MLB Positional Analysis: 4-6-15

Touch 'Em All: MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Positional Analysis

MLB Positional Analysis provides a glance at who the top plays are in the night's MLB daily action on position-by-position basis. Each position will also feature a bargain pick. The players are graded on a five star scale, similar to that used to grade dining establishments or hotels. Not every night's games will feature a five-star play. However, some nights might have multiple five-star options. Consult the star chart below for a more detailed explanation of what each grade means.

Starting Pitchers

DraftKings

1- Corey Kluber, RHP, Cleveland Indians, $9,800: Five Stars

2- David Price, LHP, Detroit Tigers, $10,400: Five Stars

3- Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers, $12,400: Five Stars

Bargain Pick- Henderson Alvarez, RHP, Miami Marlins, $6,200: Three Stars

FanDuel

1- Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers, $11,700: Five Stars

2- Max Scherzer, RHP, Washington Nationals, $11,000: Five Stars

3- David Price, LHP, Detroit Tigers, $10,600: Five Stars

Bargain Pick- Henderson Alvarez, RHP, Miami Marlins, $7,400: Three Stars

The starting pitcher picks at both DraftKings (DK) and FanDuel (FD) are the elite of elite. Opening Day brings out the best of the best, and the top pitch in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, is a great play in all game types at all sites. Kershaw is a stronger play at FD due to only needing to start one pitcher, but he's a big betting favorite which should yield fantasy points with a win, and he led the majors in basically every notable pitching categories. Some of the more noteworthy stats he totaled at a 1.81 FIP, 31.9% K and 27.8% K-BB%.

David Price is another left-handed ace who should be used heavily across sites and games. He's significantly cheaper at DK than Kershaw, yet he, too, is a big betting favorite with big strikeout upside and brilliant numbers in 2014. Price managed a 2.78 FIP, 26.9% K and 23.1% K-BB%. The roster isn't exactly the same as in 2014, but there is a lot of carryover for the Twins and they posted a 21.6% K as a team versus lefties (tied for ninth highest).

Corey Kluber is my favorite ace to use at DK. He's an ace who costs under five figures. He's facing a punch-out happy Astros roster. Last year, they posted the highest K% (24.0% K) versus right-handed pitchers. They've brought in some talent in the offseason, but much of that talent is also of the high strikeout variety. Kluber had no problem blowing hitters away in 2014 ranking third among qualified pitchers with a 28.3% K. The sky is the limit for Kluber. He's not as big of a betting favorite as the other aces, and that's part of the motivation for leaving him off the FD rankings.

Max Scherzer is one of four starters who is bigger than a -150 betting favorite across all major online sports books, per SBRForum. Two of the other three have already been highlighted (Kershaw and Price), so it only makes sense to include Scherzer at FD, too. He has enormous strikeout potential -- he ranked fourth with a 27.9% K last year -- but it's the all important win and high floor I'm most concerned with. At a one starting pitcher site, you don't need to be overly concerned about spending heavily on an ace. Don't skimp, use Scherzer or one of the aces.

Bargain hunters will have to sacrifice strikeout upside, but Henderson Alvarez is one of the cheapest starting pitchers available at DK and FD. It's a rarity that a cheap pitcher like Alvarez is also a notable betting favorite. His betting line ranges from -125 to -135 depending upon your online sports book of choice. The Braves lineup has been gutted and is awful on paper. Alvarez is the ideal SP2 at DK to offset the five-figures aces, and he's a decent GPP play if you're looking to load up on hitting at FD.

Catcher

DraftKings

1- Brian McCann, LHB, New York Yankees, $4,000: Three Stars

2- John Jaso, LHB, Tampa Bay Rays, $3,900: Three Stars

3- Carlos Ruiz, RHB, Philadelphia Phillies, $3,400: Three Stars

Bargain Pick- Mike Zunino, RHB, Seattle Mariners, $3,500: Two Stars

FanDuel

1- Russell Martin, RHB, Toronto Blue Jays, $3,100: Four Stars

2- John Jaso, LHB, Tampa Bay Rays, $3,100: Three Stars

3- Brian McCann, LHB, New York Yankees, $3,300: Three Stars

Bargain Pick- Carlos Ruiz, RHB, Philadelphia Phillies, $2,500: Three Stars

Similar faces at each site. Brian McCann struggled with the shift last year, but his price is right when factoring in his power, ballpark and matchup. McCann owns a .183 ISO versus right-handed pitchers since 2012, is hitting with a 131 left-handed batter homer park factor, per StatCorner, and is facing Drew Hutchison. Hutchison owned a .353 wOBA allowed to lefties and a 43.3% fly ball rate, according to FanGraphs. The former Brave should also hit in a favorable lineup slot for run production.

