Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.

STARTING PITCHER

Zack Wheeler, NYM at MIA ($43): Wheeler has a 3.89 ERA, but a 3.47 FIP. Plus, over his last seven starts he has a 2.17 ERA. Meanwhile, the Marlins are in the bottom three in runs scored, and they have a league-worst .362 slugging percentage as well.

Zach Eflin, PHI at SDP ($38): Eflin is finally putting things together for the Phillies. He has a 3.61 ERA, best of his career, and has struck out 8.29 batters per inning, also a personal best. The Padres are in the bottom five in runs scored, and their OBP is a lowly .298. They also have a ballpark conducive to pitchers, so being on the road should actually help Eflin here.

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CATCHER

Evan Gattis, HOU vs. SEA ($13): Gattis has averaged 6.1 fantasy points per game, thanks mostly to his power. He has 21 homers in 99 games and a .486 slugging percentage. Mike Leake, who has only averaged 5.50 strikeouts per nine innings, also has a 4.34 FIP.

FIRST BASE

Jesus Aguilar, MIL at ATL ($16): Aguilar is crushing it in a breakout campaign, as he's slashed .272/.356/.578 with a whopping 28 home runs. While this is a major step forward, he had a .836 OPS in 2016, so this isn't a fluke by any means. Kevin Gausman had a 4.62 FIP with the Orioles before being traded to the Braves, and in his first start after the trade he allowed three runs in five innings. Additionally, Gausman has allowed 1.47 homers per nine innings this year.

SECOND BASE

Gleyber Torres, NYY vs. TEX ($14): Torres has a .870 OPS as a rookie, and he's shown no real split against righties and lefties. However, he has smashed the ball at home, so the fact this game is in New York is a point in his favor. Another point in his favor is a matchup with Mike Minor. The Rangers starter has a 4.53 ERA and has given up 1.46 homers per nine innings. On top of that, he has a staggering 6.50 ERA on the road.

THIRD BASE

Eduardo Escobar, ARI at CIN ($19): Escobar hasn't had any issues since making the move from Minnesota to Arizona. In 10 games he's slashed .333/.356/.462, and when he was Twin he had a .852 slash line. This year has been a disaster for Anthony DeSclafani, as he has a 5.75 FIP with the Reds. He's also allowed a whopping 2.26 homers per nine innings, so don't be surprised if Escobar goes deep.

SHORTSTOP

Xander Bogaerts, BOS at BAL ($16): Bogaerts isn't really stealing bases anymore, but it hasn't hurt his fantasy output at all. He's averaged 7.5 fantasy points per game and a career-best .504 slugging percentage. All those injury-related power issues from the past are long gone. Dylan Bundy has stayed healthy for the Orioles, but to what end? The former top prospect has a 5.00 FIP.

OUTFIELD

Andrew Benintendi, BOS at BAL ($21): Even though Benintendi was seen as something of a disappointment last season, he still put up a 20-homer, 20-stolen base season. This year, he already has swiped 20 bags while hitting 14 dingers, but with a .508 slugging percentage. He's still struggled against lefties, but he's crushed righties with gusto. Righties like Dylan Bundy, who has previously noted has a 5.00 FIP and has allowed 2.00 homers per nine innings.

Odubel Herrera, PHI at SDP ($15): Herrera's batting average is down, but it's still a reasonable .272. Plus, his .456 slugging percentage and 19 home runs are both personal bests. Jacob Nix will be making his debut with the Padres in this start. He pitches well in the minors this year, but most of that was in Double-A. He's made one Triple-A start, and is a total mystery at this point.

Michael Brantley, CLE at CWS ($14): Brantley has averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game and has a slash line of .295/.347/.459. He's hit 12 homers and eight stolen bases in 102 contests. Though Carlos Rodon has a 2.94 ERA, his underlying numbers are less impressive. He has a 4.61 FIP, and his career FIP is 4.10.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Chris Morgan plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: cmorgan3, DraftKings: cmorgan3.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan is a writer of sports, pop culture, and humor articles, a book author, a podcaster, and a fan of all Detroit sports teams.
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