This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
If the first few weeks are any indication, 2018 will be the year of the weather in DFS.
While the snow and spring showers wiping out games on a day-to-day basis will be gone soon enough, you can't help but wonder if more unusual things like the ice falling from CN Tower and the hole in the roof at Rogers Centre are in store.
Conditions permitting, the Royals and Jays are set for a doubleheader Tuesday, while the Marlins-Yankees and Orioles-Tigers matchups are also set for earlier than usual starts (6:35 pm ET).
An early look look at the forecast for Tuesday night is encouraging, however, and monitoring the situation throughout the afternoon and evening is prudent.
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Pitcher
Patrick Corbin, AZ vs. SF ($9,500) -- Corbin is cruising to begin the season, with a 29:4 K:BB in 18.1 innings over his first three starts. He's throwing more sliders than ever thus far, which may ultimately enable him to sustain a new career-high K%, even if the gaudy 40.9% mark he's offered to this point is unsustainable. Even with their additions winter, the Giants' lineup doesn't appear to be one to fear, and with more opportunities against left-handed pitching than any other team to this point, they've posted a combined .231/.294/.363 line against southpaws (24.6% K%) thus far.
Also consider: Corey Kluber, CLE vs. MIN *in Puerto Rico ($11,400), Shohei Ohtani, LAA vs. BOS ($10,500)
GPP Fade: Alex Wood, LAD at SD ($8,400) -- The Padres have picked up right where they left off in 2017 with their strikeout rate -- rankings third in MLB with a 25.6% K% to begin the season. Against lefties, they've been closer to the league average, with a 23.9% K% -- 14th-highest in the league, and boasting a 118 wRC+, which ranks ninth. Remember, there several dangerous San Diego bats against lefties: Hunter Renfroe, Christian Villanueva and Jose Pirela -- even with Wil Myers on the DL. Wood is reasonably priced, and he's in a pitcher-friendly environment, but this matchup is more difficult that it might seem at a glance.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Yonny Chirinos, TB vs. TEX ($6,000) -- I have become one of the Chirinos fanboys since discovering his impressive body of work in the minors last season. Moreover, the banged up Rangers lineup is a softer target than usual with Rougned Odor, Elvis Andrus, Delino DeShields Jr., and likely Jurickson Profar unavailable Tuesday. The Rays may have to open up a big lead for Chirinos to get deeper than six innings into any start this season, which likely limits his appeal to big-field tournaments, since he's facing an uphill battle to be eligible for the quality-start bonus, at least in the short term as the Rays limit his exposure to opposing hitters a third time through the order.
Catcher/First Base
Joey Votto, CIN at MIL ($3,600) -- Votto recorded his first extra-base hit of the season Monday in Milwaukee, driving a double to deep center field against one of the members of the Milwaukee bullpen. He's only offered double-digit points on three occasions this season (including Monday), but the matchup against Junior Guerra at Miller Park on Tuesday opens the door for another big night. He's $1,000 cheaper than Freddie Freeman on this slate, which will likely drive up ownership, but it's likely good chalk.
Second Base
Yoan Moncada, CHW at OAK ($3,300) -- It's a high-risk, high-reward tournament consideration only. Moncada's struggles to begin the season haven't cost him his hold on the leadoff spot yet (.192/.300/.308), and he's struck out multiple times in five of his last six games. Trevor Cahill makes his return to the mound for his first start of the year Tuesday, and even with his surge in strikeouts over the last two seasons, he's struggled with walks (12.3% and 11.8% BB% in 2016 and 2017, respectively).
Jose Altuve is $4,600 on Tuesday against Ariel Miranda, and not surprisingly, he's the highest-scoring second baseman based on projections. Without the necessary budget space to afford him, Jed Lowrie ($3,800) and Scooter Gennett ($3,100) are the cash alternatives.
Third Base
Travis Shaw, MIL vs. CIN ($3,300) -- Reds starter Sal Romano has allowed a .336 wOBA to lefties since arriving in the big leagues last season. There are worse splits to pick on as far as Tuesday's starting pitchers go, but the Reds' bullpen is shaping up to be one of the worst in the league again in 2018 -- entering play Tuesday, they are one of five bullpens that has been below replacement level to this point. Keep in mind, Miller Park boosts homers for lefties more than every park in MLB other than Yankee Stadium.
Shortstop
Francisco Lindor, CLE vs. MIN ($4,600) -- Jake Odorizzi struggles to keep the ball in the park against hitters on both sides of the plate, and Lindor should check in with a lower ownership rate than Carlos Correa ($4,700 vs. Ariel Miranda) for those considering that factor in tournaments. Lindor is one of a handful of players enjoying a homecoming in the two-game series being played by the Twins and Indians on Tuesday and Wednesday at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and he'll look to turn his .255/.322/.486 line against righties since the start of 2017 into a big game against Odorizzi and company.
Outfield
Domingo Santana, MIL vs. CIN ($2,800) -- A few things have changed for Santana early this season -- he's pulling the ball more often, and hitting the ball on the ground more than expected. The steady hard contact he was making last season (39.7% hard-hit rate) has turned into more medium (54.8%) and soft contact (14.3%). His approach still looks the same as last season when you watch his at-bats, which makes it particularly jarring to see his OBP (.338) dwarfing his SLG (.279). Santana may be an easy two-player stack option with Travis Shaw if the configuration of the Brewers' lineup is similar Tuesday to the series opening combo used by manager Craig Counsell on Monday (Santana hit third, Shaw hit fourth).
Khris Davis, OAK vs. CHW ($4,000) -- Davis draws Miguel Gonzalez in a home matchup Tuesday, and while the price is not cheap, it's fair for a source of big power in the heart of a lineup that could put up a few big innings against Gonzalez and the softer arms in the White Sox's bullpen. In terms of slugging percentage, Davis as a top-15 option in the outfield Tuesday with a .552 mark against righties.
Nick Williams, PHI at ATL ($2,500) -- The Phillies have been using Aaron Altherr against righties a bit more than I expected, but Williams has been able to maintain a line very similar to his rookie output from 2017. The uncertainty about his lineup status and placement in the batting order requires a check of the lineups prior to lock, but skills flaw for Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz continues to be struggle against lefties (.355 wOBA, 1.41 HR/9 since the start of 2016). Williams is a GPP target for me Tuesday if he gets the opportunity to start and potentially take advantage of the lefty-friendly lean of SunTrust Park.