Russell Martin is the top dog at FD. He's grossly under priced. Among hitters who totaled 450 or more plate appearances last year, he ranked fourth in OBP. He should be hitting second in a loaded Blue Jays lineup, and as a right-handed batter he'll enjoy park factors of 132 for homers and 100 for runs at Yankee Stadium. Masahiro Tanaka's velocity has been down and talk of him not throwing with all his might -- understandable since he's dealing with a partially torn UCL -- have me feeling good about using Martin on the cheap despite what looks like a tough pitching draw on paper.

John Jaso is expected to hit leadoff for the Rays, which is reason enough to like him with a fair price tag. He's also an excellent hitter, though, tallying a 142 wRC+ versus righties since 2012. Chris Tillman is one of the lesser starting pitchers getting the ball today, so be sure to take advantage of that fact by using Jaso on some of your daily game rosters.

Carlos Ruiz is another catcher who figures to hit in a prominent lineup slot. When you can get a catcher who isn't expensive and is hitting in a top-five lineup spot, it's worth investing. He's better against lefties than righties, but he's managed a 110 wRC+ since 2012 against right-handed pitchers. Clay Buchholz is among the worst starters throwing today. Again, take advantage of using hitters who aren't facing the studs today.

The gamble on Mike Zunino is a simple one. You're gambling on thump with him. Zunino ripped 17 homers in 337 plate appearances against righties last year. His .176 batting average and 78 wRC+ warrant shielding one's eyes, but if you're a tourney player, gambling on Zunino against Jered Weaver and his reduced velocity isn't crazy.

First Base

DraftKings

1- Justin Morneau, LHB, Colorado Rockies, $4,100: Four Stars

2- Adam Lind, LHB, Milwaukee Brewers, $4,100: Four Stars

3- Adrian Gonzalez, LHB, Los Angeles Dodgers, $4,500: Three Stars

Bargain Pick- Ike Davis, LHB, Oakland Athletics, $3,500: Two Stars

FanDuel

1- Adam Lind, LHB, Milwaukee Brewers, $2,800: Four Stars

2- Brandon Belt, LHB, San Francisco Giants, $3,500: Four Stars

3- Jose Abreu, RHB, Chicago White Sox, $4,500: Four Stars

Bargain Pick- Ike Davis, LHB, Oakland Athletics, $2,600: Two Stars

Justin Morneau was great in his first year with the Rockies. He had a 141 wRC+ against right-handed pitching last year. The former AL MVP won't get the benefit of hitting at Coors Field today, but it's hard to argue with left-handed batter park factors of 125 for homers and 104 for runs provided at Miller Park.

Speaking of those nifty park factors, Morneau's opponent manning first base, Adam Lind, will get the benefit of the same lefty offensive boosts. He's an absolute steal at FD, where he'll cost less than $3,000. Lind is the proud owner of a 145 wRC+ and .202 IS versus right-handed pitchers since 2012. He'll also get a lift facing one of the worst starters, Kyle Kendrick, and his struggles with retiring left-handed batters.

Adrian Gonzalez crushes right-handed pitchers and recaptured his thump in 2014 tallying a .236 ISO. James Shields is a very good pitcher, and his .309 wOBA allowed to left-handed batters is decent, but it's not reason to avoid using the Dodgers likely cleanup hitter.

There are a few reasons to like Brandon Belt. The first is park factors of 113 for homers, 115 for doubles/triples and 117 for runs for left-handed batters at Chase Field. The second is Josh Collmenter's struggles with lefties (.327 wOBA allowed to them last year). He ties things together nicely be projecting to hit in a favorable lineup slot and hitting righties well.

Jose Abreu was the bully on the playground in his first year in the majors. He roughed up all pitchers, lefties and righties alike. With a 153 wRC+ and .250 ISO against right-handed pitchers, it's safe to say he can handle them quite well. The rigthy he's facing today, Yordano Ventura, actually demonstrated a reverse split last year (.288 wOBA allowed to lefties and a .316 wOBA allowed to righties). If you're shooting the moon with your hitters, Abreu has moon shot thump at a fair price.

