X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (4/24/21): MLB DFS Lineups

ronald acuna fantasy baseball rankings MLB Injury news DFS lineup picks

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/24/21. Euan Leith's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

DraftKings sliced this Saturday slate almost right down the middle. We have seven early games, six prime-time games, and a small two game short slate to keep us occupied today. This serves to water down both slates a little bit. That's not to say that there aren't a couple of good options out there. The early slate is a little rougher on pitching, and we may have to dig a little deeper than we had planned on. Thunder Dan will help you out on the early slate. This will cover the six night games only.

We have Drew Smyly coming off the DL and the (alleged) best pitcher on the slate for the evening slate. It looks like rain will be a problem in Baltimore in the later innings. This game likely wont go all nine if the first six don't go by quickly. There could be some rain in Atlanta as well. It wont be enough to take the entire game out, but a mid-game delay is possible.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/24/2021. The lineup will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also check out today's FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. It’s also important to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code WIN! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers

Kevin Gausman - SF vs. MIA ($7,600)

Gausman has been a different pitcher since he got the hell out of Baltimore, and it's not just because Camden Yards is a hitter haven. The main knock on Gausman is that he doesn't rack up a lot of strikeouts, and this year really isn't any different. The 23 strikeouts in 25.2 innings is nothing to write home about and he sometimes gets a little wild, but this is the Marlins we're talking about. They are hitting a dismal .221 against right handed pitching with a 28.1% strikeout rate compared to a 9.6% walk rate. Considering that Gausman is $3,400 cheaper than Bauer and the Braves are expensive, I'm choosing to pay down so I can attack with bats.

Pablo Lopez - P, MIA at SF ($6,900)

Yes, I like the pitchers going against each other. Aside from assuring that you wont get the double dubs achievement, it's not a bad strategy when pitching is so weak beyond the one true ace on this slate. Generally, the rule is to not use Lopez on the road. His home/road splits are egregious. However, Lopez has never pitched in Oracle Park. It's very good to pitchers. Just ask Madison Bumgarner, among others. Lopez has only allowed one run in two career starts against the Giants, one coming last week in Miami. Lopez is getting more strikeouts this year thanks to a lot more movement on his cutter. The whiff percentage has gone from 5.6% last year to 22.2% this season. So long as Lopez is having success with that cutter, the strikeouts will still be there. The Giants are striking out 32% of the time against RHP this year and are only hitting .216 as a team on the season. Lopez is a low-risk proposition here.

Other Options: Trevor Bauer ($11,000), Aaron Nola ($8,800), Chris Bassitt ($7,300)

 

Want more MLB DFS tools and content? Our MLB Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Slack Chatrooms where members can chat with our MLB analysts. Check out this recent big win from RotoBaller's RealTalkRaph on DraftKings - join in on the winning!

 

DraftKings DFS Infielders

Carson Kelly - C, ARI at Drew Smyly, ATL ($4,600)

Kelly has double-digit DraftKings points in three straight games, four of the last five, and six of the last eight. He's on an absolute tear right now. On top of that, Kelly hits lefties 78 points better than righties and has 11 homers in just 165 at-bats against southpaws. Don't be shocked if Kelly goes deep yet again. Drew Smyly has given up three homers in just 11 innings this year.

Matt Olson - 1B, OAK vs. Tom Eshelman, BAL ($4,700)

Olson is in the 85th percentile or better in every StatCast metric aside from walk rate this year. His exit velocity and barrel percentages are up this year as well. Tom Eshelman doesn't have any crazy splits or anything like that, but he has allowed 19 homers in 70.2 major league innings. He's likely to give up one or two here, and considering Olson is tattooing the ball so far this year, I'll place my chips on him.

Nick Solak - 2B, TEX at Dallas Keuchel, CWS ($4,700)

Keuchel's splits have become more pronounced in recent years. He's a junkballer who's junk is getting a lot more hittable, especially by righties. 18 of the 21 homers he has allowed since the beginning of 2019 have been to right handed batters. Solak is one of those guys with extreme splits as well. He hammers lefties to the tune of a .312 average. Solak doesn't have a ton of power, but his success against lefties gives us a high floor even if he doesn't take Keuchel deep.

Manny Machado - 3B, SD at Trevor Bauer, LAD ($4,500)

I don't often use BvP stats solely for a pick, but when I do, it's because of lines like this. Machado is 12-19 in his career against Bauer with four homers, six RBI, and seven runs scored. Lock and load. Even if you play Bauer, I would still run Machado against him. He's the only bat that's a real threat to Bauer tonight, but this kind of domination is too much to look past.

Nick Maton - SS, PHI at Antonio Senzatela, COL ($2,700)

Maton or Brad Miller will pick up the start here, and honestly, both are good, cheap ways to get a piece of this Philly offense. Surprisingly enough Senzatela has not allowed a home run in three home starts this season, but we know Coors Field doesn't play like Coors Field in April. However, it's going to be warm and sunny in Denver today. This could be the day they start flying out. Maton is 5-12 in his brief career so far with two of those hits coming at Coors last night. I really can't argue with this price.

