This week’s daily fantasy baseball must-start pitchers
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Tuesday - LHP Robbie Ray, Diamondbacks (vs. Tigers)
Ray was one of the most frustrating players in daily fantasy last season, capable of racking up double-digit strikeouts in a given start but rarely able to last long enough to do so. The strikeouts are still there in abundance this season, but he's rocking a modest 3.49 ERA while doing a good job of keeping the ball in the park (four homers allowed over 36 1-3 innings). He has struggled at home, but the Tigers come into the week with a 21.3 percent strikeout rate and can be exploited. Lean on Ray as a tournament option.
Wednesday - RHP Yu Darvish, Rangers (vs. Padres)
Darvish was slightly less irritating than Ray last season, though control issues often capped his daily fantasy upside despite being one of the top strikeout pitchers in the majors. Darvish has looked much better so far in 2017, throwing seven or more innings in three of his first seven starts. The walks are still a niggling issue, but he should have no trouble corralling an overmatched Padres team. Darvish will cost a mint, but he's playable in all formats as one of the top options on the slate.
Thursday - LHP Jason Vargas, Royals (at Rays)
On a night when Clayton Kershaw toes the rubber, did you ever think six weeks ago we'd be recommending fellow left-hander Vargas instead? Kershaw is a hard fade Thursday as he tangles with the Colorado Rockies at hitter-happy Coors Field, while Vargas looks to continue his incredible early season run against a Tampa Bay team that enters the week with the third-highest K rate in the league. Vargas might not have tournament-level upside, but he's the safest cash-game play of the day.
Friday - LHP Danny Duffy, Royals (vs. Orioles)
Sometimes, your best bet is to ride a starter who has been pitching well - and other times, you might be inclined to take a hurler whose struggles have resulted in a lower price point. Duffy fits the latter category, having dropped three straight decisions while compiling just 12 strikeouts over his previous four starts. The Orioles have the league's fourth-lowest wOBA against left-handed pitching, so Duffy should at least be in good shape for a win. Trust him in cash games, but not in tournaments.
Saturday - LHP Chris Sale, Red Sox (vs. Rays)
This is the easiest choice you'll have to make all week - at least, with regard to your daily fantasy starting pitcher. Sale is off to an incredible start to the season, racking up double-digit strikeouts in six consecutive games while giving up just a pair of home runs over his first 51 2-3 innings. The Rays are only league-average versus lefties so far this season, but were held to a run on three hits over seven dominant innings the last time they faced Sale. Spend up for him in all formats.
Sunday - RHP Max Scherzer, Nationals (vs. Phillies)
This is a dream matchup for Scherzer, who is coming off a terrific seven-inning performance against Arizona (7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 12 K) last time out. Scherzer cruised past the Phillies in their first meeting of the season, striking out seven over 6 2-3 innings. And, while he has surrendered five home runs over his previous three starts, he shouldn't be threatened against a Philadelphia lineup boasting the league's second-lowest wOBA versus right-handers. He is suitable for rostering in both cash games and tournaments.
Four players who contribute without home runs
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These players are probably not the best fit for your large-field events, since they lack the upside of a Mark Reynolds or a Khris Davis. They are, however, ideal for cash-game competitions, as they tend to be more consistent fantasy producers than the league's top home run threats. Keep them in mind whenever you're building a 50/50 or H2H lineup.
OF Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds
Hamilton is the ultimate non-power fantasy threat, armed with the fastest wheels in the majors and perched atop the Reds lineup for the foreseeable future. Hamilton came into Wednesday batting just .252 with a modest .306 on-base percentage, but that hasn't prevented him from racking up a league-high 19 steals on just 20 attempts.
Hamilton is a threat to steal every time he reaches base - and with two stolen bases equal to one home run, he is just as prolific as the league's top sluggers. Add in the fact that he has four triples already on the young season - each worth nine points apiece -and you can confidently roster Hamilton on any night without needing him to fluke a ball over the fence.
2B Dee Gordon, Miami Marlins
Gordon is in the same boat as Hamilton, blessed with sensational speed and a spot at the top of the Miami batting order. He isn't quite as prolific on the basepaths as his Reds counterpart, but Gordon has traditionally been a much better hitter - though you wouldn't know it so far this season, as he entered Wednesday batting a pedestrian .262.
Gordon led the majors in hits in 2015, and topped the National League with a .333 average. That wasn't so long ago, and even if that was his peak, he's still capable of batting north of .280 - an average boost that will see a subsequent rise in runs scored and stolen bases. If Hamilton is too rich for your liking, consider taking a flier on Gordon - or, if you're feeling brave, roster them both.
OF Nick Markakis, Atlanta Braves
Markakis is the first non-speedster on the list, but that doesn't mean he's any less capable of putting up solid FanDuel performances. Markakis has never been a big power threat - topping out at 23 home runs in a season - but he finds himself in the heart of the Atlanta batting order, which means plenty of RBI chances - and he has shown he can capitalize on those.
The veteran outfielder racked up 89 RBIs despite hitting just 13 home runs a season ago, and is on a similar path so far this season with one home run and 13 RBIs entering Wednesday. He hits for a good average, and provides a nice baseline for cash-game scoring even though the chances of him going deep are remote.
2B/SS Jean Segura, Seattle Mariners
Segura fits into the first category - players who generate fantasy points with their legs - but made some believe he was a dual threat after slugging 20 homers last season in Arizona. He has gone deep three times already this season, but fantasy players shouldn't expect the power surge to continue - Safeco Field is far less homer-friendly than Chase Field.
That said, Segura is red hot right now, leading the American League with a .364 average following Wednesday's victory over Philadelphia with 21 runs scored in 22 games. Confidently roster him in your cash-game entries as one of the league's top hitters and the leadoff man for one of baseball's most potent lineups.