This article is part of our FantasyDraft MLB series.
FantasyDraft has released its MLB DFS product, and this is the biggest week of tournaments since the re-launch, so be sure to get your picks in for Friday's slate of games.
For those unfamiliar with FantasyDraft's MLB product, click through for the scoring/rules and available contest types.
FantasyDraft's roster construction is as follows: two pitchers, three infielders (can be anyone listed as a catcher, first base, second base, third base, or shortstop), three outfielders and two utility spots.
For Friday's slate, FantasyDraft has over $10,000 in guaranteed contests.
FantasyDraft offers contests at a benefit to players, because there is a multi-entry cap on tournaments. This allows just a few lineups per player to be entered, making for a more level playing field in terms of how many entries one player owns.
There are four big tournaments on FantasyDraft for Friday's slate:
-- $3,500 Called Up - $25 Entry
-- $2,500 Line Drive - $5 Entry
-- $1,000 Two Seamer - $2 Entry
-- $500 Ace - $1 Entry
This weekend's contests have a larger payout zone on FantasyDraft, meaning you have an even better chance of cashing than in regular contests. In the $5 tournament, 139 entries are paid out. That is a percentage of 25 percent, or five percent higher than most tournaments pay.
Each week, RotoWire will provide picks and analysis for players to target on FantasyDraft or your DFS MLB lineups.
Pitcher
Value Play
Chris Tillman, BAL, $11,400
Tillman faces off against Tampa Bay on Friday, which gives him a top matchup against a porous offense. The Rays rank amongst the worst in baseball against right-handed pitching, as their team's wOBA (weighted on base average) is at .291.
In addition, the Rays are striking out at an alarming rate of 22.1 percent. This gives Tillman a better chance of notching more fantasy points, as the strikeout is a primary source of scoring.
Tillman has been excellent of late, allowing just four earned runs in his last four starts combined. His strikeout rate has risen as he's struck out 24 batters in his last 25 innings of work.
Top Play
Corey Kluber, CLE, $22,400
Kluber is nearly twice the cost of some pitchers, but he has the ability to return twice the value as well. Kluber has a strikeout rate of 28.2 percent, which ranks among the highest in baseball.
The Indians face the White Sox on Friday, which gives Kluber a boost in a great matchup. The White Sox have a wOBA of .296 and an isolated power rating of .124 against right-handed pitching, making them one of the top weakest to pitch against.
Considering Kluber's success and his matchup, it's tough to select another pitcher over him, even Max Scherzer.
Infield
Value Play
Yonder Alonso, SD, $5,700
Alonso will face right-handed pitcher Dan Haren on Friday. Haren has been very successful against right-handed batters this season but the same cannot be said for his work against lefties.
Left-handed batters are slugging .500 against Haren this season, meaning they average one base every two at-bats. Alonso has had success against right-handed pitching himself, batting .280 against righties throughout his career.
Considering Alonso's price and spot in the lineup, he is a solid value play on FantasyDraft.
Top Play
Todd Frazier, CIN, $10,500
Coors Field hitters will be owned everywhere on Friday, and Frazier is the top infield option on the day against Eddie Butler. Butler has allowed a .296 batting average and a slugging percentage of .486 to right-handed hitters.
Considering that Butler has given up nine home runs in 70 career innings, he will be a target in a game that is expected to total close to 11 runs, according to the Vegas odds.
Frazier is a threat to hit a home run in any ballpark, so Coors Field gives him even more of a boost. Combining that with his current .572 slugging percentage, and a good matchup, it makes for a perfect storm for the Home Run Derby winner.
Outfield
Value Play
Ryan Raburn, CLE, $4,200
Each time the Indians face a left-handed pitcher, Raburn finds his way into the middle of the lineup. Friday is unlikely to be an exception as Jose Quintana starts for the White Sox.
Quintana has been lockdown against left-handed batters this season, but he has allowed right-handed hitters to bat close to .300. Meanwhile, Raburn is a platoon specialist, as he has hit .308 against southpaws this season.
Given Quintana's struggles to righties and Raburn's success against left-handed pitching, his price of $4,200 is a bargain. Remember, Raburn is likely to hit cleanup for the Indians.
Top Play
Charlie Blackmon, COL, $10,400
Blackmon is priced up there with Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, so why is he on this list and not either of the MVP candidates?
Blackmon is the leadoff batter for the favored team in a game with an over/under set at 11 runs. In addition, he is hitting .323 at Coors Field this season and crushes right-handed pitching.
Blackmon will face Anthony DeSclafani on Friday. The Reds' righty has allowed a .337 wOBA to opposing left-handed hitters, making Blackmon a preferred option in the outfield on FantasyDraft.
In tournaments, most players will spend the few extra bucks on Harper and/or Trout, so Blackmon's ownership will not be as high as one would think. This makes him an excellent target in GPP contests.
What are you waiting for? Join FantasyDraft today and get in on the fun!
