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.
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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
Gerrit Cole – You know who's really good at baseball? Gerrit Cole. Through five starts this year, the Pirates' ace is sitting with a 2.14 FIP and 10.27 strikeout rate. Tonight he'll be at PNC Park, a pitcher's park, against a Reds team that has the 13th worst K rate against righties this year, hitting to a .296 wOBA in the split. So the opponent is pretty average, but the pitcher is near-elite and the park is close to perfect. In all, Cole is a good start.
Alternative Options: Lance Lynn
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Colby Lewis – Welp. That's all I really can say about tonight's cost-effective pitching options. I'm throwing Colby Lewis out there because he's facing the Astros, and while the Astros are hitting the ball pretty well of late, they're still striking out at a 24.1% rate against right-handed pitching. Lewis gets a slight park shift in the right direction, too. With a career 4.47 FIP, though, just get a drink, close your eyes, and don't watch the Rangers-Astros game if you throw Lewis into a GPP lineup.
Alternative Option: Mike Foltynewicz
Top Hitters
High-Cost Hitters
Adrian Gonzalez - Gonzalez has been great this year, and had another fantastic game last night. He's still priced reasonably well all things considered, and will face Wily Peralta in Milwaukee tonight, giving Gonzalez both the platoon advantage and a favorable park shift. The Dodgers have a high over/under as well, making him an even more enticing play.
Edwin Encarnacion - Encarnacion isn't exactly a high-cost hitter anymore thanks to a slow start to the season. And because of said slow start, using him comes with some risk. So far this year, his batted ball profile looks like someone vomited all over it, while his wOBA reminds me of the unathletic kids who used to play right field in little league. But things have to turn around eventually, right? Tonight he'll get CC Sabathia, giving Encar the platoon advantage, and the Blue Jays' team total is pretty attractive. The algorithm isn't super high on him, but I don't mind Encarnacion tonight given his price. To be clear though, I'd rather spend high-priced cash on some of the other Blue Jay righties. I just want to show Edwin some love.
Alternative Option: Nelson Cruz
Cost-Effective Hitters
Billy Burns - Keep an eye on the weather in tonight's A's-Twins game, because forecasts aren't looking pretty right now. If all is good though, Burns should be slotted in your lineup. Not only is he dirt cheap across the industry, but he's gone 7-19 over his last four games, and is batting second in the A's lineup (Coco is back!) against righty Kyle Gibson and his 4.79 FIP. Burns will surely be a popular play, but that doesn't mean you should avoid him, especially in cash games.
Ryan Raburn - Raburn is slotted in the cleanup spot tonight against Danny Duffy, giving him both the platoon advantage and a favorable spot in the lineup. Raburn has pretty significant splits, hitting to a .218 ISO and .350 wOBA against left-handers, and given his cost, you could do a lot worse with one of your outfield spots tonight.
Alternative Option: Scooter Gennett