MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 5/11/15
If you’ve never played daily fantasy baseball before, it’s time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you’re able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every day.
And while there are many platforms to play daily fantasy baseball on, one of our favorites is from our partners over at DraftKings.com. Never played over there before? It’s time for that to change. Sign up now and use our optimal lineups here at numberFire.com to crush the competition. You won’t regret it.
As for today's lineups -- those can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the things completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until the games start, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.
Top Pitchers
High-Cost Pitcher
Zack Greinke – Although he is overshadowed in the Dodgers' rotation by reigning Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, Greinke has quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball so far this season. The third-year Dodgers' starter has accumulated a 5-0 record with a minuscule 1.56 ERA and 2.86 FIP through his first six starts of the season. He has also struck out at least six batters in four of his last five outings and gets the pleasure of facing a Marlins team who strikes out the fifth most frequently in the league with a 22.3% strike out percentage this season. With tonight's game at home at pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, Greinke is definitely the top pitching option on the board tonight.
Alternative Options: Gerrit Cole
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Alex Colome – With a relatively small slate of games tonight, there aren't a ton of viable pitching options to choose from, but if you don't want to pay up for Greinke and are looking to save at pitcher tonight, Colome makes a very interesting option. The young Rays starter has looked excellent though two starts this season, posting a 2-0 record with an absurd 1.80 ERA and 1.16 FIP while striking out nine batters per nine innings. Although he draws a matchup with a pretty dangerous Yankees lineup, New York hits just .247 away from Yankee Stadium and, fortunately for Colome, tonight's game will take place at Tropicana Field. At just $6,700 on DraftKings and $6,100 on FanDuel, Colome could make a sneaky good tournament play at an outrageously low price.
Alternative Options: Scott Kazmir
Top Hitters
High-Cost Hitters
Adrian Gonzalez - The Dodgers' star first baseman has been absolutely mashing so far this season. Gonzalez has opened the season with a monstrous .377 batting average, .492 wOBA and .360 ISO and his numbers look even more impressive against right-handed pitching. Gonzo has rocked righties to the tune of a .512 wOBA, .374 ISO and a massive 1.220 OPS so far this season and should have little trouble knocking around Tom Koehler tonight considering he has allowed a ridiculous .435 wOBA to lefties this season. Gonzalez makes an excellent play in all formats tonight.
Freddie Freeman - Much like the Dodgers' first baseman, the Braves first baseman has absolutely abused right-handed pitching through the early parts of this season. Freeman has amassed a .410 wOBA and .241 ISO against righties this season and gets an opportunity to pad those stats against Mike Leake tonight. Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark is a great hitters park -- especially for lefties -- and Freeman should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs tonight. Although Gonzalez is the preferred play at first base tonight, Freeman makes a strong alternative if you're looking to save a little dough at the position.
Alternative Options: Lorenzo Cain, Adam Jones
Cost-Effective Hitters
Neil Walker - Walker has gotten off to a hot start this season, posting a .340 wOBA with a .330 BABIP so far this season. The Pirates' infielder has recorded a hit in each of his last five outings -- including multi-hit games in two of his last three -- and has a great chance to stay hot tonight against Phillies' struggling veteran Jerome Williams. Williams has posted a 5.18 ERA with a 4.55 FIP so far this season and has allowed a .402 wOBA to opposing left-handed batters, making him a spectacular pitcher to target tonight. Look for Walker to increase his hitting streak to six games in what should be a big win for the Pirates tonight.
A.J. Pierzynski - The Braves' veteran catcher has had a major resurgence early on this season. If the season ended today, Pierzynski would set career-highs in batting average (.323), wOBA (.369) and OPS (.864) and is in a great spot tonight in a lefty-heavy lineup against Leake who has had trouble getting left-handed batters out all season long. Although he has been in a bit of a slump lately, at just $2,500 on FanDuel and $3,200 on DraftKings, Pierzynski could be an absolute steal tonight.
Alternative Options: Jimmy Rollins, Denard Span
