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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (4/1/18): MLB DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 1, 2018. Elliott Baas' MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

Today is an odd Sunday schedule, since only eight games are on the main slate at DraftKings. Normally, all teams will be in play on Sunday, but due to travel days we're working with a truncated slate. That means we need to get a little creative, as there is no obvious stack today.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 04/01/2018. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me on Twitter @ElliottBaasBB

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DraftKings DFS Pitchers

Jose Quintana - vs. MIA, $11,700

Don’t let Quintana’s 4.15 ERA last season fool you, he was the same rock solid pitcher last year that he’s always been. His 3.68 FIP and 71.4% strand rate suggest that his ERA was a little inflated in 2017. He also posted a career high 26.2% strikeout rate, a big jump from his career 20.9% mark. Quintana faces a depleted Marlins lineup who’s most fearsome hitter, Justin Bour, has a career .292 wOBA against lefties. Matchups don’t get much easier than this. Another plus for Quintana is his ability to go deep into games. With all the quick hooks we’ve seen early in the season Quintana has the longevity we need in DFS. Plus the Cubs’ bullpen has been used heavily over the first couple days of the season because of Jon Lester’s short start and a 17 inning game on Friday, so they'll need some innings from Quintana.

Michael Fulmer - vs. PIT, $7,800

Fulmer compliments Quintana nicely as a number two against Pittsburgh. In 2017, the Pirates posted a .303 wOBA and 85 wRC+ against right handed pitching as a team. That was third worst in the majors ahead of just the Giants and the Padres, and they no longer have Andrew McCutchen. Fulmer doesn’t have big strikeout upside, with just a career 6.84 K/9, but he does keep the ball in the yard with a career 0.81 HR/9 and limit walks with a career 2.28 BB/9. Fulmer is also a good bet to notch a quality start, he delivered 18 of them in 25 starts last season. With the Tigers scheduled for a double header Sunday they’d love Fulmer to give them innings.

 

DraftKings DFS Infielders

Wilson Ramos – C, vs BOS, $2,700

Ramos didn’t miss a beat last season coming off a torn ACL and switching leagues. His .188 ISO in 2017 was nearly identical to his .189 ISO during his breakout 2016 before the injury. He also slugged 11 home runs in 224 plate appearances in Tampa. He’ll be going against Hector Velazquez, who posted a suspiciously low 2.92 ERA last season in 24.2 innings despite several red flags. Velazquez had a 4.58 FIP, .258 BABIP, 1.46 HR/9, and 89.3% strand rate behind that ERA. Velazquez is a vulnerable pitcher and Ramos’ price is too good to pass up.

Justin Smoak – 1B vs NYY, $3,500

Smoak will be facing Yankees righty Sonny Gray on Sunday. Despite a 2017 bounce back from a disastrous 2016, Gray was susceptible to the long ball after going from Oakland to the Bronx. In pinstripes Gray surrendered 11 of his 19 home runs allowed in just two months, good for 1.5 HR/9. Gray also post an ugly 4.87 FIP as a Yankee, and his performance was aided by a .246 BABIP. On the flipside the switch-hitting Smoak clobbered 31 of his 38 homers against righties in 2017 with a .266 ISO and .359 wOBA. Gray’s performance and reputation push Smoak’s price down, but this is a power bat against a homer prone pitcher.

Whit Merrifield – 2B vs CWS, $4,100

In his short career Merrifield has displayed a set of skills that allow him to contribute in multiple ways. His speed and 16.5% strikeout rate make him a good bet to get hits, his .172 ISO last year shows he’s got a little pop, and his 34 steals last year lead the American League. He’s facing 24-year-old Reynaldo Lopez on Sunday, and while Lopez could become a good pitcher someday hasn’t shown any signs of his ability at the major league level. In 47.2 innings last season Lopez had a 4.72 ERA, 4.75 FIP, and 1.32 HR/9. He also had a measly 5.66 K/9 in 2017. Putting a good contact hitter like Merrifield against a pitcher that can’t get strikeouts like Lopez is a recipe for hits.

Kris Bryant – 3B vs MIA, $5,400

Bryant is worth paying up for against Marlins lefty Dillon Peters. Bryant demolishes lefties, with a career .405 wOBa and .263 ISO against southpaws. Peters struggled in his first taste of the big leagues, with a 5.17 ERA, 4.69 FIP, and horrendous 5.46 BB/9. Bryant is the pricey bat to make room for today, we just need to hope that Peters can get it over the plate.

Paul DeJong – SS vs NYM, $3,400

Opposing pitcher Steven Matz is priced surprisingly high at $8,200 given his poor 2017. Last year he had a 6.08 ERA, 5.05 FIP, and 1.62 HR/9 in 66.2 innings. Of course some of his bad performance was injury related, as Matz has shown better performance in the past, but his high price makes Cardinals hitters affordable against the disabled list regular. Paul DeJong raked against lefties in his breakout 2017, with a .313 ISO, .952 OPS, and .392 wOBA against left-handed pitching last year. Even if Steven Matz is fully healthy, those numbers put DeJong in play against any lefty at this price.

 

DraftKings DFS Outfielders

Marcell Ozuna – OF vs NYM, $3,700

This is another Cardinal bat that’s underpriced against Matz. It’s not that Matz is a bad pitcher that needs to be targeted, but Cardinals hitters are priced very favorably against him. Ozuna has been excellent against lefties throughout his career, with a .356 wOBA and .835 OPS against them. He displayed a legitimate power breakout last season with a .237 ISO and 37 home runs, and is more than reasonable at $3,700.

J.D. Martinez – OF vs TB, $4,400

Martinez doesn’t get enough credit for how good his 2017 season was. Last season his .387 ISO was higher than both Aaron Judge (.343) and Giancarlo Stanton (.350). He also hit 45 home runs in 489 plate appearances, giving him a better HR/PA than Judge and Stanton too. Martinez has as much power as anyone, which makes him a great deal at this price. Opposing starter Jacob Faria had a nice 2017 with a 3.43 ERA, but his 4.12 FIP and 1.14 HR/9 make him susceptible enough for Martinez to take advantage.

Kevin Kiermaier – OF vs TB, $3,300

We need to target Hector Velazquez one more time, and Kiermaier makes for a good play. His overall numbers get dragged down because he never sits against lefties, but Kiermaier takes advantage of righties. Over his career Kiermaier has a .337 wOBA and .188 ISO against right-handed pitching. Kiermaier bats high in the order and has the ability to contribute with his bat and his legs. At $3,300 he makes for a great play against Velazquez.

 

MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

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Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
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Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
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Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
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Jaren Jackson Jr.

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Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
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Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
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Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
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Not Expected to Play in Week 3
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Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
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Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
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Strikes Out 14 in Win
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Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
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Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
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Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
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Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
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Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

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Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
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Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
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Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
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Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
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Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
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Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
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LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
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DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
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Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
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CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
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John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
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Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
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Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
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Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
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Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
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Corey Perry

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Kyle Busch

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr

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Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
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Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
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Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
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Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
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Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
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Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
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Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
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A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
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Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
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Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Looks To Return To The Win Column
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
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RANKINGS

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