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DraftKings Lineup Picks & Sleepers (4/23/17): MLB DFS Advice

Troy Klauder's DraftKings analysis and advice. The top MLB DFS lineup picks on for 4/23/17, as well as a couple of sleepers for daily fantasy baseball rosters.

This Sunday has a full slate of games, so it's time to build some lineups. With several different contests being offered on DraftKings, you'll have lots of different lineup options. For our purposes, the following picks have been made for contests running all day. 

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/23/17. 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 @TroyKlauder.

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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings

Texas Rangers vs. Jason Hammel (RHP)

Jason Hammel has been a mess this year, putting up just nine walks to seven strikeouts through his first 15 2/3 innings, good for a 4.60 ERA. The 34-year-old has been declining every year, and this may be the season that the wheels fall off. This is fantastic for opposing Rangers hitters, who look to feast on Hammel at their hitter-friendly home park in Arlington. Rougned Odor and Nomar Mazara are more expensive plays who should return their value and put up lots of points, while Joey Gallo is a cheap opportunity for a monster bomb. Check to see if Delino Deshields Jr. or Jurickson Profar is in the lineup, as either one will be a bargain. Get as many Rangers as you can in your lineups on Sunday.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Jimmy Nelson (RHP)

Jimmy Nelson is coming off an atrocious 2016 where he put up a 4.62 with a 5.12 FIP, with a 7.03 K/9 and 4.32 BB/9. Nelson is one of the worst regular starting pitchers in all of baseball, and he just got shelled by the Cubs for seven runs his last time out. Therefore, it's a smart move pounce on Cardinals hitters on Sunday, such as Kolten Wong who you can get at a big discount. Hitters like Matt Carpenter, Dexter Fowler, and Aledmys Diaz are a smart way to spend your payroll, as they should get tons of run and RBI production as they tee off on Nelson.

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings

Ricky Nolasco, LAA vs. TOR - $7,800

For the last two years, you would have been insane to even consider starting a pitcher against the Blue Jays on DraftKings. This year's Blue Jays team is much different, though, as they have had the worst offense in the league this year with a .269 wOBA. They are without Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki, making their lineup a shell of what it used to be. They're also starting career minor leaguer Casey Lawrence on the mound, meaning Ricky Nolasco has a great shot at getting the win. As for Nolasco, who was originally scheduled to pitch Monday before Jesse Chavez was used in relief on Saturday, he has a poor 4.76 ERA through his first four starts. However, he is coming off a nice six inning start against a tough Houston lineup where he only gave up two earned runs. Nolasco is no ace, but his great matchup at home against a weak Toronto lineup makes him a great cheap play for Sunday.

Mike Foltynewicz, ATL @ PHI - $7,800

Mike Foltynewicz hasn't had an ideal start to his 2017, posting a 4.26 ERA with eight strikeouts and seven walks through 12 2/3 innings (two starts and one relief appearance). Folty has a great opportunity to right the ship on Sunday against the Phillies, who have put up just a 96 wRC+ this year and strike out a ton -- their 23.7 K% puts them at 6th most in the league. Folty put up strong peripherals last year, with an 8.10 K/9 and 2.55 BB/9, so don't give up on him after two starts. The 25-year-old should have a good start Sunday for a low price.

 

DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings

Catcher (C)

Yasmani Grandal, LAD @ ARI - $3,700

Even though Yasmani Grandal is only hitting .250, he's off to a much better start than you probably realized, posting a .377 OBP and .432 SLG and a 130 wRC+ this year. That's elite level production out of the scarcest position in baseball, and yet somehow he's only $3,700 on Sunday. Grandal bats fifth in the high-powered Dodgers lineup, and he should rake against Shelby Miller, who had a 6.15 ERA last year. Grandal should rack up hits and RBIs at Chase Field, one of the best hitter's parks in the league. Seemingly every factor lines up perfectly for Grandal.

First Base (1B)

Justin Bour, MIA @SD - $3,300

Why would you start a hitter batting .175 in Petco Park? Well, the answer is simple -- Luis Perdomo. Perdomo is back from the disabled list and starting on Sunday, after giving up five earned runs in his only start earlier this month. Perdomo had a 5.71 ERA last season and gave up home runs like it was his job, with a 1.41 HR/9. Justin Bour has gotten off to a horrible start, but he's only played in less than a month of games. In 321 plate appearances in 2016, Bour put up a nice 114 wRC+ and regularly bats fifth in the Marlins order. Don't give up on Bour because of his small sample size this year. Instead, take advantage of his price that has fallen into the cellar and enjoy the production.

Second Base (2B)

Robinson Cano, SEA @ OAK - $4,100

If you need an top-tier level talent for a mid-level price, Robinson Cano is your guy. Cano is off to a slow start, but homered Saturday and is looking for more against Andrew Triggs on Sunday. Triggs' crazy first three starts, where he hasn't allowed a run, are merely a mirage, as he has just nine strikeouts through 17 1/3 innings and is rolling with a .196 BABIP and 80.0 LOB%. He is the type of pitcher that a veteran like Cano can tear apart. Get in now before the price rises on Cano.

