RADIO
Happy Monday! We have ourselves a tidy nine-game slate featuring a potential World Series preview in Atlanta vs. Houston. Pitching may take center stage later on in this series, but with Spence Arrighetti on the mound for Houston, it could be an offensive explosion for the Braves in this one. That doesn’t mean Atlanta is the sure-fire chalk though, as teams like the Dodgers and Yankees will have something to say by the time the night is done.
Keep an eye on some off-the-radar teams like Milwaukee and the Royals, as they both enter this game with very strong matchups. Both teams have been sneaky good this year, and their young offensive cores provide a lot of pop at a generally low ownership. There is a lot to like tonight in what should be a very fun slate to play.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/15/2024 and the slate locking at 7:07 p.m. EDT. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Tyler Glasnow vs Washington Nationals ($11K DK, $11K FD)
If we ignore Tyler Glasnow’s first start during the opening series in Korea, he’s been lights out in 2024. Over his three domestic starts, he’s averaging over six innings and just shy of nine strikeouts per start. He has scored over 21 DraftKings points in each of those starts, making him the safest cash game pitcher on today’s slate. Glasnow dominates both lefties and righties, and his control has been outstanding so far this year (only three walks in 19 innings of work over his last three starts).
The Washington Nationals will be making the journey down from their series in Oakland for this trip, and they aren’t much of a threat to Glasnow’s dominance. They have scored only 50 runs in their 14 games, making them the lowest-scoring team in the National League. Joey Gallow and CJ Abrams can be troublesome, but the rest of this lineup doesn’t do much against right-handed pitchers. Washington doesn’t strike out a ton, but the lack of runs they score can make up for a slight dip in punchouts for Glasnow.
Luis Gil at Toronto Blue Jays ($7.4K DK, $8.4K FD)
After missing all of 2023, Luis Gil has come back and looked strong over his two starts so far in 2024. He hasn’t compiled a lot of innings, but his pitch counts indicate that he could be used for five or more innings if he could maintain strong control. Gil has allowed a worrisome seven walks in just nine innings of work, but he’s made up for that with 14 strikeouts and zero home runs allowed. He won’t keep getting away with giving up free passes, but if he can work through his wildness issues, he could put up a monster score even in a limited amount of innings.
The Blue Jays looked good on Sunday against Kyle Freeland, but they are a much stronger offense against lefties than they are righties. They present as an elite matchup for right-handed pitchers, showing subpar power and high strikeout numbers. It’s a small sample size, but their 23.6% strikeout rate against righties in 2024 is incredibly tantalizing. Gil comes in at a reasonable price, so even if he just gives you the same 17 DraftKings points he’s put up in his first two starts, he’s a strong value.
Also Consider: Merrill Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez, Sonny Gray, Seth Lugo, George Kirby
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Pete Alonso - 1B, NYM vs Martin Perez ($5.3K DK, $3.5K FD)
Pete Alonso is hitting everything in sight right now. Heading into Sunday’s game, he had compiled nine hits, including four home runs and seven RBI, over his last four games. It’s a small sample size, but Alonso has a .600 ISO against left-handed pitching in 2024 and that kind of dominance is in line with his career statistics against lefties. Martin Perez gets hammered against right-handed bats (.441 SLG in 2023), and he doesn’t miss bats at all (15% strikeout rate).
William Contreras - C, MIL vs Joe Musgrove ($5K DK, $3.5K FD)
There may not be a hotter hitter on the planet than William Contreras. He has scored at least nine DraftKings points in nine straight games, including six games of more than 12 DraftKings points. He has at least one hit in all but two games on the season, and he’s had more than one hit in seven games this year. His numbers at home are insane this year, with a .833 SLG and 1.379 OPS. He has dominated right-handed pitching this year with a .378 AVG and .672 SLG.
Joe Musgrove has shown that he’s a good pitcher, but he’s struggled so far in 2024, allowing four or more runs in three of four starts. He’s a reverse splits pitcher, giving up a .457 SLG against right-handed bats in 2023. Between his price and Musgrove’s reputation, it’s reasonable to expect Contreras to have a low ownership, making him a great tournament play.
Oswaldo Cabrera - 3B, NYY at Chris Bassitt ($3.6K DK, $2.8K FD)
Oswaldo Cabrera has been a big surprise for the Yankees this year, averaging 10 DraftKings points per game. For some reason, his price hasn’t risen like other players with similar statistics. Cabrera has been particularly strong on the road with a .324 AVG and .647 SLG. Cabrera has only had one game this year with more than 20 DraftKings points, meaning his 10 DraftKings points per game average comes from a consistent bat rather than a couple of spike games. That makes Cabrera an excellent low-cost cash game option at third base.
Chris Bassitt is terrible against left-handed bats, allowing a .528 SLG in 2023. He’s allowed one home run in each of his three starts this year. He’s also having control issues, walking nine batters in 16 innings this year. His 20 to 14 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio is also worrisome against big-bopper lefties.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
MJ Melendez - OF, KC at Erick Fedde ($4K DK, $3.3K FD)
MJ Melendez has been a menace against right-handed pitching in 2024. In over 40 at-bats this year, he has a .400 ISO and .714 SLG. Overall he’s had a hit in all but two games this year, making him one of the most consistent outfielders that you can roster for $4,000 or less. Erick Fedde has allowed a .571 SLG against lefties so far this year, which is the worst number on the slate of anyone who has made more than one start. Fedde has allowed five home runs and six walks in just over 14 innings over three starts. He allows nearly as many fly balls as ground balls, all of which is to say that he’s a big inning waiting to happen and Melendez is the kind of player who can ignite that rally.
Marcell Ozuna, OF - ATL at Spencer Arrighetti ($5.2K DK, $3.9K FD)
After going hitless in his first game of the season, Marcell Ozuna hasn’t gone a single game without a hit after that. Right now he’d be in the conversation for National League MVP with how well he’s playing in 2024. He has six home runs, 17 RBI, and has scored double-digit fantasy points in six games this year. Ozuna has slammed right-handed pitching this year, with a .485 ISO and .848 SLG.
Spencer Arrighetti got shelled in his first start of the year, giving up three walks and seven earned runs in three innings pitched. Those walks were an issue for him in the minors as well; allowing seven walks in just over eight innings before his call-up to the big leagues. The kid can pitch, but until he can get his control in line, he’s going to get shelled by teams who are patient at the plate, like the Atlanta Braves.
Dominic Canzone, OF - SEA vs Frankie Montas ($2.8K DK, $2.6K FD)
Dominic Canzone hasn’t done much yet this year, scoring double-digit fantasy points just three times in 13 games. All three of those big games came against right-handed pitching, against whom Canzone has been strong this year. In 34 at-bats, he has a .313 ISO and .531 SLG. Meanwhile, Frankie Montas struggled against lefties in 2023, allowing a .415 SLG. He’s been good so far this year, but his ground ball-to-fly ball rate of 21 to 16 is a bit worrisome against left-handed bats with power. That’s exactly what Canzone does well. His inconsistent play makes him a bad cash game play, but his upside is just what you want in a cheap tournament one-off.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Atlanta Braves at Spencer Arrighetti
Favorite Plays: Marcell Ozuna, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley
2. Milwaukee Brewers vs Joe Musgrove
Favorite Plays: William Contreras, Rhys Hoskins, Willy Adames, Sal Frelick, Brice Turang
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