
Davis is another simply dirt cheap option for the potential upside he brings to the plate. With Locke hovering around the plate, Davis should get the opportunity to take advantage of this favorable platoon situation and put a hurting on a ball or two. His .372 wOBA against lefties is a lot to get for what the sites are asking you to pay. When it comes to Braun, it's the same story - but increase the price and the potential upside you're getting from him.

Also considered: Jacoby Ellsbury, Curtis Granderson
 

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