MLB Cash Game Picks: 4-15-15

Cash Game Locks: MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball

Cash games typically reward high floor rosters. You don't need to score 60 points on FanDuel or 160 on DraftKings to win money. Instead you should aim for a nice base of around 40 and 120 points respectively. Our MLB Cash Game Picks will highlight the top pick and a value pick at each position for both platforms.

Pitcher

It's a weird day for pitching, especially on DraftKings where you'll have to get in bed with two mediocre starters.

Lance Lynn is the nearest thing to an ace in this crowd. The right-hander has improved against opposite-handed hitters in recent seasons, but he does his best work against fellow righties. Over his career, he's held same-handed hitters to a .232/.286/.346 line. The Brewers have very few lefty bats. Aside from Adam Lind, most of the heavy hitters with Milwaukee are right-handed.

The stadium also works in Lynn's favor. Busch Stadium suppresses both runs and home runs. He generally racks up about 8.00 K/9 with decent ratios. Most days he's a mid-tier option, but today he's the ace.

After breaking out last season, Collin McHugh had a solid debut to his 2015 season. He relies on a combination of high fastballs, sliders, and curves. What makes him unique is that over half of his pitches are breaking balls. The result is a good strikeout rate. He's up against the Athletics. His fastball velocity was down to around 90 mph in his 2015 debut (91-92 mph in 2014). It's something to watch.

If you're looking for a pure matchup guy, give Jon Niese a try. The Phillies have a dreadful offense. Like Niese, their best hitters are left-handed. Niese isn't a big platoon guy, nor is he a strikeout threat. It really comes down to the opponent's lack of offensive firepower (yea, they did alright against Matt Harvey). There isn't much ceiling for a fantastic outing. If you prefer some upside, feel free to roll the dice with Taijuan Walker or Brandon Morrow. Those are better picks for GPPs.

Catcher

Buster Posey will hold the platoon advantage over Rockies starter Tyler Matzek. Unfortunately, the game is at pitcher-friendly AT&T Park. Generally, you'll want to avoid any hitters at this venue – it's that bad for power. However, Posey's often a good pick for multiple hits and RBI. He's a career .331/.391/.576 hitter against lefties. Matzek is a bit of an unknown factor. He has good stuff, but it's so hard to develop as a pitcher with Coors as your home. He's at sea level today, so he should be at his best. Even so, he's a decent target.

You'll notice quite a few Yankees hitters today – all hitting from the left side. Brian McCann's price has climbed steadily since Opening Day, but he remains affordable. Camden Yards is fantastic for left-handed power, boosting home runs by 28 percent. Of course, McCann is a better hitter against righties too. He owns a career .276/.352/.480 line.

First Base

Kendrys Morales

Anthony Rizzo is pricey for somebody who will play at the April version of Wrigley Field. With the wind usually blowing firmly in from the outfield, it's hard to blast anything out of the park. Rizzo has the power to get it done. However, it's his ability to hit for a high average in the midst of a solid Cubs lineup that draws us to him today. He's up against one of the most exploitable pitchers in baseball - Jason Marquis. Rizzo mashes righties with a career .264/.356/.468 slash.

No, Kendrys Morales won't continue to hit over .400 with a .500 OBP. However, he's a solid play in the middle of the Royals lineup. Kansas is generating plenty of base runners for Morales, and he appears to have put his disastrous 2014 behind him. He's against ground ball pitcher Kyle Gibson. I happen to think Gibson will come around to provide solid innings, but he may need a few starts to settle down. Let's take advantage until that happens.

Second Base

Jose Altuve

Daniel Murphy

Jose Altuve isn't a big source of power, but he can crank the occasional shot. You're more interested in his ability to rope multiple hits in a game, score runs, and steal bases. The Astros are opposed by left-hander Drew Pomeranz. To some, Pomeranz is a promising young pitcher. However, he essentially leans on a two pitch repertoire. That should help Altuve square up a couple pitches.

Daniel Murphy is up against an old friend of DFS stackers, Jerome Williams. Murphy is a reliable, high contact hitter. Over his career, he's hit .294/.341/.433 against righties. He's hitting in the middle of the Mets lineup for the time being, although he'll eventually work his way to one of the top two spots. Williams seems to have discovered some kind of mojo in Philadelphia, but he was a reliable disaster every fifth day as recently as last season.

Shortstop

Jed Lowrie

The Rays are expected starting Erasmo Ramirez in the absence of multiple rotation regulars. He'll provide an excellent matchup for Jose Reyes. He hits first for a potent Blue Jays lineup. He's the shortstop version of Altuve. You probably won't get a home run, but you could notch multiple hits, runs, and stolen bases.

Jed Lowrie has earned a place as the Astros third hitter most days. He's a switch-hitter with good power for the position. He's already popped two home runs, and he's one of the few Houston hitters who doesn't look completely lost at the plate. Another point in Lowrie's favor - Minute Maid Park is the fourth best venue for offense today. He's opposed by Pomeranz.

Third Base

Evan Longoria has a long history of wrecking left-handed pitchers. As it turns out, Mark Buehrle is quite left-handed. Longoria is a .288/.377/.540 hitter versus southpaws. Toronto's Rogers Centre is the best park for righty home runs today with a 120 RH HR park factor (20 percent above average). Buehrle's Jamie Moyer-ish approach to pitching doesn't produce big platoon splits, so temper your excitement.

Chase Headley is a reliable, cost effective option. The switch-hitter is matched against Norris. As we discussed with McCann, much of this recommendation rests upon Camden Yards' park factors. They definitely work in Headley's favor. Also of interest, Norris has allowed a career .267/.355/.448 line against opposite-handed rivals.

Outfield

Dexter Fowler

Nelson Cruz is opposed by ground ball pitcher Brett Anderson. At first glance, it's a weird matchup to target. Fly ball hitters tend to have better outcomes against ground ball pitchers. Sinker ballers often have elevated HR/FB ratios. Hitters like Cruz are the reason why. Of course, it also helps that Cruz hammers southpaws - .289/.363/.520 career. Dodgers Stadium isn't particularly friendly to right-handed power.

Perhaps the best name in the Yankees stack is Jacoby Ellsbury. The leadoff hitter should receive several opportunities to affect the outcome of the game. He offers a combination of power, speed, and high contact ability. Cash game owners should avoid relying too heavily on any one game, so constrain yourself to just one or two Yankees today.

J.D. Martinez has very real power. He's already popped four over the wall this season. Temper expectations at PNC Park. It's actually the worst location for right-handed power. You're still looking for power from Martinez, it's just more likely to come in the form of doubles. He's opposed by Francisco Liriano which isn't a particularly great matchup. However, Martinez posted a ridiculous .333 ISO against lefties last season, hence the recommendation.

The Cubs leadoff man will have a favorable matchup against Marquis. All hitters are effective against Jason Marquis, but lefties take the cake. He's allowed a .271/.361/.442 line to opposite-handed hitters. Dexter Fowler is off to a mixed start this season. Entering yesterday's game, he had just five hits. Four were for extra bases. Fowler should be a common guest of these pages, especially once Wrigley Field starts to shift to hitter friendly.