A.J. Ellis Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

With pitching so inexpensive today, players probably aren't in need to too many bargain bats, but you may still be looking to potentially punt a position. If so, Matt Joyce (141 wRC+, .234 ISO vs RHP last season) is in a nice spot, batting second in Texas against a pitcher who allowed a lot of hard contact in the air to RHBs last year (44.4%). He costs just $3K on DraftKings and $2.1K on FanDuel. Rickie Weeks (133 wRC+, .272 ISO vs LHP since 2015) is a minimally priced option in the cleanup spot against tonight's top pitcher, but also a very flawed one. If you're looking to punt Catcher, A.J. Ellis is not much of a bat, but does have a good eye and bats second against a pitcher who is returning from TJS and previously had control problems (Zack Wheeler). Derek Norris did not hit at all last season but bats fifth against Liriano and costs $2.6K or less on either site. Those are the confirmed bats in the top half of any lineup tonight for $3K or less on DraftKings. FanDuel has a few more cheap options. Mitch Haniger might be a league average bat against the hittable Jesse Chavez. He's projected to bat second again for the Mariners at the minimum price. Jesus Aguilar bats fifth for the Brewers against lefty Brett Anderson. He hasn't shown much in the majors, but his power was on display this spring. Wilmer Flores (176 wRC+, .330 ISO vs LHP since 2015) bats cleanup for the Mets and costs just $2.3K on FanDuel.

Tyler Chatwood has allowed a .341 wOBA against right-handed bats this season and the Dodgers have six in the lineup tonight. The Dodgers right-handed bats are all relatively cheap tonight but don't offer a ton of upside with a 4.04 run projection (7th lowest). Trayce Thompson has been hitting the ball well over the last couple weeks (.425 wOBA, 173 wRC+ L14) and has a .399 wOBA, 156 wRC+ vs. RHP in 2016. A.J. Ellis will be the backstop and Justin Turner will return and leadoff after having a day off on Sunday. Turner has not been hitting the ball particularly well over the last couple weeks (.290 wOBA, 83 wRC+) but is only $2.8K on DraftKings, if you need a really cheap 3B that is viable. Adrian Gonzalez is also a viable bat ($3.5K on DK) that has a .203 ISO, .355 wOBA vs. RHP.