MLB DFS (8/5/18) – Bobby’s Batter Up

•  This PREMIUM article features top offensive batters per position
• This includes value plays, upside plays, and contrarian plays
• Strategic game theory on why we are selecting these batters
• Advice on the best “Game Stacks” of the day
• The same players in these articles are the same players you can find in the core of our lineups!

Top Stacks – One of the most important concepts to understand in DFS MLB.  Watch our daily YouTube live podcast for more information on this understanding/mindset.  Keep in mind it is ok to stack 4 guys or 3 from the same team.  This mathematically increases your chances of “cashing” in tournaments.  It isn’t as necessary to stack in cash games (double ups/heads up).  Below is our rankings starting from the best at number 1.

 

1. Cubs  –   The Cubs are a Sunday thing.  I don’t know why but I feel like the Chicago Cubs always show up on Sundays and I think they have a great chance to keep that trend going today.  Clayton Richard has a SIERA above 4.5 which is very poor.  He’s not a player we need to be worried of targeting and behind him a weakened bullpen that just lost their best reliever. The Cubs have six batters with a wRC+ above 100 against left-handed pitching and like most teams, they always perform better at home.  When at home against LHP the cubs have eight hitters with a wRC+ over 100.  We’re going to start with Kyle Schwarber with Bryant/Almora out.  Schwarber has been having an awesome bounce-back season posting a 145 wRC+ against LHP.  This is pretty great given the L/L matchup but his ISO really suffers.  Lefties won’t be in against Schwarber the entire game so get some pieces of him in your lineups.  Next, give a look at switch-hitter Ian Happ who has (besides Bryant) the best power numbers against lefties on the Cubs.  Happ posts an incredible .262 ISO/124 wRC+/.829 OPS which he will be utilizing.  He’s my top option in terms of home-runs from the Cubs.  Although Javier Baez posts a below average wRC+ he makes up for it with a .200 ISO and should have some positive regression coming his way with only a .244 BABIP.  Anthony Rizzo isn’t the best power hitter in a L/L split but does still own a quality 119 wRC+, .790 OPS, and .352 wOBA.  Get exposure to as many Cubs as you can on this Sunday slate.
   1. 1. 1. 1. Favorite One-Off: Kyle Schwarber
            2. Best Bet for a home run: Ian Happ
2. Rays – The Rays are in a great spot against James Shields who I’m going to be all over until this guy gets knocked out of the majors.  This is a can’t miss spot even with a weaker Rays lineup to work with.  This didn’t work out with Lucas Giolito last time but I’m going right back to the well and chalking that past L up to variance.  It’s hard to believe given the names on this Rays roster but they have 9 players over a 100 wRC+.  No one really stands out too much but you do want to focus on the guys towards the high-end of this wRC+ range.  This starts off with Jake Bauers (131 wRC+) who also brings a strong ISO to the table at .265.  He’s an amazing play where he is projected to bat 3rd in the Rays lineup.  Next get exposure to Daniel Robertson (125 wRC+/.351 wOBA), CJ Cron (120 wRC+/.241 ISO), Wilson Ramos (118 wRC+/.340 wOBA), Mallex Smith (sucks he bats ninth but owns a 113 wRC+/.334 wOBA), and Matt Duffy – who lacks a lot of pop at .089 ISO but is a great hitter none the less with a 112 wRC+ and .333 wOBA.  This stack should be even lower-owned after a bust on Thursday in similair conditions so look to the Rays bats for an awesome GPP leverage play on this Sunday slate.
   1. 1. 1. 1. Favorite One-Off: Jake Bauers
            2. Best Bet for a home run: CJ Cron

 

 

 

 

 

Written By: @DF_Advantage 

DISCLAIMER: This report has been prepared and issued by DFS Karma LLC for publication globally. All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report. DFS Karma LLC is not responsible for any losses sustained. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department at DFS Karma LLC at the time of publication