daily fantasy sports articles

The crazy schedule of BBL09 kicks into gear with a remarkable 6 games in the next three days. Game 41 features the top of the table Melbourne Stars (9-1) taking on the Perth Scorchers (5-5) at the MCG. This game is the first of a Double Header on Saturday with this game starting at 3.45pm AEDT.

First of all, along with our famous  FREE Cheat Sheets and Data Tools in our Data Tools section, new for the BBL09 season, Daily Fantasy Rankings presents the Draftstars Lineup Builder! Using our Data Tools and Projections you will be able to quickly build and import BBL teams into Draftstars by using the CSV upload. Access the Builder including tutorials on how the builder works by clicking the banner below.

Draftstars have posted a $15,000 contest for a $15 entry, as well as a $1,500 Mini and even a $200 Single Entry contest for a $10 buy-in. A Double Header contest is also available with the "Player Swap" feature enabled. Moneyball are offering a $3,000 contest for a $15 entry as well as a $500 guarantee on their $2 contest.

These two teams recently played at Optus Stadium on Wednesday night with the Stars giving the Scorchers an almighty thrashing. The Stars rolled the Scorchers for 86 on their home deck then easily chased the runs in 12 overs and only losing 2 wickets. Both Jackson Coleman (3-16 102 Fantasy Points) and Sandeep Lamichhane (2-7 91 Fantasy Points) were the main destroyers for the Stars. Marcus Stoinis continues his remarkable form notching his 4th not out of the tournament on route to a 39no off 31 balls. For the Scorchers it was hard to find any highlights from a “fatigued” team. Although Josh Inglis did give the Scorchers a good start with 37 off 19 balls which included 2 sixes. Inglis has averaged 75 fantasy points in the last 4 matches and it is only now that his name is being put up for potential higher honours.

The much talked about MCG square is starting to become a batsman paradise, which was evident with 394 runs scored in the previous matchup between the Stars and the Sixers. We all marvelled at Marcus Stoinis remarkable 147 off 79 ball effort but Sixers batsman were able to go at least 8.5 runs an over on this pitch. The weather in Melbourne will be slightly cloudy but chances of smoke haze will be evident.

The Scorchers squad has just the one change. The Scorchers welcome back Kurtis Patterson for the first time after recovering from a severe quad injury. Liam Guthrie has been omitted.

The Stars are massive favourites to beat the Scorchers for the 2nd time in 4 days. The flight schedule has been brutal for the Scorchers having flown PER-HBA-PER-MEL since last Sunday. Not having Rauf available is a small relief for the Scorchers but will need to stop the irresistible form of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell to give themselves a chance here. The introduction of Patterson back into the squad does throw some speculation on the batting order going forward. I believe if Patterson does play he will slot into 3 and keep Marsh at 4 and Bancroft at 5. But we need to look at the teams after the bat flip.

Access our FREE Data Tools for Saturday's BBL Matchup here

Batsman 

Love It - Hilton Cartwright ($12,000 Draftstars)

Whilst Maxwell and Stoinis are excellent fantasy options the price of them both makes them hard to force competitive fantasy teams. Cartwright however has taken his opportunity to open the batting with Stoinis. Whilst his 25 ball 19 run effort was a low fantasy score, he did not need to push the pace chasing a low score. With a batting MCG deck ready for runs again, Cartwright is at a fantastic price at the top of the order.

Don’t Love It - Cameron Bancroft ($14,600 Draftstars)

Bancroft started off batting at 3 but with the brief introduction of Sam Whiteman into the side, then experimenting with Cameron Green at 3, Bancroft now finds himself batting at 5. Whilst he is still getting the opportunity to bat in each innings he hasn’t produce a big score in his last two matches. If Bancroft is back at 3 we can consider him but tough price for a batsman only at 5. 

Who Knows - Nick Larkin ($10,700 Draftstars)

Poor Larkin hasn’t has a bat in two matches now after the openers have destroyed attacks for the Stars. Slated to bat 6 behind Seb Gotch and Glenn Maxwell, I could easily put Larkin in the “Don’t Love It” section. But the Stars may run out of patience with Ben Dunk and might throw Larkin back up at 3 to get a bat. Will need to monitor team news.   

Bowlers 

Love it - Nathan Coulter-Nile ($16,600 Draftstars)

With two key fast bowlers now out of the squad (Rauf and Coleman) the Stars pace attack will be spearheaded by Coulter-Nile. After being rested from the Sixers match at the MCG and only bowled 2 overs against the Scorchers in Perth, NCN should be fresh and ready to go. Will bowl more death overs in the absence of Rauf which will bring more opportunity of wickets.   

Don’t Love It - Joel Paris ($10,000 Draftstars)

Starting to realise why Paris has been cheap all season long with his ability not to pick up wickets and failing to score economy bonuses. 5 matches this season for 3 wickets and has not hit an economy bonus. Not sure Paris will turn it around on this flat MCG deck. Tough to avoid at the price but I would look elsewhere.

Who Knows - Lance Merlo ($8,800 Draftstars)

Merlo was left out of the squad for the match on Wednesday but is back after Rauf’s international selection. Merlo has gone for runs so far (6 overs for 63 runs over 2 games) but did pick up 1 wicket against the Sixers. With the lack of pace options for the Stars it could be a great opportunity for Merlo to strike.