MLB Head-to-Head vs. GPP Picks: Fri, Apr 4
In this article I am going to give you my strategies in baseball for building a winning lineup for all game types, including 50/50s/double-ups/head-to-head and GPPs. I will break down each game type and my strategies involved.
Part 1 – 50/50s/Double-ups/Head-to-Head
When playing 50-50s/double-ups or head-to-head, you want guaranteed points. This is not where you roll the dice on all-or-nothing players. The idea is to simply produce a solid, well balanced team. It may not be explosive, but it doesn’t matter whether you finish in first place or not, you just need to cash.
STARTING PITCHERS
Anibal Sanchez – Sanchez was outstanding last year and even better at home. Batters only hit .217 off of him at home and he had 110 Ks in 93.1 IP. He won’t be cheap, but he rarely has a bad home game.
Jordan Zimmerman – Zimmerman is an absolute stud. The only knock against him is he does not K that many batters. However today, he faces a Braves team that led the NL in strikeouts a year ago.
I also like Hyun-Jin Ryu
CATCHER
Wilin Rosario – Anytime the Rockies play at home Rosario is in play. He is one of the few catchers capable of hitting multi homers or having a monster game. Rosario hit .293 with 14 2Bs and 10 HRs in 225 ABs in Coors last year.
FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo – Rizzo cannot not seem to hit on the road or LHP. However he does hit well at home against RHP. Today he faces RHP Roberto Hernandez with the wind blowing out in Wrigley.
SECOND BASE
Jason Kipnis – Mike Pelfrey is one of the worst SP in all of baseball. Kipnis on the other hand is one the best 2B in all of baseball. Jason has both power and speed, and I love this match-up today for him.
SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki – Like most Rockies Tulo is a much better hitter in coors field. In 2013 he had the following numbers .342 BA, .427 OBP and a 1.010 OPS. He won’t be cheap, but is always worth his price at home.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria – Longoria has a dream match-up tonight against LHP Joe Saunders. Saunders gave up 25 HRS last year to GO along with his 5.60 ERA.
OUTFIELDERS
Carlos Gonzalez – Cargo is one of my favorite players to own, He can do it all. When at home facing an average pitcher, I am all in.
Shin-Soo Choo – Choo will face RHP Jake Odorizzi. In 2013 Choo had a .457 OBP and 1.011 OPS against RHP.
Other hitters I like – McCann, Crisp, Beltran, Ellsbury.
Part 2 – GPPs
GPP’s are a whole new ball game. You need guys to have huge nights. GPP’s are all about upside. All or nothing players can become GPP gold. Value players are just as important as your star players.
STARTING PITCHERS
Masahiro Tanaka – I believe Tanaka will be as good as advertised. He had unbelievable numbers in Japan and was fantastic in the spring. Unlike other Japanese pitchers to come over here, Masahiro has great control along with superior strike out abilities. It won’t be long before he is priced with the elite.
Danny Salazar – Salazar is one of the best young pitchers in the game. He throws in the upper 90’s with great movement and has a nasty slider. He struck out 58 batters in just 46 innings last year. He will be at home facing the Twins who struck out the 2nd most times in the AL last year.
*Other Boom or Bust pitchers I like are, Mike Leake and Dan Straily *
CATCHER
John Jaso – As I have mentioned before you are going to se a lot of Jaso. Not only is Jaso cheap but he is facing an average RHP in Chris Young at home tonight. Jaso has an OBP of over .400 the last two seasons against RHP. Plug and play.
FIRST BASE
Brandon Moss – Moss mashes RHP. Last year he hit 22 doubles and had 26 homers in 366 at bats VS RHP. Tonight he sets his sights on RHP Chris Young.
SECOND BASE
Ben Zobrist – Today the Rays will face gas can Joe Saunders and his 5.26 ERA from a year ago. In the world of DFS it is our job to pick on the weak. Zobrist and the Rays are in a great spot tonight.
SHORTSTOP
Jed Lowrie – Jed will hit in the middle of the A’s lineup tonight facing RHP Chris Young. All of Lowrie’s power comes when hitting left handed. Last season he had 15 homers, and 14 where hit from the left side.
THIRD BASE
David Freese – Freese is a great GPP option tonight. He is very cheap and has hit Harrell quite well in a small sample size. He is 5/12 off of him with three walks, two doubles and a homer.
OUTFIELDERS
Will Myers and Desmond Jennings – As you know by now they face Joe Saunders and his 5.60 ERA. Both are in play tonight. Go Rays!
Josh Hamilton – Unfortunately Josh is now a boom or bust option. He is in a great spot tonight and has hit Harrell quite well in his career.
Other hitters I like with Boom or Bust potential – Gomes, Smoak, Seager, Bonifacio, Byrd, Schierholtz.