MLB Mobile Sports Betting Toolkit
The purpose of this column is to highlight some players with upside and well-suited for tournaments. While the majority of the hitter picks will likely have power upside, that's not necessarily the case for all the listed options. Other contextual factors such as batting order, ballpark, opposing pitcher, price, speed, etc also come into play, and you'll see these items sprinkled into the write-ups below. Along with that, we'll be gauging the ownership levels, giving you some plausible pivots from the popular choices in a given game slate.
Pitchers
Jaime Garcia (L), Cardinals | |||||||
FanDuel | DraftKings | Opp | FIP | K% | GB% | Opp Run Total | Moneyline |
$8,200 | $9,800 | MIA | 3.27 | 18.7 | 66.9 | 3 | -200 |
The Red Birds are huge favorites Friday, and Jaime Garcia has been beastly when healthy. Miami has wrecked havoc against southpaws this season, but they're an entirely different club without Giancarlo Stanton. Over the past month, the Fish boast an uninspiring .666 OPS, .103 ISO and .293 wOBA.
Garcia has scattered four hits and an earned run over his past two starts (12 innings). Take advantage of the prime matchup and open up plenty of wiggle room below the cap.
Robbie Ray (L), Diamondbacks | |||||||
FanDuel | DraftKings | Opp | FIP | K% | GB% | Opp Run Total | Moneyline |
$7,000 | $7,500 | ATL | 3.17 | 22.2 | 37.6 | 3.5 | -127 |
With eight strikeouts in three of his past five starts, there is some upside for Ray Friday. He has been somewhat hit or miss over his past seven starts with a 4.14 ERA, but he has also faced tough matchups and never allowed more than four earned runs in a start. Plus, Ray has a 43:12 K:BB mark over 41.1 innings during the stretch.
The Braves own a .631 OPS, .103 ISO and .281 wOBA against lefties this season, and their new-look lineup is filled with holes and few right-handed batters. Ray has potential, and he'll be way off the radar.
Top Hitters
Matt Kemp (R), Padres | |||||||
FanDuel | DraftKings | Opp Pitcher & Handedness | wOBA vs LHP 2012-2015 | ISO vs LHP 2012-2015 | wRC+ vs LHP 2012-2015 | Batting Order | Team Run Total |
$4,300 | $5,000 | Yohan Flande LHP | 0.370 | 0.215 | 140 | 3 | 5 |
Kemp has turned his season around with a .306/.373/.523 slash line over his past 30 games, and a trip to Coors Field helps Friday, too. Don't forget the veteran also finished strong last season, and he has nice upside with a slew of Friars all faring better against lefties.
The tilt will be Flande's first home start of the season, and his 4.76 FIP is worth targeting. Kemp presents nice value, but there are a pile of Padres worth considering.
Ryan Braun (R), Brewers | |||||||
FanDuel | DraftKings | Opp Pitcher & Handedness | wOBA vs LHP 2012-2015 | ISO vs LHP 2012-2015 | wRC+ vs LHP 2012-2015 | Batting Order | Team Run Total |
$4,000 | $4,700 | Adam Morgan LHP | 0.428 | 0.300 | 171 | 3 | 4.5 |
Braun is riding a 15-for-37 stretch with a .622 slugging percentage and nine runs. He owns southpaws historically, and it has been more of the same this season, as he boasts a .960 OPS over 95 plate appearances.
Morgan has been fairly consistent in limiting the damage, but still, he has allowed a target-worthy 1.59 HR/9, 5.37 FIP and .371 wOBA to right-handed bats this season.
Prince Fielder (L), Rangers | |||||||
FanDuel | DraftKings | Opp Pitcher & Handedness | wOBA vs RHP 2012-2015 | ISO vs RHP 2012-2015 | wRC+ vs RHP 2012-2015 | Batting Order | Team Run Total |
$3,700 | $4,600 | Nate Karns RHP | .387 | .190 | 145 | 3 | 4 |
Fielder is having a nice month with eight runs, nine RBI and a .333/.367/.533 slash line over 11 games. He owns the handedness advantage against Karns, and Fielder has a .944 OPS and .406 wOBA against righties at home. It is also projected to be 95°F at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Justin Turner (R), Dodgers | |||||||
FanDuel | DraftKings | Opp Pitcher & Handedness | wOBA vs LHP 2012-2015 | ISO vs LHP 2012-2015 | wRC+ vs LHP 2012-2015 | Batting Order | Team Run Total |
$3,500 | $3,800 | John Lamb LHP | 0.319 | 0.137 | 105 | 4 | 4 |
Turner shook off the rust Thursday, so it is time to pony back up on his injury-reduced cap hit Friday. There is a touch of risk, but he'll be in the heart of the order for Lamb's major league debut. Turner has actually been better against right-handed arms over the past two season, but owning the traditional handedness advantage against Lamb still should be viewed as a plus.
Value and Platoon Plays
Max Scherzer (SP - WAS) FD: $11,400 DK: $14,600
It has been a rough go of late for Scherzer, but he draws an injury-riddled San Francisco lineup at a friendly pitching environment Friday. He has enjoyed room service this season, too, with a 1.87 ERA, a 0.82 WHIP and a 11.2 K/9 through 12 road starts. Maybe his 4.50 ERA over his past four starts scares a few away Friday.
C.J. Cron (1B - LAA) FD: $2,600 DK: $2,900
Danny Duffy serves it up to right-handed bats, and Cron is riding a 10-for-23 stretch with two doubles, a home run and six RBI. Just note, you're passing up a lot of talent at first base taking a low-priced flier on Cron.
Jed Lowrie (SS - HOU) FD: $3,100 DK: $4,100
Lowrie launched his first home run since returning from the disabled list Wednesday and receives a date with Alfredo Simon Friday. The Detroit hurler has allowed opposing left-handed batters to help themselves to a .540 slugging percentage and .387 wOBA this season. Lowire stands as a nice -- and cheaper -- alternative to Correa.
Evan Longoria (3B - TB) FD: $3,100 DK: $4,100
The veteran is always worth a look against left-handed pitchers (.291/.380/.538 career slash line versus southpaws), and he has a 1.023 OPS over his past 17 games. There is risk, though. Martin Perez has a 2.80 FIP, and Longoria might not fly under the radar.
Wilson Ramos (C - WAS) FD: $2,200 DK: $2,700
Ramos has failed to gain any traction at the dish this season and currently sports a 3-for-21 run. Still, the wind is projected to be blowing straight out at AT&T Park, and Matt Cain has allowed 13 runs over his past three starts with opponents boasting a .369/.440/.600 slash line. There is a lot of upside at his cap hit.
Bryce Harper (OF - WAS) FD: $4,500 DK: $4,700
Harper has now gone 14 games without a round tripper, and he has just one RBI during the drought. It has plummeted his salary, especially at DraftKings, which makes him a great value play Friday. Lefties sport a .328/.419/.571 slash line with a .421 wOBA against Cain this season.
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