We spend a lot of time in daily fantasy sports focusing on which starting pitcher you should build your lineup around. And rightfully so. Pitchers usually end up getting the most points for you in your lineup while hitters struggle to even provide positive points.
But there's one hitter that everyone has on their minds lately: Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper.
Cubs fans got a glimpse of his incredible talent this past week as he hit multiple home runs in the Cubs' series against the Nationals. The 22-year old (yes, he's only 22) has hit 13 home runs this month (a franchise record) and that's over a span of just 19 games. He's also already drawn 43 walks this season and his hitting .331, showing he's more than just a power hitter. He's now found himself in an elite group of sluggers that are worth a start no matter who the opposing pitcher is.
[SHOP: Gear up, White Sox fans!]
With all his success, however, his price tag has shot up to a steep $6,000. Is he worth that much money for a hitter?
Check out CSN Fantasy's lineups for tonight's slate of games to get you ready to construct your FanDuel lineup.
John "The Professor" Paschall
MLB
Yes, Harper is worth the price tag. He's posted 2.5 points or more in eight of the past 10 games and has hit a home run in consecutive games. Ride the hot hand.
A few weeks ago I trusted Rodon in my FanDuel lineup and the return wasn't spectacular. But here's why I'm optimistic: the Astros have struck out the second most times this season as a team (only behind the Cubs) and have the second worst team batting average (.234), which is pretty odd for the team with the most wins in baseball. But Rodon's swing-and-miss stuff could be a nice matchup with the Astros' lineup tonight.
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The key to my lineup is Ramirez. He's coming in at a ridiculously cheap price tag ($3,000). I know he's been battling some injuries but last night he showed off some power, recording a double and a home run. More importantly, he was pulling the ball again, hopefully a sign that his strength has returned.
Tomas and Kang were big signings by their respective teams this offseason and both got off to slow starts. But each guy has now found his stroke and are must starts because of their cheap price tags.
Belt has quietly had himself a nice season for the Giants and has 10 hits in his last eight games. Finally returning from injury, Zobrist seems to have gotten his feet underneath him, recording four hits in his first three games back.
Swihart is my biggest risk this week but he's on a five-game hitting streak and facing Yovanni Gallardo, who hasn't been exactly lights out.
Michael Smith
The matchup I’m targeting today is the Red Sox at Rangers game, featuring an over/under of 9, the largest number on the board tonight. It’s going to be a humid night in Arlington, so I went with some flyball hitters who could go deep. Yovani Gallardo is a righty who has reverse splits, meaning he struggles with right handed bats more than lefties, so I like every right hander in Boston’s lineup tonight. The Rangers offense gets to face Steven Wright making his fifth career start tonight, so all the bats near the top of the Rangers order are in play.
James Shields is really enjoying his move to the National League, with 82 strikeouts in 62 innings. There are 3 ways for pitchers to help you in daily fantasy (K’s, IP, and Wins), and Shields can possibly check all 3 boxes today. The Pirates offense has been coming around lately, scoring the second most runs over the past week, but Petco Park is a place good offenses can disappear. Other matchups I like are Oakland A’s hitters against Chris Capuano who has allowed 7 runs to score over his 7+ innings on the season. Another matchup I like are the Minnesota Twins hitters against Mark Buehrle, although the weather in Minnesota could cause some rain delays. The surprising Twins have killed left handed pitching this year, hitting .282 vs. lefties but only .243 vs righties.