MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/17/2019
Monday brings plenty of action across the majors with 12 games on the schedule. There are some excellent matchups to take advantage of in DFS, including both Los Angeles teams being in prime positions for an offensive explosion. 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
Kenta Maeda vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $9,000
Not only are the Dodgers’ hitters primed for a big night, but Maeda could also provide plenty of value. He’s been spectacular at home this season, posting a 0.72 WHIP and .214 wOBA allowed. The Giants have very little in the way of offensive firepower, which has left them with the third-fewest runs scored (266) in baseball. Since Maeda isn’t overly expensive on either site, expect him to be a very popular option.
Tommy Milone vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – T-Mobile Park
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $6,900
Whether Milone starts or follows an opener, he’s expected to pitch the bulk of the innings for the Mariners. He’s followed an opener his last two outings and been successful, allowing four runs across 11.1 innings against two tough lineups in the Astros and Twins. He’ll face a much easier foe in the Royals, who are tied for the third-lowest wRC+ (72) against left-handed pitchers and are still missing one of their most dangerous right-handed bats in Hunter Dozier (side).
CATCHER
Yasmani Grandal vs. Joey Lucchesi, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,700
The addition of Grandal has proven to be huge for the Brewers. He has wasted no time making an impact, posting what would be a career-high .386 wOBA. He’s particularly thrived against left-handed hitters with a .421 wOBA. Playing at Petco Park isn’t as friendly as Miller Park, but this is a great spot to deploy Grandal.
Others to consider: Jonathan Lucroy
FIRST BASE
Albert Pujols vs. Edwin Jackson, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Like Milone’s situation with the Mariners, Jackson could either start or follow an opener for the Blue Jays. Either way, he’s someone to attack based on his 10.22 ERA and 2.03 WHIP. Yes, both of those numbers are correct. He’s been that bad. Pujols is nowhere near the player that he was in his prime, but he’s shown he can still be dangerous by hitting three home runs and four doubles across his last 14 games. At this price, he’s a viable target in an Angels stack.
Others to consider: Max Muncy and Ji-Man Choi
SECOND BASE
Brandon Lowe vs. Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,900
Tanaka might not stand out as a pitcher to attack, but he’s had problems limiting home runs at times during his career. That could prove to be troublesome against Lowe, who has gone deep four times over his last seven games. Tanaka has also allowed a .353 wOBA against left-handed hitters this season.
Others to consider: Kolten Wong and Cavan Biggio
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner vs. Tyler Beede, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,300
The Dodgers could put up a ton of runs here against Beede, who has a 6.18 FIP and a 2.06 WHIP. Among his bad starts this season include him giving up eight runs (seven earned) across 2.1 innings versus the Reds and four runs over 4.2 innings against the Padres in his last outing. Turner doesn’t have the platoon advantage here and his power numbers are down, but at this price, he’s one of the better second-tier Dodgers to target.
Others to consider: Matt Chapman and Tommy La Stella
SHORTSTOP
David Fletcher vs. Edwin Jackson, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings =$4,100
Fletcher only has five home runs, so don’t count on him to provide much power. The positive about his game, though, is that he’s an extremely tough out due to his 6.7 percent strikeout rate. With his 117 wRC+, he could provide plenty of value without destroying your budget. Of note, he is only eligible at shortstop on FanDuel since he is listed at third base and the outfield on DraftKings.
Others to consider: Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Taylor
OUTFIELD
Cody Bellinger vs. Tyler Beede, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,700
If there was ever a time to pay up for Bellinger, this is it with Beede on the mound. He has an insane .459 wOBA to go along with a 52.2 percent hard-hit rate against righties. Add in his immense power upside and it’s not hard to make a case to build your lineup around him.
Shohei Ohtani vs. Edwin Jackson, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,100
Ohtani comes into this contest swinging a hot bat since he is 19-for-57 (.333) with six home runs over his last 15 games. Even though he hasn’t been able to keep pace with his ridiculous rookie campaign, his .354 wOBA and 126 wRC+ are nothing to be disappointed about. Outside of Mike Trout, his ceiling is higher than anyone else on the Angels.
Alex Verdugo vs. Tyler Beede, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,000
If you’re going with a Dodgers stack, Verdugo feels like a must. His price tag would significantly help your budget and he’s playing well in an everyday role with his .348 wOBA. He’s also been moved up to second in the lineup in two games against right-handed pitchers since Corey Seager (hamstring) went down, putting him in a great spot with Turner, Bellinger and Max Muncy behind him.
Others to consider: Mike Trout and Joc Pederson
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.