Welcome to the weekend, RotoBallers. Today we have 15 games, split into a six game early slate and a nine game main slate. The only weather concern on the forecast today is the first game of the slate in Cincinnati. It will more than likely be delayed due to rain, making Jake Arrieta a risky play in the early slates. Other than that we have beautiful baseball weather, with hitter-friendly winds in Texas, Chicago (W), and Oakland. Be sure to keep that in mind when setting your lineups. Now, let's get rowdy.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/22/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.
You can read our FanDuel and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @RowdyRotoJB.
DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Charlie Morton (RHP); Houston Astros vs. Blake Snell (LHP)
Throw a dart at the starting lineups for either team in this matchup and you have a high probability of solid FP tonight. The Rays rank fifth in the league in OPS over the last seven days, with the 'Stros coming in right behind them at sixth. The Rays rank fifth in OPS at Home in 2017, and the 'Stros rank fifth Away. These offenses are hot and will be comfortable hitting in Tropicana. Blake Snell is still having ugly command issues and owns a 12.00 ERA from his one start against Houston in 2016, making the Stro studs solid cash choices. As for Tampa, we all saw what they did to Masahiro Tanaka on Opening Day, these guys love the low ball; which is where Morton lives. Corey Dickerson, Kevin Kiermaier, Brad Miller, and Logan Morrison should pay big dividends on their modest prices and make for an excellent GPP stack.
San Diego Padres vs. Dan Straily (RHP); Miami Marlins vs. Jered Weaver (RHP)
Here is another game I could see becoming a HR derby real quick. Can you imagine a more painful pitching matchup than these two?? Straily has lucked his way into two manageable starts in a row, but his only game away from Miami this year was a beat down in Washington where he only lasted 3 1/3 innings giving up five runs. The Padres are far from elite but have the power needed in the top half of their lineup to take advantage tonight. Jered Weaver on the other hand doesn't get quite as a welcoming matchup as the Marlins own the eighth best OPS against RHP and the 10th best away in 2017. He has already served up five HR this year and that Miami outfield is already licking its chops. I'd take hitters one through five from either team, with SDP being the lower-owned GPP picks.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Chase Anderson, MIL - vs. St. Louis Cardinals ($5,700)
Holy value Batman! Anderson has been great for the Brew Crew this season, owning a 1.50 ERA and a clean 1.00 WHIP through three starts. He has survived through the Rockies, Blue Jays, and the Cubs, but tonight gets to take a knee against the Cards. Last season he owned a 2.25 ERA versus STL over four starts. This year they sit with the 24th ranked OPS versus RHP. Anderson is the perfect SP2 today, as he opens up so many offensive options like a Cubs stack in the All-Day slate, or even his own teammates for the main.
Robbie Ray, ARI vs. Los Angeles Dodgers ($8,600)
It seems like just this past Monday Ray was striking out 10 Dodgers in just six innings. Maybe because it was. I don't attend Dodgers batting practices but I don't think that five days could be long enough for LAD to figure out how to hit southpaws. Ray now has 24 K in just 18 1/3 innings in 2017, making him a prime pick- if not just for the strikeout potential alone. The fact that today's game is in Chase Field (aka Coors Jr), and Ray's flyball tendencies make him drop just slightly below the cash consideration line, but there might not be a better GPP choice today.
Also Consider: Matt Boyd, DET @ Minnesota Twins ($6,100)
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Jett Bandy, MIL vs STL ($2,800)
I don't know if you have noticed due to the magical cloud surrounding Eric Thames, but Bandy has homered in three straight starts. Unfortunately his teammate Manny Pina has been almost equally impressive in 2017, so there has been a timeshare behind the plate. But considering Pina got the nod in last nights contest, we'll assume the Jet is back in there Saturday. Milwaukee owns the second highest OPS over the last seven days and are in line for plenty of run scoring opportunities today against Lance Lynn.
Also Consider: Willson Contreras, CHC at CIN ($4,100)
First Base (1B)
Ryon Healy, OAK vs SEA ($3,600)
Healy has been on fire recently, and is crushing LHP to the tune of .391/.391/.652 for the season. He also has been raking at the Colisuem, where he has hit both of his 2017 dingers. Ariel Miranda has pitched well this year but will have his hands full trying to get past Healy and Khris Davis tonight.
Also Consider: Eric Thames, MIL vs STL ($4,100)
Second Base (2B)
Yangervis Solarte, SD vs MIA ($3,400)
One of the Padres I like in a GPP stack, Solarte has the power stroke from the left side of the plate to take Straily yard. Both of his bombs this year have come off RHP, and he is slashing .350/.409/.600 at Petco so far in 2017.
Also Consider: Jose Ramirez, CLE at CWS ($3,900)
Shortstop (SS)
Francisco Lindor, CLE at CWS ($4,100)
Any chance I get to roster Lindor at any price below 4.5K, I can't avoid it. Especially on a night where he gets to face Mike Pelfrey who will be replacing James Shields today. His 11.3 FPPG leads all shortstops and he is hitting .342 with three HR against RHP in 2017. Find a way to get Lindor into all your lineups today, it's going to get rowdy in Southside. I forgot to mention the winds are forecasted to be blowing out to RF at U.S. Cellular Field...
Also Consider: Addison Russell, CHC at CIN ($4,100)- Early Slate
Third Base (3B)
Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE at CWS ($3,200)
A fantastic price to get some more exposure to the juicy matchup in Chicago today. Chisenhall got a late start to the season but is hitting .333 with two HR in just 24 AB, and we all know he can mash right handed pitching. I did mention Mike Pelfrey is pitching and winds are blowing out to right field correct?
Also Consider: Jake Lamb, ARI vs LAD ($3,900)
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Chris Young, BOS at BAL ($3,400)
The southpaw destroyer draws a matchup with Jayson Aquino who was recalled from Triple-A to start for the Orioles today. In just two starts in the minors this season, Aquino gave up five runs. It should be a fun day for the Red Sox, especially the right handed bats. Chris Young is a cheap option to get a piece of the action.
Corey Dickerson, TB vs HOU ($3,500)
Far too cheap for the dong potential in todays matchup for C-Dick. After going deep in last nights contest, he now has four on the season and is hitting .322. He should be sitting atop of the Rays lineup today, in what I already described as a tasty matchup against Morton.
Marcell Ozuna, MIA at SD ($3,500)
*See first sentence from Dickerson's analysis. $3,500 for a guy with 32 RBI already squaring off against Jered Weaver and his intimidating 83 MPH fastball? All five of Ozuna's HR this season have come off RHP. Go home Draftkings, you're drunk.
Also Consider: Khris Davis, OAK vs SEA ($4,100)
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