While we have plenty of pieces geared towards guys you should target in your DFS contests, it's also important to narrow down your shortlist of plays and avoid the suboptimal ones who are overpriced and/or in tough spots.
Let's check out three guys to consider fading on tonight's FanDuel main slate.
Madison Bumgarner, P, San Francisco Giants
FanDuel Price: $9,200
Although we will not likely get a chance to see playoff Madison Bumgarner this season, he has still been productive from the top of the San Francisco Giants' rotation. His excellent control has propelled him to a 3.74 FIP and 3.0 WAR. However, Bumgarner's matchup tonight with the San Diego Padres is not ideal, as the Pads have the 10th best wRC+ against lefties. Additionally, the Giants offense is likely to struggle against righty Dinelson Lamet as they have the 6th lowest wRC+ mark against righties, limiting Bumgarner's chance of picking up a win. Consider saving salary and starting Lamet ($8,200) tonight.
Ketel Marte, 2B, Arizona Diamondbacks
FanDuel Price: $4,000
Ketel Marte has had a breakout season up to this point accumulating 28 home runs and over 6 WAR from the middle of the Arizona Diamondbacks' infield. While Marte has roughly even splits, his opponent tonight Tony Gonsolin of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been incredibly stingy against lefties during his limited time in the big leagues. Gonsolin has held lefties to a .207 wOBA and only allowed one home run in 13.1 innings. The Dodgers' strong bullpen will also not allow Marte to find easier matchups later in the game.
Young phenom Gleyber Torres ($4,100) finds himself in a better matchup against Brett Anderson of the Oakland Athletics.
Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
FanDuel Price: $4,200
Bryce Harper will be going up against Zack Wheeler of the New York Mets tonight in Philadelphia. Wheeler has been unlucky this season as demonstrated by his 3.71 FIP compared to his 4.46 ERA but is still not a terrible matchup for Harper. While Harper has had pretty even splits this season, his production does not match his price tag. There are a plethora of options in the same price range who are safer plays with similar upside such as Charlie Blackmon ($4,400) or George Springer ($4,000). Remember to pay for expected production and not just a big name.
Gabriel Billig is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Gabriel Billig also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username gpbbsb. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.