Today we have 15 baseball games meaning every team is playing. These are my favorite days to play in daily leagues because there is no shortage of players. The games are also split up throughout the day with eight day games and seven night games so if you only want to play only night games there will still be plenty of players to choose from.
My fantasy daily picks are from fanduel.com. If you have yet to sign up on this site now is the time to do so as you will receive a 100 percent deposit bonus on your initial deposit when you join through the link http://edraft.com/fanduel/mlb.
On FanDuel you are allotted a $35,000 cap for selecting players. Your lineup will consist of one starting pitcher, and one player at each position, with the exception of outfield where you will select three outfielders.
The scoring system is very simple:
Batters: Single = 1pt, Double = 2pts, Triple = 3pts, Homerun = 4pts, Run = 1pt, RBI = 1pt, Walk = 1pt, HBP = 1pt, Stolen Base = 2pts, Out = -.25pts
Pitchers: Win = 4pts, Earned Runs = -1pt, Strike Out = 1pt, Inning Pitched = 1pt
Value picks
Pitcher
Mike Leake, Reds, $5100: If you are looking for value out a starting pitcher so you can stack up on hitters it’s hard to do better than Mike Leake. Last season Leake finished with a 3.37 ERA and has a very inviting match up with the Mets who are 0-3 and have scored just ten runs in those games. Leake should be able to pull out the win which is very important when selecting your starting pitcher.
Catcher
Salvador Perez, Royals, $3400: One of the better hitting catchers in baseball, Perez can be selected at a relatively good price. Kansas City as a team has not hit the ball well but Perez to start the season went 4/4. He's not your typical power catcher as Perez is more of a doubles hitter who also bats for a high average. Perez is averaging five fantasy points per game right now which is excellent value out of the catcher position.
First Base
Jose Abreu, White Sox, $3100: Abreu came into the majors as a big question mark. There was no doubt he had the talent as back in Cuba he was consistently tops in the league in batting average, homeruns and RBI. Abreu is off to a torrid start this season. Abreu is 5/12 with 2 runs and five RBI so far with a double and triple to his name. The starter for tomorrow is Jeremy Guthrie who finished with an ERA over 4.00 for the fourth time in the last five seasons. Don’t pass up on this juicy match up as Abreu may just be due for his first big league home run.
Second Base
Emilio Bonifacio, Cubs, $3100: Bonifacio has been one of the hottest hitters to start the season. Bonifacio is batting .647 with four steals already on the young season. The starter for tomorrow's game is Roberto Hernandez who doesn’t bring a lot to the mound anymore. Last season Hernandez had a 4.89 ERA. Hernandez is also slow to the plate when pitching from the stretch. Look for Bonifacio to get on base often and run wild in the game tomorrow.
Third Base
Aramis Ramirez, Brewers, $3500: 2014 so far is shaping up like a rebound season for Ramirez. Even though he has yet to hit a homerun he has two multi hit games out of three games played and three RBI. Peavy is slated to start tomorrow against the Brewers and is a shell of his former self. With an ERA above 4.0 in four of the last five seasons and increasing HR/9 rate during that same span, Ramirez should have a successful game for daily players.
Shortstop
Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox, $3100: Bogaerts made a name for himself last year towards the end of the season and into the postseason. So far in 2014 he has picked up right where he left off last year and added a three hit game in his most recent game while also being moved up to the five hole. If Bogaerts can remain in the five hole he can provide a lot of damage for those in daily leagues. At $3100 he is a low risk high reward play worth a shot in every lineup.
Outfield
Mark Trumbo, Diamondbacks, $3700: So far Trumbo has hit for power which is something he always does it’s the .280 batting average that makes him an enticing play. So far Trumbo has kept his batting average up while slugging two homeruns and driving in eight runs in only five games. Now Trumbo gets to travel to Colorado at the ever gracious Coors Field where Juan Nicasio will take the mound. Nothing screams "big game" like a power hitter playing in Colorado against a pitcher who just had an ERA over 5.00. Play Trumbo as the stars have aligned for him to have a big game.
Adam Eaton, White Sox, $3100: Eaton is off to a decent start this year, while the .250 average isn’t anything special he does at least have three runs and two RBI thus far. Eaton also has the green light on the base paths which is bound to lead to some steals soon. Eaton should be able to work his way onto first base a couple times tomorrow since he is a high on base percentage guy facing Jeremy Guthrie who loves to hand out free passes. If you are looking for a cheap option in the outfield with speed potential then Eaton is your man.
Matt Joyce, Rays, $3100: Joyce is gaining an extended look so far this year with the injury to David DeJesus and he is making the most of his opportunities. Joyce is batting .555 with three runs and three RBI, and has a favorable math cup against Joe Saunders who finished with a 5.26 ERA. As long as Joe Madden keeps Joyce in the lineup versus the lefty, Joyce should prove to be more than valuable for daily players tomorrow.
My Lineup: $35,000 Cap
Pitcher: Mike Leake, Reds, $5,100
Catcher: Salvador Perez, Royals, $3,400
First Base: Jose Abreu, White Sox, $3,100
Second Base: Emilio Bonifacio, Cubs, $3,100
Third Base: Evan Longoria, Rays, $4,200
Longoria should be a great play for today even at the $4,200 price tag. Longoria is off to a hot start this season with at least one hit in every game ,and just hit his first homerun of the season. With Saunders on the mound I wouldn’t be surprised to see Longoria go deep in back to back games.
Short Stop: Jed Lowrie, Athletics, $3,200
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels, $5,500
Outfield: Kole Calhoun, Angels, $2,900
Calhoun is another great value play today with Lucas Harrell on the mound. Harrell had an ERA nearly at 6.00 and a WHIP that was almost 2.00 last season. While Calhoun isn’t a dominant player he provides enough of both speed and power to warrant a start against such a weak opposing pitcher.
Outfield: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers, $4,400
Don't forget to check your lineup before each game to make sure that everyone in your lineup is starting. The last thing you want is a zero spot in your lineup costing yourself money.