MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/8/2019

Monday brings 10 games in the majors, eight of which will make up the main evening slate in DFS. Whether you want to roll with an ace pitcher or load up on bats, there are plenty of options for either strategy. Let’s dive in and examine some players to target at various positions. 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

Madison Bumgarner vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Oracle Park
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $9,300

The Padres have a much-improved lineup this season after the signing of Manny Machado and the promotion of Fernando Tatis Jr. from the minor leagues. However, they still have some holes. Bumgarner was able to keep them in check the first time they met this season, allowing two runs to go along with nine strikeouts across seven innings. Bumgarner’s 1.24 WHIP last year was his highest mark since 2010, so it’s encouraging to see him bounce back and allow 13 baserunners through his first 13 innings. Look for him to produce another strong start Monday.

Eric Lauer vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Oracle Park
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $7,500

Both pitchers are appealing options in this game. The Giants lineup has been dreadful with just 25 runs across 10 games. It’s not like they have a bunch of really talented hitters who are just off to slow starts, this is a team that is going to struggle to score runs all season. Lauer isn’t a big strikeout pitcher, but he did throw six shutout innings against the Giants in his first start. As far as cheap starters go for this slate, Lauer will likely be the top target.

CATCHER

Omar Narvaez vs. Homer Bailey, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,600

With Bailey on the mound for the Royals, look for the Mariners to be one of the most popular teams targeted in DFS. Bailey was atrocious for the Reds last year, posting a 1.64 WHIP and recording just 75 strikeouts across 106.1 innings. He also allowed a .394 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Narvaez someone to seek out for the catcher’s spot.

Others to consider: Yasmani Grandal

FIRST BASE

Daniel Vogelbach vs. Homer Bailey, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200

Continuing our focus on left-hander hitters against Bailey, Vogelbach checks in as another excellent option. He recorded a .357 wOBA against righties last year and has hit for plenty of power throughout the minor leagues. In fact, he had a .256 ISO at Triple-A last year. He’s already mashed four home runs this year and has a great chance to hit another considering Bailey allowed 1.9 HR/9 last season.

Others to consider: Rhys Hoskins and Max Muncy

SECOND BASE

Whit Merrifield vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Once one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, Hernandez has fallen so far that he’s actually been someone to target stacking against in DFS the last couple of seasons. He was especially poor last year with a 1.40 WHIP and a meager 18.3 percent strikeout rate. Merrifield rarely strikeouts out, as it is, so he could be on base plenty of times in this game. He’s already off to a hot start with a 152 wRC+.

Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Mike Moustakas

THIRD BASE

Nolan Arenado vs. Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,400

The Rockies starting out the season with seven straight games on the road resulted in them struggling to score runs. Despite being beaten soundly by the Dodgers in their first series at Coors Field, Arenado finally started to come to life. Although he’s still searching for his first home run, four of his six RBI this year came during that series. He has an insane .410 wOBA for his career at home, making him a prime target against the underwhelming Teheran.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Justin Turner

SHORTSTOP

Corey Seager vs. Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,100

Mikolas might not look like someone to target against based on his 2.83 ERA and 1.07 WHIP last season. However, his xFIP was less appealing at 3.67 and he only had an 18.1 percent strikeout rate. He’s off to a rough start after giving up four home runs and eight runs over 10 innings in his first two outings. Seager has a career 140 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers and could be a great option based on his reduced price on both sites.

Others to consider: Dansby Swanson and Wilmer Difo

OUTFIELD

Cody Bellinger vs. Miles Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $4,900

It’s hard to find anyone as hot as Bellinger is right now. He’s slugging an insane 1.023 and has at least one hit in all 10 games. With how potent the Dodgers lineup has been as a group, he’s been able to rack up 18 RBI and 17 runs scored already. Since Mikolas isn’t a big swing-and-miss guy, Bellinger could do plenty of damage again Monday. Of note, he is only outfield-eligible on FanDuel as he is listed at first base on DraftKings.

Juan Soto vs. Vince Velasquez, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800

Velasquez has had trouble keeping runners off base, resulting in his career 1.35 WHIP. He also allowed a .376 wOBA against left-handed hitters last year, which immediately makes the dangerous Soto stand out as an appealing option. After recording a .401 wOBA against righties in his rookie season, don’t be surprised if Soto shines in this matchup.

Raimel Tapia vs. Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $4,600

The Rockies have dealt with plenty of injuries in the early going with Daniel Murphy (finger) and Ryan McMahon (elbow) on the IL. It didn’t get any better Sunday after David Dahl was forced to leave their game against the Dodgers with an upper-body injury. If he doesn’t play Monday, look for Tapia to enter the lineup. He recorded a .368 wOBA at Triple-A last year and also provided power with a .194 ISO. While he’s a bit overpriced on DraftKings, he could be a steal on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Domingo Santana and Jay Bruce

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.