RADIO
Welcome to Wednesday baseball! We have a fun 12 game slate on DraftKings that has plenty of pitching options worth considering. Jimmy Nelson is making his first start since 2017 and will look to prove himself after coming back from injury. We also have some weak arms to take advantage of, from Desclafani against lefties to Alcantara in Miller Park. Let's dive into each position and look at the top option!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/5/19. 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.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Chris Sale BOS @ KAN ($10,600)
There is no reason for Chris Sale to be cheaper than Mike Minor. Sale has been much better of late, posting 66 strikeouts in his last six games. He's been giving up two or three runs in most games, but that's not a huge deal when you're striking out double digits and getting the win. Kauffman Stadium is huge and Sale will have a bit more room with his home run issues. The Royals strikeout 24.8% of the time and rank 28th in baseball against left-handers (.283 wOBA). There are four expensive options to consider paying up for, but I think Sale is the easy choice at his price.
Jimmy Nelson MIL vs. MIA ($8,200)
Jimmy Nelson will make his first start since his injury in 2017, when he was having the best season of his career. Albeit a short career, Nelson really turned the corner in 2017 and looked like an upcoming ace. He'll now make his much waited for return against the measly Marlins in Miller Park. I know these same measly Marlins put up 16 runs last night, but it still can't save them from being the worst lineup in baseball. Sitting below a .270 wOBA against righties, they strikeout 27% of the time and are even worse on the road. We don't know what to expect from Nelson, but the Marlins hold the lowest implied total on the slate and he's more than affordable. Do not overreact to last night.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Matt Wieters STL vs. CIN ($3,800)
Catcher is always a pain to fill, and especially when Gary Sanchez is facing a guy that dominates righties. Matt Wieters is an easy play at his price sitting in the middle of a Cardinals team that's projected to put up 4.86 runs. They're facing off with Anthony DeSclafani, who has always been terrible against left-handers. So far this year, he's allowed a .431 wOBA and has allowed nine home runs in just 25 innings. The Cardinals are a team I love stacking tonight, but I will be picky with the left-handers. Wieters is better as a lefty and the majority of his power comes from that side. He's affordable on DK and makes sense in all formats.
1B - Kendrys Morales NYY @ TOR ($2,800)
First base has a ton of options. We'll look at a cheaper option, but there are a few others worth noting. If you have enough money, Freddie Freeman and Anthony Rizzo are both phenomenal ways to pay up. With that being said, you'll have to pay down in at least a couple spots. Kendrys Morales hasn't been great for the Yankees so far, but his peripherals are in line with his past couple years. Things should start evening out and his price will rise with it. He's very cheap on DraftKings and faces off with Trent Thornton, who dominates righties and stinks against lefties. Hicks and Morales are both on my radar.
2B - Mike Moustakas MIL vs. MIA vs. MIL ($5,600)
If you can get Mike Moustakas at 2B, take advantage of it. He also has three home runs in the last four games and is hitting the ball hard every single time he comes to the plate. He is certainly expensive, but that will hopefully keep his ownership down. The Brewers are expected to put up 5.62 runs, which is the highest on the slate and I think they hit the over. Sandy Alcantara isn't a terrible pitcher, but he's been bad on the road and can't do much against lefties (.344 wOBA). Second base is pretty weak and Moustakas has double the upside of anyone. If you can afford it, play Moustakas and get him at under 25% owned.
3B - Matt Carpenter STL vs. CIN ($4,300)
We're back to the Cardinals with one of the safest plays of the night. Matt Carpenter will lead off against Anthony Desclafani, who has been atrocious against left-handers. Nine home runs in 25 innings is just absolutely crazy. He's striking out eight batters per nine innings and walking four. With a great slider and no effective changeup, he beats up righties and gets mashed by left-handers. That won't change until he gets a changeup or splitter that makes a difference. He's affordable on DraftKings at $4,300, coming in as the 12th most expensive third baseman. That's just not acceptable and Carpenter makes for an easy play in cash games.
SS- Elvis Andrus Tex vs. BAL ($4,900)
John Means actually looks like a pretty good pitcher on the surface, but that doesn't tell the whole story. A .250 BABIP and 5.46 xFIP vs righties shows us the hidden truth. Righties are just getting unlucky and that'll change tonight according to Vegas. A 5.12 run total and Andrus will be slotted into the three hole. He's always been better against lefties, sporting a .348 wOBA against them with a 36% hard contact rate. Shortstop has a lot of similar options and Andrus is safe with a ton of upside. You can also use SS to help stack whichever team is your favorite of the night.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Christian Yelich MIL vs. MIA ($6,000)
The price is obviously insane here on Yelich, but it should keep his ownership down and you can play him if you're paying down at pitcher. The Brewers are the top offense of the night and shouldn't be so popular with their prices. Yelich is one of the three best hitters in the league and I'd argue that he's the best against right-handers. Sandy Alcantara has been terrible against left-handers, sporting a 5.81 xFIP and striking out a measly four batters per nine. If you can't strikeout the Brewers, you'll have some trouble. Yelich is a great play in both cash games and tournaments if you can pay up.
Aaron Hicks NYY @ TOR ($3,300)
Trent Thornton is terrible against lefties, posting a .360 wOBA and giving up seven homers in 32 innings. Hicks is very cheap on DraftKings and I don't mind staking up this team and hoping Thornton gets blown up. Truth be told, Thornton has a ton of upside and could be worth playing in season-long. However, the Yankees always have upside and they're priced down. Hicks hasn't been great yet, but his peripherals are fine and say things should turn around.
