When looking at bargains on FanDuel, we’ll typically focus on hitters who are $3,200 or lower. For DraftKings, the threshold is around $3,800. In general, we’ll only highlight players at the top end of that scale if they have star potential.
Please note, these player picks were organized early in the day. For MLB contests, always check lineups and weather closer to game time. Rain, wind, or unexpected managerial decisions could open up additional sources of value. Be sure to keep an eye on the MLB Headlines and Injuries desk.
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FANDUEL & DRAFTKINGS BARGAINS
1 – Joey Lucchesi – SP – San Diego (FD: $7,600 / DK: $7,900)
Lucchesi checks in as a reasonable home favorite (-150) against a San Francisco lineup that doesn’t have much bite to it. He basically has to worry about Evan Longoria and Buster Posey as legitimate threats with the platoon advantage over him. Otherwise, the Giants will send unproven options or left-handed bats to face Lucchesi as a viable left-handed pitcher. That’s not a bad spot to be in, and the San Diego southpaw could pay dividends in daily fantasy lineups.
2 – Albert Pujols – 1B – LA Angels (FD: $2,700 / DK: $3,400)
Go ahead and take your pick between Pujols and teammate Justin Bour at first base. You could actually roster both of them as bargains, putting one in the utility spot. I’m giving a slight nod to Pujols, as the opposing pitcher (Marco Estrada of Oakland) has had trouble against right-handed bats over the past few years. Estrada is a fly-ball pitcher who coughs up homers, and we definitely know Pujols has the skillset to cash in.
3 – Franmil Reyes – OF – San Diego (FD: $2,800 / DK: $4,200)
Reyes is hitting cleanup for the Padres, which makes him an interesting value candidate while holding the platoon advantage over San Francisco LHP Derek Holland. Reyes has a power profile that catches the imagination of DFS enthusiasts, and hitting behind the likes of Kinsler/Myers/Machado doesn’t hurt either. Take note that Reyes has a more accommodating salary on FanDuel, and I’m definitely giving him a look over there.
4 – Kolton Wong – 2B – St. Louis (FD: $2,300 / $3,600)
Wong had two homers yesterday, which will probably have many people flocking his way in DFS. Keeping that in mind, you can probably fade him in tournaments. However, Wong makes for a decent value filler at an otherwise weak second base position. The matchup isn’t bad either while settling into the hitter-friendly environment of Miller Park. He’ll take on Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta, who allowed some generous numbers (.374 wOBA) to lefties last season.
5 – Enrique Hernandez – 2B/OF – LA Dodgers (FD: $2,400 / DK: $3,700)
Hernandez was another breakout star on Opening Day. I’m not thrilled about chasing points here, but Kiké makes for a respectable fallback option if you need a bargain to round out your lineup. He has a solid profile against left-handed pitching that includes some encouraging numbers vs D-Backs LHP Robbie Ray; for whatever that’s worth. He’ll hold a respectable lineup spot and plenty of confidence after yesterday’s performance.
ALSO CONSIDER
Ian Kinsler (2B – SD) falls into the bargain threshold on FanDuel at $2,900. I’m bullish on the Padres tonight against the subpar pitching of LHP Derek Holland and his .354 wOBA against right-handed bats. Kinsler makes the shortlist of viable second basemen through all formats.
Robbie Grossman (OF – OAK) will probably hold leadoff responsibilities in a fine matchup against Angels’ RHP Matt Harvey. As most baseball fans know, Harvey has fallen from grace over the past few years, holding a .371 wOBA split to lefties over that span. Grossman is a patient veteran hitter who could take advantage … Don’t forget about another switch-hitting veteran from Oakland, Kendrys Morales (1B – OAK), as a tournament pick to jump on Harvey’s vulnerabilities.
Brandon Drury (3B – TOR) isn’t anything special from a fantasy baseball perspective. However, there’s a good chance he’ll hit leadoff for Toronto tonight, and the Jays happen to be one of the highest projected scoring teams of this slate. Drury will hold the platoon advantage over Detroit LHP Matthew Boyd.
Zack Cozart (3B – LAA) is another cheap pick to jump on the Angels’ stacking bandwagon. As mentioned earlier, Marco Estrada has been flailing over the past few years, and he holds reverse-splits that give right-handed hitters a boost. Mike Trout is a primary option to go along with the bargain-likes of Pujols, Cozart, Bour, and/or Simmons this evening.
