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MLB DFS 4/25/16 Slate Breakdown

Let’s do this.

Pitchers

Noah Syndergaard, NYM

Syndergaard is projected to allow 2.6 runs, which is only one of the many reasons he’s considered the top cash option in this slate. His exit velocity allowed of 82 mph is also the lowest among pitchers. If rostering him in tournaments, it will likely take unique exposure elsewhere, as his ownership is expected to the highest of the night.

Danny Salazar, CLE

Salazar’s 9.61 K/9 sit just outside the top five, but the Twins are striking out at a rate of 24.7% vs. RHP. He’s also received 89% of moneyline bets, making him a darling in the eyes of Vegas as well.

Jaime Garcia, STL

The Diamondbacks have hit the ball fairly well vs. LHP, but Garcia has yet to be tagged by any offense. Opposing offenses, for instance, have only recorded a 13% fly-ball percentage against him. With a batted-ball distance 24 feet fewer than Syndergaard, Garcia is considered an elite option that’s expected to be lesser owned in tournaments.

Pitchers to Exploit

Ian Kennedy, KC

Kennedy’s batted-ball distance and FB% are the highest among pitchers tonight. An Angels stack could be a really nice contrarian option in a Coors-dominated slate.

Doug Fister, HOU

Fister’s WHIP and SO/9 both rank in the bottom three at his position. Though some people — or more than usual — might gravitate towards a Mariners stack due to their nine runs just yesterday, it’s another terrific spot nonetheless for the first five hitters in their lineup. Fister has also given up 1.37 HR/9 over the last 12 months, which trails only Ian Kennedy (1.57) in this slate.

C

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DET

Saltalamacchia’s differentials are much worse vs. RHP, but no one is hitting the ball harder at his position — his exit velocity, FB%, and batted-ball distance all qualify as the highest among catchers with at least nine starts. His 10 Pro Trends are more than enough to warrant him as a strong cash option.

1B

Sean Rodriguez, PIT

Rodriguez has only started in six games this season, but his batted-ball distance is actually 44 feet further than any other first basemen (in this slate). Given his discount at DraftKings (where he has a Bargain Rating of 81%), I would even consider Rodriguez a lesser-known cash option if in Pittsburgh’s starting lineup.

Mike Napoli, CLE

Note Napoli’s wOBA and ISO Differentials of .109/.120 vs. LHP. With a top-four slugging percentage against said handedness, Napoli is as viable a tournament option as any.

2B

Chris Coghlan, OAK

With a righty back on the mound, Coghlan, rather than Mark Canha, is expected to bat second in Oakland’s lineup. With outstanding wOBA and ISO Differentials of .197/.189 vs. RHP, Coghlan, if anything, is considered a value at DraftKings (as long as he’s in the top third of their lineup).

3B

Josh Donaldson, TOR

Yes, he was just written up yesterday, but Donaldson is once again in a terrific spot (although opposing right-handed pitching). Still, his .684 slugging percentage is .069 greater than anyone else at third base.

SS

Francisco Lindor, CLE

Projected to hit third on Monday, Lindor offers value as the Indians are currently implied to score 4.4 runs. On a slate where most will put emphasis on Coors Field, his decreased ownership is a great way to be contrarian in large-field tournaments. With a .393 wOBA and .198 ISO against left-handed pitchers, Lindor has the upside and floor to be considered in all formats.

OF

Enrique Hernandez, LAD

Although Chase Utley has been used as their leadoff hitter as of late, Hernandez typically takes that role when the Dodgers oppose lefties. If that holds true tonight, note his slugging percentage of .822 against said handedness. Additionally, his .296/.280 Differentials vs. LHP are both top three among outfielders.

Brandon Moss, STL

It’s entirely possible Moss doesn’t start as Mike Matheny has no rhyme or reason with lineups — he has yet to start a mirror-imaged batting order this season. If starting, however, Moss’ batted-ball distance of 271 feet trails only Sean Rodriguez among qualified outfielders.

Corey Dickerson, TB

With an 84% Bargain Rating at DraftKings, Dickerson’s ISO of .284 vs. RHP is still considered all too cheap. His batted-ball distance is also top 10 among outfielders.

Ryan Raburn, COL

Raburn didn’t start last night, so we get to run him back against a lefty tonight. Once again, note his wOBA and ISO Differentials of .122/.132 versus said handedness.

Weather Watch

Thunderstorms are expected during Athletics-Tigers, but no rain should fall beyond that. If the game isn’t postponed entirely, it’s a terrific spot for all surrounding hitters in tournaments.