Shortstop (SS)

Dansby Swanson, ATL @ PHI - $3,600

Swanson has gotten off to a slow start (seeing a theme here?) but makes for a great play Sunday. Swanson represents yet another opportunity to take advantage of a low price based on a small sample. Zach Eflin showed that he is not a major league pitcher last year after he posted a pathetic 4.41 K/9 and 5.54 ERA. Swanson's great contact tool will come in handy here, as Eflin is incredibly easy to make contact off of. Swanson should have a nice day at the plate.

Third Base (3B)

Travis Shaw, MIL vs STL - $3,800

Travis Shaw, colloquially known as The Mayor of Ding Dong City, is off to a torrid start this year with fivw home runs and a 141 wRC+. He bats cleanup for the Brewers, who are at home in the great hitting environment of Miller Park. Mike Leake is his opposition, who only has a 5.91 K/9 through his first three starts this year and had a 4.69 ERA last year. Shaw's ridiculous start should continue on Sunday, and your only worry should be that not too many other owners grab him at such a low price.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings

Jason Heyward, CHC @ CIN - $3,900

After last year's absurdly bad season at the plate, Jason Heyward seems to have found his footing again this year, as he is batting .300 with homers in his last two games. His opposition is Bronson Arroyo -- which is a joke that I'm typing this in 2017. The 40-year-old has risen from the dead to pitch for the first time since 2014, and currently has an 8.40 ERA. Arroyo is going to get absolutely obliterated by the Cubs, and Heyward will be right in the middle of their lineup. Don't miss out on this opportunity with Heyward.

Gorkys Hernandez SF @ COL - $3,700

Normally it's tough to even mention hitters at Coors Field, since DraftKings sets their prices much higher when they travel to Colorado (for good reason). However, Giants outfielder Gorkys Hernandez is coming in at a basement level price. Hernandez isn't a great hitter, but against Kyle Freeland in the ultimate hitter's park, he's hard to pass up. Freeland got crushed for six runs his last time at home, so the Giants are likely to do the same. Hernandez will almost certainly be in the lineup after Denard Span was injured on Saturday night, and he if he's leading off he will have incredible value. As a fair warning, lots of other owners may have Hernandez in their lineups too, so be aware of the contest you're entering before you decide to play him.

Justin Upton, DET @ MIN - $4,400

Justin Upton, who cracked 31 home runs last year, is a fantastic play against Kyle Gibson on Sunday. Gibson has a 6.91 ERA through his first three starts and gave up five earned runs in his start against the Tigers earlier this month. Upton is rocking a 142 wRC+, so even with a dilapidated Detroit lineup, he should produce on his own.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Likely to Return on Tuesday
Jacob deGrom

to Start on Monday
Kyle Tucker

Homers Twice in Win
Chris Sale

Likely to Return Next Weekend
Brian Robinson Jr.

to be RB2
Najee Harris

to be Ready Week 1?
De'Von Achane

Making Good Progress
Jaylen Wright

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Marcus Semien

Placed on Injured List
Jackson Merrill

Heads to 10-Day Injured List
Jordan Love

Says He'll Play in Week 1
Brice Turang

Absent on Saturday, "Touch-and-Go" With Wrist Injury
Chase Elliott

Despite Being Winless at Daytona, Chase Elliott is Probably the Best DFS Option
Ryan Blaney

Will Likely Lead a Lot at Daytona
Kyle Larson

a Poor DFS Option at Daytona
Christopher Bell

Consistent Enough to Consider for DFS
Chris Buescher

Now Must Win His Way Into Playoffs
Ryan Preece

Being One of the Slowest-Starting Fords Makes Ryan Preece a Strong DFS Option
Ross Chastain

Leads a Lot on Drafting Tracks
Daniel Suarez

Now in Desperation Mode With his Career on the Line
Chase Briscoe

Tendency to Finish Better Than He Runs May Reap Dividends at Daytona
Lamar Jackson

Should Practice on Monday
Carson Hocevar

Hard to Forecast Since He's Rarely Given 100 Percent at Daytona
Michael McDowell

has a Solid Drafting Record
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Arguably Starting Too Well for Place-Differential Points
Austin Dillon

Will Likely Be Too Conservative for DFS Consideration
Noah Gragson

Has Place-Differential Potential as One of the Lowest-Starting Fords
Todd Gilliland

Poor Starting Position and Ford's Drafting Speed Make Todd Gilliland a Viable Option
Zane Smith

Probably Starting Too Well for DFS Play
Justin Haley

has Strong Pass-Differential Potential
Cole Custer

Daytona 500 Speed Makes Him a Solid Play
Austin Hill

Qualifies Poorly Enough for DFS Consideration
Matt Chapman

Activated and Starting on Saturday
Moses Moody

Warriors Not Interested in Trading Moses Moody
Kevin Durant

Rockets Expected to Agree on New Contract
Trey Murphy III

Warriors, Spurs Interested in Trey Murphy III
Zack Wheeler

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Kyle Busch

Facing a Must-Win Situation at Daytona
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Could Be a Risky Pick at Daytona
Yoán Moncada

