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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 30th, 2019. Daniel E. Dobish's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
For Tuesday's slate of Major League Baseball games, I'll be focusing on all of the contests (first pitch of 7:05 PM EST and later). Be sure to double-check the weather and the lineups before finalizing your roster.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/30/19. 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 @danieledobish.
Today's Weather
There will be an annoying mist or light drizzle for the Cardinals-Nationals game in D.C., but the game should get in without any interruption from the weather. That might not be the case for the interleague battle between the Pirates and Rangers. There is a 40 percent chance of rain for the start of the game, tapering off by the middle innings. A delay might be likely, but a postponement shouldn't happen. When they do get underway the batters will be facing a stiff 17-20 mph wind blowing in from right field to home plate.
The Orioles and White Sox are unlikely to get underway on the south side. There will be a shield of rain over Chicagoland, and the precipitation chances are 80 percent or greater throughout the day. The chances of rain aren't as great in Kansas City, but the Rays and Royals will face 60 percent or greater chance of rain, threatening their game. It will taper off to 40-45 percent around 9 p.m. local time, so perhaps they can get an official game in at some point. Still, it's a risky proposition using any Rays or Royals.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Jordan Lyles - P, PIT at TEX ($7,400)
You could dole out big money for someone like Indians RHP Trevor Bauer in Miami, a huge favorite, or you could role the dice on a mid-tier guy like Lyles. He has a favorable matchup against RHP Adrian Sampson. Yes, the Bucs have dropped eight in a row, but they're definitely due. Plus, the Rangers are just 1-5 in the past six against teams with a losing record, and just 2-5 in the past seven overall. The South Carolina native Lyles has been surprisingly effective, too, going 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA across 22 innings. Take a chance on him, as you'll like the results.
Vince Velasquez - P PHI vs. DET ($8,700)
In another interleague battle, it's all about the home pitcher. The Tigers enter this one 7-19 in the past 26 interleague road outings, 5-16 in their past 21 interleague road games against a right-handed starter and 12-39 in the past 51 against winning teams overall. On the flip side, the Phils have won each of Velasquez's past six home starts and they're 7-1 in the past eight at home against teams with a losing road mark. Bank on Velasquez, who has a 1-0 record and 1.99 ERA over 22 2/3 innings across five outings.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Willson Contreras - C, CHC at SEA ($4,600)
Contreras ranks third among all catchers with a .278 batting average, and he tops the charts with 12 extra-base hits while leading all receivers with seven homers. Back in the day you would never even think about testing RHP Felix Hernandez, but he is very ordinary these days, and opponents are hitting .277 against him over 25 1/3 innings across five starts.
Josh Bell - 1B, PIT at TEX ($4,800)
Bell has rolled up 15 extra-base hits, including six homers, which is fifth-best in the majors among all first-base eligible players. He also has seven multi-hit games in the month of April, and he has hit safely in 15 of the past 20 games overall.
Eric Sogard - 2B, TOR at LAA ($4,100)
Sogard has enjoyed his return to the majors after starting out the season in Triple-A. Over the past week, Sogard has managed to hit .421 (8-for-19) with two doubles, three homers and six runs scored. Strike while the iron is hot. You can also use him at shortstop in DraftKings if you so choose.
Rafael Devers - 3B, BOS vs. OAK ($4,100)
Devers has a favorable matchup against RHP Aaron Brooks, a pitcher with a 5.33 ERA, including a 6.55 ERA in two road outings while hitters have posted a .273 opponent batting average against him. Look for Devers and the Red Sox hitters to keep Brooks down.
Carter Kieboom - SS, WAS vs. STL ($3,900)
Kieboom made his much-anticipated debut on April 26, and he whacked his first major league homer. He has just three hits in 15 at-bats (.200) so far, but he has a pair of homers, too. His power potential makes him an intriguing low-cost play since his ceiling is so high.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Andrew Benintendi - OF, BOS vs. OAK ($4,600)
Benintendi enters in the midst of a 1-for-13 streak with seven strikeouts. The loss of DFS players across the past three days will be your gain. His salary has tumbled a bit, but again, the Red Sox have a favorable matchup against Brooks and the A's. Overall, Benintendi is slashing .276/.361/.465, and he'll be one of the big hitters helping to keep Brooks down.
Alex Verdugo - OF, LAD at SF ($4,000)
Verdugo is expected to pick up the slack in center field with A.J. Pollock (elbow) expected to hit the 10-day injured list with an elbow infection. All four of Verdugo's hits have gone for extra bases against southpaws, and he'll look to keep that going against LHP Drew Pomeranz in Frisco on Tuesday.
