RADIO
Saturday brings us a strange day for DFS. There are really no stand out pitchers on either of the two main slates. Yes there are good pitchers but their matchups mean that there is no must use option. That presents some interesting strategies for GPP, as we could see a lot of the big bats heavily owned as people skimp on pitching.
The two slates are split into two groups of six, with the first starting at 1:07 pm and the other at 7:05 pm. The biggest favorite on either slate are the New York Yankees, but it is hard to trust JA Happ in a rematch with the Orioles. Sadly the next biggest favorite (Cleveland Indians) does not appear on either slate, also removing the pitchers who would have perhaps been the highest owned. That leaves the Phillies as the biggest favorites on the early slate, but trusting Jake Arrieta is something I am not willing to do.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/6/19. 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, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @benrolfe15.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Trevor Williams, PIT (vs. CIN) - $8,000 (Early)
There is a lot to be enthusiastic about here with Williams, especially the fact he pitched six shutout innings with six strikeouts against this very team on the road last week. The Reds have really struggled in the batter's box this season, ranking dead last in batting average (.164) and runs (11). They have also struggled for home runs (24th, three) and slugging percentage (28th; .265). While the Reds lineup is this cold it is a great time to take advantage of them, especially with no absolute must-have studs on this slate.
Jorge Lopez, KC (@ DET) - $6,000 (Early)
This one is risky because Lopez is far from a safe bet. Last season, as a starter he posted a 6.35 ERA and struck out just 23 in 34 innings. However, despite giving up four earned runs there were some promising signs in his first start, as he struck out five and walked just one in his five-inning outing. Additionally, he is facing a team who entered Friday with a combined .166 batting average, two home runs and a .255 slugging percentage, all within the bottom five in the league.
Corbin Burnes, MIL (vs. CHC) - $8,900 (Late)
This one is a lot of fun. Burnes struck out 12 in five innings in his first start, before being undone by three home runs. Burnes may come into this start with a 7.20 ERA but in GPP formats the aim is to shoot for upside and Burnes has that in spades. The Cubs offense has been solid this season, so there is risk with this pick, but it all comes down to the lack of obvious studs on Saturday's slates.
Aaron Brooks, OAK (@ HOU) - $7,100 (Late)
The late slate is really ugly for pitching and it leaves you needing to get pretty funky with your selections. Generally, the optimal tactic would be to not pick a pitcher facing the Astros, but their offense is struggling this season. In their last five games prior to this series, they have scored just eight runs, and rank 21st in slugging percentage. In addition, Brooks struck out six in six innings, and allowed just three hitters to get on base in his first start. It is not without risk, but this might be a perfect opportunity to put an in-form pitcher up against a struggling offense.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Austin Barnes, LAD (@ COL) - $4,300 (Late)
Barnes is off to a fantastic start in 2019, entering the series in Coors with a .400/.471/.867 slash line. He has also hit two home runs against right-handed pitchers already, more than he hit in the whole of 2018 against them.
1B - Yonder Alonso, CWS (vs. SEA) - $4,100 (Early)
Last season Alonso hit 19 of his 23 home runs against right-handed pitchers, with a .334 wOBA and a .188 ISO. He is also now in a power-friendly park for left-handed hitters with a 1.14 park factor for home runs. Additionally, he is facing Mike Leake, who gave up a 4.35 xFIP against left-handed hitters.
1B - Mitch Moreland, BOS (@ ARI) - $4,100 (Late)
Moreland is another left-handed hitter who had a decent amount of success against right-handed pitchers last season. 13 of his 15 home runs last season came when right-handers were on the mound, giving him a .204 ISO and a .334 wOBA. In addition, Weaver struggled in his first outing and gave up a 4.88 xFIP against left-handed hitters last season.
2B - Robinson Cano, NYM (vs. WSH) - $3,700 (Early)
Corbin is arguably the best pitcher on this slate, but in Cano, he could face his toughest test Saturday. Last season against left-handed pitchers, Cano had a .387 wOBA, 152 wRC+, and a 27% line drive rate.
3B - Max Muncy, LAD (@ COL) - $5,100 (Late)
Due to playing in Colorado Muncy is going to be expensive, but he is also likely to be worth it. Last season Muncy lashed right-handed pitchers, returning a .417 wOBA and a 169 wRC+. If I am paying up for any Dodger in this matchup then Muncy is the one.
SS - Adalberto Mondesi, KC (@ DET) - $5,100 (Early)
Mondesi is on fire this season, with a .346 batting average entering the weekend. He already has a home run and a steal to his name, to go with five runs and five RBI. He was also good against left-handed pitching last season, with a .354 wOBA and a 123 wRC+ last season.
SS - Ketel Marte, ARI (vs. BOS) - $3,900 (Late)
Marte will face off against left-handed pitcher David Price, who struggled in his first start. Marte was strong against lefties last season, returning a .408 wOBA and a .157 wRC+.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Whit Merrifield, KC (@ DET) - $4,700 (Early)
Sadly I have seen a lot of Matt Moore pitching the last couple of seasons and I am going to take every opportunity to stream against him. Merrifield has not been amazing to start the season, but his numbers against left-handed pitching last season are hard to argue with. In 2018, he posted a .402 wOBA and 156 wRC+ when lefties were on the mound.
Jorge Soler, KC (@ DET) - $3,800 (Early)
Soler was incredible against left-handed pitchers last season, with a .315 batting average, .441 wOBA and a .333 ISO. Oh and once again that left-handed pitcher is Moore, who has posted terrible numbers the last two seasons.
Christian Yelich, MIL (vs. CHC) - $5,400 (Late)
Until the Yelich train comes off the track or until he is by far the most expensive outfielder on the slate, the plan should be to try and get him in your lineup. He already has four home runs on the season and has accompanied that with a .375 batting average and .531 OBP. Additionally, he was also very good against left-handed pitchers last season, returning a .415 wOBA and a 162 wRC+.
David Dahl, COL (vs. LAD) - $4,700 (Late)
With no top quality pitchers on this slate, you can afford to pay up for hitters. Dahl seems a reasonable price for an outfielder in Coors and is something I will look to take advantage of. Last season, he had a .378 wOBA and a 123 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. He also gets to face a young pitcher in Walker Buehler who struggled in his first outing, surrendering five earned runs in three innings on five hits and without a single strikeout.
