RADIO
As always, my goal with this article is to help you identify viable options to insert into your DraftKings lineups, based on pricing and matchups data. Here's a compilation of players I like when choosing a lineup for Friday, June 26th.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Washington Nationals LHB vs Aaron Harang
The Washington Nationals left-handed batters have the best offense in the league against right-handed pitchers. With guys like Bryce Harper and Denard Span continuing to hit well in the outfield, the team should look to provide plenty of offense on Friday against opposing pitcher Aaron Harang. Harang has really struggled in June and shows significant signs of regression back to his career norms. He has allowed four or more earned runs in each of his last four starts. He has also allowed six home runs in his last three outings. The wheels have come off for Harang, so definitely look to capitalize on his troubles.
Houston Astros Table Setters vs Nathan Eovaldi
The Astros are commonly criticized as a good team to stream pitchers against in order to grab some extra strikeouts. However, this offense, with so many power hitters, is actually one of the best in baseball against right-handed pitching. The Astros lineup holds a top ten offense against right-handed pitching, with a wRC+ of 105. Carlos Correa and George Springer make for excellent picks against the very inconsistent Nathan Eovaldi. Jose Altuve also makes for a nice value pick since returning to the lineup.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Max Scherzer (SP, WAS) - $14,000
Max Scherzer has been absolutely incredible this year. He has even dialed up his performance further in his past two starts. Both were complete games, with a total of 26 strikeouts and one hit allowed. Scherzer should look to have another great day on the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies, who hold the worst offense in baseball against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 73. Adding Scherzer into your lineup will be difficult with his price tag. However, this matchup is just too good to pass up. Compromises (shown in the upcoming picks) can be made to roster Scherzer while still attaining some quality batters on Friday.
Williams Perez (SP, ATL) - $4,900
Williams Perez is a dirt cheap option for your secondary pitching slot. Perez is the Swiss army knife for the Atlanta Braves. He is currently getting some starts in the rotation and has actually performed pretty well in the month of June. He can be inconsistent, and his walk rate is concerning. However, he has shown an ability to get quality starts against tough offenses like the Giants and the Red Sox. Perez now holds a 2.78 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP. Perez also has a good matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates hold a bottom ten offense against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 92.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Kevin Plawecki (C, NYM) - $2,300
Kevin Plawecki makes for a very cheap source of production from the catcher position. With Travis d’Arnaud going on the disabled list for the New York Mets, Plawecki should once again become the primary catcher for the team. He did a decent job of filling in for d’Arnaud earlier this year and has shown some consistent ability to produce RBI in the middle of the Mets lineup. With the lack of power bats in the catcher slot on DraftKings, Plawecki makes for a nice value play with his current price tag. Plawecki is matched up against opposing pitcher Johnny Cueto who has some elbow concerns heading into Friday.
Victor Martinez (1B, DET) - $3,600
Victor Martinez has shown some life at the plate some returning from the disabled list. He has hit .280 since returning, and he should also have a nice day at the plate on Friday. Martinez is matched up against opposing pitcher Jose Quintana. Martinez has completely dominated this matchup against Quintana, going 12 for 24 against the young lefty. Martinez makes for a great value play. His stock should only rise at this point since reclaiming the cleanup spot in the dynamic Detroit offense.
Cesar Hernandez (2B, PHI) - $2300
Cesar Hernandez makes for another nice bargain pick at the shallow second base position. With Chase Utley going on the disabled list earlier this week, Hernandez looks to get plenty of playing time at second base for the foreseeable future. Hernandez is 8 for his last 23 since attaining consistent playing time, while scoring six runs during that span. His position near the front of the batting order gives him plenty of value in terms of run scoring potential. Hernandez is also a great threat to steal bases if he can somehow fight his way on base against Max Scherzer.
Manny Machado (3B, BAL) - $4100
Manny Machado may have slowed down a bit at the plate this week, but it is pretty hard to top the amazing first half of June that he had. However, he is still holding a seven-game hitting streak. He remains one of the safest picks at third base, and his current price tag is definitely undervaluing his level of elite production across the scoring categories on Draftkings. Machado should look to keep the good times going against opposing pitcher Corey Kluber. Kluber has struggled with his control in his last few outings and holds a 3.65 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP.
Troy Tulowitzki (SS, COL) - $4100
Troy Tulowitzki remains the best shortstop in baseball despite the arrival of Carlos Correa. Tulo holds a .311 average with 7 home runs and 39 RBI. He is healthy and currently holds a nine game hitting streak. Tulo has dominated his matchup against opposing pitcher Tim Hudson. Against Hudson, Tulo is a lifetime 9 for 28 with a home run. Tulo looks to be a great value play heading into Friday.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
Bryce Harper (OF, WAS) - $5700
As mentioned earlier, Harper is a great play against Aaron Harang. Harang’s struggles may be directly contrasted with Harper’s prowess at the plate. Harper just continues to add to his home run total and now holds a .340 average with 24 home runs and 58 RBI. Harper has also hit very well in his career against Aaron Harang. Harper is 10 for 22 with a home run against Harang. The Nationals offense should definitely do well against the struggling veteran, so Harper should be in an excellent position to score runs and RBI on Friday. Just make sure to check out Harper’s status prior to the game. He is sitting out Thursday as a precaution due to leg cramps.
Yoenis Cespedes (OF, DET) - $4400
Yoenis Cespedes is completely underappreciated as a consistently productive fantasy force. Cespedes makes for a great pick as your secondary outfielder for Friday. Cespedes holds a seven game hitting streak and looks to be dialed in at the plate. He now holds a .307 average with 10 home runs and 41 RBI on the year. Cespedes has absolutely crushed opposing pitcher Jose Quitanna. He is 8 for 12 with four home runs against the lefty. With this much production in a rather small sample size of at-bats, Cespedes looks like a must-play for Friday.
Charlie Blackmon (OF, COL) - $4400
Charlie Blackmon is on fire. He is doing everything he can at the plate and on the base paths to show that last season wasn’t a fluke. Blackmon provides a lot of value as your secondary or high-end tertiary outfielder with his power potential and consistent ability to get on base and steal bases. Blackmon is hitting .326 in the month of June, and has also tallied 9 steals along with his already solid power numbers. Blackmon has done very well against opposing pitcher Tim Hudson in his career, going 8 for 24.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6PM on 6/26
