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FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball (DFS) picks for Friday, August 12

I list an unusually low priced punt play and two pitching options for today's game.

By Timothy Finnegan

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Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

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ARod, who is playing his last game as a Yankee in Yankee Stadium, is being priced at $696 today as a tribute to his home run total for his career. The normal FanDuel minimum is $2,000.

ARod serves as the ultimate punt play at that price. He's had a horrible season with a 49 wRC+ and .139 ISO vs RHP, but he provides big salary relief to fit either an ace pitcher in or a few more stud hitters. He faces Chris Archer, who has allowed a .248/.314/.417 line to RHB this year with a 3.97 FIP. The chances of ARod being productive today are very small, but his ability to provide large salary relief to load up elsewhere will make him a staple punt play in my lineup. With FanDuel removing negative points for outs this year, punt plays become a more appealing option.

For pitching, there are a few good options today. The best expensive one is Stephen Strasburg ($11,600) vs the Braves. The Braves are the worst offense in baseball vs RHP with an 81 wRC+ and .123 ISO. Strasburg is having the best season of his career with a 2.80 ERA, 2.79 FIP and 31% strikeout rate. The 90 mph slider that he added this spring to his pitch mix probably has something to do with his higher level of success this year. The below average Mike Foltynewicz opposes Strasburg, who has allowed a 4.37 ERA and 4.67 FIP this year, which will help with run support. Strasburg looks to be a strong bet to prevent runs and get the win.

For some more salary relief, Jon Gray ($8,300) faces the Phillies on the road in Philadelphia. Gray is limiting batters to a very strong .220/.316/.341 triple slash on the road this year with an above average 3.95 FIP. Gray faces a Phillies lineup that ranks as the 2nd worst offense vs RHP by wRC+ at 83.