Ben Revere Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Ariel Miranda has pitched better at home (17.2 K-BB% since last season) than on the road, but has been a bit of a HR machine either way (10 in 50 innings at home). The Angels have just a 4.0 HR/FB vs LHP, but are predominantly RH. Though Miranda has kept RHBs to a wOBA more than 40 points lower than to LHBs, he’s surrendered 17 of his 18 career HRs to righties. If we’re dealing with a potential hard contact generator against a contact prone offense (6.8 K-BB% vs LHP), it’s difficult to find enough upside beyond the risk for more than $7K. Mike Trout was a top ranked bat no matter the platoon split of the pitcher. Projecting for a middling 4.1 runs with the expectation of a full strengh lineup, the issue is that they still don't strike out. Ben Revere may actually lessen the strikeout expectation, In a solidly negative run environment no bat deems necessary exposure here, but as one of just a few games without weather related risk tonight, Kole Calhoun (102 wRC+, .160 ISO vs LHP since 2015) and Yunel Escobar (126 wRC+, .107 ISO vs LHP since 2015) may merit looks.

Miguel Gonzalez has given up 4 HRs in his six starts this season and 28 home runs in his last 34 starts. The Nationals do have some power that can really make Gonzalez pay. Ben Revere is out of the lineup tonight and Chris Heisey will be the leadoff hitter. Heisey is cheap across the industry but does not have a ton of upside since he only has 11 hits in 58 plate appearances this season. Bryce Harper continues to be priced under $5K on DraftKings and has a .394 wOBA, 148 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this season. Daniel Murphy is the most expensive 2B on the slate and could be low-owned with a Coors game available tonight. Ryan Zimmerman (.427 wOBA, 171 wRC+ L14) is also a playable bat in the heart of the order against Miguel Gonzalez. Danny Espinosa leads the team in home runs over the last two weeks with six and is not too expensive at $3.1K on DK.

When picking batters to play in daily fantasy baseball, picking batters who will make contact is a good strategy. Jon Moscot, the Reds starting pitcher today, has a strikeout percentage of 7% over his last few starts. They may be popular, but Nationals left-handed swingers would appear to have the highest of floors, meaning Ben Revere, Bryce Harper, and Daniel Murphy combine to form about as "safe" of a stack as we will see on a given slate. Murphy and Harper have ISOs of 0.268 and 0.300 against RHP, respectively, meaning there is upside to go along with the high floors they offer today.

The Nationals didn't need to shuffle their lineup vs LHP, as they have a 122 wRC+ and 15.9 HR/FB against them this season, nearly matching Brandon Finnegan's career 15.7 HR/FB up to this point. Add a power friendly park to a pitcher with a 30+ Hard% allowed to batters from either side and you have a potentially strong stacking situation here. That still exists, though it's odd to see Ben Revere (94 wRC+ vs LHP since 2015) remain atop the lineup vs a LHP. Harper (158 wRC+, .237 ISO vs LHP since 2015) handles lefties well, while Murphy (97 wRC+, .112 ISO vs LHP since 2015) takes a step back. Trea Turner makes his season debut in the two hole for $3.2K on DraftKings. Jayson Werth bats 5th today, but may be the key bat here (192 wRC+, .350 ISO vs LHP this season). He has a 56.3 Hard% over the last week. This is a fairly strong stack from the 2nd through 7th spots.

It's baby steps for Dusty Baker, but at least Ben Revere (102 wRC+ vs RHP since 2015) replaces Michael Taylor atop the lineup, even if Daniel Murphy (133 wRC+, .207 ISO vs RHP since last season) is still hitting 5th with his 250 wRC+, 51.9 Hard% over the last week, allowing opposing teams to just walk Bryce Harper (200 wRC+, .354 ISO vs RHP) every time up. Both LH power bats are great options against a pitcher allowing a .369 wOBA to RHBs since last season. Harper may not be getting much of a chance recently, but is below $5K now and will be worth the cost even if he continues to just walk every time up. Sanchez now adds a 13.6 BB% that still sits below his HR/FB over the last two seasons. However, none of the RH bats for Washington have even been average against RHP over the last season plus.

Revere is leading of for the Nationals and facing Jake Arrieta. While it is good news for the Nationals that they have a top-shelf leadoff hitter back to set the table for Harper and company, today is a day that the Nats face Jake Arrieta and his 0.276 wOBA versus LHB. Keep Revere on your radar, but start him versus Jake the Great at your own risk.

Matt den Dekker has been recalled in a corresponding move. Michael Taylor should continue to see the lion's share of the work in center field and is also a candidate to hold onto the leadoff spot until Revere returns. Taylor is worth a look as a near-minimum price play against a very beatable Bud Norris, who allowed a .379 wOBA to RH bats last season.