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DraftKings Lineup Picks & Sleepers (4/21/17): MLB DFS Advice

There are no afternoon games Friday, meaning it's a normal evening slate of games on DraftKings. With 15 games on the docket, there will be plenty of options to choose from. While some expensive pitching targets exist for Friday, the key will be to find value on the mound in order to afford some big-time hitters. 

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/21/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.

You can read our FanDuel and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @barryleonardjr.

Happy New Year! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings

Cleveland Indians vs. Jose Quintana (LHP)

The Tribe hitters get a very favorable matchup Friday with Jose Quintana. The Chicago southpaw has really struggled to start the season, posting a record of 0-3 and an ERA of 6.75. He's given up five runs in two of his first three starts. Current Cleveland batters have a lifetime average of .280 against him, with Michael Brantley collecting 13 hits, a homer, and six RBI in 27 at-bats. Righties have been very successful against Quintana this year, so don't be afraid to deploy guys like Francisco Lindor, Edwin Encarnacion.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Adam Wainwright (RHP)

Wainwright is 0-3 to start the year and has given up a total of nine runs in his last two starts. Friday's task won't be easy, as he'll be going up against the hard-hitting Brewers. Milwaukee is one of the top offensive teams in the league and makes for a great lineup stack. Lefties have crushed Wainwright to the tune of .455 this year, so Travis Shaw and Eric Thames could be in for big games.

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings

Jeremy Hellickson - vs. Atlanta Braves, $7,300 

Hellickson has started the new season with a record of 2-0 and an ERA of just 1.59. He has pitched in three games against two tough lineups -- Washington and Cincinnati -- and has looked sharp. He won't overwhelm opponents with strikeouts, but his ability to get outs is very valuable for fantasy lineups. With current Atlanta hitters carrying a combined average of .237 against him, Hellickson is in a good spot Friday.

Wily Peralta vs. St. Louis Cardinals, $5,700

This one could be a bit of a sleeper, but the St. Louis lineup hasn't been as dangerous this year as it has been in the past. Peralta has been flying under the fantasy radar a bit this year, but he's 3-0 with a 2.65 ERA. Don't let the fact that he went 0-2 against the Cardinals last year scare you away, he's pitching on a team that's been on of the best offenses to start the year.

 

DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings

Catcher (C)

Buster Posey - SF at COL, $5,100

If you take the above advice and go the cheap pitcher route you'll have some extra cap space for some big hitters. Buster Posey's price tag is higher than normal Friday thanks to the Coors Field effect. Despite missing time with a concussion earlier this year, Posey is off to a good start -- hitting .367 for the year and .444 over the last week. He's just 2-for-18 in his career against opposing starter Tyler Chatwood, but don't shy away. Posey is hitting well and racked up an average of .360 with two home runs and seven RBI at Coors last season.

First Base (1B)

Anthony Rizzo - CHC at CIN, $5,300

Rizzo has been smoking hot lately and is currently riding a nine-game hit streak. He is hitting .400 over the last week and has three straight games with at least 10 points on DraftKings. He has just six career at-bats against opposing pitcher Tim Adleman, but he's got four hits, including a double. Rizzo had six home runs in 40 at-bats at Great American Ballpark a year ago, so that bodes well for his chances Friday.

Second Base (2B)

Jose Ramirez - CLE at CHW, $3,700

Ramirez had a six-game hit streak end on Thursday, but he still enters Friday with a batting average of .345 with four homers and 16 RBI. He's really been hot recently, batting over .500 in the last week. He gets a good matchup with Jose Quintana Friday, as he has a lifetime average of .375 (9-for-24) against him.

Shortstop (SS)

Francisco Lindor - CLE at CHW , $3,900

Lindor went hitless Thursday, but he's still hitting .328 for the year and .370 over the past seven days. He continues to be the best available shortstop from a daily fantasy perspective and is averaging over 11 points a game on DraftKings. He can hit for both power and average, making him a must-start on most days.

Third Base (3B)

Nolan Arenado - COL vs. SF, $5,300

This one will cost you, but it's not wise to fade Nolan Arenado at home, particularly with him on a hot streak. The Colorado slugger is hitting .356 this year with six home runs, including that two that he hit against the Dodgers Tuesday. Arenado has three multi-hit games in his last four contests and is batting .435 over the last seven days. He does face a bit of a tough matchup with Johnny Cueto Friday, but his recent stretch and history at Coors Field should outweigh that. Arenado has been a daily fantasy stud and is a must-start, especially at home.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings

 Ryan Braun - MIL vs. STL, $5,000

Braun has turned back the clock a bit to start this season and is hitting over .300 with five home runs. He has two career home runs in his career against Adam Wainwright. Braun could be a savvy pick Friday, as many could stay away from his .213 lifetime average against the St. Louis right-hander and his low average against righties this season. Still, Braun has been hitting well and has been a very reliable source of fantasy points with an average of near 11 a game. 

