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The first game of the 2024 MLB regular season is in the books. We have another matchup between the Dodgers and Padres on Thursday before the focus shifts back to the remainder of the exhibition schedule. The one game leaves us showdowns and single-game slates on DraftKings and FanDuel as our only DFS options.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 3/21/2024, with the slate locking at 6:05 a.m. EDT. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Pitchers - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
You can't roster pitchers on FanDuel; you can only roster five hitters. But both starting pitchers (and relief pitchers, too) are in the player pool on DraftKings.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($12,000 DraftKings; $18,000 DraftKings Captain) vs. Padres
Tyler Glasnow held the Padres in check Wednesday, allowing two runs over five innings. He was a bit wild, walking four batters and recording just three strikeouts. Looking to slow them down again on Thursday will be Yamamoto, who will be making his first career start in the majors.
Yamamoto has been the most dominant pitcher in Japan, winning the Eiji Sawamura Award each of the last three seasons. That is their equivalent of the Cy Young Award. Last season, he had a 1.16 ERA and 176 strikeouts across 171 innings. This will be another uphill battle for the Padres to produce runs.
Joe Musgrove ($11,000 DK; $16,500 DK CPT) at Dodgers
Musgrove was limited to just 17 starts last season because of injury. When he was healthy, he performed well again with a 3.05 ERA and a 3.52 FIP. He only had a 24.3 percent strikeout rate, though, which is on par with his career mark of 23.9 percent.
Don’t expect Musgrove to be a popular option against the loaded Dodgers’ lineup. However, deploying him in the captain’s spot in tournament play is a viable strategy for those looking to differentiate their lineup.
Top Hitters - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Shohei Ohtani ($9,200 DK; $13,800 DK CPT; $9,500 FD) vs. Joe Musgrove
Ohtani produced quite a debut for the Dodgers on Wednesday. He went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base. He is one of the most dominant hitters in the league and he has also stolen at least 20 bases in two of the last three seasons. While he has a hefty salary on both sites, he could be well worth them.
New team.
Same incredible swing.Shohei Ohtani rips his first RBI as a Dodger! pic.twitter.com/QxUtq172Iy
— MLB (@MLB) March 20, 2024
Freddie Freeman ($9,000 DK, $13,500 DK CPT; $8,500 FD) vs. Joe Musgrove
Although Freeman did not record a hit Wednesday, he drew two walks. He has shown an excellent eye at the plate throughout his career, posting a 19.0 percent strikeout rate and an 11.5 percent walk rate. While he doesn’t have the same power upside that Ohtani does, Freeman has still launched at least 29 home runs in two of the last three seasons. With Ohtani and Mookie Betts hitting in front of him, Freeman should have a ton of opportunities to drive in runs this season.
Top Value Plays - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Teoscar Hernandez ($7,000 DK; $10,500 DK CPT; $7,000 FD) vs. Joe Musgrove
While the top-third of the Dodgers’ lineup has the potential to be historic, their middle-third of the lineup is also loaded. Will Smith hit fourth, Max Muncy hit fifth, and Hernandez batted sixth Wednesday. Hernandez also had an impactful debut with his new team, going 1-for-5 with two runs scored. With the potential for a lot of traffic on base ahead of him, Hernandez could provide value.
Teoscar Hernández records the Dodgers first run of their 2024 season following a sacrifice fly from J-Hey 🙌
🎥: @SportsNetLA pic.twitter.com/YdRLTte9L4
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) March 20, 2024
Tyler Wade ($3,400 DK; $5,100 DK CPT; $4,500 FD) vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Manny Machado is currently limited to DH duties as he recoveries from elbow surgery. Wade started with the righty Glasnow on the mound Wednesday, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. It was the continuation of a strong spring that has seen him hit .294 with a .351 OBP over 37 plate appearances. At such a cheap salary, adding him to a lineup makes rolling with a couple of the top-tier options more palpable, while also providing modest upside.
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