If you played yesterday’s lineup, then you already know that the 129 points that it produced was good enough to win in 50/50 games. The HRs from Bryce Harper, Josh Donaldson and Carlos Gonzalez proved that they were worth their asking prices.
However, as we move forward, the goal is to score at least 150 points. We have our first opportunity to do so tonight as MLB is giving us nine games to sift through. Let’s continue our journey as we build the perfect FanDuel lineup for April 5.
(P) Justin Verlander - Detroit Tigers - $8,900
Getty ImagesAfter being on the shelf with a triceps injury last year, Justin Verlander struggled during his return. However, he was able to regain his ace form over his last 14 starts and seemed to be over the rust from his injury. I'm expecting a healthy Verlander to get off to a good start this year against the Miami Marlins tonight. Miami had the worst team wOBA against RHPs last season and Verlander should be able to take advantage of that.
(C) Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals - $2,400
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Yadier Molina got off to a good start despite his team losing its season opener. I'm expecting him to continue his good start as he gets to face Jon Niese and the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight. Molina is batting .318 over 22 ABs against Niese. This includes a HR, double and five singles while striking out only eight percent of the time. This should lead to Molina registering at least one hit with a run scored or an RBI.
(1B) Brandon Belt - San Francisco Giants - $3,000
Getty ImagesBrandon Belt had an excellent spring and he continued his torrid hitting in the Giants' season opener. He registered two doubles, two runs scored and one RBI in a massacre of the Milwaukee Brewers. He should continue his hot streak against Jimmy Nelson tonight since Nelson is atrocious against LHBs. Additionally, Nelson struggles with his sinker and Belt hit that pitch well last year. I have a suspicion that he will hit a HR with two RBIs.
(2B) Ian Kinsler - Detroit Tigers - $3,000
Getty ImagesThe Detroit Tigers will face LHP Wei-Yin Chen tonight and it's a great spot for their RHBs. One batter in particular that it favors is Ian Kinsler. He is batting .357 against Chen over 14 ABs and has struck out only once. On the other hand, Chen gave up a .348 wOBA to RHBs last season and struggled with his two-seam fastball. Kinsler was Detroit's second-best hitter against that pitch and it should lead to a couple of hits and at least one run.
(3B) Kyle Seager - Seattle Mariners - $3,300
Getty ImagesKyle Seager began the 2016 season with a HR and I have a feeling that he may hit another one tonight. He will face Martin Perez and he's been very successful against him. Seager is batting .500 against him over 20 ABs with three HRs and seven singles. Additionally, Seager is a LHB who hits LHPs better than RHPs. This should lead to him either hitting a HR or at least two hits with an RBI.
(SS) Brandon Crawford - San Francisco Giants - $2,700
Getty ImagesThe last time that I recommended Brandon Crawford, he did okay. He registered a single, a BB and a run scored. However, I feel that he will perform better tonight against Jimmy Nelson. I already noted that Nelson struggles with his sinker and Crawford happened to be the Giants' best hitter against the pitch last season. He should be able to get on base a couple of times and score at least one run.
(OF) Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels - $5,000
Getty ImagesWe already know that Mike Trout is as elite as they come when it comes to hitters. He didn't have the best season opener last night as he went 0-for-4 and failed to register a single fantasy point. I feel that he will turn it around tonight against Jon Lester. Lester is a good pitcher, but struggles more against RHBs, especially with his four-seam fastball. Trout hits that pitch extremely well and has a good chance to hit a HR tonight.
(OF) J.D. Martinez - Detroit Tigers - $3,400
Getty ImagesJ.D. Martinez will take his hacks against Wei-Yin Chen tonight and I feel it's a great spot for him. Martinez is batting .500 against Chen over four ABs with two HRs and two strikeouts. As noted earlier, Chen struggles with his two-seam fastball and Martinez was Detroit's best hitter against that pitch in 2015. I feel that this bodes well for him to hit a HR. If he doesn't, then he will hit a double with at least two RBIs.
(OF) David Peralta - Arizona Diamondbacks - $3,300
Getty ImagesThe Arizona Diamondbacks will face the Colorado Rockies again tonight and I feel it's a good spot for David Peralta. He will take his hacks against Chad Bettis, and he's currently batting .800 against him over five ABs. I understand that it's a small sample size, but it would appear that Peralta has Bettis figured out. Bettis also pitches worse against LHBs on the road and this should lead to a productive night for Peralta.
