This article is part of our FantasyAces MLB series.
Be sure to checkout tonight's FAWBC Qualifier, as the winner will get an entry to the $250K Fantasy Aces World Baseball Championship live in Anaheim, California at Angel Stadium August 15. Only 20 will win a trip to the final, and the winner will take home $100,000.
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 overpowering as on other DFS sites, and pitchers that can keep their pitch count low and go deeper into games can be better rewarded. Fantasy Aces offers a great selection of contests for Friday night's huge slate of 14 games.
Pitcher:
Corey Kluber ($8,000): It doesn't take much to come up with the names Kluber and Max Scherzer. I'm going with Kluber based on upside and matchup, not consistency. The White Sox are not as good offensively as the Pirates, even if the Pirates technically strikeout more (though the White Sox are sporting a 12 K/9 over their last three games). I can throw out lots of pitcher stats (K/9, FIP, etc.), but lets beeline to the end: Kluber and Scherzer both look too good to pass up. Those playing SalaryPro may find it worth trying to fade one in order to save some money while punting on one of the value plays.
Other Stud Pitchers to consider:Max Scherzer ($8,250)
Nick Tropeano ($5,000): This season has been kind to the Tropeanos of the baseball world. Lance McCullers, Joe Ross, Noah Syndergaard and the list goes on; pitching prospects are coming to the majors and having immediate success. I'm not talking about minor leaguers making a spot start; these are prospects getting a chance to prove themselves in the big leagues and going on to successfully do so. Tropeano comes with a litter of positives and negatives, enough to make a sizeable pros and cons list. The matchup is simultaneously a pro and con, as the Rangers are plenty susceptible to the strikeout while also possessing the league's sixth best OPS against righties. Tropeano actually isn't without some major league experience, making a total of five starts with the Astros and Angels, including a six-inning shutout against the Athletics earlier this year, and his K/9 at the Triple-A level this year has been a solid 9.59 in 11 starts.
Other Value Pitchers to consider:Jimmy Nelson ($5,750)
Catcher:
Tucker Barnhart ($3,750): I tried not to be so obvious in slotting in Coors Field players left and right, but who am I kidding, it's Coors! So, a cheap catcher batting in the middle of the order it is.
1B/3B:
Juan Uribe ($4,150): This isn't my first time on the Uribe train, especially with his 1.057 OPS against lefties.
Joey Votto ($5,750): First off: Coors Field. In addition, Votto's fantasy points totals since the All-Star break read 6.00, 6.25, 5.25, 3.25, 5.25 and 11.50. Not bad, even for the high price.
2B/SS:
Eugenio Suarez ($3,750): Rationale = middle infielder + Coors Field + cheap
Ruben Tejada ($3,500): I feel dirty putting a Met into my lineup, as the offensive state in Flushing is quickly spiraling down the toilet (sorry, I had to). It doesn't make sense to spend money on any of the big name middle infielders. Tejada is super cheap and bats second, and spot starter Ian Thomas looks like nothing more than a career minor leaguer.
Outfield:
Enrique Hernandez ($4,000): The sample size isn't huge, but Hernandez has nine extra base hits in 41 at-bats against lefties this season. He is in and out of the lineup, so it's hard to say if this will be an 'in' night, but the matchup against a lefty gives him a decent chance with his success on the season.
Scott Van Slyke ($4,600): A bit more established in his affinity against lefties, but he doesn't have the same strikeout volatility as Hernandez and is an all but certain to be in the lineup.
Ryan Raburn ($4,500): It's a lefty on the mound opposing the Indians, so we know what that mea: Happy Ryan Raburn Day! Step aside Daniel Murphy, the cleanup spot belongs to lefty specialist Raburn, who has lived up to that role with a .940 OPS on the season.
Preston Tucker ($4,550): Three home runs in his last three games, a comfy spot batting second in the order and a season long OPS of .899 against righties makes Tucker a prime mid-price play.
