FantasyAces MLB: Friday Picks

This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.

FantasyAces offers a great selection of contests for Friday night's huge slate of 14 games. FantasyAces has its own idiosyncrasies in scoring and positions, so here's a breakdown:

Roster
2 Pitchers
1 Catcher
2 Middle Infielders (2B/SS)
2 Corner Infielders (1B/3B)
3 Outfielders
1 Utility (non-pitcher)

OPS is a great indicator of point potential under the scoring system, with walks being worth just as much as singles and the progression of points per extra base is one per. Strikeouts are pretty heavily penalized, so be diligent with those prone to strikeouts or those against a high-strikeout pitcher. While on the pitching side, strikeouts aren't quite as overpowered as on other DFS sites, and pitchers that can keep their pitch count low and go deeper into games can be better rewarded.

Also, its worth touching on FantasyAces's two formats. Classic is your run of the mill salary cap format, but SalaryPro is an innovative new format, giving those with the best ROI's the advantage. In SalaryPro you earn bonus points for your team’s payroll falling under the cap. Here's how it work's specifically:

Every $50 under the cap = +.10 Point (10 bonus points max at $5,000 under cap)*
*Bonus doesn't kick in until you are at least $250 under the Salary Cap

Pitchers
Matt Harvey ($7,950)
The price is high, but with all of the disappointing top tier pitching performances we've been getting lately, it seems like paying up for Harvey is well worth it. He's solid in every pitching category, and the Phillies are poor in every offensive category. It's safe, it's good.

Gio Gonzalez ($6,750)
This is a fantastic price for Gonzalez as he just gets better and better after a mediocre start to the season. He owns a sub-3 FIP, 9.2 K/9 and is coming off a nine-strikeout, seven-scoreless inning outing last time out.

Jarred Cosart ($5,500)
Of the cheap pitchers, Cosart screams potential upside: a 94-mph fastball, a pitcher-friendly ballpark and a Giants lineup that has been far from lethal. He's not without flaws -- he wouldn't be priced so low otherwise -- but a sub-3 ERA and sub-1 WHIP so far this season may make him a worthwhile risk.

Catcher
Yasmani Grandal ($4,750)
He's going to be popular; all the Dodgers will be. But Grandal is finally heating up, hitting home runs and really just doing what the rest of his teammates are doing. These Dodgers slug their way to victory, and at Coors Field, that's a good way to go.

Corner Infielders
Justin Turner ($4,500)
The perfect play as his Dodgers travel to Coors Field, and he has a 1.173 OPS over the last 14 days. Add in his already great form against opposing pitcher Eddie Butler, who has struggled of late, and manager Don Mattingly should be forced to let Turner play. And Colorado, "rain, rain, go away."

Manny Machado ($5,050)
Machado has finally found his stride and has done so with some surprising perks, notably base stealing. A hot Machado at the top of the powerful Baltimore lineup is a very good thing.

Jimmy Paredes ($4,750)
Paredes proved he's around to stay. He's maintaining his second spot in the order and hit a home run Thursday night. The Baltimore stack is one of the stronger ones on the night.

Brandon Belt ($4,300)
Belt has a 1.122 OPS over the last seven days, the wind is blowing out, and I think it's time he finally hits his first home run of the season.

Middle Infielders
Jimmy Rollins ($4,450)
Broken record, recommending the Dodgers. Plus, Rollins can still hit. This price is low on him regularly, and at Coors Field it's bargain basement.

Danny Espinosa ($3,850)
Espinosa has owned Eric Stults during their past matchups, and at a cheap price, Espinosa is a great way to save some money in the middle of the infield. It'll be either him or Dan Uggla in the lineup.

Dan Uggla ($3,750)
I seem to remember Uggla have some success against his former club last time they faced off. Oh yes, he did, big time. The Braves cut him, he comes back and gets a nice righty vs. lefty matchup with a fire still lit under him.

Outfielders
Joc Pederson ($4,950)
Pederson is the real deal, he's hot, but he's actually even way hotter than it seems. He's managed a spectacular 1.192 OPS over the last 14 days, and most amazingly, has done so while hitting for a .167 BABIP! Continuing to bat leadoff, and now at Coors Field? How can you go wrong? Well rain, but lets hope not.

Marlon Byrd ($4,650)
Byrd has struck fire, and the Reds have responded by moving him to the top of the order. His price is still manageable, so buy in now before it goes up.

Chris Colabello ($3,500)
Colabello is a lefty specialist that is six for his last eight. Slotted into the high octane Toronto offense, Colabello is a wonderful target at such a low price.

Brett Gardner ($4,900)
Often forgotten batting behind Jacoby Ellsbury, Garnder has actually been hitting the ball better. He doesn't have quite the high base-stealing upside, but he swipes his fair share.

Delino DeShields ($3,000)
If he starts and the gets on base, he will be stealing second, and maybe third. A Poor man's Billy Hamilton.

Designated Hitter
Fantasy Aces does list DH's as just that, and the only way to incorporate them into your lineup is through the utility spot.

There are only four DH's listed:
David Ortiz ($5,050)
Victor Martinez ($4,900)
Billy Butler ($4,800)
Evan Gattis ($4,900)