 

DraftKings DFS Outfielders

Ronald Acuna Jr. - OF, ATL vs. Madison Bumgarner, ARI ($6,400)

Acuna costs more than three pitchers tonight, but he's likely worth it. He destroys every pitch that Madison Bumgarner throws, especially with his fastball velocity barely hitting 90 anymore. Acuna is in the 99th percentile of xBA, xwOBA, and xSLG this year. His xISO is 97th percentile. Those numbers get even more gaudy against lefties. His exit velocity is up 3.2 MPH so far this year. Acuna has 21 homers in just 281 at-bats against lefties in his career. I'll say that he gets his first off of MadBum tonight.

Adolis Garcia - OF, TEX at Dallas Keuchel, CWS ($3,500)

Garcia has four homers in his last four games, including two last night in the Windy City. I've made it clear that I don't trust Keuchel's stuff anymore. Righties are hitting nearly .300 against him since the beginning of 2018. Add in a guy like Garcia who has almost single-handedly kick-started the Texas offense for less than the price of most starters at every other position and you see why this is potentially an elite play.

Guillermo Heredia - OF, ATL vs. Madison Bumgarner, ARI ($2,900)

Yes, we all know how friendly the Braves' new digs are to lefty pitchers. I don't care. MadBum is barely a pitcher anymore. Everyone one of his pitches this season rates as below average. Last year, his barrel percentage was more than double the previous worst against him. On top of that, righties are absolutely destroying him since the end of the 2018 season. The fastball velocity is up a notch from last year, but it's not enough to keep hitters from making hard contact. The hard hit percentage this year is 46.6%, the worst mark of his career. Guillermo Heredia's average is 59 points higher against lefties. This is a cheap way to get exposure to a Braves lineup that could make MadBum's already bad 8.68 ERA this year even worse.

 

DraftKings DFS Stacks

  • Atlanta Braves right handers vs. Madison Bumgarner
  • Philadelphia Phillies vs. Antonio Senzatela
  • Sneaky Stack: Texas Rangers vs. Dallas Keuchel

 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!




MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts


More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jameson Williams

Extending Tenure in Motor City
Pittsburgh Steelers

Cameron Heyward, Steelers Reach Agreement on Revised Deal, Will Play in Week 1
Bubba Chandler

to Make First Start on Sunday
Samuel Basallo

Exits Early with Hand Injury
Jeremy Swayman

Ready to Get Back on Track
Travis Hunter

to be Every-Down Wide Receiver
Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
Shedeur Sanders

Unlikely to Play in 2025
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Leaves Early on Saturday After Fouling Ball Off his Knee
Dylan Harper

Hoping to be Ready for the Opener Versus Dallas
Christian McCaffrey

RapSheet: Signs Pointing Towards Christian McCaffrey Playing in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Signs Fully Guaranteed Deal with Cleveland
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Quentin Johnston

Scores Twice in Brazil
Justin Herbert

Spectacular in Win Over Chiefs
Marquise Brown

Sees Absurd Target Share Friday
Bobby Witt Jr.

Dealing With Back Spasms
Bobby Witt Jr.

Exits Early on Friday
Xavier Worthy

Injures Shoulder Early in Brazil, Questionable to Return
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Placed on Injured List With Quad Strain
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched on Friday With Back Tightness
Jayden Reed

Questionable to Play in Season Opener
Christian McCaffrey

Listed as Questionable for Season Opener With Calf Issue
Tyreek Hill

Cleared for Week 1
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Tyler Glasnow

Scratched From Friday's Start for Undisclosed Reasons
Christian Kirk

Ruled Out for Week 1
Shohei Ohtani

Returning to the Mound on Friday
Kyle Finnegan

Lands on Injured List With Adductor Strain
Aaron Judge

Returns to Right Field on Friday
De'Von Achane

Without Injury Designation Heading Into Week 1
Christian McCaffrey

Seen Working on Side Field During Friday's Practice
Malik Nabers

Cleared to Play on Sunday
Willson Contreras

' Suspension Reduced, to Start Serving it on Friday
Kodai Senga

Mets Send Kodai Senga to Triple-A to Get Right
Chris Godwin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 1
Malik Nabers

' Reps Limited Friday Due to "Tight" Back
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Axel Sola

Alex Sola Set To Make His UFC Debut
Saquon Barkley

Scores Touchdown in Low-Yardage Outing
Jalen Hurts

Rushes for Two Touchdowns on Thursday
Pablo López

Pablo Lopez Expected to Return on Friday
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Exits With Knee Contusions
Will Smith

Unlikely to Play This Weekend
Shohei Ohtani

to Pitch on Monday
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Brandon Sproat

to Start for Mets on Sunday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP