MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/20/2019

Baseball doesn’t let up Thursday with 10 more games making up the main evening slate in DFS. With a few teams dealing with injuries or making changes to their starting rotation, there are several lineups in a position to thrive. Let’s highlight which ones stand out based on the matchups. 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

Frankie Montas vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $9,300
DraftKings = $10,000

The A’s starting rotation might be lacking depth, but they potentially have an emerging ace in Montas. He’s been about as good as it gets, recording a 2.85 ERA that is supported by a 2.89 FIP. His WHIP checks in at 1.18 and he’s also become an asset in the strikeout department with his 25.7 percent strikeout rate. The Rays have hit a bit of a wall offensively, averaging 3.6 runs across their last 10 games, so don’t shy away from Montas despite the Rays excellent win-loss record.

Wade LeBlanc vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – T-Mobile Park
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,800

This season has been a struggle for LeBlanc, who enters this game with a 5.28 FIP and having allowed 10 home runs over 45 innings. He’s followed an opener in his last three starts and will do the same Thursday. Although the A’s roughed him up in his last outing, his first two appearances out of the bullpen were a success with him allowing three runs across 14 innings against the Angels and Astros. The Orioles have one of the worst lineups in baseball and could be missing one of their best hitters in Trey Mancini (elbow), leaving LeBlanc as someone to at least consider in tournament play.

CATCHER

Wilson Ramos vs. Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,200

After taking advantage of a matchup against Max Fried and the Braves on Wednesday by hitting 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, Ramos makes this list for the second straight day. The Cubs will be forced to start Chatwood with Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) on the IL, making the Mets one of the more appealing stacks for the evening. Don’t be fooled by his 3.60 ERA, Chatwood is still having command issues and has a 5.17 FIP.

Others to consider: Mitch Garver

FIRST BASE

Daniel Vogelbach vs. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – T-Mobile Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,500

Whenever Bundy is on the mound, you want to look at the opposing team’s big sluggers. Bundy just can’t keep hitters inside the ballpark, allowing 1.7 HR/9 for his career. That could lead to his downfall against Vogelbach and his .288 ISO. Vogelbach also has a meaty 184 wRC+ against righties, so don’t hesitate to add him to your entry.

Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo and Pete Alonso

SECOND BASE

Robinson Cano vs. Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,400

After two separate trips to the IL for a quadriceps injury, the Mets finally have their starting second baseman back in Cano. He’s having a down year, but he does have a home run and two doubles across three starts since recently being activated. Even though he has an astonishingly low -6 wRC+ against lefties this year, he has a 112 wRC+ versus righties. His discounted price on DraftKings is especially enticing.

Others to consider: Cavan Biggio and Jonathan Schoop

THIRD BASE

Kris Bryant vs. Walker Lockett, New York Mets
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,000

After injuries played role in Bryant’s lack of power last year, improved health this season has helped him record a .258 ISO. He’s also cut down his strikeout rate to 19 percent, which is over four percentage points lower than his career mark. While expensive, his upside is off the charts based on this matchup. Lockett had a 4.58 FIP and a 1.34 WHIP at Triple-A last year and has just nine strikeouts across 24.2 innings at that level this season.

Others to consider: D.J. LeMahieu and Todd Frazier

SHORTSTOP

Javier Baez vs. Walker Lockett, New York Mets
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,500

Baez is mired in a slump right now, hitting 8-for-49 (.163) with a 26 percent strikeout rate over his last 12 games. That’s really the only reason why he’s so affordable. With this type of matchup, he’d usually be challenging for the top price at his position. He certainly has the potential to do damage anytime he steps into the batter’s box, making this a situation to consider taking advantage of.

Others to consider: Jorge Polanco and Jean Segura

OUTFIELD

Mike Trout vs. Clayton Richard, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,800

The Blue Jays can’t wait for the Angels to leave town. Trout has absolutely demolished them through the first three games of this series, hitting 7-for-13 with three home runs. He’s now gone deep 10 times across his last 19 games, overall. Richard has a 7.52 ERA and a 6.76 FIP, making this a mismatch of epic proportions.

Jesse Winker vs. Jimmy Nelson, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,100

Coming up through the minors, Winker hit more for average than for power. However, his first full season in the majors has been the opposite with him hitting .251 with a .214 ISO. The good news is that he doesn’t strike out much and has a .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers. Nelson is still trying to regain his form after missing most of the season due to injury and has allowed nine runs (eight earned) across seven innings in his first two starts. At this price, Winker would be well worth the risk.

Dominic Smith vs. Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,300

Smith doesn’t get a lot of headlines, but he’s quietly compiled 169 wRC+ this season. His playing time has started to dwindle with Michael Conforto, Jeff McNeil and Cano all healthy, but if he starts against the underwhelming Chatwood, he could be in line for a productive night. Chatwood has particularly struggled by allowing a .368 wOBA against left-handed hitters.

Others to consider: Justin Upton and Kyle Schwarber

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.