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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 24th, 2019. Justin Bales' MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have 15 total games today, but it's broken down into two seven game slates. For the sake of this article, and getting you as much information as possible for the day, I'll be pulling plays from each slate.
Not all of the lines are out at the moment, but we have seven teams who own implied run totals set at 5.0 or higher. There are also a pair of teams with implied run totals below 4.0 with plenty of teams between these two extremes.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/24/19. 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. Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter @BalesSJustin.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Blake Snell - P, vs KC ($10,400)
Snell has been a dominant option this season, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.16 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP through four starts. He will be forced into regression, but for the time being, he owns an other-worldly 40.5% strikeout rate and a 19.5% swinging strike rate in 2019. Excluding his matchup against the Houston Astros, Snell has posted 44, 33.9, and 30.3 fantasy points in his games this season. The line isn't out for this contest, but I'm expecting Snell to be a large favorite. He's a player that can be considered in all leagues.
Jordan Lyles - P, vs ARI ($7,400)
Lyles comes with an extremely low price tag, but he has been an elite pitcher through three starts this season. He owns a 2-0 record with a 0.53 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, although his 3.77 xFIP and 3.66 SIERA suggest he'll see regression at some point. His strikeout rate has shot through the roof, though, as it sits at 29% to go along with a 9.3% swinging strike rate. Lyles gets a great matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he's a -132 favorite in a game set at 8 runs.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Michael Perez - C, vs KC ($2,800)
Perez isn't a great player, but he's cheap and expected to start for a solid offense today. He owns a 50% hard-hit rate and a 91 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days, suggesting he comes with solid upside. He also gets a plus matchup against Jakob Junis, and the Tampa Bay Rays should find plenty of success in this game. Perez is a cheap way to get part of that, even if he's hitting ninth in the lineup. Keep in mind, this is more or less a high upside punting option at a weak position.
Chris Davis - 1B, vs CHW ($2,700)
Chris Davis generally goes overlooked because of his poor start to the season, but he may be the best play on the slate for his price tag. He's hitting .310 with a .621 slugging percentage and a .976 OPS over his last 10 games. Over that span, he owns five extra-base hits (two home runs) and eight RBIs. Davis also also posted 40% hard-hit and 46% fly ball rates with a 94 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days. He gets a great matchup against Ervin Santana, and Davis has been at his best against right-handed pitching. He can be used in all leagues tonight.
Robinson Cano - 2B, vs PHI ($3,700)
Cano isn't quite as cheap as the players listed above, but he's still far too cheap for his recent production. Over the last 10 days, he's hitting .333 with six extra-base hits (one home run) and five RBIs. He gets a plus matchup against Vince Velasquez, who has struggled quite a bit throughout his career. Cano is hitting third in the New York Mets, who could feature one of the better lineups on this slate. He's a strong option in all leagues tonight.
Matt Carpenter - 3B, vs MIL ($4,200)
Carpenter has been heating up a bit recently, but his numbers are far from elite. With that being said, his peripherals suggest he's going to breakout soon. Over the last 15 days, he owns 44% hard-hit and 58% fly ball rates with a 95 mph exit velocity. Carpenter gets a solid matchup against Jhoulys Chacin, and he has been a slightly more consistent and more powerful option against right-handed pitching. Carpenter can safely be used in all leagues for his current price tag.
Fernando Tatis Jr. - SS, vs SEA ($4,500)
Tatis has moved into the leadoff spot for the San Diego Padres, and he has looked elite in that role. Over his last 10 games, he's hitting .378 with six extra-base hits (three home runs), seven RBIs, and three steals. He gets a plus matchup against Felix Hernandez, although Tatis has struggled at times against right-handed pitching. Still, he's playing well enough to be considered in all leagues on this slate.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Manuel Margot - OF, vs SEA ($3,700)
Margot is a bit cheap for his recent form. He's hitting .286 with a .514 slugging percentage and an .800 OPS over his last 10 games. While Margot isn't the most consistent option, he comes with tremendous upside. That upside can be seen through his 44% hard-hit and 62% fly ball rates to go along with his 94 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days. He's expected to hit second in the San Diego lineup, and he makes a strong option in tournaments today.
Robbie Grossman - OF, vs TEX ($3,600)
Grossman is in a great spot today. He's leading off for the Oakland A's, and there simply aren't too many leadoff hitters that come with this low of a price tag. Grossman gets an elite matchup against Drew Smyly, and he brings 0.078 wOBA and 0.005 ISO differentials against left-handed pitching. He owns 44% hard-hit and 33% fly ball rates with a 94 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days, as well. Grossman makes a consistent option, and he can be considered in all leagues in this game.
