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Happy Sunday, RotoBallers! I'm excited to be covering another fun DFS slate. The early part of the MLB season has been good to me, so I'm looking to build off that momentum and hit the ground running as we progress into the 2024 campaign. Let's break down my favorite plays from today's slate!
We have some really interesting matchups today. The pitching mix ranges from bonafide aces to solid midrange starters and back-of-the-rotation punt arms, which will certainly lead to some interesting lineup decisions. I'll point out the standout plays, but with an 11-game slate and so many options on the mound, there will be plenty of opportunity to get creative with your picks today.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/14/2024 and the slate locking at 1:35 p.m. EDT. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential.
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Corbin Burnes vs. Milwaukee Brewers ($9.7K DK, $10.8K FD)
Are revenge games a real thing? If so, add some extra juice to Corbin Burnes' projection today. He's taking on his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, for the first time ever. Surprisingly, the Brewers have been one of the hottest offenses in baseball to start the season. They own a 130 wRC+ against right-handed pitching and are scoring nearly 6.7 runs per game. Make no mistake, this lineup is overperforming, and they will likely be without their best hitter, Christian Yelich.
We don't need the revenge game element to justify rostering Burnes. Through three outings, he owns an impressive 2.01 xERA and 2.82 xFIP. The success includes surrendering just a 1.88 xBA, .226 xwOBA, and a 2.9% walk rate. Most crucially from a fantasy perspective, Burnes owns a 28.6% strikeout rate, part of a 30.3% career mark. Look to him as the highest-ceiling play on the slate.
Cole Ragans vs. New York Mets ($8.3K DK, $9.7K FD)
Cole Ragans is coming off a tough outing against the Houston Astros, but he looks to be worth the preseason hype so far in 2024. Through three appearances, the southpaw sports a 2.98 xERA and 3.28 xFIP. Even more importantly, Ragans has flaunted some legitimate strikeout ability, generating a 33.8% whiff rate and a 32.2% chase rate, amounting to a 28.4% strikeout rate. It wouldn't be surprising to see his price tag start trending up.
The New York Mets offense has been wildly inconsistent this season. They've caught fire in recent days, plating 33 runs over their past three games combined. However, before that, the Mets averaged just 3.1 runs per game over their first 11 contests. It's hard to know where they stand overall, but for the affordable price tag, I'm inclined to favor Ragans in this matchup.
Also Consider: Zack Wheeler, Jose Berrios, Bailey Ober
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Elly De La Cruz - SS, CIN vs. Michael Soroka ($5.6K DK, $4.1K FD)
After a slow start to the season, Elly De La Cruz has emerged as one of the hottest hitters in baseball. He has posted three multi-hit performances in his last five games, smacking four home runs in that span. Overall, De La Cruz is up to a .314/.386/.667 slash line with six stolen bases in 2024. Those results consist of a .544 xSLG, 16.1% barrel rate, and a 51.6% hard-hit rate.
Michael Soroka is a preferred pitcher to target today. After missing two years of action due to injury, he struggled in 2023, posting a 5.70 xERA over 32.1 innings pitched. The results haven't been any more encouraging so far this season, as Soroka owns a 6.61 xERA through his first three starts. That includes getting roughed up by opposing hitters to the tune of a .503 xSLG, .322 xBA, and a 43.1% hard-hit rate.
Justin Turner - 1B/3B, TOR vs. Kyle Freeland ($4.2K DK, $3.3K FD)
Justin Turner continues to defy aging. In his age-39 season, he's slashing .350/.460/.575 with a 202 wRC+. The underlying numbers completely support Turner's success at the plate right now, too. He boasts a .516 xSLG, 92.4 mph average exit velocity, .339 xBA, and a 50% sweet-spot rate. Even better, Turner is a lifetime lefty-killer, bringing a career .471 slugging percentage against southpaws into play today.
It's been a horrible season so far for Kyle Freeland. He owns an 8.42 xERA, up from a 5.70 xERA across 29 starts last season and a 5.14 xERA over 31 appearances in 2022. Freeland has surrendered a .569 xSLG, .355 xBA, 9.8% barrel rate, and a .432 xwOBA.
Edouard Julien - 2B, MIN vs. Jack Flaherty ($3.7K DK, $2.9K FD)
Edouard Julien's .209 batting average leaves something to be desired, but he continues to be an affordable source of production. The 24-year-old is slugging .512 on the season with four home runs. That includes a 22.7% barrel rate and a 50% hard-hit rate.
Jack Flaherty has significantly cut down on his problematic walk rate this season, though it hasn't translated into much on-field success. He owns a 5.25 ERA following two soft outings against the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. The Minnesota Twins should be a much taller task today, and Julien is particularly well-positioned to succeed. Left-handed hitters slugged .481 against Flaherty last season, up from a .476 mark in 2022.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Spencer Steer - OF, CIN vs. Michael Soroka ($5.5K DK, $3.8K FD)
Spencer Steer has been one of 2024's early breakouts. He leads the majors with 18 runs batted in, in addition to a .367/.483/.714 slash line and three home runs. That production includes a .571 xSLG, 53.8% hard-hit rate, 10.3% barrel rate, and a .437 xwOBA.
Taylor Ward - OF, LAA vs. Brayan Bello ($4.4K DK, $3.6K FD)
Taylor Ward feels underpriced based on his current production level. He has a .937 OPS and five home runs through the first 14 games of the season. Ward boasts a .654 xSLG, 16.7% barrel rate, 54.8% sweet-spot rate, .342 xBA, and a 90.9 mph average exit velocity. He is coming off a disappointing, injury-shortened 2023 campaign, but Ward's recent hot streak isn't terribly surprising when we consider the .281/.360/.473 slash line he generated in 2022.
Brayan Bello is certainly not the most vulnerable pitcher to attack on this slate, though he's been far from dominant. Through three starts, Bello sports a middling 4.20 xFIP, up from a 4.02 xFIP last season. That includes an underwhelming .421 xSLG and 8% barrel rate.
Colton Cowser - OF, BAL vs. Colin Rea ($3.5K DK, $3.2K FD)
Speaking of hot hitters, Colton Cowser is on quite a run right now. Through 14 games, the 24-year-old is slashing .452/.471/.935 with three home runs and six doubles. Cowser's advanced metrics are unbelievable right now, including a .720 xSLG, 19% barrel rate, 61.9% hard-hit rate, and a .476 xwOBA. He is simply too productive for his price tag right now.
Colin Rea owns a 1.63 ERA through his first two starts, but the results are very deceiving. Beneath the surface, Rea owns a 6.53 xERA and 4.59 xFIP. That includes a .368 xBA, 91.3 mph average exit velocity, and a .502 xSLG. Additionally, left-handed hitters slugged .502 against Rea last season.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Cincinnati Reds vs. Michael Soroka
- Favorite Plays: Elly De La Cruz. Spencer Steer, Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand
2. Baltimore Orioles vs. Colin Rea
- Favorite Plays: Colton Cowser, Anthony Santander, Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson
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