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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on June 25th, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
The all-day slate on DraftKings for Monday begins at 3:10pm (EST) and consists of all 12 matchups. Four of those games have over/unders of at least nine total runs. Three games are tied with the lead at 9.5 total runs and Texas is the strongest favorite from that bunch (-150).
Speaking of favorites, only one club is deemed to be a heavy (-200, or more) favorite on Monday. The Astros, and Justin Verlander, are pegged with -250 odds, according to Vegas. Meaning, JV will be very expensive on DraftKings. More on that later.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/25/18. 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 @CharlieSideHstl.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Jameson Taillon, PIT (@ NYM) - $7,900
The price tag for Verlander is exuberant ($13,300). So, I will choose to fade him on Monday. Instead, let’s pivot to Taillon. He’s produced at least six strikeouts in five of the past six outings and hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in five straight appearances. It was a rough start to the season for Tailllon, but he’s settled down. The right-hander has a 2.88 ERA in the month of June, with 24 strikeouts in 25 innings of work. Also, the Mets are 26th in runs scored this season (292 runs in 74 games).
Shelby Miller, ARI (@ MIA) - $6,500
Choosing a pitcher making his 2018 debut after Tommy John surgery typically ins’t highly recommended. However, do you see that price tag? Also, he produced quite the showing in the minors during his rehab. Although he allowed 10 earned runs in 19.1 innings (4.66 ERA), Miller struck out 28 batters during that span (10 strikeouts in his last outing). Plus, he couldn’t pick a better team to face upon his return to MLB. The Marlins are 29th in runs scored (275 runs in 77 games) and 11th in team strikeouts (676) this season. Also, Miami is 25th in team wOBA against right-handed pitchers (.302) in 2018.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Evan Gattis, HOU (vs. TOR) - $4,200
For a player who hit only one home run in March/April combined, Gattis is getting his swing back. June has been his most profitable month this season. He’s already tallied seven homers and Gattis still has six days left. Let’s hope he adds to his total on Monday when he faced Cole Hammels. Since 2017, Gattis has a .240 ISO against lefties, which is second-most of qualified batters on the Astros (Springer has a .262 ISO).
1B - Luis Valbuena, LAA (@ KC) - $3,400
The Angels have one of the highest implied run totals on the slate. That works out well for us, because Valbuena has a .216 ISO against right-handed pitchers, since 2017. In the past week, Valbuena is only 5-for-20 (.250), but three of those five hits were home runs. With his salary sitting at only $3,400, the reward far outweighs any risk that comes with selecting the strikeout-prone infielder.
2B - Ozzie Albies, ATL (vs. CIN) - $4,900
Albies started 2018 gangbusters (that’s still a term, right?). In April, Albies batted .320, but then declined. For the month of June, he owns a .202 AVG (.264 AVG on the season). However, he’s starting to heat up, again. Albies is 12-for-27 (.444) with three doubles and a stolen base.
3B - Christian Villanueva, SD (@ TEX) - $3,800
Villanueva is punishing left-handed pitchers at a tumultuous pace. Since 2017, Villanueva owns a remarkable .506 ISO against southpaws. This season, he’s batting .333 against lefties and only .182 against righties. Of his 22 hits this year against lefties, half of them are home runs. As for his opposing pitcher on Monday, Cole Hamels is 1-5 with a 4.91 ERA at home.
SS - Jurickson Profar, TEX (vs. SD) - $4,300
The Rangers have one of the highest implied run totals of the slate and Profar leads the team with a .278 ISO against left-handed pitchers. Texas will face Joey Lucchesi on Monday. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in three of the last four outings. He’s also allowed seven home runs in the last four starts.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz, SEA (@ BAL) - $5,200
On Friday, I dubbed Odubel Herrera as my favorite play and he delivered: 4-for-5, with a home run and two RBI. For Monday, I’m giving that honor to Cruz. In the past week, he’s 13-for-27 (.481) with four home runs, one triple, and two doubles. He leads the Mariners with a .273 ISO against right-handed pitchers. Plus, Cruz has success against Andrew Cashner. In their previous meetings, Cruz is 6-for-13 (.462) with four extra base hits (one home run) and three walks.
Justin Upton, LAA (@ KC) - $5,000
Paying $6,100 for Mike Trout feels like too much. We’re paying $400 more for one of our pitchers. Plus, Trout is struggling while dealing with a sprained finger (cue the multi-home run performance). So, instead of spending top dollar for the perennial MVP, let’s save some money and add his teammate. Upton is also dangerous to opposing left-handed pitchers. His .232 ISO is second to only Trout’s .347 ISO on the Angels. While he’s only tallied five hits in the past week (.227 AVG), two of those left the yard.
Bryce Harper, WSH (@ TB) - $4,800
I have a weird memory. Meaning, I have no idea why I remember random events, but they have a way to sometimes helping me in my DFS roster construction. For example, I remember seeing this moonshot from Harper back in the day (4:16 mark). I also remember noting that it occurred at Tropicana Field. So, as I was looking through the matchups, I noticed that the Nationals made a rare appearance in Tampa Bay. Under further investigation, I discovered that Harper is 3-for-7 (.429) with one home run at The Trop in his MLB career. It’s no coincidence that I had exactly $4,800 left in my DK salary while scrolling through the DK outfield player pool. Take it with a grain of salt, but I’m buying shares of Harper on Monday.
