It’s Friday, time for the weekend, time for the good times to roll in and time for my 5-15-15 Daily Fantasy Picks.
Disclaimer: These picks are subject to change based off of weather and last minute line-up changes.
The early data listed in DraftKings indicates that the Giants-Reds, Yankees-Royals and Nationals-Padres games could be impacted by weather.
Starting Pitcher
Jake Odorizzi, SP, Tampa Bay Rays $7,900
Even though there are some higher profile players (such as Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner) available to go tonight, I decided to spend a bit less on starting pitching tonight to allow more budget for my offense.
Odorizzi is still available at a relatively good price even with some early success. Even though his K/9 is down to a modest 7.42 this season he also has a 2.09 ERA/2.34 FIP. It should help Odorizzi that the Rays will be playing at pitcher-friendly Target Field tonight.
J.A. Happ, SP, Seattle Mariners, $7,300
Happ is another solid option that is available without putting a major strain on your budget. He is 3-1 with a 3.29 ERA/3.46 FIP and has a respectable 7.51 K/9 coming into tonight. With the Mariners playing at home, Happ should be set-up to provide lots of value at a very modest price as he has a 2.33 ERA this season when playing at Safeco Field.
Catcher
A.J. Pierzynski, C, Atlanta Braves, $3,500
There are some other legitimate options available for the same price. However, players such as Wilson Ramos & Salvador Perez may not the best plays tonight as they are both playing in games that could potentially be impacted by weather.
Pierzynski has been one of the surprises of this young season. Even though his bat has cooled, he is still hitting .311 even without having a fluky increase in BABIP. Despite being past his hot streak, the match-up does work to his advantage as the Marlins are starting RHP David Phelps. This season, Pierzynski has done all of his damage against righties.
First Base
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays, $5,100
After a slow start, Encarnacion’s bat has heated up and he now has 7 HR on the season and is hitting .302 over the first 12 games of May. The Blue Jays are playing the Astros who will be starting Dallas Keuchel. While Keuchel has put up very solid numbers this season, Encarnacion has hit .318 against lefties this season.
Second Base
Scooter Gennett, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers, $3,500
There are no two ways around it, Gennett has struggled to start the 2015 season. However, there is plenty of evidence over the last two seasons indicating that Gennett is a good play against righties (The Mets are starting Bartolo Colon). In 670 career PA against right-handed pitching, Gennett has hit .316.
Third Base
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays, $4,500
Donaldson’s tenure with the Blue Jays is off to a very strong start as he is hitting .314 with 8 HR and a 156 wRC+. Tonight, Donaldson has a strong advantage in facing LHP Dallas Keuchel. This season, Donaldson has absolutely crushed lefties as he is hitting .455 with 2 HR against lefties pitching in 24 PA.
Shortstop
Marcus Semien, SS, Oakland Athletics, $4,300
Semien has been one of the breakout players of this young season as he is hitting .307 with 6 HR and a 147 wRC+. Tonight the White Sox are starting LHP Carlos Rodon. Even though, Rodon has a very bright future ahead of him, this does work to Semien’s advantage as he is hitting .400 against lefties this season.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz, OF, Seattle Mariners, $5,200
On one end, we have Cruz who has been one of the most dominant if not THE dominant hitter in baseball this season. On the other hand, we have a Red Sox starter who has not done a very good job of getting players out this season (as evidenced by a 5.73 ERA). Cruz may (justifiably) have a high price tag to him but tonight he should be worth every penny.
Matt Holliday, OF, St. Louis Cardinals, $4,500
Holliday may be getting older (35) but do not mistake that for being less effective. In 31 games, he is hitting .346 with a 164 wRC+. This season, Holliday has hit stronger against righties (.354) and the Tigers are starting a struggling RHP in Shane Greene who has a 4.71 ERA this season.
Hanley Ramirez, OF, Boston Red Sox, $4,200
The Red Sox had a brilliant idea of having Ramirez play in the outfield. This idea was so genius that he has a WAR of -0.4 even though his offensive production is well above average (128 wRC+). As the saying goes (which just popped into my head) advanced defensive stats are important, they are just useless when it comes to fantasy baseball. While J.A. Happ should have a solid night, I still think Ramirez has an opportunity to get his share of fantasy points as he is hitting .333 with 4 HR in 24 PA against lefties this season.
All statistics found on fangraphs.com
All statistics through 5/13/15
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