MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 6/10/15
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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
Matt Harvey – There aren't a ton of aces on the mound tonight, making Harvey sort of a de facto top option at pitcher. He's projected to score the most fantasy points, per our algorithm, but I do think there's reason to not go all-in with him in cash games, at least on single-pitcher sites. The first is the fact that the Giants hit righties well. Really well. Only two teams are better in terms of wOBA versus right-handers, while San Francisco ranks second in wRC+. The second reason is mostly specific to FanDuel, as wins matter a whole lot over there in terms of scoring. Will the Mets offense give him enough support? New York is a bottom five team in wRC+ against right-handed pitching, and they're facing Tim Hudson tonight. Harvey is great -- elite, even -- but there are enough question marks surrounding his situation tonight to not be 100 percent invested.
Alternative Options: Tyson Ross
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Jesse Hahn – From a value standpoint, your best option tonight may be Oakland Athletics' righty Jesse Hahn. He'll face the Rangers, a team that's very average against right-handers, with a slightly below average K rate. That makes for a good matchup. As does the fact that Texas will see a park shift in the wrong direction, as the game is being played in Oakland. Vegas thinks only seven runs will be scored in the contest, with the A's as decent favorites.
Alternative Option: Jose Quintana
High-Cost Hitters
Anthony Rizzo - The Cubbies get righty Shane Greene tonight, who, after starting the season off strong, now has a 4.46 FIP and a below-average fly ball rate. Things are even worse against left-handed batters -- like Rizzo -- as they're hitting to a .362 wOBA against Greene over his brief career, significantly higher than the .297 mark versus righties. Rizzo's splits play into this well, and with an 8.5 run over/under, Rizzo should be good for a big night.
Joc Pederson - Pederson's in play anytime the Dodgers face a right-handed pitcher. The team itself is tops in the league in plenty of categories within the split, and Pederson has (sample size alert) hit to a .401 wOBA against righties this year. Tonight, though, the Dodgers don't get any right-handed pitcher. They'll face Jeremy Hellickson, ho's not very good at pitching. This season, lefties are hitting to a .416 wOBA against him, and his FIP is a near-career average 4.59. Get those Dodgers lefties in your lineups tonight, starting with Pederson.
Alternative Options: Andrew McCutchen
Cost-Effective Hitters
Carlos Correa - Our sample size of Correa isn't even worth looking at, but what we do know is that he's a top-notch prospect getting playing time in a good place within the Astros lineup. And, because he's new to the bigs, his price across the industry is still low. Against Jose Quintana, a pitcher he has the platoon advantage over, Correa makes for a nice play in both cash and tournament games tonight.
Kole Calhoun - Calhoun hasn't been fantastic this season, but there's no denying his splits. His ISO jumps from .128 to .174 when facing lefties versus righties, respectively, and his wOBA against right-handed pitchers throughout his career is a solid .337. The Angels face Erasmo Ramirez tonight, who's had reverse splits this year, but has been better against right-handers throughout his career. Calhoun, overall, is a nice, cheap option.
Alternative Option: Andre Ethier
