Austin Barnes Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

The Dodgers (5.65) have one of the top three implied run lines on the board, as one would expect at Coors tonight with the fourth highest run line more than a half run lower. Aside from Max Muncy, they line up entirely right-handed against Tyler Anderson, against whom RHBs have a .343 wOBA, but a more moderate .319 xwOBA (which assumes a neutral park). Justin Turner (231 wRC+, .489 xwOBA, .404 ISO vs LHP last calendar year) is the top bat in the lineup. Chris Taylor (104 wRC+, .171 ISO), Matt Kemp (104 wRC+, .402 xwOBA, .131 ISO), Kike Hernandez (119 wRC+, .246 ISO) and Austin Barnes (129 wRC+, .202 ISO) can be liberally employed by players as well, the latter two below $4K on either site.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been slumping 75 wRC+ and travel across country from one negative run environment to another in Miami with just a 4.27 implied run line tonight, but face a pitcher who has a .393 xwOBA in three starts. Wei-Yin Chen has missed most of the last two seasons due to injury, but the 143 RHBs he's faced have a .364 wOBA and 34.6 Hard% against him. Perhaps the return of Justin Turner (242 wRC+, .436 ISO vs LHP last calendar year) will get this team going, but it's a great spot to pick him up for less than $4K against a southpaw. Austin Barnes (136 wRC+, ,228 ISO) continues to be much too cheap as well ($2.2K on FD) along with Kike Hernandez (137 wRC+, .258 ISO) ($2.4K on FD).

Although it might not look quite as bad this year in a park that can hide some faults, right-handed batters have a .398 wOBA (.400 xwOBA) against Derek Holland since last season. This includes a 41.4 Hard% and 32.2 GB%. The interesting thing about the Dodger order tonight is not only do they have a pair of hitters that maul left-handed pitching, but they're both fairly cheap too. Austin Barnes (138 wRC+, .244 ISO vs LHP since 2017) finds himself in the two spot tonight, while Kike Hernandez (141 wRC+, .289 ISO) is becoming accustomed to the three hole with Justin Turner still out. No Dodger right-hander is more than $3.8K on DraftKings or $3.1K on FanDuel tonight.

Dillon Peters has struck out a total of 12 batters through four starts and allowed a total of 15 runs (four HRs) over his last three with 10 walks. Though he did not allow a lot of hard contact in his cup of coffee last season, he has a 92.8 mph aEV with more than half his contact above a 95 mph exit velocity. This is a pitcher players can attack with a Dodger lineup owning a 4.75 implied run line tonight. The Dodger lineup has not yet been confirmed, but should include many of the same batters as last night against their second straight southpaw. Kike Hernandez (143 wRC+, .292 ISO, 42 Hard% vs LHP since last season) is affordable and projected for a top of the order lineup spot. Austin Barnes (136 wRC+, .240 ISO) offers more salary relief, likely to bat lower in the order though. Chris Taylor (117 wRC+, .190 ISO) is likely your leadoff hitter. None of the three cost more than $3.7K on either site.

Jarlin Garcia gained instant recognition when he entered an extra-inning game against the Cubs the first week of the season and proceeded to throw six one-hit innings, striking out six of the 20 batters he’s faced. He’s since allowed two runs in 15 innings, but struck out just seven of 57 batters faced, while walking nine (96.2 LOB%, .096 BABIP this season). His 11.3% Barrels/BBE is second worst on the board behind just Mike Leake. The 25 year old was below average as a reliever last year and can’t be found on any prospect lists. A reckoning seems to be at hand. Statcast seems to suggest a .343 xwOBA for RHBs against him in his career, making this an interesting spot for a number of low cost options, including Chris Taylor (118 wRC+, .193 ISO vs LHP since last season), Kike Hernandez (137 wRC+, .280 ISO) and Austin Barnes (133 wRC+, .235 ISO).

Patrick Corbin was one of few pitchers to have success with the humidor in Arizona last week, striking out 33% of 24 Rockies faced on Opening Day, though they did go deep twice against hiim. Corbin exited last season on a strong note. Over his last 20 starts, he had a 23.7 K% (51.3 GB%) and an ERA and FIP both below three and a half pitching in one of the worst pitching environments in baseball. He also held his hard hit rate below 30% over that stretch. For the season, his .314 xwOBA was 27 points below his actual one. The Dodger lineup has some dangerous bats against LHP and while Corbin allowed a .349 wOBA to LHBs last season, his .332 xwOBA against them is much closer to league average and certainly acceptable considering the environment. Batters from either side kept the ball on the ground on at least half of batted ball events. While the Dodgers are the only lineup with an implied run line between four and four and a half on the afternoon slate, strategic, targeted exposure to either side of this matchup could be worthwhile. Corbin is a viable second arm on DraftKings for $7.3K if paying up for one of the $10K+ stars. Alternatively, Kike Hernandez (141 wRC+, .304 ISO, 42.4 Hard% vs LHP since last season) continues to go severely under-priced against southpaws ($3.4K DK/$2.7K FD) and is projected to bat in the upper half of the lineup. Austin Barnes (138 wRC+, .252 ISO, 39.6 Hard%) is even cheaper, though with a lower spot batting order projection. Chris Taylor (124 wRC+, .194 ISO) is a bit more expensive, but still affordable and should be in the leadoff spot. Don't forget to check back for the confirmed lineup when it's released.