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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.
We have a sizable Sunday slate, which is generally the case. There are eight games on the main slate, and 15 total games all day. This article will focus on the earlier slate, which is the "main" one today.
We have plenty of high-end pitchers throwing tonight, starting with Max Scherzer and Corey Kluber. There are also pitchers, who aren't seen as the elite of the elite, but have found plenty of success, such as Jose Berrios and Charlie Morton. We also have plenty of bottom of the barrel options, including Jose Urena and John Means.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/14/19. 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 @BalesSJustin.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Masahiro Tanaka - P, vs CWS ($9,300)
Tanaka has found success through three games this season, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.47 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He has allowed only 3 earned runs, while recording 15 strikeouts over 18.1 innings. Tanaka gets a great matchup against the Chicago White Sox, who rank third on the slate in strikeouts per at-bat. He's a -178 favorite in a game set at 8.5 runs, giving his opponents an implied run total of only 3.7 runs. Tanaka comes with elite upside because of the added strikeout potential today.
Vince Velasquez - P, at MIA ($9,000)
Velasquez has only thrown six innings this season, finding mixed results. He enters this game with a career 9.7 K/9, though, and he comes with elite upside. Velasquez gets a matchup against the Miami Marlins, who rank second on the slate in strikeouts per at-bat. He'll also benefit from throwing in an extremely pitcher friendly stadium, and Miami also ranks in the bottom-three of the slate in team wOBA. Velasquez is a -187 favorite in a game set at 8.5 runs, giving Miami an implied run total of only 3.6 runs.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Christian Vazquez - C, vs BAL ($3,600)
Vazquez is expected to draw the start against the left-handed John Means. Means is arguably the worst pitcher on the slate, while Vazquez owns 0.079 wOBA and 0.033 ISO differentials against left-handed pitching. He's only hitting eighth in the Boston Red Sox lineup, but that's still one of the best lineups on the slate. Vazquez will also benefit from playing in Boston's hitter friendly stadium today.
Ji-Man Choi - 1B, at TOR ($3,700)
Choi hasn't displayed much power this season, but it's only a matter of time before it comes. He enters this game with 0.182 wOBA and 0.108 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching, and he gets a plus matchup against Marcus Stroman in a hitter friendly stadium. Choi is hitting third in a strong lineup, as well. He brings a 42% hard-hit and 95 mph exit velocity into this game, suggesting we could see his power sooner rather than later.
Whit Merrifield - 2B, vs CLE ($4,300)
Merrifield gets a tough matchup against Corey Kluber, but he is relatively matchup proof. He enters this game with a 51% hard-hit rate and a 94 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days. He's hitting .339 with six extra-base hits (one home run), six RBIs, and five steals through 14 games. Merrifield always has the green light when he's on base, and Merrifield makes a great option in all leagues.
Yoan Moncada - 3B, at NYY ($4,300)
Moncada has cooled off a bit recently, but he still comes with tremendous upside. He gets a tough matchup against Masahiro Tanaka, but he'll be playing in one of the most hitter friendly stadiums in the MLB. Moncada has also been at his best against right-handed pitching, posting 0.059 wOBA and 0.103 ISO differentials against righties. Moncada makes a strong option on the slate today.
Jean Segura - SS, at MIA ($4,100)
Segura has been a player that has flown under the radar a bit for the Philadelphia Phillies, but he's hitting .309 with five extra-base hits and seven RBIs through 13 games. He gets an elite matchup against Jose Urena, and Segura is hitting second in the Phillies lineup. While this game will be played in a pitcher friendly stadium, Segura makes a strong option for his current price tag.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Bryce Harper - OF, at MIA ($5,100)
Harper has found quite a bit of success early this season, posting a .325 average with a .700 slugging percentage and a 1.191 OPS through 12 games. He owns seven extra-base hits (four home runs), nine RBIs, and one steal over that span, as well. Harper gets one of the best matchups on the slate against Jose Urena, and he's hitting third in the Philadelphia Phillies lineup. Harper has been playing well enough to be considered in all leagues.
Leonys Martin - OF, at KC ($3,800)
Martin has quietly been heating up, hitting .273 with four extra-base hits (two home runs), three RBIs, and one steal over his last 10 games. He gets a solid matchup against Jakob Junis, and Martin enters this game with 0.07 wOBA and 0.03 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching. He's a cheap source of a leadoff hitter, and Martin is averaging 16.3 fantasy points per game over his last four games.
