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Jorge Pucks highlights the top FanDuel and DraftKings MLB DFS lineup picks for the "Early Only" slate on 5/1/21, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Hello there, MLB DFS grinders! It's Saturday, and that means we have yet another split slate of MLB games today with seven games in the early afternoon and six games on the main evening slate.
While most of our MLB DFS coverage here at RotoBaller is geared towards the main slate, I wanted to give you some of my favorite pitchers and bats for these early games. I'll highlight my favorite pitching options here first and then give you some hitters at each price tier to consider as well as my favorite teams to stack up AND some sample lineups for both sites!
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel and DraftKings early slate at 1:05 PM on 5/1/2021. Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also check out today's MLB DFS lineup picks for the main slate here, and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. Let's get to it!
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MLB DFS Pitchers
Lance Lynn vs. CLE ($11,500 FD, $9,800 DK)
The White Sox get a big boost to their rotation as Lance Lynn is returning from the Injured List as he was dealing with a back problem. Lynn is having a strong start to the season as he is 1-1 with a .92 earned run average while striking out 27 batters. In Lynn's most recent start, he was on the losing end despite only giving up five total hits, two runs, and striking out 10 Cleveland batters. Lynn will be a top option for all formats and while he does carry a big price tag, he is worth paying up for his upside.
Jesus Luzardo vs. BAL ($8,700 FD, $8,500 DK)
Luzardo is starting to find his stride here early in the season as he has produced solid back-to-back starts over his last two outings. In his two most recent outings, he has only given up three runs in over 11 innings pitched and combined for 14 strikeouts. He ended up on the losing end against Baltimore in his last outing but still recorded eight strikeouts despite giving up two home runs. Luzardo is a solid price point on both sites and should benefit from pitching in his home park and not the hitter-friendly confines of Camden Yards.
Others to consider: Luis Castillo vs. Chicago Cubs, Matt Shoemaker vs. Kansas City, Jose Urquidy vs. Tampa Bay
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MLB DFS "Bats Worth Paying For"
Jesus Aguilar – 1B, MIA @ WSH ($4,100 FD, $5,200 DK)
Aguilar is one of the higher-priced Marlins players on the slate but he has been white-hot over his last 10 games so there is no reason to not consider him. He has big-time power and has hit five home runs over his last eight games played. Aguilar is a career .270 batter against left-handed pitchers and is sporting a wOBA of .331 against left-handed pitchers so he is worth taking a stab and paying up in hopes he knocks one out of the park.
Trea Turner – SS, WSH vs. MIA ($4,000 FD, $5,300 DK)
With Juan Soto going on the IL, Turner will need to step up and be more of an offensive leader for this Nationals squad. Turner has been raking as of late and is high-priced on both sites. Turner and the Nats get a great matchup against Paul Campbell who is allowing righties to average .333 this season while also having them have a wOBA of .389 and Turner has had some success against righties as he has three home runs and four stolen bases against right-handed pitchers this season.
Nelson Cruz – OF, MIN vs. KC ($4,000 FD, $6,100 DK)
Anytime Cruz is facing a lefty, it is hard to not just press the lock button and move on. Cruz is batting .391 on the season against left-handed pitching and has always hit lefties well as he is a career .298 hitter against that handedness. Cruz has faced Duffy many times throughout his career and has taken him yard five times so the home run threat and upside is certainly there in this matchup.
MLB DFS Values
Ryan O'Hearn – C/1B, KC @ MIN ($2,400 FD, $3,200 DK)
O'Hearn could be a great value option should he draw a start into the lineup for the Royals. Shoemaker is a tough splits pitcher as he dominates right-handed batters but tends to struggle against lefties. O'Hearn offers some pop from the left side of the plate as he has 26 career home runs off of righties and he is batting .333 against this handedness this season.
Nick Madrigal – 2B, CWS vs. CLE ($2,800 FD, $2,900 DK)
Madrigal doesn't carry the big home run upside like the rest of the White Sox lineup but he does hit for average and has recorded multi-hit performances in three of his last five games played. He is batting .269 against right-handed pitchers this year and would be a lower-owned value play that could be rostered in all formats due to his recent form.
Adam Duvall – OF, MIA vs. WSH ($2,700 FD, $3,800 DK)
Duvall is a lefty smasher and he draws a great matchup against a soft-tossing lefty in Patrick Corbin. Duvall has already recorded two home runs against left-handed pitchers this season and he carries a higher career batting average against lefties than he does righties (.242 vs .227). Duvall is sporting a .364 ISO and a .391 wOBA against left-handed pitchers and profiles well against Corbin as he has a .615 ISO against lefty sinkers and a .500 ISO against lefty sliders.
Also Consider: Mitch Moreland vs. Baltimore, Gio Urshela vs. Detroit
MLB DFS Hitter Stacks
Washington Nationals vs. Paul Campbell
Paul Campbell is a young pitcher and has gotten roughed up in just 7.2 innings pitched this season. Campbell has an 8.22 earned run average and has a walk rate of 14.6% so if the Nationals hitters can be patient, they might be able to get some free bases and get to Campbell early. Both sides of the plate have hit Campbell well with righties having more success so looking at batters like Turner, Harrison, Zimmerman, Bell, and Schwarber would be the ones to target.
Minnesota Twins vs. Danny Duffy
Duffy has been pitching very well to start the season but the Twins could be a tough challenge on Saturday afternoon. Minnesota has gotten off to a hot start against left-handed pitchers as they have five batters that are carrying over a .300 batting average against that handedness and they have combined for 10 home runs off of Duffy. Duffy could be a popular option due to his hot start so stacking right-handed batters like Buxton, Cruz, and Donaldson would be the preferred options to stack.
Other stacks: Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees
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