MLB Cash Game Picks : 4-17-15

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.

STARTING PITCHER

I could have easily listed Clayton Kershaw here, as he is the top pitcher, however, the price point difference between the two is significant enough to lead me to Max Scherzer. Max boasts a -240 Vegas Money line as the second highest favorite of the day and an elite K/9 versus a Philadelphia Phillies team that has shown less than scary batters since 2015. I can very well see a seven inning, 12-strikeout night for Scherzer. Tonight is not the night to fade an elite pitcher, and all cash games should start with Max Or Kershaw.

While on Fan Duel you can play one pitcher, and will be playing one of the ones listed above, on DraftKings you are required to select two. Given the price tag on the first two pitchers listed, we will need to find a source of salary relief to fit in the bats we want. Look no further than Drew Hutchinson. He had a great Opening Day, but got absolutely crushed by the Baltimore Orioles. The Braves have far less power than the Orioles; in fact, they have the lowest team ISO on the day. Given the solid K/9 and matchup, Hutchinson makes for a top second pitcher option on DraftKings.

CATCHER

Carlos Santana is a favorite of mine to deploy whenever he faces right-handed pitching. One of the reasons for this is due to the nature of the Indians lineups being full of left-handed batters. They have a platoon advantage over the pitcher, which typically means a favorable matchup to Indians. His 41% flyball rate and 16% HR/FB rate gives him significant upside in tonight's matchup. A Vegas run total of 8.5 make this a great game to target

If you have read any article by me you will know my infatuation with Evan Gattis. I love him due to his cheap price points and capabilities to hit for power. Tonight he faces right-hander Weaver who has a notoriously low velocity on his fastball. The slower velocity for Gattis should allow him to see the ball better, and crush Weaver for power, despite his early struggles. A 52% flyball rate versus a low velocity pitcher in a high total game screams great play to me.

FIRST BASE

Do not be fooled when you look at the Vegas run total – you have Clayton Kershaw pitching on the other end. Luckily for Adrian Gonzalez the best pitcher in major league baseball is on his team. Instead he gets right-hander Kendrick who boasts a .345 wOBA to left-handed batting and an xFIP of over 4.3. Targeting hitters who have been locked in against positive matchups is a fantastic way to raise your floor in cash games

Jeremy Guthrie – meh. That is the typical response when you hear his name. He isn't a terrible pitcher but he surely isn't a great pitcher. In fact, he boasts a .371 wOBA to left-handed batters and a HR/FB rate of 14%. Paring this with Ike Davis' 36% flyball rate and an offense that has shown the ability to put the ball in play raises his floor. Davis will surely be up to bat with men on which is always what you want in your cash game players.

SECOND BASE

Robinson Cano, Don't'cha Know. Sorry – New Yorkers and Yankee Fan at heart. Being a Yankee fan I have watched Robinson Cano absolutely crush right-handed pitching to the tune of .417 wOBA and .243 ISO. Although Gallardo isn't an awful pitcher, he just isn't as elite as Cano is at hitting righties. He has a steal of a price on both sites and a positional advantage I can't get away from.

We talked earlier about Kyle Kendrick and the same goes for Alex Guerrero. Kendrick just isn't a good pitcher, and he faces an offense that can explode at any moment. Part of this offense is young sensation Alexander Guerrero. He has shown power and speed in the ballpark that has gone unnoticed by the majority of the DFS community. While his sample size is small, I am telling you his potential is big. His price points on both sites allow you to fit in our stud pitchers, but he also provides the “pop" you'll need to win your games.

THIRD BASE

Adrien Beltre goes unnoticed in an offense that is less than fantastic. While the offense might not be fantastic, I love Beltre's price point on both sites. He faces Happ who has a four-plus xFIP and has been a favorite of mine to stack against in the past. When we talk about a player who will put the ball in play and score you fantasy points, few do it as consistently as Beltre. Note – don't look for the big 40 point score from Beltre as his team limits his upside, but his floor of a single, walk, RBI and run is there night after night.

Before reading I want you to take a look again at Aramis Rameriz's stats versus left-handers. He's posted a .422 wOBA and .296 ISO. Those numbers are absolutely massive, and makes for my play of the night. That is right ladies and gentlemen, a Brewer is my play of the night tonight. Historically Aramis has had a 45%-plus flyball rate against a pitcher who gives up over a HR/9. Let's get this straight, Aramis is cheap, mashes lefties and has the best potential to hit a home run? My number one play of the day.

SHORTSTOP

Disclaimer – Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball but Mr. Tulo is the best shortstop in baseball and has a steal of a price point on DraftKings. Troy Tulowitzki, better known as Tulo, boasts a .427 wOBA versus left-handed pitching. Kershaw is elite but so is Tulo. I am suggesting him as my shortstop on DraftKings because his price is nearly 50% off when he plays in Coors against a lefty. Kershaw has gotten hit hard twice this year by players of lesser quality than Tulo which makes me have no fear in the number one shortstop in the MLB.

Ah – you say “another Dodger". Yes, another Dodger, indeed. I love the Dodgers tonight and Jimmy Rollins makes for an ideal play leading off versus a team I love. While his stats might not pop off the board, if he gets on base, I will nearly guarantee the power bats behind him bring him in. While Rollins might not seem to bring power, he does have a 41% FB rate, which locks him in as a shortstop that can “dong" nightly. Not to mention, he can add a stolen base or two to his game log. He brings an elite floor due to matchup and an upside that doesn't account for his price tag on either site.

OUTFIELD

Andrew McCutchen is an elite baseball player facing off against young right-hander Jimmy Nelson. “Cutch's" career .389 wOBA and .203 ISO versus right-handers leads him to be an excellent play against Nelson. In fact, I believe the Pirates have been underachieving this season and see a breakout game tonight. Depending on their lineup, the Pirates should have one of the highest team ISOs of the day against a pitcher who has shown an issue with his command.

What, no more bat flips? How about one more for the home run we might see from Yasiel Puig tonight! The fourth Dodger to make the list but for good reason. Puig has shown dynamite in his short career, and I expect the fireworks to continue versus Kendrick. I love starting my cash game lineups tonight with two or three Dodgers, Aramis Rameriz and an elite pitcher.