We've got a nice medium-sized slate Monday, featuring a number of interesting pitchers and highlighted by Justin Verlander, Blake Snell, and Mike Clevinger. This article will feature a few other options, but if you want to build a lineup around a premium pitcher, Verlander is the cash game play. Meanwhile, some standout stacks on the slate include Seattle and Cleveland.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 6/25/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @DanMarcus3.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Cole Hamels - SP, vs. SD ($8,900)
Hamels doesn’t stand out amongst the pitchers on this slate in terms of strikeout rate, but he has the benefit of taking the mound against the Padres. That lineup features seven players (not all will be in the lineup Monday) with a strikeout rate over 30% with only a third of their available bats having recorded a wRC+ over 100 against southpaws. The start comes at Arlington which downgrades him a bit due to it being a good hitting environment, but the matchup is still worth exploiting.
Seth Lugo - SP, vs. PIT ($5,900)
Lugo’s pricepoint is baffling -- he’s been fully stretched out as a starter -- as he's thrown 84, 100, and 72 pitches in his last three starts respectively, meaning he isn's likely to be on a prohibitive pitch count. While he’s coming off a horrendous start at Coors Field, he’ll be back in the more friendly confines of Citi Field with a matchup against the Pirates, who don’t boast many power bats. His punt pricing makes him one of the more attractive options on the slate.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Freddie Freeman - 1B , vs. CIN ($4,700)
It’s not particularly hard to come up with reasons to play Freeman, but he has a tremendous matchup Monday. Tyler Mahle has allowed 2.65 HR/9 to opposing left-handed batters this season. As a result, Freeman is a top target in all contests on Monday’s slate.
Cesar Hernandez - 2B, vs. NYY ($3,800)
It was difficult to find a standout option at second base, so going to the leadoff hitter on a team in a good matchup is a good default to turn to. Hernandez is a bit pricy, but there are a number of cheaper plays to offset paying up at this position.
Daniel Robertson - SS, vs. WAS ($2,300)
Speaking of cheap hitting options, Robertson checks in at only $2,300 despite recording a .241 ISO and 151 wRC+ against opposing left-handed pitchers on the season. He’s been decent in his return from the DL, recording a double in each of his starts. While the matchup against Gio Gonzalez doesn’t stand out as positive, his punt-level price point lowers his risk.
Christian Villanueva - 3B, @ TEX ($2,900)
While the ineptitude of the Padres’ lineup against left-handed pitching was already highlighted, Villanueva is an exception. He’s recorded a .515 ISO against southpaws on the season and will get a positive park shift. With his price tag at just $2,900, Villanueva is another salary relief option on the slate.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz - OF, vs. BAL ($4,200)
Nelson Cruz has a .422 ISO over the last 30 days and now gets a matchup against Andrew Cashner, who has allowed 1.53 HR/9 on the season. Cruz and Freeman are my cash game building blocks on the slate.
Lonnie Chisenhall - OF, @ STL ($2,600)
Chisenhall has shown precious little power, but he is a nice cash game option thanks to his .355 wOBA versus right-handed pitching. The Indians are favorites on the road, so there’s an increased chance that Chisenhall picks up some counting stats to boost his cash game value.
Also Consider: Matt Kemp - OF, vs. CHI ($3,400)