For Monday's slate of Major League Baseball games, I'll focus on the evening contests (first pitch of 7:07 PM EST and later). Be sure to double-check the weather and the lineups before finalizing your roster.
Weather is not expected to be a problem, with three games being played in stadiums with retractable roofs or indoors, and the five games outdoors are in cities with a precipitation forecast of 10 percent or less. In addition, winds will be blowing at less than 8 mph in all MLB parks on Monday, so that won't be a dictating factor when filling out lineups.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/1/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter @danieledobish.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Brad Peacock - P, at TEX ($7,900)
Peacock will be matched up against Rangers LHP Drew Smyly, a pitcher who hasn't worked in a Major League game since 2016 due to Tommy John surgery. Sure, the Rangers lineup for up some impressive numbers against the Chicago Cubs pitching staff over the weekend, but look for Peacock to fare much better and rack up a handful of strikeouts with a victory. Remember, the Astros have won 17 of their past 21 trips to Arlington.
Julio Urias - P, vs SF ($8,700)
Urias has posted a 1.89 ERA in five career appearances, including three starts, against the Giants in his career, and none of those San Francisco lineups were as toothless as this current assortment. The Giants amassed just five total runs in their four-game set in San Diego, which bodes well for Urias and his DFS owners.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Austin Hedges - C, vs. ARI ($3,900)
Hedges can be a cheap source of power, and he is facing Merrill Kelly in his first game in the majors with Arizona. He spent the past couple of seasons in the KBO (South Korea), so he is still adjusting to the majors. In spring training he was 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA while allowing eight walks and a home run across 15 2/3 innings over five outings.
Eric Hosmer - 1B, vs. ARI ($4,400)
Hosmer stumbled out of the chute with a pair of hitless games, but he collected three hits on Saturday, and he has four hits and a walk with three RBI over the past two outings. Again, he'll be working against a pitcher who has been overseas for the past three season. Don't call it a stack, but it's looking rather favorable to roll with plenty of Padres.
Dee Gordon - 2B, vs. LAA ($3,900)
The leadoff hitter for the M's has hit safely in five of his six games while racking up three steals. That's not terribly surprising, as it is his job. What is surprising is that he has been averaging an RBI per game, yet his price tag remains relatively low. Take advantage.
Evan Longoria - 3B, at LAD ($3,500)
Longoria was held out of the starting lineup Sunday due to a calf injury after fouling a ball off of his leg Saturday. He was fine, and able to serve as a pinch hitter. Longo has four hits, a homer and two RBI through the first four games, which is rather average. But hey, he has accounted for 40 percent of San Francisco's RBI production. If he is in the lineup Monday, roll with him.
Xander Bogaerts - SS, at OAK ($4,500)
I'm feeling Bogaerts after it was reported on Sunday that he and the Red Sox were finalizing a lucrative long-term deal which will keep him in Beantown for an extended period. I think he comes out and celebrates with some big offensive production, especially against a mediocre pitcher like Aaron Brooks.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Khris Davis - OF, vs BOS ($4,400)
Sure, Davis strikes out quite a bit and he doesn't put up a big average, but when he hits those home runs he more than pays for himself. He has been doing a lot of that so far in the new season, posting four clouts. He doesn't have a long history against David Price, but he has taken him deep once in nine at-bats. It isn't his history against Price that makes him attractive, it's his torrid start and moderate price tag.
Mike Trout - OF, at SEA ($5,600)
If you're going to splurge on one player, why not make it Trout? He has rolled up huge numbers in his career against Felix Hernandez, and most of that production came when he was in his hey day. King Felix has tailed off in recent seasons, with a drop in velocity and effectiveness. Trout has terrorized the pitcher to the tune of a .373/.419/.759 slash line with four doubles, two triples, eight homers and 20 RBI across 83 at-bats.