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It is not easy filling out your daily fantasy lineup so early in the season. One or 2 games is not exactly a big enough sample size to know who is hot and who is not.
So it is vital you pay attention to the matchups. If you see a batter hits well against an opposing pitcher, play him. It is that simple. But also use that tactic the entire season.
Also, when pitching rotations begin to get toward the 3-4-5 starters, opposing offenses tend to have the upper hand. There are no pitching staffs which sports top-of-rotation guys 1 through 5. The Nationals, Dodgers and Mets are probably the best. But the bulk of the teams get pretty thin at the end. Use that to your advantage when choosing your lineup.
FanDuel uses the following parameters: You get a $35,000 cap to spend on 9 players – 1 pitcher, 1 catcher, 1 first baseman, 1 second baseman, 1 shortstop, 1 third baseman and 3 outfielders.
Hitters Scoring:
Single = +1 points
Double = +2 points
Triple = +3 points
Home Run = +4 points
Run Batted In = +1 points
Run = +1 points
Base on Balls = +1 points
Hit By Pitch = +1 points
Stolen Base = +2 points
Out = -.25 points
Pitchers Scoring:
Inning Pitched = +1 points (fractional scoring per out)
Strike Out = +1 points
Win = +4 points
Earned Run Allowed = -1 points
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Here are the best FanDuel lineup picks for April 8:
Pitchers
Andrew Cashner, Padres, $8,200, at Dodgers
If Cashner could stay healthy he’d be a stud. Well, it’s the first game of the season, so he’s got to be healthy, right? Let’s hope. Cashner gets the Dodgers, a team he held to a 1.89 ERA in 3 starts in 2014. The right-hander should help you cash in Wednesday.
Catcher
Derek Norris, Padres, $2,600, at Dodgers
A Padres catcher who can hit is like an albino alligator – they exist, but they’re extremely rare. Anyway, Norris does have 4 hits in 9 at-bats to start the season. And that $2,600 price tag is a total bargain … until, of course, Norris comes back to earth, which is inevitable.
First Base
David Ortiz, Red Sox, $3,800, at Phillies
A matchup between Ortiz and Phillies starter Aaron Harang will turn the heads … if it was 2007. Now, Harang is on his last legs, though Big Papi doesn’t seem like he’s quite ready to hang them up. Advantage: Ortiz.
Second Base
Daniel Murphy, Mets, $3,200, at Nationals
Murphy just has Jordan Zimmerman’s number. The oft-injured Met is 16-for-50 (.320) with 3 homers vs. the Nats starter. So, let’s hope it doesn’t rain in the nation’s capital so Murph can improve on those numbers.
Shortstop
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies, $4,600, at Brewers
Tulo has gotten off to a hot start after a solid spring. Just keep with the hot hand. It’s that simple.
Third Base
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees, $3,000, vs. Blue Jays
There’s a very good chance A-Rod is in the lineup vs. Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. After all, the former MVP is hitting .364 against him. But, as we know, things have, um, changed recently with Rodriguez. Still, at that price and with his past history, A-Rod could be a sneaky option Wednesday.
Outfield
Hanley Ramirez, Red Sox, $4,300, at Phillies
Han-Ram has terrorized the Phillies staff over his career, including starter Harang. The new BoSox left fielder (he does not have SS eligibility in FanDuel) is 10-for-29 with 5 HRs vs. the aging right-hander. This choice is easy.
Adam Eaton, White Sox, $3,000, at Royals
Eaton is locked-in as the White Sox leadoff hitter. Not the best leadoff spot in the majors, but it’s secure. And he’s also proved to be a solid hitter vs. the Royals – Eaton hits .388 against them which includes a .317 mark in Kansas City in 2014, site of Wednesday’s game.
Cameron Maybin, Braves, $2,300, at Marlins
Maybin is a part-time player so it’s never known when he’s going to play. Except Wednesday. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said the former top prospect will be in the lineup. He’s cheap, that’s the main draw. But Maybin has already knocked in two runs. He shouldn’t be in your lineup other than when it’s known he’s playing.
Total Lineup Salary: $35,000 of $35,000
Each day, we’ll give you the rundown of who to pick for a winning lineup, so stay with us the entire season.
Interested in playing daily fantasy baseball?
Click here to sign up for FanDuel.
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