RADIO
It was a frustrating slate of games on Sunday, with the weather playing spoiler to six games. As I write this, we already have one game eliminated from Monday’s slate, as well. There will be no matchup between BAL/BOS. Naturally, that game was given the highest projected over/under from Vegas.
No worries. We still have plenty of games on tap. Unfortunately, the featured slate on DraftKings does not include MIA/NYY. Luis Severino, and the Yankees, are heavy favorites. If you want Severino in your lineups, you can still play in an eight-game slate. However, this write-up will not feature that player pool.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/16/18. 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.
DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Jacob deGrom, NYM (vs. WSH) - $11,500
He’s the most expensive pitcher on the slate, and I can’t say I’m surprised. Early this season, deGrom faced the Nationals and dominated: 6 IP, one earned run, and five strikeouts. However, the walk total was high (three walks allowed). On a positive note, deGrom leads the way with a 10.68 K/9 from 2017, when examining the other starters on Monday.
James Paxton, SEA (vs. HOU) - $8,000
Speaking of high K/9 numbers, Paxton is second on the list from 2017 (in regards to Monday’s starting pitchers) with a 10.32 K/9. Now, the Houston lineup will worry some from investing in Seattle’s lefty, but Bartolo Colon did a great job keeping the Astros at bay on Sunday night. As for Paxton, he’s notched a total of 17 strikeouts in his last two combined outings. Last year, Paxton was 2-1 in four starts against Houston, with a 1.69 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21.1 innings of work. Unless you somehow forgot, Houston won the World Series last year.
Jaime Garcia, TOR (vs. KC) - $7,100
This is a combination of Garcia pitching well and Kansas City struggling against southpaws. This season, Garcia has tallied 12 strikeouts in 11.1 innings (four earned runs). The Royals are dead last in runs scored, with 39 runs in 13 games. Kansas City’s current active roster is also 27th in team wOBA against left-handed pitchers (.300 wOBA) from 2017’s stats. Garcia is well rested. He was supposed to pitch on Saturday, and then Sunday, but the rain prevented that from happening.
DraftKings Infielders
C - Robinson Chirinos, TEX (@ TB) - $3,100
The Rangers backstop has homered in back-to-back starts and now he’ll face a left-handed pitcher on Monday. Last season, Chirinos compiled a .296 ISO against southpaws. In his career, Chirinos is a .283 hitter at Tropicana Field, with four of his 13 hits for extra-bases.
1B - C.J. Cron, TB (vs. TEX) - $3,500
We continue to find deals on the Monday docket. Cron completed the 2017 season with a .267 ISO against left-handed pitchers. That’s enough for the team lead, with this active roster. Cron has tallied at least one hit in five straight games (six of his past seven performances). In his lifetime, Cron is 5-for-18 (.278), with two extra-base hits, against Monday’s starter, Martin Perez.
2B - Matt Carpenter, STL (@ CHC) - $3,800
Originally, Jon Lester was slated to pitch in Monday’s matchup against the Cardinals. However, rain postponed the Cubs’ game on Sunday, pushing Lester back one more day. That means, instead of Carpenter facing a lefty, he gets a right-handed pitcher (Tyler Chatwood). Last year, Carpenter struggled against southpaws (.119 ISO), but thrived against righties (.235 ISO). Capitalize on the adjusted salary and take the steal-of-a-deal with Carpenter on Monday night.
3B - Kris Bryant, CHC (vs. STL) - $5,500
Josh Donaldson is on the DL. Nolan Arenado is suspended. Mike Moustakas and Alex Bregman are facing pitchers I’ve already suggested in Monday’s write-up. That leaves Bryant alone waaay at the top of the third base rankings. With the salary we’ve saved in the prior selections, let’s spend on “Young Blue Eyes.” He’s recorded at least one hit in four of the past five games, including three extra-base hits in that span. This season, Bryant is batting .412 (7-for-17) at home and 10-for-25 (.400) in night games.
SS - Trevor Story, COL (@ PIT) - $4,100
The price tag would be much steeper if he was playing this game in Colorado. However, this is still a bargain, for a road game. I’m going under the assumption that Story will get a nice lineup boost with Arenado out of the picture (probably third or fourth in the order). In 2017, Story had a sensational .353 ISO against left-handed pitchers.
DraftKings Outfielders
Charlie Blackmon, COL (@ PIT) - $5,100
If you use the batters I’ve already provided (with Paxton/Garcia as your SP1/SP2), then you’ll have around $5,000 per player remaining for your three outfield spots. Blackmon batted third in the past two games, when Arenado was suspended. He hit a home run in each contest. One was against Max Scherzer, the other against Stephen Strasburg. He gets lefty, Steven Brault, on Monday. Blackmon produced a .225 ISO against southpaws in 2017.
Nelson Cruz, SEA (vs. HOU) - $4,400
Cruz returned to Seattle’s lineup on Saturday, after two long weeks on the disabled list. He’ll face a familiar foe on Monday, Dallas Keuchel. In his career, Cruz is 10-for-30 (.333) with four extra-base hits (three home runs) against Keuchel. Cruz is a lefty-killer. He compiled a .198 ISO against lefties last season. Cruz also owns a career .292 AVG against LHP (1,598 plate appearances).
Hunter Renfroe, SD (vs. LAD) - $3,900
Though he’s batting below the Mendoza line (currently, .190 AVG), Renfroe is making solid contact when he gets the bat on the ball. He’s tallied three hits in the past four games. Each hit has gone for extra-bases (two home runs). Last season, he succeeded against left-handed pitchers. Renfroe recorded a .368 ISO against southpaws, which is the best on the active roster. This year, he is 4-for-17 (.235 AVG) against LHP, with three of those hits going for extra-bases.
