If you played yesterday’s lineup, then you know that it fell just short of cashing in 50/50s with a score of 102 points. All of the players were productive, but not productive enough. However, today is a new day and it’s considered to be the official opening day for the 2016 season since there is a full slate of games. There are many players to choose from, and I will show you one way that you can build the perfect MLB FanDuel lineup for today’s schedule.
(SP) Raisel Iglesias - Cincinnati Reds - $6,400
Getty ImagesElite pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer are obviously in play today, especially for cash games. However, I'm looking for some GPP upside today, and Raisel Iglesias provides that. He will face the Philadelphia Phillies, and they were ranked 29th in team wOBA against RHPs last year. Combine that with Iglesias' 9.82 K/9 rate from last season and he should pitch six innings with 6-8 strikeouts plus the win.
(C) A.J. Pierzynski - Atlanta Braves - $2,300
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The Atlanta Braves will face an elite SP in Max Scherzer today, but it doesn't mean that all of their hitters should be avoided. One of those hitters who could provide sneaky upside is A.J. Pierzynski. He is batting .306 against "Mad Max" over 36 ABs with a K-rate of 11 percent. He also has a HR and seven RBIs against Scherzer. This bodes well for Pierzynski to be one of the few productive bats for the Braves today.
(1B) Paul Goldschmidt - Arizona Diamondbacks - $4,800
Getty ImagesFor those of you concerned about Paul Goldschmidt's lackluster spring training, I would put those concerns to rest. Goldschmidt is known to be a faster starter in the regular season. His first month wOBA over the past three seasons is .400, and he will get to face Jorge De La Rosa today. De La Rosa struggled against RHBs last year, and I expect Goldschmidt to continue those struggles with a HR today.
(2B) Chris Owings - Arizona Diamondbacks - $2,100
Getty ImagesDue to the unfortunate injury suffered by A.J. Pollock, the Arizona Diamondbacks will have a platoon in center field between Chris Owings and Socrates Brito. Owings will play against LHPs, and that will be the situation today against Jorge De La Rosa. Owings owns a .444 average and a HR against De La Rosa over nine ABs. He makes for a great value play at 2B despite his real-life OF duties.
(3B) Josh Donaldson - Toronto Blue Jays - $4,800
Getty ImagesThe Toronto Blue Jays face the Tampa Bay Rays again today in what is a great spot for Josh Donaldson. The reigning AL MVP destroys LHPs, and he gets one on the mound today in Drew Smyly. Donaldson is batting .625 with a HR, two doubles and two RBIs against Smyly. Additionally, Smyly struggled the most against RHBs at home last year which is the situation today. We're likely to see Donaldson's first HR in this one.
(SS) Brandon Crawford - San Francisco Giants - $2,700
Getty ImagesDue to all of the weather concerns, I'm trying to select my hitters from games played in the south. However, the game in Milwaukee between the Brewers and San Francisco Giants looks like it's safe to target. This is good since Wily Peralta is pitching for the Brewers and Brandon Crawford is hitting .364 against him with a HR. Peralta struggles more against LHBs, so I'm expecting a productive outing for Crawford.
(OF) Bryce Harper - Washington Nationals - $4,800
Getty ImagesBryce Harper is my favorite play for today due to his upside and matchup. He will square off against Julio Teheran and owns a .435 batting average against him over 23 ABs. This includes three doubles, three HRs and five RBIs. Harper also crushes RHPs and has been a fast starter over the past three seasons. If he doesn't hit a HR today, then he should finish with at least two hits and RBIs.
(OF) Carlos Gonzalez - Colorado Rockies - $3,900
Getty ImagesThe Colorado Rockies will face Zack Greinke and the Arizona Diamondbacks today. Many players may want to avoid the Colorado bats due to Greinke's elite status, but Carlos Gonzalez is still a good option against him. "CarGo" is batting .360 against Greinke over 25 ABs and that includes three HRs. Greinke may struggle a bit in his Arizona debut, allowing Gonzalez to register a couple of hits with at least one RBI.
(OF) Kole Calhoun - Los Angeles Angels - $3,200
Getty ImagesKole Calhoun will face Jake Arrieta for the first time tonight, and he should find some success. Despite the fact that Arrieta is the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, he has struggled against LHBs throughout his career. I feel that Calhoun will be able to take advantage of that fact. I'm not expecting him to hit a HR, but a single and a double are realistic expectations.
