MLB Cash Game Picks : 5-15-15

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

Tonight's slate is incredibly interesting as we have the best pitcher in baseball without anyone else really close to skill level. Often we see King Felix on nights with Kershaw and it gives us a decision to make. Tonight, the number two would be Madison Bumgarner, but he is only a -125 favorite and not cheap enough.

While Kershaw hasn't “dazzled" the fantasy spectrum, his peripheral stats are actually better than last year. He is the number one option tonight, and if you are playing cash games, he needs to be first in.

I don't like a ton of pitching options tonight, as previously noted. For a full slate, the options seem very limited. With that being said, we will need a second pitcher on two pitcher sites and Jake Odorizzi fits that bill for me. He has shown immense upside but also implosion opportunity given he is a flyball pitcher. The Twins lineup doesn't display the power to make me overly nervous about Odorizzi's flaw and makes for a fine second option.

CATCHER

This is the first of many Dodgers in my lineup tonight. I will be targeting the young Eddie Butler tonight as often as I can. This will be the third time the Dodgers see Butler, paired with being a locked in hard-hitting team, spells trouble for the youngster. When building cash game rosters, I tend to lock in players not only in a good spot but teams in a good spot. Playing a weak position and on a strong team, Grandal makes a great cash play.

FIRST BASE

This article will truly be able to help you build a cash game lineup. I am not just giving you top plays at each position but an article that can help you construct. Tonight, we will have the most expensive pitcher and need to make room with cheaper, high upside options. That being said, I love Brandon Belt at Great American Ballpark. He is more or less a flyball hitter in a home run park against a pitcher who gives up 1.55 home runs per nine innings and a home run to flyball rate of 18%. I think Belt gives you home run upside at a fraction of the cost of other options.

Freddie Freeman is one of my favorite cash game options night in and night out. He puts the ball in play, hits RBI, scores runs and very rarely leaves you with negative points. When looking at price points, Freeman is significantly under priced on FanDuel and makes for a phenomenal cash game play.

SECOND BASE

I am struggling very much at second base tonight and most will be surprised about this pick, however, Dee Gordon makes for a great play at home versus a righty any night. His chance of stealing a base versus a right-handed pitcher is significantly higher than the alternative.

Personally, I will not be playing Gordon in cash, but instead, looking for a cheap punt option due to the lack of “love" at this position.

Note that, Gordon is the TOP option but that doesn't mean he is the RIGHT option on a slate like this.

THIRD BASE

Your first observation is the significant difference in price between the two sites. A $5,300 DraftKings play and a $3,100 FanDuel play should ring bells for you. In tonight's case, Beltre makes for the top third option overall and value due to his price point on FanDuel. His .372 wOBA versus a contact pitcher in a hitter's park makes for an elite cash game option.

If you read my article last week, I discussed getting your exposure on sites where it makes sense. Tonight, it makes sense to play Adrian Beltre on FanDuel and Alex Rodriguez on DraftKings, where he is priced more appropriately. I love the Yankees top half of the order today, and A-Rod fits right in the heart of it. I think A-Rod has a multiple hit game, a couple RBI and runs scored giving him a great floor and high ceiling.

SHORTSTOP

Remember earlier when I spoke about targeting players on teams in good positions? That is exactly what we are doing at shortstop tonight. While I don't love Jimmy Rollins as an individual player, I love him given the scenario he will be in tonight, batting behind Joc Pederson and in front of Adrian Gonzalez. Talk about being sandwiched between power! If you are playing Kershaw on cash games, you will need to find value. Rollins makes for the perfect play at a bare position.

OUTFIELD

Once again, we need to find value on tonight's slate, and Kyle Blanks is in a great position in one of the highest totals of the night. Note, this is one of the first nights I can remember where we have limited totals over eight runs. His price is depressed on FanDuel, making him a better play there than on DraftKings. His .176 ISO gives him a high floor and ceiling in a hitter's park against Chen.

Anyone who played Joc Pederson last night, including myself, got burned by his poor performance that was led by a warning track fly ball and a couple hard hit line outs. To play DFS you must have short-term memory and be able to bounce back and take a hitter in a great spot. I can't reiterate this enough; the Dodgers are seeing Butler for the third time this season and are locked in as an offense. Look for a hit around in one of the early innings with Pederson leading the charge.