Today, it is Thursday which means it is my turn to share my opinions and ideas which are leading me to set my 6-4-15 Daily Fantasy Picks. The values are based off of DraftKings and based off the contests that start at 7:05 PM EST.
Disclaimer: These picks are subject to change based on last minute line-up changes and weather.
The early data indicates that weather should not play a factor in this evening’s games.
Starting Pitchers
Jake Arrieta, SP, Chicago Cubs, $9,600
Even though Matt Harvey is available for only $800 more, I opted against choosing him as he has struggled over his last couple starts and the Mets will be playing in hitter friendly Chase Field.
The next best pitcher available is Arrieta. While he has a modest 4-4 record, he also has a 3.18 ERA/2.90 FIP and has continued to rack up strikeouts as he has a K/9 rate of 9.28.
Trevor Bauer, SP, Cleveland Indians, $7,900
Bauer has been one of my favorite mid-priced starting pitchers this season. His numbers this season have been comparable to what Arrieta has produced, yet Bauer is available for $1,700 less. He has a 2.97 ERA/3.31 FIP and also has a K/9 of 9.19. With the Indians playing on the road tonight, this could work to his favor as Bauer has a 0.99 ERA on the road this season.
Catcher
Yasmani Grandal, C, Los Angeles Dodgers, $3,800
Grandal has recently come back from the DL and is already one of the best catching options available. Yan Gomes is available for $400 more but has struggled and several of the other higher priced catchers are either dealing with day to day issues (i.e. Salvador Perez) or are currently on the 15-Day DL (i.e. Devin Mesoraco)
With the Dodgers facing RHP Michael Wacha (who has an FIP of 3.76 which is much higher than his sparkly 2.27 ERA), this could work to his favor as Grandal has hit all 5 of HR against righties this season.
First Base
Mitch Moreland, 1B, Texas Rangers, $4,300
Moreland has had a nice bounce back season as he is hitting .297 with 5 HR and a 134 wRC+. The Rangers will be facing LHP Carlos Rodon tonight which should work in Moreland’s favor as he is hitting .321 against lefties this season.
Second Base
Daniel Murphy, 2B, New York Mets, $4,400
The Mets will be in Arizona and facing RHP Jeremy Hellickson who is struggling to the tune of a 5.08 ERA/4.58 FIP this season. In a related story, Murphy is the first of 4 Mets players in my line-up tonight. Murphy is having another boring but productive season as he is hitting .281 with a slightly above average wRC+. He has been especially strong against righties as he is hitting .303 with 4 HR against them this season.
Third Base
Ruben Tejada, 3B, New York Mets, $2,800
Tejada has been productive in 24 games this season, hitting .288 with 1 HR and a wRC+ of 119. Despite this solid production, Tejada is still available for the dirt cheap price of $2,800. If he continues this strong play, his price tag will soon increase. Tejada also has a match up advantage tonight as he is hitting .320 against righties this season.
Shortstop
Wilmer Flores, SS, New York Mets, $4,000
Flores has not hit for the greatest AVG this season as he is hitting .250 but he has providing plenty of power, hitting 8 HR. Flores has been playing well as of late as he has hits in his last four games.
Outfield
Nelson Cruz, OF, Seattle Mariners, $5,100
Cruz has had a monster season so far, hitting .330 with 18 HR and a wRC+ of 188. Tonight, the Mariners will be facing RHP Erasmo Ramirez tonight. He has hit for plenty of power against righties this season, as 12 of his HR have come against right-handed pitching.
Austin Jackson, OF, Seattle Mariners, $4,100
Jackson has not had the greatest season as he is hitting .267 with 2 HR and a wRC+ of 92. However, he is a good play tonight with the Mariners playing at home. This season, he has hit .316 and both of his HR while playing at Safeco field.
Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Mets, $4,000
This season, Granderson has continued the process of hitting for a low AVG but hitting for enough power to have a respectable wRC+ of 101. Granted, Granderson is an all or nothing pick but he has hit better against righties this season (.243 AVG compared to .156 against lefties) and 5 of his 6 HR have come against right handed pitching.
All statistics found on fangraphs.com
All statistics through 6/2/15
Main Photo
