Reminder: Always double check the lineup card before rosters lock to make sure that a player you've chosen to roster is playing that day.
P- Noah Syndergaard vs. Chicago Cubs, $7,100
Syndergaard, the #9 prospect in the game according to Baseball Prospectus, has been called up to make his MLB debut tonight. Syndergaard dominated the PCL in 2015, posting a 1.82 ERA, 3.03 FIP and a 30% K%. This is especially impressive because the PCL, particularly Las Vegas, is very rough on pitchers. Syndergaard made strong developmental strides in 2015, throwing his curve and change up in fastball counts, which kept hitters off his 98 mph fastball, making him unpredictable and very difficult to time up. His pitch sequencing improved dramatically, which will serve him well in the big leagues.
Syndergaard faces the Cubs, who have the highest K% in baseball vs RHP at 26%. They also have a bottom third wRC+ vs RHP at 91. Syndergaard's 95-98 mph fastball, ferocious 83 mph curve and plus 85 mph change up, combined with the swing and miss in the Cubs lineup, will make him one of the strongest bets for a high strikeout total tomorrow. The direction of the wind at Wrigley tonight will be worth keeping an eye on, but even if the wind is blowing out, I'm comfortable starting Syndergaard. You may want to take a higher floor starter in a 50/50 or H2H matchup, like a Jake Arrieta, Chris Archer or Collin McHugh, but Syndergaard's strikeout upside and low price makes him my favorite tournament format play.
I wrote a detailed article on Syndergaard back in March, go read it here.
C- Wilin Rosario vs. C.J. Wilson, $3,000
Rosario will likely be playing 1B tomorrow against the left handed CJ Wilson. Rosario has destroyed LHP in his career, posting a 161 wRC+ with 30 HR in 388 PA. In 317 IP vs RHB since 2013, Wilson has a below average 3.97 ERA, 4.12 FIP and 4.25 xFIP. The fact that Rosario is catcher eligible despite playing 1B is a plus, and his value as the eighth catcher on FanDuel is strong vs the LHP.
OF- Adam Jones vs. Mark Buehrle, $3,700
In 404 PA dating back to the start of 2013, Jones is hitting LHP to a 142 wRC+, 27th best in baseball. Buehrle has a 3.91 FIP and 4.09 xFIP in 323 IP vs RHB during that time frame, both below average. The 36 year old Buehrle has been getting hit harder vs RHB in 2015, too: his 20.6% hard hit% against is well below average and significantly higher than it was last season, and it's lined up with an increase in FIP (5.08) and xFIP (4.42). Camden Yards is a good park for right handed power, and Jones is affordable at $3,700.
1B- Jose Abreu vs. Mike Fiers, $3,400
Abreu price has dramatically fallen from where it was earlier this year and this price seems awfully low for a player of his skill level. Look at this ZiPS projection for Abreu the rest of the way: 491 PA, 27 HR, 147 wRC+. Fiers' ZiPS projection pins him at a 4.18 ERA and 4.12 FIP. The matchup takes place in a good hitters park in Milwaukee, and Fiers doesn't have platoon splits. Fiers also gives up an above average amount of fly balls at about 40%, which increases the chances of Abreu hitting a dinger in the hitter friendly Miller Park. I wasn't as high on Abreu as most before the season started, but he's still a stud, and this price screams value.
Pirates hitters vs Sean O'Sullivan
The Pirates get a big park upgrade moving to Citizens Bank Ballpark, and they face Sean O'Sullivan, who is probably the least effective pitcher on tomorrow's slate. ZiPS projects a 5.44 ERA for him the rest of the way. 2B Neil Walker is priced at $3,000 and has hit RHP to a 132 wRC+ in his last 1000 PA dating back to 2013. OF Starling Marte is a little pricy at $4,000, but he has 66 SB in his last 1017 PA vs RHB with a 115 wRC+.
Follow me on Twitter at @TimFinn521, I usually tweet out more good options as lineups are released.