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We're treated with a manageable six-game main slate tonight, and it's a mighty interesting one. The Athletics are in Coors Field again after their matchup finished with 14 runs yesterday, while Jacob deGrom, Kevin Gausman, and Clayton Kershaw highlight the most expensive pitchers on the slate. Let's get to it.
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 6/5/2021. You can see our DraftKings and FanDuel DFS lineup pick for the early slate here as well.
Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also check out today's DraftKings MLB DFS lineup picks, and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. Let's get to it!
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
GPP Anchor Play:
Kevin Gausman - SFG vs. CHC ($11,200)
You can go with deGrom here and I won't argue against it (especially in cash games), but it's Gausman for me as a tournament/GPP player. The argument against deGrom is that his matchup is one of the worst you can have; the Padres hold a .714 OPS and strike out just 20.6% of the time against RHP - and they were missing Tatis Jr. for a considerable amount of time. Gausman has frankly been deGrom-like as he holds a 1.40 ERA (2.92 xERA), 0.81 WHIP, and an 83/16 K/BB ratio over 70 and 2/3 innings. This will be his first start against the Cubs, but it's certainly a matchup where he can do some damage. The Cubbies have a middle-of-the-pack offense against RHP overall, but they strike out at a high rate (25%) and their 3.3-run implied total today is the third-lowest on the slate.
Alternate Play(s)
Joe Musgrove - SDP vs. NYM ($8,300)
Musgrove has been great in nine of his 11 starts this season, including an awesome 10-strikeout no-hitter in his second outing and two other starts with 13 and 11 punchouts. He's had four outings with between 52 and 67 FD points, and they've all come against weak, strikeout-prone offenses (ARI, TEX, MIL, COL). The Mets haven't been striking out a ton this season, but their lineup hasn't done enough to be threatened by them by any means. They're slashing .232/.310/.354 with a soft .123 ISO against RHP this year, and they're projecting to score just three runs tonight in what looks like it could be a fun pitcher's duel. Get the leverage and the savings by going with Musgrove and/or Morton tonight.
GPP Dart-Throw
Charlie Morton - ATL vs. LAD ($7,800)
I'm not getting much Kershaw exposure as I like the other top arms more and the Braves lead the MLB in team ISO vs. LHP (.209). I am, however, interested in the veteran Morton against his Dodgers. Usually a top-5 offense, the Dodgers have been much more pedestrian over the last month and a half. They're slashing .229/.329/.388 with a low (for them) .159 ISO and an attackable 24.3% strikeout rate since April 15th. Morton is underpriced for the production he has shown; he's averaging 30.1 FD points per game and put up 55 FD points on a dangerous Red Sox lineup just two outings ago. You have to be a little brave, but Morton could pay off huge in this spot and allow you to spend up on hitters.
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FanDuel DFS Infielders
C.J. Cron - 1B, COL vs. OAK ($3,700)
While I'm more interested in the A's side of this affair, the Rockies sport a 5.5-run implied total themselves and it's likely at least a few of them provide value tonight. Cron is my pick as he hits LHP well (.318/.545/.933 over 44 AB) and has been impressive overall - check out his expected stats rankings below. Irvin has been mediocre at best, holding a 4.12 ERA (4.42 xERA), 1.23 WHIP, and just 45 strikeouts over his 63 and 1/3 innings pitched.
*via BaseballSavant
DJ LeMahieu - 2B/3B, NYY vs. BOS ($3,000)
The Yankees' leadoff man is very affordable and could be in for a productive game against the struggling Rodriguez tonight. E-Rod's ERA has climbed to 5.64 after allowing 19 earned runs (three homers) over his last four starts. DJ and the Yankees should go off in this spot.
Rafael Devers - 3B, BOS vs. NYY ($3,500)
This feels way too cheap for Devers. He's one of the top hitters in the game (.942 OPS, 15 HR, 46 RBI | 19.3% Barrel %) and it's notable that seven of his homers have come against fastballs this season. Taillon holds a 5.10 ERA and has allowed a ton of hard contact (and home runs) this season. Plus, he throws his fastball 52% of the time. This is a sneaky matchup for offensive production on both sides, and Devers is a likely candidate to lead the pack in FD points.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Giancarlo Stanton - OF, NYY vs. BOS ($3,500)
The Yankees' top sluggers are quite cheap and I'd recommend getting to both Stanton and Aaron Judge tonight at their price points. My pick is Stanton with the $100 discount. Eduardo Rodriguez has not been his normal self this year, amassing a 5.64 ERA (3.57 xERA) and a 1.44 WHIP. His fastball velocity is just not there, and he's not getting many swings and misses. That will work for Stanton and the Yanks.
Mark Canha - OF, OAK vs. COL ($4,200)
I'd recommend getting to some A's stacks in Coors, but if you're only picking one-offs from that game, Canha is my top choice. He's swinging a very hot bat right now as he has a homer, two doubles, seven RBI, and six runs scored over his last five games. He put up 37.4 FD points in the first matchup of the series against the Rockies, and opposing pitcher Kyle Freeland isn't a noticeable step up in difficulty after crushing Jon Gray.
Alex Dickerson - OF, SFG vs. CHC ($2,000)
Dickerson is a great value option to consider at minimum salary. He popped a three-run bomb with notched two walks yesterday, and he should slot in high in the order against the gettable Kohl Stewart.
Alex Verdugo - OF, BOS vs. NYY ($3,200)
Verdugo has been steadily productive this season (10.1 FD PPG) and opposing pitcher Jameson Taillon has been rocky enough for us to want to get to some Red Sox bats today. He has allowed 10 homers this year and high rates in Hard Hit %, Average Exit Velocity, and Barrel %.
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