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With the CIN/CHC at Wrigley Field starting at 2:20pm (EST), DraftKings will be excluding that matchup from the slate. So, Reds and Cubs will not be in our player pool. However, we still have 14 games to choose from, with five contests given an over/under of at least nine total runs.
At the other end of the spectrum, one game has an over/under of seven total runs (I’ve seen as this game as low as 6.5, too). The TB/NYM matchup has the Mets as a decent-sized favorite. Jacob deGrom will get plenty of look from DFSers, but $13,000 is a tough salary to swallow (not to mention Chris Sale’s $14,000).
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/6/18. 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 DFS Starting Pitchers
Lance McCullers Jr., HOU (vs. CWS) - $11,900
We have a few stud pitchers in Friday’s slate, but I believe the best bang for your buck comes from Houston. McCullers has notched at least seven strikeouts in three straight games. Also, the White Sox lead the league with 820 strikeouts this season. Couple that stat with the fact that Chicago is 24th in baseball with 345 runs in 86 games and we have a winning combination for McCullers. If that’s not enough, McCullers is 3-1 with a 2.66 ERA at home, with 44 strikeouts in 44 innings of work.
Nick Pivetta, PHI (@ PIT) - $8,400
It was a rough outing for Pivetta in his last start: 1.2 IP, 7 ER, and 2 K. However, he rebounded nicely against the Nats in the 13th inning as a relief appearance: 1 IP, 1 K. He even earned the win. Prior to Pivetta’s blunder of a start, he struck out at least seven batters in back-to-back performances. He also allowed only two earned runs in each of those contests. The Pirates are tied for 25th in team wOBA (.307) against right-handed pitchers, but they rarely strikeout (29th in baseball). Pivetta pitched well against the Pirates on April 22nd: 6.1 IP, 2 ER, and 7 K. I’m hoping for a repeat performance.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Kyle Higashioka, NYY (@ TOR) - $3,300
Three hits in one week isn’t great (.214 AVG for Higashioka). However, when those three hits are home runs, that’s a different story. That’s right, Higashioka only hits home runs. He’s knocked three in the the past four games for the Yankees. He’ll travel to hitter-friendly Toronto on Friday.
1B - Max Muncy, LAD (@ LAA) - $5,000
Is $5,000 a lot to spend on a hitter not named Trout/Betts/Arenado/Lindor? Yes, it is. However, Muncy is working hard to get his name added to the worthy list. He’s recorded a remarkable .361 ISO against righties (Felix Pena is the probable starter for the Angels) and he’s 10-for-23 (.435) with four home runs in the past week. Muncy has mashed three home runs in the past three games. It would be wise to continue to ride that wave.
2B - Starlin Castro, MIA (@ WSH) - $4,200
How is it that a guy who has tallied 14 hits in the past week is only $4,200 on DK? Castro has compiled at least two hits in four consecutive games and six of the past seven contests. While he’s notably better against righties (.310 AVG vs. RHP and .235 AVG vs. LHP), Castro is a career .294 hitter against Gio Gonzalez. He’s 5-for-17, with two walks, against the Nats lefty.
3B - David Fletcher, LAA (vs. LAD) - $3,200
When a player is getting reps in the leadoff role, it catches my eye. Fletcher has the benefit of batting in front of Mike Trout and Justin Upton in the Angles lineup. He’s notched at least one hit in six straight games and a .318 AVG in the past week. Fletcher has a .310 AVG against righties this season, too.
SS - Nick Ahmed, ARI (vs. SD) - $3,200
With some stud pitching on the slate, you need to cut costs in some areas. I’m choosing to save money at the shortstop position with Ahmed. He’s third on the DBacks with a .237 ISO against left-handed pitchers. In the past week, he’s 7-for-20 (.350) with two doubles and one triple.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Mark Trumbo, BAL (@ MIN) - $4,000
I love to add at least one BvP matchup in the lineup. That honor goes to Trumbo. In his career, Trumbo is 5-for-10 with three home runs against Lance Lynn. He’s a boom-or-bust bat who is 5-for-22 (.227) with three home runs in the past week.
Matt Adams, WSH (vs. MIA) - $3,700
Adams had himself a game on Thursday night: 4-for-5 with one double, in the Nats 14-12 win over the Marlins. Hopefully, Adams gets another start on Friday. Since 2017, Adams has a .281 ISO against right-handed hitters, which is second-best on the Nats (behind Bryce Harper’s .318 ISO).
Jake Cave, MIN (vs. BAL) - $3,100
Cave also compiled quite the stat line on Thursday: 3-for-3, with two doubles, and an RBI. When playing at Target Field this season, Cave is 4-for-14 (.286) with half of his hits leaving the yard. The Twins are projected to score five runs on Friday, which is sixth-most on the slate.
