Amazin’ Fantasy Picks: Mets Musts for 8/22 vs. Rockies

Amazin’ Fantasy Picks is a new gameday feature by co-editor Kenny DeJ0hn. On gamedays, these posts will look into the best Mets plays for Daily Fantasy Baseball — specifically on FanDuel. At most, we’ll pick four Mets to target, and we’ll include valid reasons as to why they need to be locked into your lineups. All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs.

The bats were on fire in Colorado on Friday night.

Yoenis Cespedes stole the show with three home runs and seven RBI. He was not highlighted in yesterday’s Amazin’ Fantasy Picks, and I must say I am disappointed in myself for not instructing you all to get him active. Alas, one can’t be perfect all the time when it comes to daily fantasy baseball.

But, to be fair, Lucas Duda, Curtis Granderson and Travis D’Arnaud each had at least one hit and one RBI. Not bad, to be honest.

Juan Uribe didn’t play, as manager Terry Collins instead inserted Kelly Johnson into the lineup, bumping Daniel Murphy to third base. Uribe recorded an out in a pinch-hit appearance.

Saturday’s game, an 8:10 p.m. ET start, features a favorable matchup for Mets right-handed batters. The Rockies will throw Chris Rusin (a lefty) on the mound, and while he’s been decent of late, there are bats in this lineup that should feast.

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Wilmer Flores, 2B, $3,400

Wilmer Flores isn’t the most glamorous option at second base, but his cheap price tag makes him a steal against left-handed pitching. On the season, Flores boasts a .853 OPS, .220 ISO and .364 wOBA against southpaws. Those are above average marks, especially for a second baseman.

Flores is also on a mini three-game hitting streak, which includes a home run against Baltimore on Aug. 19. Plug him into the lineup, and watch your point total rise.

Travis D’Arnaud, C, $3,900

This marks the second day in a row that D’Arnaud is priced at $3,900, and this matchup is arguably even better than the previous one against Jon Gray.

D’Arnaud owns similar numbers to Flores against lefties, posting marks of .837 (OPS), .211 (ISO) and .365 (wOBA). If he’s in the lineup, D’Arnaud is a strong play.

BONUS: If D’Arnaud doesn’t play, Anthony Recker should also be considered. He absolutely destroys lefties, evidenced by his .333 ISO this season against them. Recker is a risk play given his propensity to strike out, but at a price of $3,000, it might be a risk worth taking.

Yoenis Cespedes, OF, $4,900

Cespedes made Rockies pitching cry on Friday evening, and if you’re looking to spend on a big bat riding somewhat of a hot streak, look no further than Yo.

He has respectable numbers against lefties in 2015 (.750 OPS, .167 ISO, .302 wOBA), but failing to play a big power bat with a handedness advantage in Coors Field is something you might not forgive yourself for.

There isn’t much to say here. Cespedes is a streaky hitter, and he’s on a tear in the past 24 hours.

Juan Lagares, OF, $3,000

This is the Mets’ punt play of the day. Juan Lagares hasn’t found consistent playing time of late, but he’s a near lock to start against Rusin.

At $3,000, Lagares’ .802 OPS, .144 ISO and .349 wOBA are significantly undervalued. Those marks against lefties are worthy of a higher price tag, so be smart and play him in a tournament lineup that you have high hopes for.

It’s understandable to shy away from him in a cash lineup given the uncertainty around his game this season, but now’s the time to chance it.