Good luck!

Let’s do this.

Pitchers

Noah Syndergaard, NYM

Syndergaard is projected to allow 2.6 runs, which is only one of the many reasons he’s considered the top cash option in this slate. His exit velocity allowed of 82 mph is also the lowest among pitchers. If rostering him in tournaments, it will likely take unique exposure elsewhere, as his ownership is expected to the highest of the night.

Danny Salazar, CLE

Salazar’s 9.61 K/9 sit just outside the top five, but the Twins are striking out at a rate of 24.7% vs. RHP. He’s also received 89% of moneyline bets, making him a darling in the eyes of Vegas as well.

Jaime Garcia, STL

The Diamondbacks have hit the ball fairly well vs. LHP, but Garcia has yet to be tagged by any offense. Opposing offenses, for instance, have only recorded a 13% fly-ball percentage against him. With a batted-ball distance 24 feet fewer than Syndergaard, Garcia is considered an elite option that’s expected to be lesser owned in tournaments.

Pitchers to Exploit

Ian Kennedy, KC

Kennedy’s batted-ball distance and FB% are the highest among pitchers tonight. An Angels stack could be a really nice contrarian option in a Coors-dominated slate.

Doug Fister, HOU

Fister’s WHIP and SO/9 both rank in the bottom three at his position. Though some people — or more than usual — might gravitate towards a Mariners stack due to their nine runs just yesterday, it’s another terrific spot nonetheless for the first five hitters in their lineup. Fister has also given up 1.37 HR/9 over the last 12 months, which trails only Ian Kennedy (1.57) in this slate.

C

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DET

Saltalamacchia’s differentials are much worse vs. RHP, but no one is hitting the ball harder at his position — his exit velocity, FB%, and batted-ball distance all qualify as the highest among catchers with at least nine starts. His 10 Pro Trends are more than enough to warrant him as a strong cash option.

1B

Sean Rodriguez, PIT

Rodriguez has only started in six games this season, but his batted-ball distance is actually 44 feet further than any other first basemen (in this slate). Given his discount at DraftKings (where he has a Bargain Rating of 81%), I would even consider Rodriguez a lesser-known cash option if in Pittsburgh’s starting lineup.

Mike Napoli, CLE

Note Napoli’s wOBA and ISO Differentials of .109/.120 vs. LHP. With a top-four slugging percentage against said handedness, Napoli is as viable a tournament option as any.

2B

Chris Coghlan, OAK

With a righty back on the mound, Coghlan, rather than Mark Canha, is expected to bat second in Oakland’s lineup. With outstanding wOBA and ISO Differentials of .197/.189 vs. RHP, Coghlan, if anything, is considered a value at DraftKings (as long as he’s in the top third of their lineup).

3B

Josh Donaldson, TOR

Yes, he was just written up yesterday, but Donaldson is once again in a terrific spot (although opposing right-handed pitching). Still, his .684 slugging percentage is .069 greater than anyone else at third base.

SS

Francisco Lindor, CLE

Projected to hit third on Monday, Lindor offers value as the Indians are currently implied to score 4.4 runs. On a slate where most will put emphasis on Coors Field, his decreased ownership is a great way to be contrarian in large-field tournaments. With a .393 wOBA and .198 ISO against left-handed pitchers, Lindor has the upside and floor to be considered in all formats.

OF

Enrique Hernandez, LAD

Although Chase Utley has been used as their leadoff hitter as of late, Hernandez typically takes that role when the Dodgers oppose lefties. If that holds true tonight, note his slugging percentage of .822 against said handedness. Additionally, his .296/.280 Differentials vs. LHP are both top three among outfielders.

Brandon Moss, STL

It’s entirely possible Moss doesn’t start as Mike Matheny has no rhyme or reason with lineups — he has yet to start a mirror-imaged batting order this season. If starting, however, Moss’ batted-ball distance of 271 feet trails only Sean Rodriguez among qualified outfielders.

Corey Dickerson, TB

With an 84% Bargain Rating at DraftKings, Dickerson’s ISO of .284 vs. RHP is still considered all too cheap. His batted-ball distance is also top 10 among outfielders.

Ryan Raburn, COL

Raburn didn’t start last night, so we get to run him back against a lefty tonight. Once again, note his wOBA and ISO Differentials of .122/.132 versus said handedness.

Weather Watch

Thunderstorms are expected during Athletics-Tigers, but no rain should fall beyond that. If the game isn’t postponed entirely, it’s a terrific spot for all surrounding hitters in tournaments.

Good luck!