Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.

Pitcher

Carlos Martinez, STL at BAL ($50): Sometimes, paying up for consistency can be as beneficial as paying up for potential. Martinez offers a bit of both, as he's earned at least 20 fantasy points in nine straight and in 11 of his 13 starts to date. His 10.09 strikeouts per nine innings — paired with a matchup against a combustible Kevin Gausman — increases his win probability, providing upside. He's struggled a bit on the road (5.10 ERA), but the Orioles aren't swinging the hottest of bats, and counter with a Chris Davis-less offense that has a .312 wOBA and .171 ISO against righties along with a 22.6 percent whiff rate.

Sean Newcomb, ATL vs. MIA ($37): Newcomb was impressive in his debut, allowing six baserunners over 6.1 shutout frames while fanning seven Mets. The key to that outing was that he walked only two after averaging 5.15 free passes per nine innings at Triple-A. The Marlins have only an 8.1 walk percentage against lefties, and when paired with a .175 ISO, it certainly seems possible Newcomb can be effective again, and his minor league 26.9 percent strikeout rate shows his ability to miss bats.

[Sign up for a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest today]

[Free entry into MLB Yahoo Cup: $25K in prizes]

Catcher

Derek Norris, TAM at DET ($8): Norris is averaging a long ball every seven games but hasn't launched one in four starts. He brings a .318 wOBA against lefties into Friday, but also an eye opening .300 ISO, all with a .133 BABIP. Feast or famine against Tigers' starter namesake Daniel Norris and his 4.41 ERA.

First Base

Matt Carpenter, STL at BAL ($15): It's hard to overstate how bad O's starter Kevin Gausman has been. He's surrendered at least eight hits in six straight starts and in all but three appearances all year and owns a 6.49 ERA and 1.90 WHIP as a result. Carpenter brings a team-leading .381wOBA, 136 wRC+ and .248 ISO into the matchup.

Second Base

Eric Sogard, MIL vs. SD ($16): San Diego will turn to Miguel Diaz, a Rule 5 pick who hadn't thrown above Single-A prior to 2017, to make his second start. He's been thoroughly overmatched in the big leagues, owning a 6.92 ERA with only a 16.0 percent strikeout rate and only lasted two innings in his first start. Sogard has had a brilliant stretch against righties thus far, owning a .443 wOBA, 173 wRC+ and 1.019 OPS over 73 plate appearances.

Third Base

Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. SEA ($17): After allowing only six earned runs in his first 43.0 innings, Mariners starter James Paxton has yielded seven tallies in his 9.0 June frames. Beltre's limited time this season has him posting a .437 wOBA, 174 wRC+ and 1.000 OPS against lefties, seemingly in line with last year's .418 wOBA, 163 wRC+ and 1.004 OPS.

Shortstop

Francisco Lindor, CLE at MIN ($13): Lindor's frigid June has caused his price to plummet to the point where the upside based on his talent is too great to pass up. Yes, his .203 wOBA, .473 OPS and 18 wRC+ this month don't inspire confidence, but Friday presents an opportunity for him to snap out of that funk. He'll face lefty rookie Nik Turley, who allowed eight hits and four runs in his first four big league innings, and Lindor, despite all his struggles, owns a .377 wOBA, 134 wRC+ and .893 OPS against southpaws to date.

Outfield

Aaron Altherr, PHI vs. ARI ($14): D'Backs' starter Patrick Corbin has been one of the more hittable pitchers across the league, surrendering at least eight base knocks in six straight games while never working more than six innings. He's been woeful on the road, posting a 9.00 ERA in 29.0 innings, and righties have caused most of the damage, to the tune of a .480 wOBA and 1.169 OPS. Altherr and his .380 wOBA, 135 wRC+ and .350 ISO against southpaws should fair well.

Ben Gamel, SEA at TEX ($13): There arguably isn't a hotter bat out there right now than Gamel's, who entered Thursday with five-straight multi-hit games, combining for a 12-for-22 over that stretch. He's hit safely in 17 of his last 18 and brings a .384 wOBA, 146 wRC+ and .885 OPS against righties into a matchup with a seemingly overwhelmed Tyson Ross. Ross allowed seven runs in 5.1 innings in his lone start this year, and had a 7.71 ERA and 11 walks over 18.2 rehab innings. A Mariners stack comes highly recommended.

Kevin Pillar, TOR vs. CWS ($12): Pillar owns a .399 wOBA against lefties, a number that's .108 higher than it is against righties, and a figure that rises to .460 at home. Mix in a .364 ISO and 1.133 OPS at Rogers Centre, and he's got a chance for success against Jose Quintana, who has a 4.79 road ERA and is allowing righties to post a .346 wOBA against.

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. Chris Bennett plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: k30kittles, DraftKings: k30kittles.
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
Chris Bennett
Bennett covers baseball, college football and college basketball for RotoWire. Before turning to fantasy writing, he worked in scouting/player development for the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos. He's also a fan of the ACC.
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Saturday, April 27
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Saturday, April 27
DraftKings MLB: Saturday Breakdown
DraftKings MLB: Saturday Breakdown
Collette Calls: Walker in Memphis; Does He Have a Prayer There?
Collette Calls: Walker in Memphis; Does He Have a Prayer There?
Phillies-Padres, Rays-White Sox & More MLB Bets and Expert Picks for Friday, April 26
Phillies-Padres, Rays-White Sox & More MLB Bets and Expert Picks for Friday, April 26
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Friday, April 26
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Friday, April 26
College Baseball Picks for Friday, April 26
College Baseball Picks for Friday, April 26