This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Tonight starts a new week of baseball, with the first game starting at 6:40 EST to kick off an "all-day" slate on Fan Duel. The main slate starts at 7:05 EST and features eight games. There's a game in Coors that will draw plenty of attention, while the early games should feature higher scores than the two late west coast contests. Remember to check out the "Home Run Challenge" a free contest were picking the correct three home run hitters could win a prize of $500.
For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS Slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well.) To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
PITCHER
Masahiro Tanaka, NYY vs MIN ($9,100): Two subpar performances by Tanaka have dropped his price to a reasonable level. The Twins have to be a bit road weary at this point and have the seventh-highest strikeout rate on the season at 24.8 percent. Tanaka has been much better at home than on the road during his career with a 25.7 percent strikeout rate and only a .290 wOBA against. Of course, given the way he's pitched, there's nothing wrong with using Gerrit Cole ($10,700) at home against the Halos if the money works.
GPP Fade: Trevor Cahill, OAK at TEX ($6,600): It seems like some will chase Cahill's first start, which netted his owners a crazy 55 fantasy points. However, that start was in Oakland against the White Sox, who have the fourth-highest strikeout rate at 26.1 percent. Going into Texas will be a tougher task, and not surprisingly all of Cahill's stats for his career have been worse on the road than at home. His career road 17 percent strikeout rate is below average for a starting pitcher as well.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Chris Stratton, SF vs WAS ($6,900): Stratton has been a pleasant surprise for the Giants with a 2.22 ERA, allowing three of fewer runs in each of his four starts this season. While his minor-league numbers don't jump off the page it's worth noting that Stratton struck out 51 in 59 innings last season with the Giants while holding a 3.68 ERA. Washington isn't an ideal matchup, especially with that Harper guy around, but this is a good pitcher's park and Stratton will be pitching at home.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Evan Gattis, HOU vs LAA ($2,700): Gattis is in play tonight at the C/1B spot since he played all of his games at DH, and the one time this year he's been in the field was at catcher. Gattis carries a .332 wOBA against left-handed pitching, while Tyler Skaggs has given up a .323 wOBA to righties for his career. The usual right-handed options are in play for the Astros as well.
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres, NYY vs MIN ($2,600): This is a great matchup for the Yankees as Jake Odorizzi's 1.36 WHIP suggests some correction is coming to his 3.38 ERA. Torres hit in the eighth spot Sunday and should find himself in a similar position tonight. He's considered the top prospect for the Yankees, and should find himself as the regular second baseman after hitting .347 at Triple-A to start the season.
THIRD BASE
Enrique Hernandez, LAD vs MIA ($2,500): Hernandez typically moves into a top-four spot in the lineup when the Dodgers face a southpaw, and that is the case tonight against Jarlin Garcia. Hernandez owned a lofty .399 wOBA against lefties at home this season and his overall career mark sits at .368. Garcia has gotten off to a hot start, though his 13:11 K:BB suggests there will be some bumps in the road this season.
SHORTSTOP
Tim Anderson, CHW vs SEA ($3,100): There aren't a lot of viable options below $3K tonight at the shortstop position, but with four players at $4,300 or more Anderson looks like a good value. He flashed a lethal speed/power combo last season and that's carried over so far, as he's recorded three home runs and eight stolen bases. Over the last two seasons Mike Leake has surrendered a .340 wOBA to right-handed hitters when on the road.
OUTFIELD
Nomar Mazara, TEX vs OAK ($3,000): Mazara will be at home tonight in a friendly hitter's environment, although the temperature in Arlington isn't as high as his DFS owners would like it. Mazara has been hitting third for the Rangers and has a good matchup against Cahill. While the right-hander had a great first start, his .336 wOBA against left-handed hitters last season with right in line with his career .334 mark.
Michael Brantley, CLE at BAL ($3,600): Since his second game back on April 7, Brantley has reached base safely in 10 straight games, and he now finds himself in the cleanup spot for the Tribe. For his career Brantley has a .349 wOBA against right-handed pitching, and that number is higher over his last four seasons. Kevin Gausman struggled against lefties last season with a .350 wOBA, and that number has been worse (.378) to start 2018.
UTILITY
Franchy Cordero, SD at COL ($3,000): Cordero's .243 batting average is nothing spectacular, but his .343 wOBA tells a better story of how his season has gone so far. He hit a 489-foot home run in Arizona on Sunday and gets an even better hitting environment tonight at Coors Field. Chad Bettis also owns a career .355 wOBA against for his career in the thin Colorado air. With Manuel Margot off the DL, check to confirm if Franchy is in the lineup, but if he is this is a cheap way to get a piece of the Rockies/Padres action.
