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Joel Bartilotta highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 6/15/19, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
It's Saturday night and the feeling's right! We have another full day of baseball ahead of us, with games spread all throughout the day. That means it's dealers choice in terms of which slate you want to use, as I'll try to offer up plays throughout the day to cater to all of your needs.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 6/15/2019. 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
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Chris Sale BOS at BAL ($11,900)
I'm going to avoid using any Sale puns but this guy is worth every penny. We're talking about one of the hottest pitchers in the league facing one of the worst lineups in baseball. Over his last 10 starts, Sale is pitching to a 2.17 ERA and 0.80 WHIP while striking out 106 batters across 66.1 innings. Yes, that strikeout total is not an error. Facing Baltimore should only improve those numbers, with the Orioles ranking 26th in runs scored and last in wxOBA. That was evident when Sale allowed just three baserunners against them in his last start, pitching eight one-run innings while striking out 14 batters en route to 67 FanDuel points.
Framber Valdez, HOU vs. TOR ($7,100)
Why is this guy so cheap? In his first start taking over for Corbin Martin, Valdez pitched seven one-run innings while striking out seven batters. That's pretty much on par with his season-long production, with Valdez pitching to a 2.73 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. That's all you can ask for from someone in this price range, especially in a matchup like this. Not only does Toronto rank 21st in K rate, they also sit 27th in runs scored, 28th in OPS and 26th in wOBA. That's why Valdez enters this game as a -235 favorite, which is extremely rare for a $7,100 player.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Michael Chavis: 1B, BOS at BAL ($3,200)
Chavis has hit a bit of a rookie wall but a gem on Friday may get him back on track. The slugging utility man collected a homer, two runs scored and three RBI on Friday but more importantly, he hit out of the leadoff spot. If that happens again here, that alone would make Chavis a huge value at $3,200. Despite the recent struggles, the rookie is having a monster year. In fact, Chavis has a .345 wOBA to match his impressive .801 OPS. Facing Dylan Bundy is big too, with the Baltimore righty owning one of the worst HR rates in the Majors dating back to 2016.
Brian DozierL 2B, WSH vs. ARI ($3,000)
Dozier used to be a fantasy stud but two bad seasons have made fantasy owners forget just how good he used to be. This is a guy who had 40-homer, 25-steal potential and he's showing signs of that player recently. Over his last 15 games, Dozier is hitting .340 while providing a 1.035 OPS. That has moved him up in the order and that makes him enticing against a Triple-A arm like Taylor Clarke, who owns a 5.26 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
Rafael Devers: 3B, BOS at BAL ($3,900)
Devers has quietly been one of the best hitters in the AL over the last month or so and his price should be above $4,000 at this current rate. We're talking about a guy with a .296 AVG, who's provided 10 homers, eight steals, 44 runs scored and 48 RBI. Those are some of the best all-around numbers in the league and most of it has come after a lackluster opening month. What we really like here is that he gets the platoon advantage against Bundy, with Devers posting an .895 OPS against righties so far this season.
Alex Bregman: SS, HOU vs. TOR ($4,300)
Bregman might be my favorite play of the day, as he gets a fantastic matchup against Clayton Richard. The Blue Jays lefty is currently pitching to a 7.04 ERA and 1.76 WHIP while matching his 11 Ks with 11 BBs. Those are nightmarish numbers against a team like the Astros and specifically, a guy like Bregman. Not only is the Astros third baseman one of the league leaders with a .936 OPS and .398 wOBA, Bregman is also posting a .562 SLG and .953 OPS against lefties throughout his career.
Don't forget about the Rockies in Coors Field. Both Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story have OPS' north of 1.100 at home when facing lefties and they're definitely worth their lofty price tags against Eric Lauer.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz: OF, MIN vs. KC ($3,900)
Cruz' price needs to be higher. This guy is simply hitting the crap out of the ball, which is evident by his .416 xwOBA. That xwOBA has been monstrous all season and some positive regression was undoubtedly headed his way with his hitting profile. Over his last seven games, Cruz has five homers and nine RBI en route to a .485 OBP and 1.413 OPS. Those indicate that Cruz should be well above $4,000 and it's strange that FanDuel has kept his price low in such a good matchup. The Royals will be throwing out Glenn Sparkman, who's pitching to .372 xwOBA this season.
Juan Soto: OF, WSH vs. ARI ($3,800)
This price is really hard to understand. We're talking about one of the most talented bats in the league in the midst of an unbelievable hot streak. Over his last 25 games, Soto is posting a .362 AVG, .435 OBP and 1.051 OPS. That's pretty much the player we've become accustomed to throughout his short career and it's weird that you have to scroll down to find him. What adds to his intrigue here is the fact that he gets the platoon advantage in his favor, with Soto providing a .410 OBP and .924 OPS against right-handers in his career.
