Cash Game Locks: MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball

Pitcher

Jacob deGrom (R), Mets

FanDuelDraftKingsOppPark FactorFIPK%GB%Moneyline - Opp. Total
$10,800$10,100@BrewersBasic 103, HR 1112.7325.6%43.5%-160 - 3.5

Jacob deGrom will take his 1.53 June ERA to Milwaukee today, and take on the bad news Brewers. Milwaukee has the fifth worst strikeout rate against right-handed pitching, and only have a walk rate of 5.9%. deGrom has gone seven or more innings in the last six starts, and has allowed seven earned runs in that span. We talk a lot about Matt Harvey, but deGrom has been the Mets best pitcher. He is matching his 2014 swinging strike rate of 11.8%, and has the 14th best strikeout percentage of qualified starters. It is hard to pass up deGrom today, although Sonny Gray makes a fine SP1 as well, and can save you a few hundred.

Chris Heston (R), Giants

FanDuelDraftKingsOppPark FactorFIPK%GB%Moneyline - Opp. Total
$7,400$7,500PadresBasic 83, HR 873.3320.4%54.5%-145 - 4

I will be using Chris Heston as my SP2 for cash games today. DraftKings has went through and marked up a ton of bats in the final day of the Coors series, so I will skip the two ace duo today to get some bats. There is a lot to like about Heston, he keeps the ball on the ground, and has a decent strikeout rate. The Padres will up his strikeout potential today, they carry a 22.4 strikeout percentage against right-handed pitching. Look for him to have a better start against the Padres this time around, and his price tag allows the extra bat or two.

Catcher

Miguel Montero (L), Cubs

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$2,400$3,200Carlos Frias - R.338.14311044

While Stephen Vogt is the expensive option, there are a few solid plays that are close to punt price tags. Carlos Frias has struggled against lefties during his time in the majors, allowing a .375 wOBA. Miguel Montero is sitting at a very nice price tag, and in the heart of that Cubs' lineup. Montero has a 26 line drive percentage, and a 34.8% hardball rate off right-handed pitching this season. Wellington Castillo will also have the platoon advantage in Coors today against the lefty, he is another cheap option as well.

First Base

Anthony Rizzo (L), Cubs

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$4,500$5,300Carlos Frias - R.380.23214034

Anthony Rizzo is my favorite play outside of Coors today, he will get to pick on Frias, and is a little bit cheaper than those Coors bats. He has a 46% hardball rate in the month of June, which is up 8% from May. He has a .305 ISO against right-handed pitching this year, and I also love his ability to snag a base from time to time. He has a matchup as good as Paul Goldschmidt, but just missing the Coors bump, I still rather pay a little bit down for Rizzo.

Ben Paulsen (L), Rockies

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$3,000$3,500Rubby De La Rosa - R.382.22712855

I prefer Ben Paulsen in the outfield on DraftKings, yet he is only available at first base on FanDuel. He is still a fine play at first, just given his price tag and how badly Rubby De La Rosa has been against left-handed bats. Paulsen has a small sample size against right-handed bats, but the numbers above are what he has done in the majors when given the chance. He does carry a bit of a strikeout rate, but really solid batted ball stats this season. De La Rosa has allowed a .368 wOBA to lefties in his career, and a .410 wOBA this season.

Second Base

Ben Zobrist (S), A's

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$3,400$4,700Colby Lewis - R.346.16512543.5

Ben Zobrist makes for a better play with his price tag on FanDuel, I will be looking to the man below on DraftKings. Zobrist has been on a tear hitting over .350 with three homers in the last ten games. Colby Lewis has always struggled against lefties in his career, this season he has allowed a .337 wOBA. Zobrist hitting cleanup gives him a ton of value, and there are some good bats in front of him to provide plenty of RBI chances today.

Aaron Hill (R), Diamondbacks

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs LHP
2012-2015
ISO vs LHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs LHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$2,600$3,700Jorge De La Rosa - L.338.17011064.5

This play will be one to check the lineups for, it will either be Aaron Hill or Chris Owings against the lefty today. Either one will have the advantage against De La Rosa. The lefty struggles at Coors, and has allowed a .404 wOBA to right-handed bats at home this season. On the road he can turn out to be an average pitcher, but that is not the case today. Whether it is Hill or Owings, both will have the lefty matchup.

Third Base

Pablo Sandoval (S), Red Sox

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$2,700$3,800Miguel Gonzalez - R.355.16613154

If you were expecting Nolan Arenado here, he is still one of the best options, but the price tag is just through the roof. De La Rosa has been pretty tough on right-handed bats this season, so I don't believe he needs to be forced into cash game lineups. Pablo Sandoval has quietly hit over .400 with seven XBH, and a homer in the last ten games. He has a .397 wOBA off right-handed pitching this year, and only has a 10.2% strikeout rate. He has been hitting sixth, but with Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez both leaving the game, he may hit cleanup today.

Shortstop

Troy Tulowitzki (R), Rockies

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$4,400$5,500Rubby De La Rosa - R.385.20613035
It is Troy Tulowitzki and then just a complete mess at shortstop, and not any real bats I love even at value. Although Arenado has done well against right-handed pitching this season, Tulo carries a longer track record, and is at a weaker position. It makes sense to pay up, and on FanDuel he is not that badly priced. He has a 42% hardball rate off righties this season, still crushing the ball despite a .272 average.

Outfield

Charlie Blackmon (L), Rockies

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$4,600$4,800Rubby De La Rosa - R.358.16411115

If there is one bat I am getting in my lineup today, it is Charlie Blackmon. Stolen bases, power, runs, RBI, you name it, Blackmon gets the right matchup he can do it all. With De La Rosa's struggles against lefties, there is no way I can pass on him today. He has a .395 wOBA off right-handed pitching this season, with a whopping 40% hardball rate. Get the Rockies' leadoff man in your lineups today.

A.J. Pollock (R), Diamondbacks

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs LHP
2012-2015
ISO vs LHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs LHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$4,500$4,800Jorge De La Rosa - L.364.21412814.5

A.J. Pollock is like Arizona's version of Blackmon, he has some power and speed to go with his all-around game. He has a .386 wOBA off lefties this season, and a 143 wRC+. His .214 ISO since entering the league against lefties is a nice surprise, and will certainly meet the Coors park factors today. Consider Pollock your next outfield option after Blackmon today.

Gregor Blanco (L), Giants

FanDuelDraftKingsOpp Pitcher
& Handedness
wOBA vs RHP
2012-2015
ISO vs RHP
2012-2015
wRC+ vs RHP
2012-2015
Batting
Order
Team
Run Total
$2,500$2,800James Shields - R.313.1041031 or 84

To fit some of the big bats in, we are going to need a player with this price tag. Gregor Blanco found himself in the leadoff spot two games ago, but was back down in the eighth spot last night. I much rather have him hitting leadoff, but at this price, I won't complain too much. Blanco has a .358 wOBA off right-handed pitching this season, and he has a 27% line drive rate. Lefties have gotten the best of James Shields this season, with a .375 wOBA, and a 27% line drive rate. Shields is more name than performance, the Giants lefties could provide some value.






Comments
JasonG4s
Totally spaced on Miguel Montero not being behind the dish, with Lester on the mound. Wellington Castillo is the cheap play there.
bigitaly42
I totally whiffed on that one as well. Was disappointed to see him out. I think Blackmon is my 100% must play today. Great stuff Jason.
Tulo not in the lineup, if you haven't caught that already, for people reading...