Today, it is Thursday which means it is my turn to share my opinions and ideas which are leading me to set my 7-2-15 Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks. The values are based off of DraftKings and based off the contests that start at 7:05 PM EST.
Disclaimer: The below picks are subject to last minute line-up decisions and weather.
Starting Pitchers
Tyson Ross, SP, San Diego Padres, $9,700
Yes, Max Scherzer is also pitching tonight and has been pitching so good that it is almost unfair. However, with great performance comes a massive price tag which for tonight, accounts for 29% of the salary cap. Due to this, I went in pursuit of other options.
Ross is having a very solid season and is available at a reasonable price. He does have problems with control (4.52 BB/9) and draws a tough match-up with the Cardinals tonight. However, he has also been pitched strongly as he has a 3.57 ERA/2.93 FIP and a 9.88 K/9. Oddly enough, he has also pitched much better away from Petco Park as he comes into tonight’s game with a 2.91 road ERA.
Yovani Gallardo, SP, Texas Rangers, $7,700
Gallardo has had a solid first season with the Rangers. He comes into tonight’s games with a 2.72 ERA/3.45 FIP. While his K/9 rate (6.56) is typically lower than someone I would typically start, I’m also not enthused by some of the other pitchers priced at or near $7,000 (i.e. Roenis Elias & Wade Miley) and it’s tough to overlook the fact that he has been red-hot lately as evidenced by a 0.54 ERA in June.
Catcher
Wilson Ramos, C, Washington Nationals, $3,900
One team that could be in for a strong night offensively is the Nationals. Tonight, they are facing the Braves and will be starting LHP Manny Banuelos who will be making his major league debut. This season, Ramos has not put up spectacular numbers as he is hitting .263 with seven HR and a 88 wRC+ plus. However, he has fared better against lefties as he is hitting .283 against them this season.
First Base
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays, $4,400
Encarnacion has seen his numbers slip from the last few years. However, he is still hitting for power as he currently has 16 HR this year. With the Blue Jays facing LHP Wade Miley, this could set up Encarnacion for a strong night as he has hit .277 against lefties this season.
Second Base
Danny Espinosa, 2B, Washington Nationals
Espinosa has been a pleasant surprise for the Nationals this season. He has bounced back from his struggles in 2013-14 and is currently hitting .259 with eight HR and a 110 wRC+. He has been especially strong against lefties as he is hitting .320 against them this season.
Third Base
Xander Bogaerts, 3B, Boston Red Sox, $4,300
Bogaerts has made some progress in his second full season. Even though he has not hit for much power, he has seen a healthy improvement in his batting average. He has been playing better as of late as he hit .312 in June. This season, he has also hit .303 against lefties.
Shortstop
Yunel Escobar, SS, Washington Nationals, $3,700
Escobar is another player who has hit better than expected for the Nationals this season. He is currently hitting .326 and has hit four HR. He has well against both lefties and righties and is facing an opposing pitcher making his MLB debut, possibly setting him up for a strong night.
Outfield
A.J. Pollock, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks, $4,500
Pollock may not get the headlines that Paul Goldschmidt is getting (but then again Goldschmidt is also putting up borderline video game numbers). However, Pollock is quietly having a solid season. He is hits for average (.294), throws in a decent helping of power (nine HR) and his 16 SB have also helped fantasy owners as well. He also looks set up for a strong night tonight as he has also hitting .328 against lefties this season.
Torii Hunter, OF, Minnesota Twins, $4,600
So far, Hunter’s on field performance has been able to defy age as he is hitting .272 with 12 HR and a 120 wRC+. With the Twins facing the Royals and RHP Chris Young this helps his value for tonight as he is htting .283 with nine of his HR against righties.
Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals, $4,000
Gordon is on pace to have another solid season for the Royals. He is currently hitting .267 with nine HR and has a 130 wRC+. Gordon’s value stays relatively consistent on a day-to-day basis as he has hit equally well against lefties as he does against righties.
All statistics found on fangraphs.com
All statistics through 6/30/15
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