Ike Davis looks to be the newest beneficiary of the Athletics' love of platooning. He could hit in the top five for the A's today, and his 123 wRC+ and .198 ISO versus right-handed pitchers since 2012 would play well at his cheap price.

Second Base

DraftKings

1- Dustin Pedroia, RHB, Boston Red Sox, $3,700: Four Stars

2- Chase Utley, LHB, Philadelphia Phillies, $4,100: Three Stars

3- Scooter Gennett, LHB, Milwaukee Brewers, $3,800: Three Stars

Bargain Pick- Joe Panik, LHB, San Francisco Giants, $3,400: Two Stars

FanDuel

1- Dustin Pedroia, RHB, Boston Red Sox, $3,400: Four Stars

2- Scooter Gennett, LHB, Milwaukee Brewers, $3,000: Four Stars

3- Chase Utley, LHB, Philadelphia Phillies, $3,600: Four Stars

Bargain Pick- Joe Panik, LHB, San Francisco Giants, $2,400: Three Stars

Dustin Pedroia is coming off a down year, but a bounce back is a likely happening. The beauty of his 2014 production is a cost we're unlikely to see very long this year. Cole Hamels is a tough matchup, but Pedroia's excellence against lefties since 2012 (132 wRC+ and .156 ISO) are worth more than the drop in the bucket he'll cost using -- even against Hamels.

Chase Utley is the other second baseman in that game. His best years are behind him, but since 2012, he's still been good for a .172 ISO and 124 wRC+. Furthermore, I like his lineup spot and a matchup with Clay Buchholz. Buccholz allowed a .351 wOBA to left-handed batters last year.

Scooter Gennett makes it three of the same second base touts at both sites. Since reaching the majors in 2013, he's been a terror for right-handed pitchers. The diminutive second baseman has earned a 131 wRC+ and .167 ISO. There is a chance he hits leadoff (that remains to be seen), but even a down order showdown with Kendrick will provide plenty of incentive to use him.

Joe Panik lacks a ton of upside since he doesn't have much power, but he's a great contact hitter who should hit second for the Giants. The two-hole could provide some run scoring potential. Also, as a lefty, he'll get the benefit of Collmenter's poor platoon side of things.

Shortstop

DraftKings

1- Jose Reyes, SHB, Toronto Blue Jays, $4,400: Four Stars

2- Andrelton Simmons, RHB, Atlanta Braves, $3,400: Two Stars

3- Erick Aybar, SHB, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, $3,400: Two Stars

Bargain Pick- Stephen Drew, LHB, New York Yankees, $3,300: Two Stars

FanDuel

1- Jose Reyes, SHB, Toronto Blue Jays, $3,900: Four Stars

2- Andrelton Simmons, RHB, Atlanta Braves, $2,700: Three Stars

3- Xander Bogaerts, RHB, Boston Red Sox, $2,900: Two Stars

Bargain Pick- Brandon Crawford, LHB, San Francisco Giants, $2,600: Two Stars

Jose Reyes is a leadoff hitter in a game with one of the higher betting totals today. Over the last three years, the switch-hitter has been better against right-handed pitchers than lefties. If Tanaka's reduced stuff is on display today, the Blue Jays have an offense capable of piling up runs. As the leadoff hitter, Reyes is in prime position to be the biggest run scoring beneficiary.

Andrelton Simmons is really cheap. He'll provide the kind of necessary savings to roster some pricey pitchers. He could hit second for the Braves, and his high contact rate coupled with Alvarez's low strikeout rate should result in balls in play from Simmons. I'll take my chances with him hitting it to where they ain't at his bargain bin price.

You don't usually want to nab hitters who are facing Felix Hernandez, but shortstop stinks, and Erick Aybar is cheap for a decent hitter in a good lineup spot. Because DK doesn't penalize outs (with the exception of stolen bases), I'm happy to roll with Aybar on a few teams.

Xander Bogaerts is hitting at Citizens Bank Park where the left-handed batter park factor for homers is 122. According to Minor League Central, Bogaerts owns an .834 OPS against left-handed pitching in the minors since 2011. He's also been good against lefties since reaching the majors totaling a 119 wRC+ and .158 ISO.

