Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.

PITCHER

Robert Gsellman, NYM at PHI ($34): Gsellman may be the best value pitcher on the card, as he has soared in his first cup of coffee in the major leagues, notching a 2.56 ERA and 22 percent strikeout rate over seven outings (six starts). The Phillies have the second-lowest wOBA in the league against right-handed pitching, and will bring just a 33 percent fly ball rate against the rookie's ground ball tendencies.

Taijuan Walker, SEA vs. OAK ($37): Walker hasn't shown a plus secondary pitch this year, according to runs above average (yikes), but he shouldn't need one against the A's, who have the fourth-worst runs above average score in the league against the fastball. The former top prospect has brought the heat lately, striking out 24 batters in his last 19.2 innings (three starts).


[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]

CATCHER

Evan Gattis, HOU at LAA ($18): You don't need to dig into the numbers to see that 2016 has not been kind to opposing starter Daniel Wright. The 25-year-old has tallied a 6.95 ERA over 33.2 innings this season, and he ahs a strikeout rate of just 10 percent. Gattis is a better overall hitter against left-handed pitchers, but he maintains the same robust .260 ISO no matter who is standing on the mound.

FIRST BASE

Kennys Vargas, MIN at CWS ($10): Vargas' sample size against lefties consists of just 37 at-bats, but it's hard to ignore the .405 ISO he has tallied against them. The 26-year-old will take a 48 percent fly ball rate into the matchup against Carlos Rodon, who gets grounders at nearly a 45 percent clip.

SECOND BASE

Ryan Schimpf, SD at ARI ($7): Shimpf is always a threat to go long against righties, as he carries a .318 ISO against his opposite hand over 220 at-bats. While his 32 percent strikeout rate makes him an all-or-nothing selection on most days, Schimpf should be able to find some comfortable at-bats against Braden Shipley, who has just a 14 percent strikeout rate.

THIRD BASE

Jake Lamb, ARI vs. SD ($15):Edwin Jackson has thrown the ball fairly well at home, but he has been busted up on the road this season, resulting in a 9.12 (!) ERA over 25.2 innings. This problem will likely only be made worse in the dry air of Arizona, where Lamb has tallied a .601 slugging percentage in 253 at-bats.

SHORTSTOP

Didi Gregorius, NYY vs. BAL ($13):Yovani Gallardo has tallied a 5.45 xFIP against left-handed hitters this season, and Gregorius has a .182 ISO against righties. Gregorius comes into the game with a sizable advantage against Gallardo on paper, as he has a 7.4 runs above average score against the slider, a pitch Gallardo throws 27 percent of the time.

OUTFIELD

Ryan Raburn, COL vs. MIL ($10):Brent Suter is a relief pitcher who has never thrown more than 4.1 innings in a major league outing, which should make DFS players lick their respective chops, as it seems likely that there will be a bullpen game at Coors Field. Raburn comes in with a .250 ISO against righties in 96 at-bats this season.

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA at WAS ($15): Stanton doesn't play every day following his return from a groin injury, but it's a safe bet he will be in the lineup against the Nationals, as the Marlins had a day off Thursday. Stanton has logged a .237 ISO against righties this season, while A.J. Cole has allowed 10 earned runs in 16.1 innings against same-handed hitters.

Nelson Cruz, OAK at SEA ($21):Raul Alcantara has been greeted rudely by righties during his introduction to the big leagues, as they have scorched him for a .707 slugging percentage over nine innings. Cruz has logged a .227 ISO and a .365 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year.

Other options: George Springer, HOU at LAA ($19); Jackie Bradley Jr., BOS vs. TOR ($17);Carlos Gomez, TEX vs. TB ($18)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Christopher Olson plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: Sommerset, FanDuel: Christop, Yahoo: Martins.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only MLB Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire MLB fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Olson
Christopher Olson writes DFS articles and blogs for a variety of sports including MLB, NFL and MMA. Follow him on Twitter @RealChrisOlson
AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt, College Baseball Best Bets for April 28
Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt, College Baseball Best Bets for April 28
Chicago Cubs-Boston Red Sox & Milwaukee Brewers-New York Yankees, Expert MLB Best Bets for April 28
Chicago Cubs-Boston Red Sox & Milwaukee Brewers-New York Yankees, Expert MLB Best Bets for April 28
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
NL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
MLB DFS: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Sunday, April 28
MLB DFS: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Sunday, April 28
MLB DFS: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Sunday, April 28
MLB DFS: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Sunday, April 28