Daily Fantasy Strategy — June 6 — For Draftstreet

Let’s talk a little about league settings today. I’m assuming a few of you still play in standard leagues. Different settings have begun to take hold, though. For the first time in my life, I’m not in one league that uses batting average or wins.

I’m in five leagues this year; one keeper and one dynasty. Three of the leagues have the following settings: R, HR, RBI, SB, OBP x QS, ERA, WHIP, K, SV+HLD. One other league has the same settings, except SLG replaces HR and SV replaces SV+HLD. And my final league, here on Fangraphs (shameless company plug), is points based; Fangraphs points, specifically.

I like portions of each league. I love OBP – sure would be nice if ESPN offered wOBA, though – and I like giving credit for saves and holds, because as we all know, sometimes the “closer” isn’t anywhere near the best reliever on the team.

So far, my favorite setup is the Ottoneu league. Admittedly, it took a little while to come around to it. Some plays that have positive value in other leagues (RBI, etc.) don’t do anything for you in Ottoneu. I’ve come around quickly, though. It’s isolation at it’s finest. Player hits a double? Gets credit for it. Teammates don’t drive him in, though? No harm done. The league’s settings don’t punish players for having weaker teammates. Nor do they help out mediocre hitters who happen to be in the right place at the right time – cough, 2013 Brandon Phillips, cough.

So, what are your favorite settings?

Probables Chart

Eddie Butler is making his debut tonight. He’s done a good job keeping the ball on the ground throughout the minors. He’ll need to do it tonight, too. Brandon Cumpton isn’t highlighted above, but I like the Brewers’ lineup today.

Lance Lynn is facing the Blue Jays tonight. His struggles with left handed batters are well documented, so Adam Lind, Jose Reyes, and Juan Francisco could be nice plays today. Andre Rienzo is facing off with the Angels in Anaheim. Rienzo has struggled with nearly everyone during his career, so there are some options there.

The Athletics are paying Baltimore a visit. Josh Donaldson, Yoenis Cespedes, and Derek Norris is my favorite stack in that game, depending on how the lineup shakes out. Orioles’ batters could also be stacked against A’s starter Tommy Milone, though.

Finally, Rubby de la Rosa was awesome last time out. He’ll get a stiffer test in Detroit, though.

The Daily Five

Blue Jays stack

Jose Reyes – $7,622
Melky Cabrera – $6,703
Adam Lind – $6,342
Juan Francisco – $6,509 (fourth option)

Lynn has really good stuff; the type of stuff it can be risky to pick against. However, the Blue Jays’ lineup has been on fire lately and Lynn’s struggles versus left handed batters can’t be ignored. If the lineup breaks right, we’ll have Toronto’s 1, 2, and 4 hitters.

Kyle Blanks – $4,937

I mentioned the Athletics’ matchup above. Add Blanks to the list of Oakland players that I am intrigued by today. Blanks is on Oakland’s roster for one reason: to hit lefties. At under $5,000, I like him a lot, especially in Camden Yards.

Brandon McCarthy – $13,995

Admittedly, I’m a little nervous typing this. McCarthy’s peripherals are good. He hasn’t been very good keeping the ball in the yard, though. The Braves’ offense has the ability to hit homers, but they also haven’t been very good all season, especially against right handed pitching. Their 77 wRC+ mark versus righties ranks 29th in the majors – there are 30 teams. It feels risky, but maybe it’s not quite as risky as it feels.

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