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Happy Thursday, RotoBallers! It's become the norm for DFS managers to see a small slate before the massive weekend contests come into play, and today is no different. Five games occupy our featured competitions on DraftKings and FanDuel, but it's shaping up to be a day for the bats as this schedule lacks a true ace.
The day starts at 12:10 p.m. EDT when the Rockies and Marlins finish their series. Then, the final of today's five games starts at 2:35 p.m. EDT as the Nationals wrap up their visit to the reigning champions in Texas. On the weather front, the only thing of note is possible strong winds in Baltimore (out to right field) and Boston (out to center field).
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/2/2024. 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. Follow me on X @EuanFPL for more DFS advice.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Edward Cabrera vs. Rockies ($9.7K DraftKings; $9.6K FanDuel)
Let's start our picks with the low-hanging fruit of the Rockies on the road. Colorado is in the bottom seven in road OPS (.639) and its 26.5 percent strikeout rate is the third highest in baseball. Combine the road numbers with a weakness against RHPs (fourth lowest wRC+), and it's all there on a silver platter for Edward Cabrera. The Marlins righty has 21 strikeouts over 15 2.3 innings this year and owns a 3.40 xERA compared to his surface-level 5.28 ERA. Regression is coming for Cabrera, and the Rockies will significantly boost him.
Edward Cabrera stealing a soul with his Curveball. 😯 pic.twitter.com/froyT6qHJD
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 27, 2024
Mitchell Parker at Rangers ($8.7K DK; $8.9K FD)
The man on the other side of the park (Nathan Eovaldi) will be far more popular than Mitchell Parker in DFS lineups. However, the Nationals southpaw has the chance to surprise in a better-than-you-think matchup. Parker is 2-0 through three starts with a 1.69 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 19.4 percent K-BB%. The Rangers struggle mightily with left-handed hurlers. Through a month of the season, Texas has the fourth-highest strikeout rate (26.5 percent) to lefties and sits in the bottom half of every major hitting category.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Connor Wong - C, BOS vs. Kyle Harrison ($3.4K DK; $2.8K FD)
Since April 24, Connor Wong has led all qualified hitters with a .592 wOBA. Yes, you read that correctly. So, getting the Red Sox catcher at this price feels like a steal. Over the last 10 games, the Boston backstop slashes .351/.400/.568 with five runs, six RBI, and four extra-base hits (two home runs), averaging 8.5 DK PPG.
Let Wong keep the HR medal. pic.twitter.com/nnOavLWDBu
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 24, 2024
Anthony Rizzo - 1B, NYY at Kyle Bradish ($4.2K DK; $3.2K FD)
The 2024 version of Anthony Rizzo is pulling the ball more than ever (47.3 percent), creating a fantastic profile for Thursday's slate. Seven of Rizzo's nine extra-base hits this season have gone to his pull side, and a home run is in the cards with the wind blowing out to right field in Baltimore. The veteran first baseman bats anywhere from fourth to sixth in a talented New York lineup and should get a couple of chances to welcome Kyle Bradish back to the big leagues in his first start of the season.
Nick Senzel - 3B/OF, WSH at Nathan Eovaldi ($2.7K DK; $3.0K FD)
The Nationals are in the throw it against the wall and see if it sticks phase of a rebuild, and Nick Senzel is proving to be quite sticky. Over the last 10 games, Senzel's produced a 1.030 OPS with seven runs, nine RBI, one double, and five home runs. He's moved up to second in the order against lefties and sixth versus right-handed hurlers. The 28-year-old is incredibly underpriced for the type of heater he's on now and is a great enabler if you need more salary to load up on bigger bats or stud-like starting pitchers.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Juan Soto - OF, NYY at Kyle Bradish ($6.3K DK; $4.3K FD)
It was mentioned in the Anthony Rizzo section, but the wind is blowing out to right field in Baltimore today. Juan Soto has already shown us the damage he can do in that park, and he is a perfect anchor for any DFS lineup. The 2019 World Series Champion has a fantastic .968 OPS over the last 10 games, but that's lower than his season-long number at 1.014. Soto is expensive but has at least 11 DK points in six of the previous eight games and could carry you across the finish line by himself.
447 ft for @JuanSoto25_ 💪 pic.twitter.com/54CXZhVOB7
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 1, 2024
Mike Tauchman - OF, CHC at Adrian Houser ($3.7K DK; $2.8K FD)
Add another left-handed slugger to today's DFS picks. Mike Tauchman bats second for the Cubs when a righty is on the mound, and the lineup should feast on Adrian Houser. Tauchman averages 15.53 FD PPG over the last 10 contests and only trails Wilyer Abreu in that category. Those points are thanks to nine runs, seven RBI, three doubles, three home runs, and a steal. Chicago has one of the highest implied run totals on the slate, so getting a piece of that lineup for Tauchman's current price makes him an easy selection.
Jordan Beck - OF, COL at Edward Cabrera ($2.7K DK; $2.1K FD)
The allure of rostering rookies in DFS comes from the chance to profit in a major way on a future stud. You can bounce your grandkids on your lap in 45 years and say you played Jordan Beck the day he hit his first major league home run. Okay... maybe that won't happen, but grabbing Beck at this price is filled with upside. The newest Colorado call-up slashed .307/.405/.594 in Triple-A this season and will stick around as long as Nolan Jones (back) remains on the Injured List.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. New York Yankees at Kyle Bradish
- Favorite Plays: Juan Soto, Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Volpe
2. Chicago Cubs at Adrian Houser
- Favorite Plays: Mike Tauchman, Nico Hoerner, Christopher Morel
3. Boston Red Sox vs. Kyle Harrison
- Favorite Plays: Rafael Devers, Connor Wong, Tyler O'Neill
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