MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/17/2019

If you like excellent starting pitching, you might want to avert your eyes for Wednesday’s set of evening games. With several bad starting pitchers set to take the mound, we could be in line for an offensive explosion. Let’s break down the matchups and highlight some of the plays who stand out among the crowd. 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

Cole Hamels vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $9,400

It’s going to be hard to pass on including Hamels in your entry. The Marlins have scored the second-fewest runs (48) in the league and Marlins Park heavily favors pitchers, making for a great combination. After getting lit up in his first start of the season at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington, Hamels has settled down to allow three runs and record 11 strikeouts across his last 14 innings.

Jeremy Hellickson vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $7,100

The downside with Hellickson is that he only has a 17.5 percent strikeout rate for his career. On a positive note, he only has career 1.24 WHIP and allowed just 1.1 HR/9 last year. He’s also presented with a favorable matchup against a Giants team that has the lowest OPS (.591) in the league. He won’t cost much on either site, so the risk might be worth the reward here.

CATCHER

Isiah Kiner-Falefa vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,600

With Harvey on the mound for the Angels, the Rangers present the top stacking opportunity of the night. The only caveat is that there is the potential for some storms to impact this game, so monitor for updates throughout the day. If they play and Kiner-Falefa is in the lineup, he’s a great target at the catcher position after recording at least one hit in five of his last six games.

Others to consider: Willson Contreras

FIRST BASE

Justin Bour vs. Lance Lynn, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,000

The other side of this matchup is also appealing with Lynn on the mound for the Rangers. He had significant problems keeping runners off base last year, resulting in a 1.53 WHIP. Bour’s .186 batting average looks bad, but he’s been somewhat victimized by his .241 BABIP. Add his career .357 wOBA against right-handed pitchers to his ability to hit home runs and this could be just the matchup that he needs to get back on track.

Others to consider: Freddie Freeman and Ji-Man Choi

SECOND BASE

Brandon Lowe vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,600

The Rays have several promising young players, including Lowe. He had his nine-game hitting streak snapped Tuesday and already has four home runs across 56 at-bats. He had six home runs over 129 at-bats all of last season. Hess is not an overpowering pitcher with his career 16.9 percent strikeout rate, leaving Lowe with a favorable opportunity to start a new hitting streak Wednesday.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Danny Santana

THIRD BASE

Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,500

As we continue to target Harvey, Cabrera can’t be ignored. Although he’s struggled to get on base so far this season, he does have a .370 ISO. With Harvey’s propensity to give up home runs, Cabrera could continue to do plenty of damage. It should also be noted that Cabrera had a .351 wOBA versus right-handed pitching last year.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Yandy Diaz

SHORTSTOP

Javier Baez vs. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100

The Marlins are waiting for Baez to leave town after he’s gone 6-for-9 with a home run and a double across the first two games of this series. He’s actually recorded exactly three hits in three straight games and has seven multi-hit games already this season. His opponent Sandy Alcantara only had an 18.2 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A last year, so he doesn’t exactly have the type of stuff that can give Baez a lot of trouble.

Others to consider: Elvis Andrus and Carlos Carrea

OUTFIELD

Joey Gallo vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300

If you’re going to stack against Harvey, how can you pass up on Gallo? With his power upside, he could do tremendous damage in this game. He already has a home run in five of his last eight games and five of his six home runs this season have come against right-handed pitchers. Since you won’t need to spend much at starting pitcher, his lofty price tag is also a little easier to swallow.

Nick Markakis vs. Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,100

The Braves have a favorable matchup themselves against Godley, who allowed a 1.45 WHIP last year. He hasn’t been any better this season with a 1.47 WHIP to go along with a 5.11 xFIP. Markakis recorded a .353 wOBA against right-handed pitchers in 2018 and could find himself on base plenty in this game. His price isn’t horrible on FanDuel, but it’s especially appealing on DraftKings.

Brian Goodwin vs. Lance Lynn, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,200

With Justin Upton (toe) on the IL, the Angels lost one of the best hitters in their lineup. While Goodwin isn’t at the same level, he has performed extremely well so far with a .390 wOBA. Considering Lynn allowed a .366 wOBA against left-handed hitters last season, Goodwin is a cost-effective option who could provide significant value.

Others to consider: Austin Meadows and Nomar Mazara

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.