How To Take Advantage Of Fantasy Baseball Scoring Differences Between FanDuel And DraftKings
2017 MLB update!
FanDuel has made major scoring changes to their baseball product as well as added in some games that offer late swap
Hitter And Pitcher Scoring At FanDuel
We’re going to refer repeatedly to the number of points awarded for an assortment of hitter and pitcher feats at FanDuel and DraftKings.
Compare Fanduel vs Draftkings
| Pitching | DraftKings | FanDuel | FantasyDraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Earned Run | -2 | -3 | -2 |
| Strikeout | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Inning Pitched | 2.25 | 3 | 2.25 |
| Hit Against | -0.60 | n/a | -0.6 |
| Base On Balls Against | -0.60 | -0.6 | |
| Hit Batter | -0.60 | -0.6 | |
| Complete Game | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| Complete Game Shut Out | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| No Hitter | 5 | 10 | |
| Loss | 0 | ||
| Perfect Game | 0 | ||
| Quality Start | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Hitting | DraftKings | FanDuel | FantasyDraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Double | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Triple | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| Home Run | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| RBI | 2 | 3.5 | 2 |
| Run Scored | 2 | 3.2 | 1 |
| Base On Balls | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Stolen Base | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Hit By Pitch | 3 | 2 | |
| Caught Stealing | -2 | ||
| Strikeout | -2 |
For easy reference, here’s the scoring system used at FanDuel:
Hitters
1st base = 3 point
2nd base = 6 points
3rd base = 9 points
Home run = 12 points
RBI = 3.5 point
Run = 3.2 point
Walk = 3 point
Stolen base = 6 points
Hit by pitch = 3 point
Pitchers
Win = 6 points
Qualit Start = 4 points
Earned run = -3 points
Strikeout = 3 points
Inning pitched = 3 points
Hitter And Pitcher Scoring At DraftKings
Following is the scoring system used at DraftKings for fantasy baseball contests:
Hitters
1st base = 3 points
2nd base = 5 points
3rd base = 8 points
Home run = 10 points
RBI = 2 points
Run = 2 points
Walk = 2 points
Stolen base = 5 points
Caught stealing = -2 points
Pitchers
Win = 4 points
Earned run = -2 points
Strikeout = 2 points
Inning pitched = 2.25 points
Hit against = -0.6 points
Walk = -0.6 points
Hit batter = -0.6 points
Complete game = 2.5 points
Complete game shut out = 2.5 points
No hitter = 5 points
Now, let’s contrast the differences between the two systems.
Pitchers – Major Differences In Fantasy MLB Scoring
| Pitching | DraftKings | FanDuel | FantasyDraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Earned Run | -2 | -3 | -2 |
| Strikeout | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Inning Pitched | 2.25 | 3 | 2.25 |
| Hit Against | -0.60 | n/a | -0.6 |
| Base On Balls Against | -0.60 | -0.6 | |
| Hit Batter | -0.60 | -0.6 | |
| Complete Game | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| Complete Game Shut Out | 2.5 | 2.5 | |
| No Hitter | 5 | 10 | |
| Loss | 0 | ||
| Perfect Game | 0 | ||
| Quality Start | 0 | 4 | 0 |
An important detail that isn’t noted above is the fact that DraftKings requires you to roster two pitchers while FanDuel only requires one. We’ll talk about that in more detail in a moment.
For now, let’s highlight some of the major discrepancies in points.
First, notice that DraftKings puts a lot more emphasis on strikeouts than FanDuel. *update for 2017, FD revamped scoring to match closer to that of DK. This article was first published in 2015 where there were large differences in how baseball was scored. This year, as the two sites are looking to merge, they are aligning their scoring closer and closer.
The difference between the two sites is easier to see if you convert the number of points awarded for a strikeout to a percentage of the number of points awarded for a win.
Note that both DraftKings and FanDuel award 4 points for a win. DraftKings awards 2 points for a strikeout (50% of a win) while FanDuel only awards 1 point (25% of a win). Strikeouts are thus more valuable at DK.
Second, notice that DK awards 2.25 points for each inning pitched (56.25% of a win). Meanwhile, FanDuel only awards 1 point (25% of a win). As with strikeouts, innings pitched are more valuable at DK.
Third, look at the number of points deducted for earned runs. At DK, you’ll lose 2 points (50% of a win). At FD, you’ll only lose 1 point (25% of a win). There’s a stiffer penalty at DraftKings. The penalties are the same % now.
We’ll explore ways to take advantage of those differences in the following section.
Scoring Differences for Hitters
| Hitting | DraftKings | FanDuel | FantasyDraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Double | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Triple | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| Home Run | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| RBI | 2 | 3.5 | 2 |
| Run Scored | 2 | 3.2 | 1 |
| Base On Balls | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Stolen Base | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Hit By Pitch | 3 | 2 | |
| Caught Stealing | -2 | ||
| Strikeout | -2 |
First, DraftKings doesn’t penalize you for an out. FanDuel does to the tune of -0.25 points.
