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The MLB split the slate today with three afternoon games and five in the main slate. We still have more games on this slate than last week thanks to a round of rough weather last Thursday. As of now, today's weather looks good to go. Let's get to it!
This article contains my picks for the five-game main slate on Thursday, April 13, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel which locks at 6:40 PM ET.
The lineup picks will range from some elite high-priced players to mid-priced options and value plays. I'll give you a few of my top pitching options and then some infielders, outfielders, and teams to stack. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Nick Lodolo, CIN vs. PHI ($9,400 DK, $10,800 FD)
We are seeing what all the fuss is about with Lodolo. He has been nothing short of dominant in his first two starts of the season, racking up 21 strikeouts in just 12 innings while giving up only two runs. One of those starts was against this same Phillies team last week where he blanked them through seven innings and only allowed three hits. No one can come close to the ceiling of Lodolo tonight. We'll have to get different with our second pitcher on DK.
Jordan Montgomery, STL vs. PIT ($8,500 DK, $9,400 FD)
This is a rough day for value pitchers due to ineffectiveness, opponent, ballpark, or all of the above. You might be able to get me to bite on Michael King against the Twins. Considering he hasn't pitched more than two innings in a game yet this season, he will be closer to an opener than a viable option.
So yes, I'm paying up for a second option as well. Pittsburgh strikes out enough to make Montgomery an intriguing choice. He struck out nine Brewers in his last start and is being gifted a win against Vince Velasquez. He is already starting with a pretty good floor no matter what he does during the actual game.
Others to consider: Chris Bassitt vs. DET
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, TOR vs. DET ($5.700 DK, $3,900 FD)
Vlad hasn't hit a homer in a week, but he still has nine hits in the five games since his last dinger on April 6. He is still a huge fantasy asset and is facing Spencer Turnbull. Turnbull has some talent, but facing the Jays isn't going to help his early-season swoon. Toronto has scored two dozen runs in the last three games alone...
Nolan Gorman - 2B, STL vs. PIT ($3,800 DK, $3,300 FD)
Gorman didn't have a hit on the road until the Cardinals got to Coors. He picked up three hits in the thin air and comes home -- where he has a robust .438 average in five games -- riding a high where he homered twice and drove in four in the three-game set. With Vince Velasquez on the hill, Gorman shouldn't be slowing down today.
Jose Barrero - SS, CIN vs. PHI ($2,400 DK, $2,100 FD)
Barrero has started three straight games and picked up three hits, including a homer and three RBIs, in those games. Kevin Newman, we hardly knew you! Barrero appears to be the starting shortstop for the Reds and could do well against lefty Bailey Falter today. After all, the Reds just beat him last week.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
George Springer - OF, TOR vs. DET ($5,300 DK, $3,700 FD)
Turnbull has given up 12 runs in eight innings over two starts this year. I'm shocked that Springer is the only Blue Jay that has taken him deep in his career so far, but that might not be the case after today. At any rate, Springer is leading off against statistically the worst current pitcher in the majors.
He's the guy to start if you're going after Turnbull again. Springer is just starting to heat up after a slow start. He has a five-game hitting streak going with a pair of homers and four RBIs in that span, along with four runs scored. He's going to put up crooked numbers again today.
Tyler O'Neill - OF, STL vs. PIT ($4,500 DK, $2,400 FD)
O'Neill has only faced Vince Velasquez four times in his career. He has three hits off of him, two of which cleared the fence. I get that it's a small sample size and I would probably ignore it if O'Neill were struggling to start the season. He's not. O'Neill is riding a modest four-game hitting streak and is hitting .282 with a pair of homers on the season. He might get another off of Velasquez if the past is any indication. O'Neill might be the lock of the season at that ridiculous price on FD.
Kerry Carpenter - OF, DET at TOR ($2,900 DK, $2,400 FD)
Carpenter hit his first homer of the season last night against the Jays, so why not run it back with another righty on the mound? Go read any prospect site and they'll tell you how high they are on Carpenter. He started slowly even though he was on the heavy side of a platoon with Matt Vierling, but he appears to be coming around. He still batted cleanup yesterday and it paid off. Look for Carpenter to be in the sweet lineup spot again at a very affordable price.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Spencer Turnbull
Stack against Turnbull, rinse, repeat. At least until he finds himself. Vladdy is coming in on a hot streak, though homer-less. Springer is showing signs of life, so you definitely need those two. The problem is the Jays get expensive, especially if you're trying to pay up for Lodolo/Montgomery. I want Matt Chapman, but another $5k guy might be unsustainable. I like the idea of adding Kevin Kiermaier and Daulton Varsho for salary relief in a wrap-around stack.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Vince Velasquez
The Cardinals are cheaper than they should be in many cases, especially Tyler O'Neill on FanDuel. You can use the expensive guys like Goldschmidt and Arenado by using Nolan Gorman and the prospects Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. It's far from a foolproof stack, but the relative cheapness of Burleson and Walker gives you a lot of flexibility for the rest of your roster.
Also consider: Cincinnati Reds vs. Bailey Falter
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