You can clump Stephen Drew and Brandon Crawford together. Both are left-handed batters who are facing right-handed pitchers who struggle with lefties. Both shortstops are cheap, and both are playing in hitter-friendly ballparks. Those are your reasons for dumpster diving and rostering one of these two shortstops. It's that simple.

Third Base

DraftKings

1- Kyle Seager, LHB, Seattle Mariners, $4,100: Four Stars

2- Aramis Ramirez, RHB, Milwaukee Brewers, $4,200: Three Stars

3- Chase Headley, SHB, New York Yankees, $4,100: Three Stars

Bargain Pick- Mike Moustakas, LHB, Kansas City Royals, $3,600: Two Stars

FanDuel

1- Kyle Seager, LHB, Seattle Mariners, $3,700: Four Stars

2- Chase Headley, SHB, New York Yankees, $3,000: Three Stars

3- Aramis Ramirez, RHB, Milwaukee Brewers, $3,400: Three Stars

Bargain Pick- Mike Moustakas, LHB, Kansas City Royals, $2,700: Two Stars

Kyle Seager is my favorite play at the hot corner at both DK and FD. He hammers right-handed pitching, should hit fifth in a very good Mariners lineup, and is capable of exploiting Weaver's increasing struggles with lefties. Weaver allowed a .321 wOBA to left-handed batters last year.

Aramis Ramirez is better against lefties than righties, but a 114 wRC+ versus right-handed pitchers since 2012 is nothing to sneeze at. As a right-handed batter at Miller Park, he'll enjoy a 124 park factor for homers and a 107 park factor for runs. And oh yeah, you want to get another piece of Kendrick.

Chase Headley's cost at FD will allow you some serious cap relief. He's yet another left-handed batter facing Hutchison, and the right-handed pitcher's struggles with lefties could provide a fruitful return for the Yankees lineup. Getting a piece of that production for cheap is ideal.

Here me out. Mike Moustakas has struggled to justify his prospect hype. He is, however, coming off a solid postseason in which he swatted five homers in 55 plate appearances. More importantly, he's slated to hit second for the Royals. He's got plenty of faults, but his lineup slot will give him ample opportunities to provide a positive return on a minimal investment.

Outfield

DraftKings

1- Carlos Gonzalez, LHB, Colorado Rockies, $4,500: Four Stars

2- Carlos Beltran, SHB, New York Yankees: $4,100: Four Stars

3- Brett Gardner, LHB, New York Yankees, $4,400: Four Stars

Bargain Pick- Nori Aoki, LHB, San Francisco Giants, $3,700: Three Stars

FanDuel

1- Carlos Beltran, SHB, New York Yankees, $3,100: Four Stars

2- Brett Gardner, LHB, New York Yankees, $3,300: Four Stars

3- Carlos Gonzalez, LHB, Colorado Rockies, $3,900: Four Stars

Bargain Pick- Seth Smith, LHB, Seattle Mariners, $2,600: Three Stars

Carlos Gonzalez's 2014 season was a disaster due to injury. He's healthy now, and just a year removed from tallying a silly 156 wRC+ versus right-handed pitchers on the road. Miller Park isn't Coors Field, but I think Gonzalez can live with the hitter friendliness of it. Also, Kyle Lohse is a good choice of pitcher to take some shots against since the day is littered with studs.

Carlos Beltran is another outfielder who struggled in 2014 due to injury. He should fully enjoy his hitter-friendly home confines this year. Even in a down year, Beltran earned a 118 wRC+ and 118 ISO against right-handed pitchers last year. Use him with confidence today.

Brett Gardner kicks things off for the Yankees slotting leadoff. He's left-handed, and Hutchison won't like that. I don't expect him to retain all of his new found thump from last year, but retaining some of it is reasonable. If the Yankees jump all over Hutchison, grabbing their leadoff hitter will payoff handsomely.

Nori Aoki is a leadoff hitter, like Gardner. He doesn't have the power of Gardner, but he does also get to face a pitcher who struggles with lefties. He'll also be hitting in a hitter-friendly park. Aoki is a solid play if you're looking for some savings in the outfielder at DK.

At FD, Seth Smith looks like the best bargain pick. He's a platoon outfielder, which could result in him getting lifted late in the game. However, at his cost, I'll take a two-hole hitter who owns a 22 wRC+ and .178 ISO against right-handed pitchers since 2012.