We have a healthy 12 game slate to work with on Monday, and it’s looking like quite a schedule in terms of player selection when it comes to roster construction. Let’s take a look at a tournament lineup for FanDuel.
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Pitcher
Gerrit Cole (PIT): $8,700 @ SF
Cole is coming off of his best outing of his rocky 2017 season, and he will look to carry that momentum into a favorable start at San Francisco. Short of two subpar performances, he’s pitched much better since mid-June and I like him to continue that success tonight. Not only does he get a phenomenal pitcher’s park, but he will face a woeful Giants’ team who continues to struggle offensively. The Giants are dead last this season against right-handed pitching in terms of wRC+, and they haven’t fared a whole lot better as of late either. Cole’s price is ripe for tournament play, and he has nice upside on the road this evening.
Other Notables
- Jacob deGrom (NYM): $11,000 @ SD
- Zack Greinke (ARI): $9,900 vs. ATL
- James Paxton (SEA): $9,200 vs. BOS (GPP)
- Brad Peacock (HOU): $9,200 @ PHI (GPP)
- Josh Tomlin (CLE): $7,700 vs. CIN (GPP)
Catcher
Salvador Perez (KCR): $3,100 @ DET
Perez hits same-handed pitching well, and 12 of his 19 home runs have come against right-handed pitchers this season. He has a good history against Justin Verlander as well, as he’s posted a .410 AVG with two home runs in 61 career at-bats. Due to this positive matchup and a fair price, Perez is a strong option across all game formats tonight.
Other Notables
- Yasmani Grandal (LAD): $3,100 vs. MIN
- Victor Martinez (DET): $3,000 vs. KC (GPP)
- Welington Castillo (BAL): $2,700 @ TB (GPP)
First Base
Justin Smoak (TOR) : $3,700 vs. OAK
Smoak has been rolling since the All-Star Break, and he is in a great spot to continue his production tonight against Chris Smith. Smoak has displayed an excellent eye at the plate over the past 10 games, as he’s walked in a quarter of his plate appearances, while crushing pretty much everything else (.333 AVG, .367 ISO). Chris Smith is certainly nothing to be afraid of, and it has led to an implied run total over five for the Blue Jays, which should mean another big night for Smoak.
Other Notables
- Paul Goldschmidt (ARI): $4,300 vs. ATL
- Miguel Cabrera (DET): $3,900 vs. KC (GPP)
- Cody Bellinger (LAD): $3,600 vs. MIN
Second Base
Ian Kinsler (DET) : $3,600 vs. KC
Jason Hammel has an xFIP over five, and he’s likely in for a rough night on the road against the Tigers this evening. With Detroit carrying an implied run total over five, targeting Kinsler atop the batting order seems to make sense. Kinsler’s average has lagged overall this season, but he’s been better over the past couple of weeks, so I don’t mind targeting him at a tough position to fill.
Other Notables
- Jose Altuve (HOU): $4,100 @ PHI
- Brian Dozier (MIN): $3,800 @ LAD (GPP)
- Jonathan Schoop (BAL): $3,700 @ TB (GPP)
- Whit Merrifield (KC): $3,300 @ DET (GPP)
Third Base
Matt Chapman (OAK) : $2,400 @ TOR
Down to the bottom of the barrel we go, where Chapman and his intriguing power stick out in a good hitting environment tonight. Unfortunately, along with Chapman’s power comes a high strikeout rate, so this is about as boom or bust as they come. The bright side is that Francisco Liriano is pitching for Toronto, who continues to be an incredibly volatile commodity. Know the risks with Chapman, but he should go extremely low owned in tournaments, so if he runs into one it will certainly boost your team.
Other Notables
- Nolan Arenado (COL): $4,400 @ STL
- Justin Tuner (LAD): $3,900 vs. MIN
- Miguel Sano (MIN): $3,900 @ LAD (GPP)
- Jake Lamb (ARI): $3,900 vs. ATL
Shortstop
Marcus Semien (OAK): $2,500 @ TOR
Francisco Lirano has allowed a .388 wOBA and nine home runs to right-handed hitters this season, and he continues to be plagued by walks and hard contact. Semien hasn’t been tearing the cover off of the ball since returning from the disabled list, but he has cut down on the strikeouts a bit, which has bumped up his on base percentage. This keen eye at the plate can come in useful against a wild pitcher like Liriano, and we know Semien has some pop, so don’t be shy about using him as a source of salary relief.
Other Notables
- Corey Seager (LAD): $4,000 vs. MIN
- Francisco Lindor (CLE): $3,700 vs. CIN
Outfielders
Khris Davis (OAK) : $4,100 @ TOR
Davis is on fire right now, and he rounds out my trio of Oakland hitters against Francisco Liriano. I’ve noted Liriano’s issues a few times already, and with Davis’ massive power upside, he could be in for a big night. He’s posted a .251 ISO against lefties in his career, and while the strikeout rate is of concern, it’s something you have to live with given the upside with Davis.
Justin Upton (DET) : $3,600 vs. KC
Upton sports a .227 ISO against same-handed pitchers since 2015, and that trend has carried over into this season (.233 ISO). Much like Khris Davis, you have to beware of the strikeouts, but I’m not overly concerned about that against Jason Hammel. Upton has actually cut down on the strikeouts since the All-Star Break, which has resulted in an increase in his walk rate. He’s been locked in over the past 10 days, and he should continue that trend this evening.
David Peralta (ARI): $3,300 vs. ATL
The Diamondbacks will play host to R.A. Dickey and the Braves tonight, where they have a high implied team run total. Dickey has struggled away from SunTrust Park this season, and I fully expect that trend to continue this evening. Peralta figures to be in a prime spot in the batting order, making him a fine midrange play this evening.
Other Notables
- Charlie Blackmon (COL): $4,600 @ STL (GPP)
- Giancarlo Stanton (MIA): $4,300 @ TEX
- George Springer (HOU): $4,200 @ PHI (GPP)
- Adam Jones (BAL): $3,700 @ TB (GPP)
- Michael Brantley (CLE): $3,600 vs. CIN
- A.J. Pollock (ARI): $3,500 vs. ATL
- Corey Dickerson (TB): $3,000 vs. BAL
My Lineup
- SP – Gerrit Cole (PIT): $8,700 @ SF
- C – Salvador Perez (KC): $3,100 @ DET
- 1B – Justin Smoak (TOR): $3,700 vs. OAK
- 2B – Ian Kinsler (DET): $3,600 vs. KC
- 3B – Matt Chapman (OAK): $2,400 @ TOR
- SS – Marcus Semien (OAK): $2,500 @ TOR
- OF – Khris Davis (OAK): $4,100 @ TOR
- OF – Justin Upton (DET): $3,600 vs. KC
- OF – David Peralta (ARI): $3,300 vs. ATL
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Adam Sutton is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Adam, follow him @DraftStars_Adam. You can find more of Adam’s work at DraftStars.net.
