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Joel Bartilotta highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 6/1/19, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
It's Saturday and that means we get another full slate of baseball ahead of us. After a weather-free night on Friday, we actually have another pretty clean slate here. That's all we can ask for as DFS players and it should make for a fun fantasy baseball night!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 6/1/2019. The picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
We also provide DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me on Twitter @Bartilottajoel
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Mike Soroka: ATL vs. DET ($10,300)
It feels pretty crazy to recommend a rookie pitcher above $10,000 but it's hard to argue with Soroka's results. So far this season, the righty is posting a 1.07 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Those are easily some of the best numbers in the league and it actually means that he should be closer to $11,000. Vegas appears to agree, as they have Soroka as a -260 favorite in this game with the Tigers projected for less than four runs. That's another reason we really like Soroka, with Detroit ranked 28th in xwOBA, 29th in runs scored and 30th in K rate. Those ugly numbers are with a DH and they won't have that advantage either.
Matt Strahm: SD vs. MIA ($9,200)
Anytime the Marlins are on the slate, you have to consider the opposing pitcher against them. The reason for that is because this is one of the worst offenses ever. In fact, Miami currently ranks last in runs scored, xwOBA, xSLG, wOBA and OPS. That's simply a recipe for disaster and it puts Strahm squarely in play to continue his stellar form. Since struggling in his first two starts, Strahm is posting a 2.61 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while striking out 47 batters across 48.1 innings over his last eight starts. That's why Miami is only projected for three runs here, which makes Strahm a fantastic bet for a quality start.
There's a chance that Strahm doesn't make this start, as some sites have him projected to pitch Sunday while FanDuel has him projected for this game. If that's the case, we still like Nick Margevicius against this terrible offense at only $7,000.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Eric Thames: 1B, MIL at PIT ($2,500)
This price really surprises me and it's a wonder why Thames isn't above $3,000. Since joining the Brewers in 2017, Thames is posting an .868 OPS against right-handed pitching. He also has a slugging percentage above .500 and an ISO above .200 in that same span. That really makes him attractive against a guy like Nick Kingham, who currently sits with an 8.28 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and .430 wOBA so far this season.
Derek Dietrich: 2B, CIN vs. WSH ($3,200)
If the Thames price is surprising, this price tag is downright shocking. We're talking about a guy who's one of the leaders in the NL with 17 homers and 36 RBI. That means he should be well above $4,000 and we're looking at a $1,000 discount. What we like here is that he gets the platoon advantage against a righty, with Dietrich posting an 1.138 OPS against right-handed pitching so far this season. Erick Fedde is definitely a guy we want to exploit too, as his 2.18 ERA and 1.11 WHIP has some major regression headed its way considering his 5.10 xFIP and this monstrous total of 10.
Jose Ramirez: 3B, CLE at CWS ($3,300)
After a couple of huge values, we're going to bank on this struggling third baseman finding some rhythm here. The MVP candidate from last season finished Top-3 in total fantasy points and he'll eventually return to that form. Playing Ivan Nova is a good way to get him back on track, with Nova posting a 6.52 ERA and 1.72 WHIP, which matches his .402 wOBA. Ramirez always performs better against righties too, posting an OPS north of .900 against them since the beginning of 2017. There are some signs of promise from Ramirez recently, entering this matchup in the midst of a five-game hitting streak while providing four doubles and three runs scored over his last three games.
Jonathan Villar: SS, BAL vs. SF ($3,300)
Villar has quietly been a fantasy stud for the Orioles and he should really be closer to $4,000. On Friday, Villar got on base four times and stole two bases. That's the sort of profile this shortstop has, as he's 10-for-20 at the plate over the last seven games while providing five walks. That equates to a ridiculous .600 OBP and it's clear that Villar is seeing the ball really well right now. Facing Shaun Anderson should only help, as his .377 xwOBA is downright terrible.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
David Dahl: OF, COL vs. TOR ($4,000)
After numerous value plays in the infield, let's get a couple of stud outfielders into our build. This price actually surprises me because Dahl really appears to be finding his groove at the dish. Over the last nine games, Dahl is 15-for-37 at the plate while providing 10 runs scored and five RBI. He's actually been batting third against righties too and that only adds to his value with the Rockies projected for six runs here. That really shouldn't surprise you when you consider the fact that Dahl has an OPS north of 1.000 in his career against righties at Coors Field.
Ronald Acuna: OF, ATL vs. DET ($3,800)
Acuna is one of my favorite plays on the board and he's quietly turned into one of the best hitters in baseball. What really changed his game this season is the move to the leadoff spot. Over his last 20 games, Acuna has provided 16 runs, five homers, three doubles, 11 RBI and four steals. That's why he's one of the best five-category contributors in the Majors and we absolutely adore him against left-handers. Since his call-up, Acuna is posting a 1.009 OPS against southpaws. That's really intriguing considering the fact that Daniel Norris sits with a 1.39 WHIP and .343 xwOBA so far this season.
