Fan Duel (vs. Draft Kings) MLB Tips

General MLB Tips for Fan Duel (vs. Draft Kings)

Dean Krikorian, Ph.D. “The Draft Dr.”

I was asked to provide some tips on Fan Duel MLB, so here are some general bullet points:

• Look for FD Bargains: Fan Duel & Draft Kings have varied prices. Which players are expensive on DK & relatively cheap on FD? This is a Cost Savings Factor: Why go to AM/PM to buy a can of beans, when it's much cheaper at the grocery store across the street? - It's the same can of beans! (Tho mine probably strikeout less, lol).
• Look for recent price changes: Whether a player goes up or down in value gives an indicator of their relative momentum: U want 2 catch a player while he's rising. 
• Look for hot players who have maintained points over the last week or so. This will give an index on a player being “hot or not.” 
• Put the above together & u form Value on each player by position. It's ur own algorithm. Which do you value more? Hot, cheap, rising, or just because? In the end I come up with my own Valu Index rating each player for the days slate. It is based on a combination of hot, rising, & cheap players. This is what I do. Check my June 1 post for each positions’ Valu stats leaders. 

Some specific tips:

• The 1B/C combined position is new to FD this year. There is the most variation in this position & where u can distinguish ur team: 1B/C traditional are the most difficult to gauge as a group. Here u can find a bargain: I often put in a 1B/C in my Utility position as well. Try it, especially in small-slate tourneys: U can stand out more this way.
• Don't fret if u leave a few $ in the till, another way to distinguish ur team (The Jonny Rule)
• Don't be afraid to enter unfilled “win ticket” leagues. They can be a bargain. I generally look for < 70% filled tourneys. Odds are odds. 
• Try to play in all of the 1-entry-max leagues. These provide a more level playing field.
• Play in ur share of smaller $3-$12 leagues. These usually need fewer points to payout. 
• Try the “Beat the Score” Leagues. This will help u think about how to draft teams. I usually enter one $3 contest just to keep track.
• Single game formats are maddening: Every little thing matters big. Try to enter Main Contests. 
• Choose a few top players from each position & list as a baseball diamond depth chart: Have this graphic at hand when u make ur teams.

Good luck/skill. Hope to see u on the leaderboard! Dk