Second, DraftKings DOES penalize you – you lose 2 points – if one of your runners gets caught stealing bases. There’s no such penalty at FanDuel.
Third, take a look at the number of points awarded for a single. DraftKings awards 3 points while FanDuel only awards 1 point.
To see the difference in relative value, let’s convert those numbers to percentages based on the number of points awarded for a home run at each site. DraftKings awards 10 points for a home run while FanDuel awards 4 points. Given those numbers, a single at DK is worth 30% of a home run while a single at FD is worth only 25%.
Notice that DK puts LESS emphasis on runs scored than FD. You’ll receive 2 points for each run scored at DraftKings (20% of a home run) versus 1 point at FanDuel (25% of a home run). The same numbers and percentages hold true for RBIs.
Bottom line? Runs and RBIs have greater value at FanDuel.
Those are the biggest differences between the two MLB scoring systems. As you’ve probably noticed, there are others.
For example, pitchers who man the hill for an entire game earn a bonus of 2.5 points at DraftKings. No such bonus is awarded at FanDuel. But keep in mind, the odds of that happening are pretty small. Most teams will bring in a closer for the late innings.
Now that we have some hard numbers to work with, let’s talk about how to use them for pitcher selection.
How To Exploit Scoring Differences When Drafting Pitchers
Recall that you need to roster 2 pitchers at DraftKings. Given the site’s salary cap, it’s almost impossible to draft 2 aces for the same contest. If you pony up the cash for Clayton Kershaw, you’ll need to conserve your budget and select a value play for the second slot. That’s the only way you’ll be able to afford hitters who offer solid production.
Earlier, we highlighted 3 areas in which there are major differences in pitcher scoring between DraftKings and FanDuel:
1. strikeouts
2. innings pitched
3. earned runs
First, strikeouts and innings pitched.
All other variables being equal, if you’re playing at DraftKings, you want to roster someone who has strong strikeout record. Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles), Brandon McCarthy (Los Angeles), Max Scherzer (Washington) Corey Kluber (Cleveland), Scott Kazmir (Oakland) and Felix Hernandez (Seattle) have been tearing up the boards this season.
Most of them also occupy the top ranks in terms of innings pitched. That means they should be on your short list.
Next, look at each of those players’ earned runs. Kershaw and McCarthy are pretty high in that area. By contrast, Scherzer and Kazmir have been more effective at keeping a lid on ERs. That’s important to keep in mind if you’re playing at DraftKings since earned runs carry a heavier penalty there.
You can tell from the numbers posted earlier that FanDuel’s pitcher scoring is very simple. The emphasis is on wins, with a minor emphasis on innings pitched. That being the case, you want to choose a strong arm with a lot of precision and endurance.
Let’s now talk about batter selection in light of the different scoring systems at DK and FD.
How To Leverage Scoring Differences When Rostering Hitters
Recall from earlier that the 3 biggest differences in hitter scoring lie in the following areas:
1. outs
2. caught stealing
3. singles
Outs are self-explanatory. If you roster a player who’s having trouble getting on base, you’re going to get heavily penalized at FanDuel. At DraftKings, outs aren’t as big of an issue since there’s no penalty for them.
Players who routinely steal bases, or attempt to do so, pose a much bigger risk on DK than FD. Remember, at DraftKings, 2 points are deducted from your score each time one of your players is put out while attempting to steal. There’s no such penalty at FanDuel.
Fanduel MLB vs Draftkings Baseball
The differences between them spell opportunity for savvy team owners. Of course, opportunity for some players means misfortune for others. Team owners who forget to take scoring systems into account when building their fantasy baseball lineups put themselves at a huge disadvantage. Fortunately, you’re smarter than that. That’s why you’re here.
I’ve talked about the disparities between FanDuel and DraftKings’ MLB scoring systems in the past. I’ve also given you a few ideas for exploiting those disparities and gaining an edge on your competition. Today, we’ll drill more deeply into this area. You’ll learn several ways to leverage the differences in your favor.
A large percentage of the field in any MLB contest at FanDuel and DraftKings will pay no heed to the differences in how pitchers and hitters earn points at those two sites.
Take advantage of their oversight. The knowledge will put you in a better position to leapfrog past your competition and grab a piece of the prize pool.
Final Thoughts On DK and FD’s Daily Fantasy MLB Scoring Systems
The differences between FanDuel and DraftKings’ fantasy baseball scoring systems have changed in 2017 compared to how they were when I first published this article in 2015. Today, the differences are fewer. They are maneuvering to make a merge of companies smoother for the player bases.
There are a few minor differences where you can squeeze more points from your lineups. Having said that, evaluating pitcher and hitter performance in light of the scoring discrepancies between the two sites should only represent one part of your draft strategy. You should also track key statistics, look for favorable match-ups and check the injury report before drafting players.
Remember, your goal is to maximize your chances of winning. Leverage every possible advantage at your disposal when playing at FanDuel and DraftKings.
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