Daily Dime: Starting Felix Hernandez and digging for hitting sleepers
Here’s a look at some DFS options for Sunday but be sure to double-check the weather and lineups before first pitch approaches.
Felix Hernandez, SP, vs. Oak (Chavez), $11300 on FanDuel: Of course you don’t need me to tell you King Felix is good at pitching, but did you realize he’s increased his K:BB ratio in each of the past seven seasons (technically he tied in one)? His current 23.6 K-BB% is a career best, and his 62.7 GB% is Hernandez’s highest since his rookie campaign. He’s at home Sunday, where he’s posted a 31:3 K:BB ratio over 23.0 innings with a 0.78 ERA and 0.52 WHIP this season. Moreover, the Mariners are both the biggest favorite (-175) while also in the game with the lowest O/U (7).
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Wilson Ramos, C, vs. Atl (Wood), $2800: He has a 1.043 OPS versus left-handers this season, and Alex Wood has allowed a .337 BAA to RHB. There are 16 catchers who cost more than Ramos on Sunday.
Adam LaRoche, 1B, vs. Cin (Lorenzen), $2400: He owns an .841 career OPS when facing right-handed pitchers, is dirt cheap, hits in the middle of Chicago’s lineup and will be batting in a park that’s increased run scoring by 10 percent over the past three seasons, which is second only to Coors Field over that span.
Marlon Byrd, OF, at CWS (Danks), $3000: He has multiple hits in five straight games, including four homers, a steal, three walks and nine RBI overt that span. Byrd also owns a .333/.419/.667 line against southpaws and will be hitting in U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday, a park that’s boosted HR for RHB by an AL-high 25 percent over the past three years.
Carlos Beltran, OF, vs. Bal (Norris), $2300: He’s 38 years old and has seen his OPS drop in four straight seasons, including a career-low .537 this year. Maybe Beltran is done, but this is a Hall Of Fame type talent who remained plenty effective against RHP last season, still bats in the middle of the Yankees’ lineup and should benefit from an extreme hitter’s park. He’s only $100 more than the cheapest hitter available in FD.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, at Tor (Dickey), $2900: He’s just 2-for-28 against LHP this season, but Panda is batting .380 against righties. There are 13 third basemen more expensive Sunday.
Brandon Belt, 1B, vs. Mia (Latos), $3000: He entered Saturday having doubled in six straight games, a span in which he raised his OPS from .563 to .829. While still searching for his first homer of the season, Belt is hitting .339/.431/.500 against RHP, and he owns a career 1.067 OPS against Mat Latos during his career.
Zack Cozart, SS, at CWS (Danks), $2500: He has a .954 OPS against southpaws this season, and John Danks has surrendered a .348 BAA to righties. Cozart has moved down in Cincinnati’s order, but he’s still underpriced here.
Joe Panik, 2B, vs. Mia (Latos), $2600: He has a .795 OPS versus RHP this season, which would easily be top-10 among second baseman. Meanwhile, Mat Latos has allowed a .317 BAA against LHB this season.
Chris Coghlan, OF, at Mil (Garza), $2200: He’s disappointed after a surprisingly strong 2014 season, but Coghlan has a nice track record against Matt Garza (.556/.556/1.111 over nine ABs), and he’s as cheap as it gets.
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