RADIO
There are nine MLB games on Monday, however DraftKings is removing the ATL/CIN matchup (6:40pm first pitch) from their featured slate. So, we’ll focus on the eight games with a first pitch of 7:05pm, or later.
Four games have an over/under of at least nine total runs. The MIA/LAD line hasn’t been set at the time of this post. Three teams are favored with the odds of -190, or greater. That combination leaves us with strong bats and even stronger pitchers to choose from in the Monday ticket.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/23/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @CharlieSideHstl.
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DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Carlos Carrasco, CLE (@ BAL) - $11,700
While I’m quite surprised that Corey Kluber didn’t excel in Sunday’s matchup against Baltimore (only four strikeouts in seven innings), I’m hoping that will force people to swerve away from Carrasco. Vegas has him, and the Indians, as the heaviest favorites on the board for Monday (-220). Carrasco the best pitcher in the slate and he’s the second-most expensive option. I’ll take that deal. Carrasco has struck out at least seven batters in three consecutive starts and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in that span. The Orioles own the second-highest strikeout total this season (219). Baltimore is also 27th in team wOBA (.277) against right-handed pitchers in 2018.
Masahiro Tanaka, NYY (vs. MIN) - $8,800
After back-to-back outings of allowing six earned runs (vs. MIA, @ BOS), the price has reduced on Tanaka. However, now could be the best time to buy. He’s facing a Minnesota club that is 26th in runs scored this season (granted, they’ve only played 15 games). Tanaka is also pitching at home. Last season, he was a much better pitcher at Yankee Stadium (3.22 ERA) as opposed to pitching on the road (6.48 ERA). In his career, Tanaka is 4-0 with a 2.48 ERA in four starts against the Twins. He’s tallied 24 strikeouts in 29 inning of work, as well.
Mike Leake, SEA (@ CWS) - $6,300
Yes, Leake allowed five earned runs in his last outing (vs. HOU), but he also struck out seven batters. The Astros are averaging 4.9 runs per game this season, while the White Sox are only at 3.7 runs per contest. Fun fact: This is Leake’s ninth year in the majors and he’s faced 28 teams. He’s never pitched against the White Sox. He’s also never played for the White Sox. Back to the write-up. If Leake can keep to three earned runs, or less, and strike out five in six innings, that would be a great victory for us and a bargain of an option as your SP2 on DK. Vegas believes in Seattle. The Mariners are -165 to win against the White Sox.
DraftKings Infielders
C - Yasmani Grandal, LAD (vs. MIA) - $3,600
Other than the price, there are two strong factors in play that help tilt the scales towards Grandal when choosing your catcher for Monday. First, the opposing pitcher is left-handed. Grandal is 8-for-19 (.421) this season, with four doubles, when facing a southpaw. Secondly, Grandal is on fire. In the past week, he is 7-for-21 (.333) with three doubles, one home run, and three walks. He’s also tallied at least one hit in 10 straight games.
1B - Kike Hernandez, LAD (vs. MIA) - $3,300
With a lefty on the hill against the Dodgers, we’re bound to use Hernandez at some point. He’s eligible for first base and second base on DraftKings. When combining his 2017 and 2018 numbers, Hernandez has a .280 ISO against southpaws, which leads Los Angeles. He’s notched at least one hit in four consecutive games and has a .385 AVG in the past week.
2B - Jed Lowrie, OAK (@ TEX) - $4,600
While Lowrie isn’t a lefty-specialist, he is batting .429 (12-for-28) in the past week, with three doubles and three home runs. Also, in 2018, Lowrie is 14-for-33 (.424) with five extra-base hits against left-handed pitchers. He also travels to Texas where Globe Life Park is the second-highest Park Factor for hitters over the course of the past three seasons (only Coors Field has a higher Park Factor).
3B - Adrian Beltre, TEX (vs. OAK) - $3,400
The obvious choice for third base is Nolan Arenado. He’s at home with a high over/under (11 total runs) and Arenado has homered in two of the past three games. However, that $5,200 price tag is steep. If you want Gerrit Cole or Carrasco as your SP1, you can’t spend top dollar on every positional player. Beltre is also in a game with a high over/under (10 total runs). He even has documented success against Trevor Cahill. In his career, Beltre is 11-for-30 (.367) with four doubles and two home runs against Cahill.
SS - Marcus Semien, OAK (@ TEX) - $3,400
It would be great to be able to afford Carlos Correa, Manny Machado, or Didi Gregorius on Monday, but it just isn’t feasible. Semien is involved in a game with a high over/under (10 total runs) and he’s produced multi-hit performances in three of the past four games. Also, Semien is 9-for-28 (.321) with four extra-base hits this season against lefties. Matt Moore opposes Oakland on Monday.
DraftKings Outfielders
Khris Davis, OAK (@ TEX) - $4,600
If there is one batter I’m locking into my DFS lineup for Monday, it would be Davis. Over the past two seasons, Davis has compiled a .228 ISO against left-handed pitchers (leads Oakland) and Vegas is expecting a plethora of runs from the A’s and Rangers. Davis homered on Sunday and has tallied at least one hit in nine of the last 10 games. Also, from the Monday slate of pitchers, Matt Moore has the third-highest fly ball percentage (41.9 percent) this season.
Andrew McCutchen, SF (vs. WSH) - $3,400
Though he’s off to a slow start for San Francisco, McCutchen mashes left-handed pitching. In the last two years, he’s produced a .323 ISO against southpaws (leads Giants). In particular, Cutch has fared well against Gio Gonzalez. In his career, McCutchen is 6-for-20 (.300) with three extra-base hits and four walks against Gonzalez.
Lewis Brinson, MIA (@ LAD) - $2,800
We’ve spend quite a bit of our salary on the last few players, so we must cut back on the final outfield spot. On Monday, we’ll get a small glimpse into the future with Brinson battling Walker Buehler for a couple at-bats (not sure of Buehler’s pitch count). Both will be outstanding fantasy baseball, and DFS, studs in the near future. Brinson has some success in recent history. Brinson has belted three home runs in the last four games. Hopefully, he’ll get more reps in the leadoff spot and contribute to our DFS lineup, too.