Charlie Blackmon - COL vs SF, $5,100

Blackmon has struggled this year, particularly over the last week, hitting just .208. However, when hitting at Coors Field, his average is .348 with two home runs. He has also been good in the past against Johnny Cueto, hitting .300 (9-for-30). It's always wise to deploy some Rockies when they are home. Carlos Gonzalez would be the better choice here, but he's dealing with an injury, so go with Blackmon.

Steven Souza Jr. - TB vs HOU, $3,500

Steven Souza Jr. had a huge day Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. The outfielder is hitting .349 for the season and slugging .603. He has hit .308 over the last week and enters Friday with 11 hits over the last seven games. Despite being a right-handed batter, Souza has torched righties this year with a .341 average and two home runs.

 

DFS Hitters to Avoid on DraftKings

Anthony Rendon - WAS at NYM, $3,500

Yes, Rendon has heated up lately, hitting .348 over the last weekbut he faces a very difficult matchup with New York's Jacob deGrom on Friday. In 10 at-bats against him Rendon is hitless and has three strikeouts. While that's a small sample size, there's also the fact that Rendon is hitting barley over .200 against righties this season, and deGrom has limited right-handed hitters to a .212 average.

Trevor Story - COL vs. SF, $4,900

Trevor Story is priced among the most expensive shortstops available on Friday, but he's not worth the price. Sure, the thought of him hitting at Coors Field is enticing, but not when you realize how badly he's struggled this year. Story is hitting just .135 this year and has already struck out 25 times. Also, in his brief career against Johnny Cueto he's just 3-for-12.

 

MLB News & Injury Alerts

 

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POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

P.J. Washington

is Ruled Out for Thursday's Contest
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

is Returning on Thursday
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Darius Garland

to Play on Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Active Thursday
Coby White

to Play with Minutes Limit on Thursday
Ace Bailey

Sidelined on Thursday
Kevin Huerter

Won't Play on Thursday
Andrew Nembhard

Won't Play on Thursday
Brandon Miller

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
LaMelo Ball

Upgraded to Available on Thursday
Kevin Love

Available For Thursday
Kawhi Leonard

Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday
Jamie Drysdale

Unavailable Against Maple Leafs
Bobby Brink

Sits Out Thursday
Simon Nemec

Back for Devils Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs
Troy Terry

Misses Thursday's Game
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres
Brad Marchand

Out Thursday
Ace Bailey

Considered Questionable Versus Dallas
Evgeni Malkin

Set to Return Thursday
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Thursday
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Play Thursday
Alex Lyon

to Miss at Least One More Week
Mason Marchment

Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday
J.T. Miller

Likely to Return Thursday
Adam Henrique

Out Through Olympic Break
Dean Wade

Ruled Out Thursday
Brandon Williams

Questionable for Thursday
P.J. Washington

Doubtful Thursday
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Questionable Thursday
Donovan Mitchell

Available Thursday
Corey Kispert

Hawks Land Corey Kispert
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Nathan Walker

Ready to End 16-Game Absence
Rutger McGroarty

Out Indefinitely With Concussion
Kevin Stenlund

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Ty Dellandrea

Ruled Out Wednesday
Adam Erne

Misses Wednesday's Action
Tom Wilson

Aliaksei Protas Won't Play Wednesday
Anze Kopitar

Out Wednesday
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
Devon Toews

to Miss at Least Two Weeks
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri
CFB

Ty Simpson Undecided on 2026 Plans
CFB

Quarterback AJ Hill Following Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Requested an Interview With Klint Kubiak
Deshaun Watson

Browns Expect Deshaun Watson to be on the Team Next Year
Wan'Dale Robinson

Dealing With Fractured Ribs
Cam Skattebo

Hopes to be Back by Training Camp
Cameron Ward

Won't Need Surgery on his Shoulder
Davante Adams

Rams Expect Davante Adams to Return in Wild-Card Round
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Fire Head Coach Jonathan Gannon
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Fire Head Coach Pete Carroll
Malik Nabers

Unsure if He Will Be Ready for Week 1 of 2026 Season
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Will Return to Ole Miss If Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Will Return as Bengals Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Phillies Have Interest in Bo Bichette
Kansas City Royals

Matt Quatraro Signs Three-Year Extension With Royals
CFB

Transfer QB Billy Edwards Commits to North Carolina
CFB

Sam Leavitt Visiting Texas Tech on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Expected To Visit Florida State
Kyle Tucker

Blue Jays "Remain the Favorite" to Sign Kyle Tucker

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP