MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 8/31/15
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 if you'd like, you can use our optimal lineups here at numberFire.com to crush the competition.
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
Dallas Keuchel -- Our algorithm likes Keuchel most tonight at pitcher, and there are plenty of reasons why. The Astros are heavy favorites at home against Seattle, making Keuchel a great win candidate. But even further, the Mariners have a 22.7% strikeout rate against left-handers this season, which is seventh worst in Major League Baseball. Not only is the upside there given the strikeouts, but Keuchel's gone an impressive six-plus innings in every single outing this season, giving him a nice floor for cash games.
Alternative Options: David Price
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Bartolo Colon -- Targeting the Phillies has been a roller coaster over the second half of the 2015 season it seems, but here we are again, talking about a pitcher facing the Philadelphia lineup. We know Bartolo Colon isn't an elite option by any means, but the Phillies, as a team, do have just a .298 wOBA versus right-handers on the year, all while striking out on more than 20 percent of their at-bats. If you're trying to fit expensive bats in your lineup, Colon could be your go-to -- Vegas has the Mets as strong favorites, too.
Alternative Options: Kyle Hendricks
Top Hitters
High-Cost Hitters
Paul Goldschmidt -- The Diamondbacks are at Coors. I really shouldn't have to say much more, but Chad Bettis is on the mound, too, who's been a reverse-splits pitcher this season, allowing a .351 wOBA to right-handed hitters. Goldy will be expensive, yes, but fading him tonight would be a mistake. At least that's what sound process says.
Mike Trout -- Man, I'm really going bold with these high-cost player picks tonight, huh? It's just tough to say no to Mike Trout against a lefty, which he'll get tonight in Felix Doubront. Doubront's been much worse against right-handed hitters versus lefties this year, and that's pretty consistent over his entire career, as he's surrendered a .342 wOBA to right-handed hitters. The Angels have a four run team total on the night, and Trout should be part of the run scoring.
Alternative Options: Dee Gordon, David Peralta
Cost-Effective Hitters
Travis Shaw -- Shaw now has seven homers and an absurd .426 wOBA in the month of August. Tonight, the lefty will face off against Ivan Nova, giving him the platoon advantage. So far in 2015, left-handers are hitting to a .352 wOBA against Nova, making Shaw a clear bargain play given the way he's been hitting this month.
Joey Butler -- The Rays are expected to score a little over four runs tonight according to Vegas, and Butler's slotted in the two hole for them. He'll face Wei-Yin Chen, a lefty who's been far worse against right-handed bats this year than left-handed ones. Butler's sort of a boom or bust play, but given his near minimum salary on FanDuel, he's not a bad punt option.
Alternative Option: Justin Bour
