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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on June 19th, 2019. Austyn Varney's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Welcome to Wednesday baseball! We have an exciting 10-game slate on our hands with plenty to look at. Max Scherzer and Lucas Giolito are the top two pitchers on the slate and are similarly priced, which seems like a different universe altogether. We then have Rich Hill, who has a phenomenal match-up and will be chalk in cash games. Pitching is pretty rough on this slate, so it may be worth paying up for someone that you feel safe with. Let's dive in and take a look at each position!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/19/19. 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, contact me on Twitter @varneydfs.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Rich Hill LAD vs. SFG ($10,300)
If you’re looking for safety, look no further than Rich Hill. He’s already one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball, going for a quality start in eight of his first nine appearances. The Dodgers and Hill will now host the Giants, who rank 28th in baseball against lefties and strikeout 27% of the time. They’re an offense without firepower and Hill should have no issue working through an easy six or seven innings. Hill has held both sides of the plate so a sub .300 wOBA and has walked just two batters per nine. His price is fair and he’s the top SP1 on DK.
Trevor Williams PIT vs. DET ($7,300)
Trevor Williams is expected to get reinstated from the 10 day DL after pitching a successful 71 pitches in the minors. We may not get a full compliment of Williams tonight, but 75-85 pitches should be enough at his price in this match-up. The Tigers are a bottom five team against right-handers and strikeout at a 25% clip. Williams has been phenomenal when healthy this season, going for six or more innings in all seven of his starts. The match-up is great and he should be able to rack up enough K’s in five or six innings to pay off his minuscule salary. Pitching is rather ugly tonight and Williams fills the SP2 hole.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
James McCann CWS @ CHC ($4,100)
I know the name factor of Jon Lester will put many off of these White Sox bats, but he’s not the same guy we’re used to. He’s allowed a .320+ wOBA consistently to righties at this point and has had trouble with the long ball. James McCann will likely be in the cleanup spot and is a lefty specialist, sporting a .427 wOBA since the start of 2018. Catcher is always a weak position and I don’t think McCann garners more than 5 or 10% ownership. I’ll take advantage of the massive splits and affordable price tag.
Matt Adams WAS vs. PHI ($4,300)
Assuming the thunderstorms stay away, the Nationals and Phillies will try to get this game in for the third day in a row. Arrieta isn’t a bad pitcher by any means, but he mightily struggles against left-handed power. So far in 2019, he's managed to allow 10 home runs and a .380 wOBA to lefties in just 37 innings of work. That's an 2.5 HR/9 on the year. He now faces off with a team that can hit the ball out of the park and has plenty of lefties. Matt Adams will go mostly ignored with so many other options at the position, but he has plenty of power and shouldn't be under 15% owned.
Danny Santana TEX vs. CLE ($4,800)
Danny Santana isn't a guy many know the names of, but his numbers are just crazy. Against righties, he's posted a .371 wOBA that's backed up by a 43% hard contact rate and 43% Pull rate. He's smashing righties and the Rangers have taken notice, plugging him into the top of the order with regularity at this point. Adam Plutko is simply terrible, figuring out a way to allow 8 home runs in just 22 innings. The Rangers are one of the top offenses of the night and Santana gives you exposure at one of the weaker positions on the slate.
Josh Donaldson ATL vs. NYM ($4,400)
This Braves team is firmly in play against Steven Matz, who’s struggled this season as a whole. He’s allowing a 4.11 xFIP and has also been pretty lucky with a. .263 BABIP against. The Braves are expected to put up five plus runs here and Donaldson should be involved. He’s a lefty specialist (.406 wOBA) and will be hitting behind the likes of Acuna Jr. and Freeman. The RBI opportunities will be plentiful and the price isn’t up there with the top 3B of the slate. Donaldson is an elite option in every format.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Ronald Acuna Jr. ATL vs. NYM ($5,500)
If you're going to play an expensive outfielder, Ronald Acuna Jr. seems like the move. The Braves have been on fire as of late and we already touched on Josh Donaldson at 3B. Steven Matz hasn't been great this season and his biggest issue has been home runs. Acuna Jr. has two homers in his last three and is seeing the ball better than he has all season long. Against left-handers, Acuna Jr. has posted a .436 wOBA with a crazy 56.5% hard contact rate. He's expensive, but has as much upside as anyone on the slate.
Randal Grichuk TOR vs. LAA ($3,400)
Andrew Heaney is a good pitcher, but he has trouble with the long ball and it's not tough to figure out who may take advantage. Right handers with power that can hit the fastball. Grichuk hasn't had his best season, but he's much better against lefties and has always hit the fastball well. His price is extremely low on DraftKings and I don't think you'll see ownership over 10% here. Ownership will be spread out in the outfield and Grichuk has a ton of upside.