Yoan Moncada Hits a Pair of Home Runs on Friday
Willy Adames

Belts Two Solo Home Runs on Friday
CAR

Luke Kunin Joins Panthers on One-Year Deal
Auston Matthews

Says His Health is "Good" Before Start of Season
Roope Hintz

"Feeling Good" Ahead of New Season
Matthew Tkachuk

Recovering From Surgery
Marco Rossi

Wild Re-Sign Marco Rossi to Three-Year Deal
Bubba Chandler

Records Four-Inning Save in Debut
Walker Buehler

Officially Moving to Bullpen
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia to be Activated on Saturday
Tanner Scott

Activated on Friday
NBA

Malik Beasley Now Drawing Interest from Teams
Jacob Wilson

Reintated and Starting on Friday
Marcus Semien

Could be Out All Weekend, IL Stint Possible
Evan Carter

Could Miss Rest of Season With Fractured Wrist
Brian Robinson Jr.

Traded to 49ers
Samuel Basallo

Inks an Eight-Year Extension With the Orioles
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Shanghai Main Event
Johnny Walker

In Dire Need Of Victory
Brian Ortega

An Underdog At UFC Shanghai
Aljamain Sterling

Set For UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Shanghai
Kevin Borjas

Set for UFC Shanghai Main-Card Bout
Sumudaerji

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kiefer Crosbie

Set To Open Up UFC Shanghai Main Card
Taiyilake Nueraji

Set For His UFC Debut
Jesús Sánchez

Jesus Sanchez Tallies Five Hits
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Dealing With Low-Grade Hamstring Strain
Connor Ingram

Clears Player Assistance Program
Frank Nazar

Inks Seven-Year Extension With Blackhawks
COL

Victor Olofsson Signs One-Year Deal With Avalanche
Tee Higgins

has Injury Scare on Thursday
Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons Expected to Play in Week 1
Chris Godwin

Expected to be Activated from the PUP List
Dru Smith

Aims to Be Healthy for Training Camp
Jayson Tatum

Provides Injury Update
RJ Barrett

Considered a Trade Candidate
Golden State Warriors

Warriors "Remain Very Confident" About Signing Al Horford
Jahmir Young

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Devaughn Vele

Traded to Saints
Demarcus Robinson

Issued Three-Game Suspension
Lamar Jackson

Dealing With Minor Foot Injury
Lamar Jackson

Suffers Apparent Hand Injury
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Tour Championship
Corey Conners

Looking to Reverse Struggles at East Lake
Joe Mixon

Could Begin Season on PUP List
Cameron Young

Stays Hot Ahead of Tour Championship
Harris English

Aims for Complete Game at East Lake
Sepp Straka

Back in Action at East Lake
Ben Griffin

a Strong Value Play at East Lake
Rory McIlroy

Chasing Another Win at East Lake
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for 30th at BMW Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Finishes Tied For Seventh at BMW Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Keegan Bradley

Finishes Tied for 17th at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at BMW Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at BMW Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Wins BMW Championship
Brian Robinson Jr.

Not Expected to Play for Commanders This Year
Rashee Rice

Could be Facing 4-6 Game Suspension?
Harry Hall

Hot at the Right Time for Tour Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound at Tour Championship
Jacob Bridgeman

has One Weakness Heading to Atlanta
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Not Expecting to Be Moved Before the Season
Nick Taylor

a Long Shot to Win Tour Championship
Josh Giddey

Bulls Not Interested in Sign-and-Trade Deal Involving Josh Giddey
Brian Harman

Trying to Crack Top 20 at Tour Championship
Andrew Novak

Attempts to Bounce Back in Atlanta
Oscar Tshiebwe

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Justin Rose

Seeks Even More Success at Tour Championship
Washington Wizards

Alondes Williams Joins Wizards for Training Camp
Washington Wizards

Wizards Add Skal Labissiere for Training Camp
A.J. Brown

on Track to Play in Week 1
CBJ

Brendan Smith Joins Blue Jackets on Tryout Deal
STL

Milan Lucic Joins Blues for Tryout
DET

Red Wings Pick Up Travis Hamonic
Jalen McMillan

Could be Out Through Week 9 Bye
Indiana Pacers

Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Agrees to a Multiyear Contract Extension on Tuesday
Washington Wizards

John Wall Retires After 11 NBA Seasons
Daniel Jones

Named as Colts Starting Quarterback
Jalen McMillan

Will Not Be Ready for Season Opener
Collin Sexton

Hornets Have High Hopes for Collin Sexton
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Start Season Without Contract Extension
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Hopes to Bounce Back in 2025-26
Stephen Curry

Ready to Go for New Season
Orlando Magic

Lester Quinones Agrees to Deal With Magic

RANKINGS

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