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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 25th, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Thursday sees a significantly smaller slate that we have seen in previous weeks. Today we have just eight games, with only five of them falling on the main slate, starting at 7:05 pm. Fortunately, we have some fascinating names pitching on the slate, meaning the options we have are pretty varied.
The Phillies and the Red Sox are the clear favorites on this slate, and this could be a real chance for Aaron Nola to put his rough start to the season behind him. Interestingly, not only are Boston one of the biggest favorites but their game also has the highest projected run total at 9.5. However, their hitters have been somewhat cold this season making them hard to gamble on.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/25/19. 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
Aaron Nola, PHI (vs. MIA) - $9,100
Nola has not been having a great time of it this season, as I discussed previously. However, he was solid last time out in Colorado and now faces his easiest matchup of the season against the Marlins. Home runs have been Nola's Achilles heel this season, but the Marlins rank 27th in the majors with just 20 this season. In addition, they rank 27th or below in batting average, OBP, runs and slugging %, while striking out the ninth-most of any team.
Rick Porcello, BOS (vs. DET) - $6,900
Porcello is another pitcher who has had a rough season, but this looks to be a juicy matchup. The Tigers rank in the bottom five in most hitting stats, as well as striking out the 10th-most this season. Their team wOBA against right-handed pitchers is just .290 and they strikeout 23% of the time when right-handed pitchers are on the mound. If you want safety then combining Nola with either Gerrit Cole or Trevor Bauer is the better way to go, especially if you find the hitters on this slate questionable. However, if you want to load up on high-priced hitters, then Porcello gives you that extra flexibility.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Jorge Alfaro, MIA (@ PHI) - $3,200
There are no standout catching options today and therefore I am going to gamble on a catcher facing his old team. If anyone knows Aaron Nola's arsenal, it is Alfaro, and maybe he can catch hold of one and go deep with it. He also has a semi-respectable .323 wOBA and .143 ISO with right-handed pitchers on the mound.
1B - Luke Voit, NYY (@ LAA) - $4,400
Again not a lot to pick from at this position, but Voit is hot right now with three home runs in the first three games of this series. Last year he crushed right-handed pitchers with a .449 wOBA and a .301 ISO.
2B - DJ LeMahieu, NYY (@ LAA) - $3,300
He has not had the strongest start to the season but the opportunity is there for a good game for LeMahieu. He is leading off for the Yankees and now faces a pitcher in Trevor Cahill who is allowing a 5.47 ERA this season.
3B - Jose Ramirez, CLE (@ HOU) - $4,200
Fresh off the back of his second home run and a three-hit performance, I am jumping on Ramirez in the hope that Wednesday was the start of him waking up. Last season he had an incredible .403 wOBA and .315 ISO against right-handed pitchers. In addition, Cole is coming off the back of an eight earned run outing against the Texas Rangers.
SS - Francisco Lindor, CLE (@ HOU) - $4,500
I do not love stacking against Cole but Lindor is another juicy option fresh off his return. Much like his teammate, Lindor was really strong against right-handed pitchers last season, hitting for a .352 wOBA, .242 ISO and a 139 wRC+.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Joey Gallo, TEX (@ SEA) - $5,100
It has been a good season so far for Gallo, who is hitting a head-spinning .284, with eight home runs. Last season he had a .331 ISO when left-handed pitchers are on the mound and Marco Gonzales allowed 1.23 HR/9 while striking out just 18.5% of left-handed hitters last season.
Andrew McCutchen, PHI (vs. MIA) - $4,600
McCutchen has a great combination of stats that make him an interesting play today. When facing left-handed pitchers last season he had a .368 wOBA and a .192 ISO. Additionally, Caleb Smith allowed a .373 wOBA and 1.30 HR/9 against right-handed hitters last season.
Carlos Gonzalez, CLE (@ HOU) - $3,500
Throughout his career, Gonzalez has been most effective when facing right-handed pitching, with a career .239 ISO and .383 wOBA. Last year that remained the case, even if the numbers were slightly less impressive, as he returned a .350 wOBA and a .201 ISO against right-handed pitchers.
