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The top early-slate daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on June 1, 2023. Mike's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
MLB chopped today up so well that neither site really knows which is the "main" slate. So we will go with the prime-time selections as the "main" slate and treat the early games as the "early." I'll pull double duty and cover them both so we all have some good DFS plays no matter which slate you choose.
This article contains my picks for the four-game early slate on Thursday, June 1, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 1:07 PM ET.
The lineup picks will range from some elite high-priced players to mid-priced options and value plays. I'll give you a few of my top pitching options and then some infielders, outfielders, and teams to stack. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Kevin Gausman, TOR vs. MIL ($10,600 DK, $11,100 FD)
Gausman has had two really bad starts this year, but has allowed three runs or less in each of the other nine starts. Let's be honest: who is really scared of the Brewers' offense right now? They have scored four runs or less in four of the last six games, scoring under two runs in three of those.
On top of that, Gausman has performed well against the current Brewers roster. It's a small sample size, but check out the K% and whiff%. Those translate well for success today.
Couple that with the recent struggles of the Brewers' offense, and Gausman looks like he's worth that lofty price. Gausman is averaging 11.7 K/9 so far this year. He should be able to keep up the pace here.
Max Scherzer, NYM vs. PHI ($8,700 DK, $9,200 FD)
It's not often that Scherzer looks cheap, but he certainly does here. Mad Max has only allowed two runs over 18 innings in his last three starts and the strikeouts are starting to come. He has 19 strikeouts in that span. That's not peak Max, but it's pretty good for a guy that's nearly 39 years old. I'm not married to Gausman on this slate. Max is a perfectly acceptable substitute, even going against a better opponent in the Phillies.
Others to consider: Joe Musgrove ($7,300 DK, $7,500 FD) at MIA
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Nolan Jones - 1B/OF(DK)/3B(FD), COL at ARI ($3,000 DK, $2,700 FD)
Zach Davies was all over the place in his first start off the IL last week, and he wasn't all that great before then either. Jones has been solid in his first six major league games, so I'm comfortable taking a chance on him here. The only other 1B I'm really considering on this slate is Pete Alonso, but I spent too much on pitching to afford him. This isn't just about best plays – it's about building a lineup that fits.
Luis Arraez - 2B, MIA vs. SD ($4,600 DK, $2,800 FD)
I love the price of Arraez on FanDuel. The dude is hitting .381...get with it, FD. On DraftKings, I can see moving down to the red-hot Owen Miller if you don't pitch Gausman. That said, I do appreciate that Arraez will give you points. He has no power to speak of, but he still has at least six DraftKings points in each of the last six games. It's hard not to love him in cash games on a small slate.
Bo Bichette - SS, TOR vs. MIL ($5,300 DK, $4,000 FD)
Bichette has cooled off, but not much. He still has six multi-hit games in his last ten with two homers and eight RBI in that span. He even stole a base! If I pay up for a hitter today, it's going to be for someone riding a hot streak. Bichette certainly fits that bill.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Bryce Harper - OF, PHI at NYM ($5,700 DK, $3,700 FD)
Yes, I recommended Max, but he's still going to give up a homer. It happens. Harper has slugged three in his career against Scherzer in 20 at-bats. Kyle Schwarber actually has better numbers against Max, but I'm not playing him with his .097 average over the last ten days. I'll pay up for Harper, who should get us some points even if he doesn't knock one out of Citi Field.
Corbin Carroll - OF, ARI vs. COL ($5,000 DK, $3,600 FD)
Carroll has five hits in ten tries in the first three games of this series with three runs, a homer, three RBI, and a pair of steals. The Rockies' pitching staff can't handle Carroll. We paid down in the infield so we can use a couple of big bats in the outfield. I would use Carroll over Harper if you are strapped for cash despite Harper's history against Scherzer.
Kevin Kiermaier - OF, TOR vs. MIL ($2,500 DK, $2,900 FD)
Now it's time for a DraftKings special. Kiermaier returned after missing a couple of games with a sore back and picked up where he left off with an RBI triple. He's not a sexy fantasy name, but Keiermaier is hitting .314 with a pair of homers and four RBI in the last ten games. The power likely won't last, but the runs and RBI are sustainable along with the occasional steal.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Colorado Rockies vs. Zach Davies
I likely won't fall stack anyone on the afternoon slate. There just aren't a lot of good spots. That said, I like the Rockies since Davies couldn't find the strike zone last week and they have a plethora of cheap hitters who can put up crooked numbers. I already mentioned Nolan Jones, but he's not the only one. Ezequiel Tovar and Randal Grichuk are both hitting nearly .400 over the last ten games and are very cheap. You can fill it out with a couple of guys that might hit a homer but are struggling in Kris Bryant and Mike Moustakas.
Also consider: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Chase Anderson
This stack isn't aimed at Anderson. The guy has pitched surprisingly well. This is aimed at the atrocious Colorado bullpen. Anderson hasn't made it through six innings yet and he doesn't strike out a lot of batters. There's potential against an Arizona team that has roughed up the Rockies so far in this series.
Sneaky stack: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Freddy Peralta
Peralta got smacked in his last outing against an average Giants team and was blown up by the Cardinals a fortnight ago. He has allowed 19 runs (13 earned) over his last three starts. The Jays are super expensive but might be worth it against a struggling Peralta.
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