MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/1/2019

Welcome to our first daily fantasy baseball article of the season. We have 13 games across the majors on Monday, nine of which will make up the main evening slate. Let’s dive into the matchups to see which players stand out as having favorable opportunities to be productive. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our MLB Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

Julio Urias vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $8,700

Injuries to Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) and Rich Hill (knee) have left the promising young Urias with a spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation right out of the gate. He was extremely sharp during spring training, allowing four runs (three earned) to go along with a 0.51 WHIP and 15 strikeouts across 15.2 innings. He’s shown strikeout upside throughout his tenure in the minors and will be met with an excellent matchup against a Giants lineup that is lacking talent and scored just five runs across their four-game series with the Padres.

Matt Strahm vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $9,200

The Padres have made some key signings to address their lineup over the last couple of years, now they just need to figure out their starting rotation. Strahm spent the majority of last year pitching out of the bullpen and was dominant with a 0.98 WHIP and 28.2 percent strikeout rate. He was just as sharp this spring, posting a 1.00 WHIP and punching out 25 batters across 20 innings. The Diamondbacks lineup isn’t nearly as imposing with Paul Goldschmidt no longer in town, so this could be a favorable spot to deploy Strahm as a starter, especially at his price on FanDuel.

CATCHER

Austin Barnes vs. Drew Pomeranz, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,800

The Dodgers are likely going to be a popular stack Monday against Pomeranz, who had a 1.77 WHIP and 5.31 xFIP with the Red Sox last year. He’s not an overpowering pitcher, either, with his career 22.6 percent strikeout rate. Barnes might not be one of the flashier hitters in the Dodgers’ lineup, but his career .346 wOBA against left-handed pitchers makes him one of the top catching options to consider.

Others to consider: Willson Contreras and Robinson Chirinos

FIRST BASE

Ji-Man Choi vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,900

Choi was one of the more pleasant surprises for the Rays last year, posting a .506 slugging percentage across 49 games with the team. During his combined stint with the Rays and Brewers, he handled right-handed pitching to the tune of a 146 wRC+. For his career, Bettis has a 1.46 WHIP and has recorded 6.5 K/9, leaving the Rays as another potentially productive stacking opportunity. With Choi batting in the heart of their lineup, he’s one of the top options on the team to target.

Others to consider: Mitch Moreland and Justin Bour

SECOND BASE

Enrique Hernandez vs. Drew Pomeranz, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000

Hernandez was named the starting second baseman for the Dodgers after they decided to use Chris Taylor in more of a utility role. Hernandez is coming off of a breakout power campaign in 2018, slugging 21 home runs across 462 plate appearances. He has hit left-handed pitching well throughout his career, recording a .360 wOBA against them compared to a .293 wOBA against righties. He won’t break the bank on either site, making him a great candidate to include in a Dodgers stack.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Rougned Odor

THIRD BASE

Justin Turner vs. Drew Pomeranz, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,200

Continuing our run of Dodgers against Pomeranz is one of their most dangerous hitters in Turner. He’s shown a tremendous eye at the plate, recording 106 walks and just 110 strikeouts over the last two seasons combined. Add in his 179 wRC+ against lefties last year and he’s tough to pass up on.

Others to consider: Kris Bryant and Rafael Devers

SHORTSTOP

Javier Baez vs. Sean Newcomb, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,100

The Cubs may have lost two of their first three games, but they still scored 28 runs in their series with the Rangers. They have a loaded lineup and a great chance to be productive against Newcomb. While Newcomb has shown some promise, he had an 11.6 percent walk rate and a 4.33 xFIP last year. Baez logged six hits across the three games against the Rangers and should once again have one of the highest upsides at shortstop based on this matchup.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Tim Beckham

OUTFIELD

A.J. Pollock vs. Drew Pomeranz, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300

Ok, this is the last Dodger I’ll mention. While some thought the Dodgers might try to make a big splash this offseason and sign someone like Bryce Harper, they ultimately settled on Pollock to be their key outfield addition. Injuries have put a damper on Pollock’s production the last few seasons, but he’s handled left-handed pitchers to the tune of a .355 wOBA for his career. He’s batted anywhere from third to fifth in the Dodgers’ lineup so far, which is a favorable spot considering the talent around him.

Austin Meadows vs. Chad Bettis, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,200

Meadows was one of the key players acquired by the Rays in the trade that sent Chris Archer to the Pirates last year. Meadows has shown a lot of promise in the minor leagues, but he couldn’t find his way into the Pirates outfield with Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco and Corey Dickerson blocking his way. Not only is he starting with the Rays, but he’s batted leadoff in all three games in which they faced a right-handed pitcher. He came away with two home runs in their opening series against a tough Astros staff, so don’t be surprised if he causes trouble for Bettis in this contest.

Jay Bruce vs. Chris Stratton, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – T-Mobile Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,000

As per usual, the Mariners were extremely active during the offseason. Their lineup underwent significant reconstruction, including Bruce being acquired in a deal with the Mets. Even though he’s going to bounce around between DH, first base and the outfield, he’s going to play on a regular basis. He’s homered in back-to-back games and presents a viable cheap home run target in tournament play, especially based on his price on FanDuel. This is certainly not an imposing matchup against Stratton, who only has a career 18.3 percent strikeout rate.

Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Albert Almora Jr.