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Barry Leonard Jr. highlights the top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 6/26/16. These are the top value and sleeper plays for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups.
The theme for today is big name pitchers. With the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Cueto, Jose Fernandez, and Chris Sale on the mound, there's no shortage of aces to choose from. Stephen Strasburg was scheduled to start today, but has been scratched with a back injury.
Between the star pitchers and some stud hitters, there are some expensive choices among the targets today. That means you'll have to really find some cheap, yet productive alternatives in order to stay under the DraftKings $50,000 salary cap.
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In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/26/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings.
DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Cincinnati Reds vs. Luis Perdomo (RHP)
Perdomo has struggled as a rookie so far this season, bouncing back and forth between the bullpen and the starting rotation. He's making just his fifth start today and is coming off his last outing in which he allowed six earned runs to Baltimore. Both righties and lefties have had success off of him this season, hitting .349 and .375 respectively. Left-handers Jay Bruce and Joey Votto should be considered as part of a stack today. Adam Duvall, Zack Cozart, and Brandon Phillips are also good options today.
Boston Red Sox vs. Martin Perez (LHP)
Playing in a hitter's park against a pitcher who has allowed eight earned runs in his last two starts makes Boston a good stacking option today. Current Red Sox hitters have a lifetime average of .310 against Perez, with David Ortiz having a home run off the southpaw. Right-handed hitters Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, and Sandy Leon could all be used for a big stack today.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Johnny Cueto, SF vs. PHI - $13,600
There are several high-priced pitching options today to choose from, but Johnny Cueto arguably has the best matchup of them all. The veteran right-hander has been a huge addition for the Giants this season, putting up an 11-1 record with an ERA of just 2.06. His only loss of the season came back on April 21. He gets a great home matchup with the Phillies today, as current Philadelphia hitters have a lifetime average of just .200 against him. Although he's expensive, Cueto has to be considered the top option on the mound, just be prepared for everybody else to select him as well.
Anthony DeSclafani, CIN vs. SD - $8,100
You'll want to take one of the aces today, meaning that your second pitcher is probably going to have to be a less expensive pick. The options are limited, but Cincinnati's Anthony DeSclafani is a sneaky play at home against the Padres. He's looked very sharp in his three starts this season, allowing a total of just four earned runs. Will Myers has been hot, and could present a problem, but outside of him, the Padres don't have the scariest lineup to deal with.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Jason Castro, HOU at KC - $3,400
Don't be fooled by Castro's low batting average. Sure, it's horrible, and he hits at the bottom of the Houston order, but he's actually been very good lately for DFS lineups. He's got a three-game hit streak and has reached double-digit fantasy points in two of his last five games. He also has an average over .300 in the last week. He'll face a right-handed pitcher today, and that's good considering his average against righties is over .100 points higher than it is against southpaws. He shouldn't be highly owned, so take a chance today.
First Base (1B)
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI at COL - $5,500
This one will cost you a lot of cap space, and it's an obvious choice, but it's too good to pass up. Goldschmidt has been hitting very well recently and is up to .300 for the season. He's hitting .435 in the last week and has a lifetime average of .333 versus opposing starter Chad Betts. Goldschmidt taking his power to Coors Field is a dream scenario for daily fantasy baseball. You can find value elsewhere, don't be afraid to spend big on your first baseman.
Second Base (2B)
Brett Lawrie, CWS vs. TOR - $3,100
Lawrie continued his recent hot stretch with a monster game on Saturday. He totaled three hits, homered twice, scored twice, and drove in three RBI. The veteran infielder now has a four-game hit streak and has put up at least 10 fantasy points in three of his last four games. The price tag is small, but the production has been huge.
Shortstop (SS)
Elvis Andrus, TEX vs. BOS - $4,000
The Texas shortstop is quietly having a solid season, hitting near .300 and providing his fantasy owners with over seven points per game. He has a good history against Clay Buchholz, hitting .357 and slugging .429 lifetime against him. Andrus has hit very well recently and has had a lot of success at home.
Third Base (3B)
Aaron Hill, MIL vs. WAS - $3,100
Due to all the cap space being spent elsewhere, you'll have to be smart about some of your other picks. Milwaukee's Aaron Hill won't cost you much, yet he's been very productive over the last seven days. He enters today's matchup with a four-game hitting streak and he's coming off a multi-hit game Saturday. He's been particularly good against the Nationals this weekend, putting up a total of 15 fantasy points in just two games.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Jace Peterson, ATL vs. NYM - $2,600
If you're looking for another cheap option who will have a low ownership number in tournaments, then check out Atlanta's Jace Peterson. You're going to need a diamond in the rough today, and he could be it. He's been hitting righties this pretty well this season and his average is higher both at home and during day games. There's a risk involved here, but he's been a decent source of fantasy points lately and had a huge fantasy performance on June 21 when he registered 21 points on DraftKings. If you need to save big bucks take a chance on Peterson.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis MIL vs. WAS - $3,200
After sitting Saturday with a southpaw on the mound, Nieuwenhuis should find himself back in the lineup Sunday with a righty on the mound. Tanner Roark will be replacing the injured Stephen Strasburg for the Nationals. Nieuwenhuis is coming off back-to-back games with a home run and at least 14 fantasy points. He's hitting .325 at home this season and makes for an excellent option in the outfield today.
Paulo Orlando, KC vs. HOU - $3,300
Orlando is once again on this list as an outfielder to target for a sleeper pick. He's still inexpensive, but has really shown some solid skills at the plate. He extended his hit streak to nine games Saturday and is still hitting above .350 for the season. If his production continues at this rate his salary will rise, so continue to take advantage while he's such a good value.
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