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The top MLB DFS daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on March 19 2025. Andy Smith's MLB DFS sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The 2025 regular season is finally here. Before the season "officially" starts, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will play a two-game series in Tokyo, Japan. After a small taste of regular season baseball on Tuesday, these two teams will face off one more time before heading back to the States.
We have only one game, so it's just showdown contests on DraftKings for this one, but I know many of you have been itching to get back to MLB DFS, so you know we are going to play this slate anyway!
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/19/2025 for Game No. 2 of the Tokyo Series. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Alright, let's get to the picks!
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Pitchers - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Roki Sasaki vs. CHC ($11K DK; $16.5K DK CPT)
Roki Sasaki was viewed as one of the most coveted pitchers on the free agent market and eventually signed with the reigning World Series Champions. In the 2024 season, the hard-throwing right-hander struck out 129 batters across 111 innings of work in the NPB. He posted a strong 2.35 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.
He performed at an elite level in spring training as he tallied seven punchouts across seven shutout frames.
However, the regular season is a different beast and could provide a much harder challenge for Sasaki. He will face a Cubs team that posted the fourth-highest OPS (.844) against right-handed pitching and the highest batting average (.301) during spring training. While there is no doubting his strikeout upside, he does come with some inherent risk, given it is his MLB debut.
Rōki Sasaki, 96mph Fastball & 85mph Splitter, Individual Pitches + Overlay.
Good luck. 😳 pic.twitter.com/JDsVOMA6hW
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 5, 2025
Justin Steele vs. LAD ($10.8K DK; $16.2K DK CPT)
On the other side, we have Justin Steele, who has made at least 24 starts in each of his previous three seasons. After finishing fifth in NL-Cy Young voting in 2023, Steele battled injuries in 2024 and was limited to just 134 2/3 innings.
However, he was still effective during this stretch, holding a 3.07 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP.
Even though Steele carries a much lower strikeout upside than Saski on this slate, he is worth considering, given his ability to shut down left-handed bats. When facing left-handers last season, Steele posted a strong 0.93 WHIP with a 7:32 BB:K. This is important to note, given the potent left-handed bats at the top of the Dodger lineup.
Top Hitters - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Shohei Ohtani – DH, LAD vs. Justin Steele ($10K DK; $15K DK CPT)
Even though Steele limits production against left-handed bats, Shohei Ohtani is the exception. When facing southpaws last season, Ohtani posted a .288/.349/.518 line with 12 doubles and 12 home runs.
If there was a matchup to "fade" Ohtani, this would be the game to do it, but in a single-game slate, it is crucial to have the bat with the highest upside, which in this case is clearly Ohtani.
In the opening game of the series, Ohtani went 2-for-5 with two runs.
Teoscar Hernandez – OF, LAD vs. Justin Steele ($8.8K DK; $13.2K DK CPT)
Similar to yesterday's piece, Teoscar Hernandez mashed against left-handed pitching last season and should be viewed as as top play once again. Even though he will have a tougher matchup against Steele, who can keep the ball on the ground, Hernandez's power upside warrants a selection.
Last season, the 32-year-old posted a .290/.357/.574 line with 11 long balls against southpaws. He is a great alternative if you decide to fade left-handed Dodger bats like Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, or Michael Conforto.
Kyle Tucker – OF, CHC vs. Roki Sasaki ($9.6K DK; $14.4K DK CPT)
Kyle Tucker is the best player in the Chicago lineup and is always worth considering. When facing right-handers last season, Tucker posted an impressive .308/.427/.655 line with 18 home runs.
If Sasaki struggles early in this game, expect Tucker to do most of the damage.
Seiya Suzuki – OF, CHC vs. Roki Sasaki ($8.4K DK; $12.6K DK CPT)
If you are willing to fade Sasaki in this matchup, then pairing Suzuki with Tucker is an interesting combination. Last summer, Suzuki hit for a .286/.360/.494 line against right-handed pitchers, which was better than his production against lefties.
In addition, Suzuki did most of his damage against fastballs which should play well against Sasaki. Last season, the 30-year-old generated an elite .563 xSLG with a strong 18.2 percent whiff rate against heaters. If Sasaki struggles to deliver his primary pitch, Suzuki should be able to take advantage.
SEIYA SUZUKI CRUSHES A HOME RUN!
(📸: @WatchMarquee) pic.twitter.com/J5RD2q4VnQ
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) March 16, 2024
Note: Mookie Betts would also be viewed as a top hitter, but he is dealing with an illness and will not play in this game.
Also consider: Ian Happ
Top Value - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Michael Busch – 1B, CHC vs. Roki Sasaki ($7K DK; $10.5K DK CPT)
Michael Busch was a value play in Game 1 and carries a similar price in Game 2. Busch is expected to bat in the heart of the Chicago lineup, which should provide him with ample scoring opportunities.
When facing right-handed pitchers last season, Busch posted a solid .788 OPS with a stellar .477 xSLG against fastballs. Even though Busch struggled to hit breaking balls, his ability to make elite contact with fastballs makes him a viable play with power upside at a discount.
Pete Crow-Armstrong - OF, CHC vs. Roki Sasaki ($5.8K DK; $8.7K DK CPT)
There might not have been a player who increased their fantasy stock as much as Pete Crow-Armstrong did during spring training. Across 10 games, the former top prospect hit four doubles with three home runs. He held a .519/.500/.1.000 line and added two stolen bases.
Even though he struggled to hit right-handers last season, given the strides he made in camp, Crow-Armstrong carries great value at his salary, especially if you decide to lean heavily on the Cubs lineup facing a rookie pitcher.
The Tokyo Dome crowd is chanting “PCA, PCA, PCA” for Pete Crow-Armstrong 🥹 pic.twitter.com/0KNrTae2ji
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) March 16, 2025
Andy Pages – OF, LAD vs. Justin Steele ($5.4K DK; $8.1K DK CPT)
Andy Pages was one of my favorite value plays in Game 1 and should be in a similar position to succeed in Game 2 as well. Pages performed at an elite level when facing southpaws last season as he posted a .357/.396/.520 slash line with seven doubles and three home runs.
Even though Steele is more capable of keeping the ball in the yard (compared to Shota Imanaga), Pages should be able to start the season on a high note.
Tommy Edman - IF/OF, LAD vs. Justin Steele ($7.2K DK; $10.8K DK CPT)
The NLCS MVP comes in as the final value play. Edman played a critical role in their World Series run as he hit an impressive .328/.354/.508 slash line with two home runs and five stolen bases.
During the regular season, the switch-hitter performed at an elite level when facing left-handed pitching. In this split, Edman posted a .412/.417/.882 line with four home runs. Even though the 29-year-old does not carry the power upside that Busch or Pages do, his ability to hit consistently against lefties makes him a great option if you choose to fade other Los Angeles bats.
Edman tallied an RBI single in the opening game and is in a great position to stay hot at the plate.
Also consider: Dansby Swanson, Miguel Rojas
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