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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 5, 2018. Troy Klauder's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We've got a big afternoon slate of games on Thursday and a smaller evening slate. While there are several different contests being offered across DraftKings, the following picks have been made for contests running all day.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/5/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
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DraftKings Starting Pitchers
David Price - P, vs TB ($12,100)
In his first start of the year, Price dominated the same Rays lineup that he will be facing again on Thursday. Price threw seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts, no walks, and just four hits allowed. The lowly Rays lineup had just a .303 wOBA against left-handed pitching last year, ranking them 26th in all of baseball, and their offense only got worse over the offseason. Price is a great play in cash games, where his high floor will pay off.
Nick Pivetta - P, vs MIA ($7,300)
Contrary to Price, Pivetta is a high-upside, low-floor play to consider in GPP contests. While Pivetta's 6.75 ERA from 2017 looks horrific, his 4.26 xFIP is more representative of the kind of pitcher he is. That's still not ideal, but his 24.0% K-rate gives him lots of value. He's facing a rebuilding Marlins squad that's projected to have one of the worst lineups in the league this year, so there's legitimate upside here for Pivetta. Pivetta is a big gamble, but he could pay off nicely for such a low price.
DraftKings Infielders
Wilson Ramos - C, at BOS ($2,800)
If you don't roll with Price as one of your pitchers, Ramos is worth a look at catcher. Ramos crushes lefties, as he's got a career 115 wRC+ against them. There aren't many worthwhile catching options on Thursday, but Ramos is cheap and in a great hitting environment in Boston.
Josh Bell - 1B, vs CIN ($4,300)
Somehow Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey is still pitching in the majors. He had an absurd 6.43 ERA last season, and might be the worst pitcher on the entire slate. After popping 26 homers last year, 25-year-old Josh Bell is off to a red-hot start this year, putting up a .400/.435/.600 line. An entire Pirates stack would be a smart move against Bailey, but even if you don't go that route, Bell is a fantastic standalone play.
Brian Dozier - 2B, vs SEA ($4,400)
Dozier absolutely destroyed lefties in 2017, posting a 1.057 OPS against them. While James Paxton is no weak opponent, he got lit up by Cleveland in his first start of the year, giving up six earned runs on four walks. If Paxton is still facing some early-season hiccups, Dozier will take advantage and put up a huge day. For a player who had 34 homers and 16 steals last season, Dozier is priced way too low, as he can score for you in a variety of ways. Buy him at this price while you still can, because it probably won't last for long.
Maikel Franco - 3B, vs MIA ($3,000)
While Franco isn't a top-tier play, he's a cheap power flier that you can use to get some more expensive players into your lineup. Even in a poor 2017, he hit 24 homers, and he could have a strong day against inexperienced lefty Caleb Smith, who is making just his third Major League start at age 26. Franco is someone to consider in GPP formats for his upside.
Elvis Andrus - SS, at OAK ($3,900)
Andrus was a fantasy catalyst in 2017, hitting 20 homers with 25 steals and a .297 average. He's brought this success with him into 2018, as so far he is batting .364. As the Rangers three-hole hitter, he is in a position for lots of runs and RBI against A's starter Daniel Mengden, who gave up five earned runs in his first start of the season. Andrus is severely undervalued at this price.
DraftKings Outfielders
Nick Castellanos - OF, at CHW ($4,900)
A popular breakout candidate entering 2018, Castellanos has raked in his first four games, batting .333 with a .988 OPS. Don't be surprised if Castellanos knocks his first home run of the season on Thursday, as he's facing James Shields, who had an insanely bad 2.08 HR/9 last season. Guaranteed Rate Field is a hitter-friendly park where Casty should find success.
Lorenzo Cain - OF, vs CHC ($4,500)
Cain is off to a monster start in Milwaukee, as he already has three steals and a homer while batting .409. Miller Park is one of the best hitter's parks in all of baseball, and Cain is batting third in a loaded Brewers lineup. He's facing off against Jon Lester, who looked awful in his first start, where he only lasted 3 1/3 innings.
Albert Almora - OF, at MIL ($3,000)
On the flip side of this matchup, Albert Almora is a cheap platoon bat who's worth grabbing on Thursday. He should lead off for the Cubs as they face left-hander Brent Suter. Almora will have plenty of run-scoring opportunities atop the Cubs lineup, and gets the same fantastic ballpark that Cain does.
