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.
Lance Lynn, P, Texas Rangers
FanDuel Price: $9,200
Lance Lynn has been one of this year's most surprising stars in his first season with the Texas Rangers. Lynn has accumulated an amazing 5.9 WAR, per FanGraphs, while striking out over 27% of batters he faces. Despite his success, his matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays as well as the alternative pitching options available indicate that leaving him on the bench is the optimal strategy on tonight's slate.
The Rays rank seventh in baseball with a 104 wRC+ against righties and will be sending one of their better pitchers, Ryan Yarbrough, to the hill, which lowers Lynn's chance of picking up a win. Couple that with the fact that the Rangers have -41 Defensive Runs Saved, the seventh-worst mark in the league, and it is not difficult to pass on Lynn.
Trevor Bauer ($8,700) has a chance to get back on track tonight against the Seattle Mariners, and he makes for a better play.
Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
FanDuel Price: $4,100
In yesterday's article, I recommended starting Pete Alonso at the catcher/first base slot, and he paid off big time with two home runs. However, tonight's matchup has me suggesting that you leave Alonso out of your lineups against young righty Zac Gallen. Gallen has allowed only one home run to righties this season in 31.2 innings of work while also holding them to a .271 wOBA. Of course, Alonso has the power to hit anybody, but his price is simply too high to be worth a start in this matchup.
Consider saving salary with Daniel Murphy ($3,500) as he faces Michael Wacha in Colorado.
Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
FanDuel Price: $4,000
In his first year with the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Harper has continued to produce offensively with 30 home runs and 3.6 WAR. Surprisingly, Harper has reverse splits this season, his wRC+ against lefties is 137, compared to 113 against righties. Even though he if facing a lefty tonight in Max Fried, Harper should be avoided. Fried has held lefties to a miniscule .260 wOBA while allowing only two home runs in 37 innings of work in the split. Additionally, the Atlanta Braves have 25 defensive runs saved, which is the 10th-best mark in the league.
Also at $4,000, Ronald Acuna is a much better option against lefty Jason Vargas.
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.