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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 13th, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Saturday sees all 30 teams in action and brings us another split slate. This time we have 14 of the 15 games being covered with two even seven game slates. The first slate kicks off at 1:05 pm, running through to the 4:05 pm start between the Rockies and Giants. The second slate then commences at 7:10 pm and runs through the rest of the evening.
While the slate is split evenly in terms of the number of games, the talent level, especially among the pitchers is not even. The early slate sees both Max Scherzer and Blake Snell take the mound, with both facing off against offenses with major question marks. There are also some fun options lower down on the early slate. By contrast, the afternoon slate has all kinds of issues. Justin Verlander headlines the slate, but he faces a Seattle offense which is as hot as they come. After that there are a lot of question marks and head-scratchers, making for some interesting lineup decisions.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/13/19. 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 @benrolfe15.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Blake Snell, TB (@ TOR) - $10,700 (Early)
I have become quite adept at looking for value in the cheaper pitchers this season, but there are times where you simply cannot pass up the most expensive pitcher on the slate. A matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays, who rank in the bottom third of the league in batting average, OBP, runs, home runs and slugging, is one of those such moments. Snell also has massive upside in this start with 24 strikeouts across 13 innings in his last two starts.
Michael Pineda, MIN (vs. DET) - $7,800 (Early)
My only concern here is how deep Pineda goes in this outing. So far through two starts, he has pitched nine innings, with 10 strikeouts and just two earned runs on five hits and two walks. Now he faces a Tigers team who ranks dead last in the majors in batting average, runs, home runs and slugging percentage. Hopefully, Pineda can get six innings under his belt, and if he does then there is the potential for him to get close to 10 strikeouts.
Merrill Kelly, STL (vs. SD) - $8,500 (Late)
This slate really boils down to either Adam Wainwright or Kelly as your ace. If you can work your hitters to fit both in then that is ultimately your best option. I honestly do not trust either fully but Kelly, pitching at home, where he had success against the Red Sox last time out edges it for me. The Padres offense has struggled for consistency this season, ranking 19th in runs and 20th in batting average and OBP. There is risk as they rank 7th in home runs, but Kelly showed his promise with nine strikeouts last time out.
Jefry Rodriguez, CLE (vs. KC) - $6,700 (Late)
The aim here is to gamble and save a few bucks for hitting. Rodriguez could easily go deep enough to qualify for a win, after pitching 5 2/3 innings in his first outing at Triple-A. The upside is limited but the points return on his price could make him a nice value, allowing you to stack more expensive hitting in GPP formats.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Willians Astudillo, MIN (@ DET) - $4,100 (Early)
Following his strong debut last season, Astudillo has once again been awesome this season. Earlier this week I wrote about his awesome contact rate this season, and that has reflected in his .348 batting average this season. When right-handed pitchers have been on the mound this season, Astudillo has a .432 wOBA and a .286 ISO.
C - Omar Narvaez, SEA (@ HOU) - $3,100 (Late)
Narvaez had solid numbers when right-handed pitchers were on the mound last season, with a .363 wOBA and a 132 wRC+. This season that success has carried on, as Narvaez has a .346 wOBA and a .159 ISO.
1B - Ji-Man Choi, TB (@ TOR) - $3,600 (Early)
It has been a mixed start to the season for Choi, after a strong season in 2018 against right-handed pitching (.384 wOBA and 146 wRC+). This season he has a .375 wOBA, but the power has been lacking, as he has yet to hit a home run and has an ISO of just .091.
1B - Kendrys Morales, OAK (@ TEX) - $3,900 (Late)
Morales came up big for me on Thursday and I am hoping for a repeat performance n Texas. Last season with right-handed pitchers on the mound, Morales had a .365 batting average and a 132 wRC+. So far this season he has not repeated that success but four hits and that home run in his three outings in Baltimore is an indication he might be heating up.
2B - Ben Zobrist, CHC (vs. LAA) - $3,700 (Early)
Zobrist should be back atop the lineup on Saturday for the Cubs. So far it has been a weird start to the season, as he has a .333 batting average, but has yet to register an extra-base hit. Last season Zobrist it for a .358 batting average with a 125 wRC+, so hopefully an improvement is just around the corner.
2B - Ketel Marte, ARI (vs. SD) - $4,100 (Late)
Marte is off to a fun start to the season, with three home runs and two stolen bases already. Two of those home runs have come in just 18 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. Last season he had a .408 wOBA against lefties, and this season he is once again above .400.
3B - Yandy Diaz, TB (@ TOR) - $3,800 (Early)
Diaz is a nice mix of price and upside in this matchup. Diaz has already gone deep twice this season off right-handed pitchers and sports a .391 wOBA and a .290 ISO against them.
3B - Matt Chapman, OAK (@ TEX) - $4,800 (Late)
Chapman has been a big part of a strong Oakland offense this season. Through 17 games he has four home runs, a .305 batting average, and a .576 slugging percentage. In 2018, Chapman had a .376 wOBA and a 142 wRC+ when right-handed pitchers were on the mound, so this matchup in hitter-friendly Texas should suit him.
SS - Xander Bogaerts, BOS (vs. BAL) - $4,400 (Early)
All of the question marks over Boston has meant that Bogaerts has gone relatively unnoticed this season. Last season he posted a .379 wOBA and 137 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers. This season he only has one home run so far, but he does own an incredible 19% walk rate so far.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Adam Eaton, WSH (vs. PIT) - $3,900 (Early)
Eaton is not likely to blow anyone away but he does have both his extra-base hits this season (two doubles) against right-handed pitchers. In addition, he posted a .374 wOBA with a 134 wRC+ when right-handed pitchers were on the mound last season.
Avisail Garcia, TB (@ TOR) - $4,800 (Early)
A little gamble here to try and accommodate Snell and his hefty salary. Garcia has opened the season hitting .333 off right-handed pitchers and has his only home run of the season against a righty. Just be sure to check the lineup near game time, as he could be a risk to not be part of the lineup.
Joc Pederson, LAD (vs. MIL) - $3,800 (Early)
Pederson already has four home runs against right-handed pitchers this season, giving him a .417 ISO and a .454 wOBA.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX (vs. OAK) - $4,400 (Late)
Choo is off to a sold start against right-handed pitchers this season, with four doubles and triple already. Last season he was among the best hitters in the majors against right-handed pitchers, posting a .385 wOBA and a 138 wRC+.
Khris Davis, OAK (@ TEX) - $4,400 (Late)
Completing the Oakland stack is Davis, who homered twice for me on Thursday. Entering Friday's games his total for the season already sits at nine home runs, and although his numbers are incredible against left-handed pitchers they are also solid against righties. Last season he hit 37 home runs off right-handed pitchers and posted an impressive .315 ISO.
