We’ve got another full 15-game Friday night slate to play with. There are a handful of legitimate aces on the mound and even more lineups primed to go off tonight. Balancing the two while we build our lineup is a task, especially considering the cash line should be above 145 tonight. With that said, there are some killer plays so let’s take a look at what should get us to 145+.

For reference throughout the season, be sure to bookmark our overview of MLB Park Factors and how to Use Weather to Your Advantage in MLB DFS. Also, check out our GPP and Cash Games Primers to learn more about different daily fantasy game types specific to MLB.

Weather

MIN @ CLE – 55% chance at delay – 15% chance at cancellation
TEX @ NYY – 30% chance at delay
MIL @ ATL – 15% chance at delay
CIN @ WAS – 10% chance of delay
LAA @ BOS – 10% chance at delay

Big power boost in CIN @ WAS with wind blowing out to RCF at 16 MPH
Big power boost in LAA @ BOS with wind blowing out to LCF at 16 MPH
Big power boost for righties in TEX @ NYY with wind blowing out to LF at 15 MPH

Win cash playing in FanDuel’s MLB Squeeze

Pitcher

Alex Wood (LAD): $9,500 vs COL

As I mentioned, there are plenty of aces to choose from: Strasburg, Archer, Darvish, Fulmer, and you might even throw Nelson and King Felix in there too. King Felix is too risky, however, coming out of the injury. Nelson is only a -106 with 4.44 implied runs against and the same goes for Fulmer with just a -120 against Luis Perdomo. Darvish draws the Yankees in the Bronx with the wind howling out (no thanks) and Strasburg may be a -262 with just a 3.27 implied opponent total, but he is also a fly ball pitcher with a 16 MPH wind to center. All it takes is one three-run homer and your night is ruined.

So to me, it comes down to Wood and Archer. Wood is $900 less, a bigger favorite and has a lower implied total against. You may scoff at the thought of playing him against the Rockies, but if Colorado were in a neutral park, they are estimated to be a 334 run lineup instead of the 395 they have scored. Meanwhile, Archer’s opponent, the Orioles, would be estimated to score 380. Everything is leaning Wood’s way so let’s plug him in and use the extra cash to build our lineup!

Catcher

Cameron Rupp (PHI): $2,200 @ ARI

If you read my articles often, I’m sure you are getting used to seeing Rupp’s name in here and know the benefits of using him against lefties. If not, check this out:

2017: .286/.397/.531 in 58 PA
2016: .324/.361/.632 in 72 PA
2015: .303/.370/.545 in 73 PA

Folks, this is the equivalent of getting Josh Donaldson in your lineup…As a catcher!…For $2,200! Add in Patrick Corbin‘s woeful splits (more on that later) and he is my favorite play of the day (again).

First Base

Jose Abreu (CWS): $3,700 vs OAK

Jharel Cotton has been getting torched this year. He might have the best change-up in baseball, but he apparently isn’t ready for The Bigs. Never the less, he is pitching tonight and Abreu is en-fuego. In his past 13 games, he has at least 10 FanDuel points. He also has 3 homers in his past 5 games and 10 RBI in his past 6 and 5 hits in his previous 3 games.

Second Base

Daniel Murphy (WAS): $4,100 vs CIN

Remember that the wind is howling out to right-center in D.C. tonight. Murphy has been among the best hitters in baseball again this season with a .346 BA and 12 homers. Luis Castillo is a decent prospect, but he has never pitched above Double-A until his debut today so he could be in for a tough evening.

Third Base

Wilmer Flores (NYM): $2,700 @ SFG

Happy Wilmer against a lefty day! Like Rupp, he is a mainstay here and sure, he cries on the field sometimes, but he also puts a major hurting on lefties. Over his previous 163 PA in this split, he has 13 HR, 32 RBI, and 49 hits, that’s a pace of 50+ homers, 120 RBI and a .320 BA over a full season. At $2,700, you’d be crazy to pass that up even against a good lefty, let alone one like Ty Blach.

Shortstop

Xander Bogaerts (BOS): $3,900 vs LAA

Like in the Nationals game, there is a significant breeze blowing out to left-center, urging Red Sox hitters to feast off Alex Meyer‘s mediocre stuff. Bogaerts has really stepped up his power game of late with 3 bombs in 4 days. Need I remind you that he is also hitting .322 on the season? The Red Sox have a huge 5.95 implied total tonight and Xander should be in the middle of things.

Outfield

Bryce Harper (WAS): $4,800 vs CIN

Of all the nights in the season, Harper may have the top odds all year to tee off on one and send it into the bleachers tonight. Granted, that is still just 50-55%, but I’ll take those odds any day even with such a lofty price tag. Harper just ended a 13-game hit streak and will look to use the 16 MPH wind to carry out a ball or two this evening.

Cameron Perkins (PHI): $2,000 @ ARI

Yes, I am plugging a rookie with a .182 BA into my cash game lineups. I’d put him in here for an extra $800 if it came down to it, because he is a lefty masher. he went .316/.362/.497 against the last season and .315/3.86/.548 prior to his debut. Plus, we’ve only seen a three game sample size so don’t worry about the tough start. Perkins should be batting lead-off against a lefty who has given up a .317/.367/.529 line to RHB this season and 38 of his last 48 homers allowed to righties.

Franklin Gutierrez (LAD): $2,100 vs COL

Don’t mind the slow start against lefties this year. 37 at-bats is a small sample size, and considering we have seen an .884, .973 and 1.160 OPS against lefties in years prior, it is safe to say he is one of the best platoon hitters in baseball and is a bargain at the price.

Other Top Options (in order)

1. Joey Votto (1B – CIN): $3,900 @ WAS
2. Mookie Betts (OF – BOS): $3,800 vs LAA
3. Jake Lamb (3B – ARI): $3,900 vs PHI
4. Adrian Beltre (3B – TEX): $3,600 @ NYY
5. Willson Contreras (C – CHC): $2,600 @ MIA
6. Robinson Cano (2B – SEA): $3,300 vs HOU
7. Russell Martin (C – TOR): $2,500 @ KCR
8. David Peralta (OF – ARI): $3,500 vs PHI
9. Yoenis Cespedes (OF – NYM): $3,700 @ SFG
10. Jed Lowrie (2B – OAK): $2,600 @ CWS
11. Francisco Lindor (SS – CLE): $3,600 vs MIN
12. Kris Bryant (3B – CHC): $3,800 @ MIA
13. Mallex Smith (OF – TBR): $2,900 vs BAL
14. Nomar Mazara (OF – TEX): $3,500 @ NYY
15. Jean Segura (SS – SEA): $3,500 vs HOU
16. Eric Thames (1B – MIL): $3,400 @ ATL
17. Hanley Ramirez (1B – BOS): $3,100 vs LAA
18. Corey Dickerson (OF – TBR): $4,100 vs BAL
19. Buster Posey (C – SFG): $3,200 vs NYM
20. Domingo Santana (OF – MIL): $3,100 @ ATL
21. Yasiel Puig (OF – LAD): $2,900 vs COL
22. Gregory Polanco (OF – PIT): $2,900 @ STL
23. Rougned Odor (2B – TEX): $3,400 @ NYY
24. Brandon Crawford (SS – SFG): $2,700 vs NYM

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