3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target on 4/12/18

Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Price: $5,300

Our top-projected batter on the slate, Mike Trout is in a spot that is very similar to Harper's. The Los Angeles Angels have a strong 5.02 implied total, and they draw a great matchup against Kansas City Royals righty Ian Kennedy.

Kennedy finished 2017 with a 4.88 SIERA and 9.3% walk rate, both of which are his worst marks since 2009. He also gave up some pretty ridiculous contact, allowing a 41.7% hard-hit rate, 11.8% soft-hit rate and 47.7% fly-ball rate.

The 33-year-old hasn't allowed much production through two starts this season, but a guy who has seen his SIERA climb in each of the last three years isn't likely to be making a huge jump in talent level. His batted-ball profile also makes it look unlikely that he's actually a different pitcher than he was last year as he is giving up a 46.7% hard-hit rate, 13.3% soft-hit rate and 39.3% fly-ball rate so far.

Mike Trout absolutely mashes righties, and with Kennedy allowing that kind of contact, this is a great spot for the Angels' start. Trout has a 44.4% hard-hit rate against right-handed pitching to start the season. Last year, he turned a 39.8% hard-hit rate versus righties into a massive .450 wOBA and .359 ISO. He's pricey, but this is a juicy spot.

Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.