A pretty typical nine game schedule of baseball today with a few teams playing early before traveling for their respective weekend series. FanDuel has this broken into three contests - All Day (9), Early Only (4) and Main (5). Let's get to the good stuff. As usual, I like to call out any games that have an over/under line in Vegas of nine runs or above. There are quite a few of these today, despite having only nine games to choose from. Those games are the White Sox at Red Sox (10.5), Mariners at Tigers (10), Diamondbacks at Rockies (10.5), and the Padres at Reds (9.5). Those lines are usually a pretty good indication that it's going to be easier to find stacks you're comfortable with than starting pitchers you trust. As for park factors, the hitters with the highest positive factors today are Rockies and Diamondbacks hitters, the right-handed hitters from the Padres and Reds, and the right-handed batters of the Red Sox and White Sox.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for FanDuel on 6/23/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on FanDuel.
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target for FanDuel
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed batters versus Albert Suarez
While I think stacking the Red Sox right-handed batters is an excellent idea, I also think it's going to be the most popular idea and in the early only slate - one with just four games - you're going to need a unique lineup to pull off the victory in tournament formats. I think the Pirates are well equipped to score in bunches today. Albert Suarez that has really struggled with hitters from that side of the plate. For the season, he's allowed a .358 wOBA and .523 slugging percentage split, giving up an average of 1.29 HR/9. They don't have park factors working in their favor, but that's one of the main reasons I think they fly under the radar in the early slate.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed batters versus Eddie Butler
This Coors stack - like nearly all of them - is sure to be popular but the numbers are just too strong for me to ignore. If you end up stacking the Diamondbacks today, do yourself a favor and go contrarian in a few other slots of that lineup. Arizona's hitters all have a favorable matchup, but it's the right-handed hitters I'm particularly intrigued by as Butler, for the season, has allowed a .371 wOBA and .587 slugging percentage to righties. He's also average .203 HR/9 to right-handed hitters and Arizona has a number of them that can put the ball in the outfield seats.
Also Consider: Red Sox versus James Shields and Angels right-handed batters versus Kendall Graveman
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Rick Porcello (SP, BOS) - $9,200
If you've done a little research already, you've probably noticed how underwhelming the pitching options are for the Early Only slate. It's tough to justify confidence in any of them, but if I have to pick one, my gut and the numbers (slightly) favor Porcello. Rick has been good-to-great in his last two outings and owns a relatively strong K/9 at 8.4. The home runs are still a bit of an issue, but the WHIP has moved into a respectable range and the thing I like most about today is opportunity. The White Sox have gone down swinging in nearly 29% of their at-bats versus right-handed pitching this season. If Porcello can keep the ball in the yard, he has a good chance for 6+ strikeouts and a win against the struggling James Shields.
Jon Lester (SP, CHC) - $11,400
At least in the afternoon slate, we have a starting pitcher or two that is cash game worthy. Enter Mr. Lester, who is pitching this season like someone worthy of Cy Young votes, has the second best WHIP of this slate (0.994) and the best K/9 at 9.4. He's really had no issues with the home run ball this season, as 0.605 HR/9 suggests, but he does get a park factor boost as Miami is one of the best pitcher parks. Lester has exceeded value in each of his past five starts and I'm expecting that trend to continue today against a poor Marlins offense. The Cubs are also pretty heavy moneyline road favorites at -171.
Also Consider: Matt Harvey (SP, NYM) - $9,500
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Catcher (C)
Derek Norris (C, SDP) - $3,200
It's slim pickings among backstops today. Norris gets the nod from me as my favorite thanks to his solid .329 wOBA and .441 slugging percentage splits, the park factor boost, and the fact that opposing pitcher John Lamb allows an average of 1.47 HR/9 to right-handed batters.
First Base (1B)
David Ortiz (1B, BOS) - $4,400
A little pricey, but far and away the strongest split numbers of any first baseman today and he has the perfect opportunity as he matches up against the home run prone James Shields. Ortiz owns an uber impressive .456 wOBA and .705 slugging percentage split against right-handed pitching this season.
Second Base (2B)
Adam Rosales (2B, SDP) - $2,400
There are quite a few big name second baseman taking the field today, but the problem with said second baseman is the carry a big name price but are absent of great opportunities or matchups today. I'm going to take my chances with Adam Rosales, who provides great salary relief with upside. For the season, he owns a .306 wOBA and .159 ISO split and takes on Jon Lamb, who struggles with right-handed batters.
Shortstop (SS)
Javier Baez (SS, CHC) - $3,000
I'm really hoping Baez gets the start today as he's listed at a fair price and has really, really strong numbers against southpaws this season. His .431 wOBA split is the best among the shortstops taking the field today and his .206 ISO is impressive as well. Opposing starter Wei-Yen Chen has allowed a .510 slugging percentage to right-handed batters this season as well.
Third Base (3B)
Jung-Ho Kang (3B, PIT) - $2,800
Like Adam Rosales, Kang provides enormous salary relief with great upside today. His wOBA split at .400 is incredibly impressive and his .241 ISO and .551 slugging percentage are some of the best splits of any third baseman today. He also gets to match up with struggling reliever turned starter Albert Suarez.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Matt Kemp (OF, SDP) -$3,700
Kemp gets a major park boost today and happens to be swinging a pretty hot bat, having exceeded value in each of his past two starts. Not only is John Lamb a favorable matchup, but Kemp has been absolutely crushing southpaws this season.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (OF, BOS) - $3,400
While I think the Red Sox hitters will be popular, we may be able to scoop Bradley at a lower ownership percentage thanks to him often hitting in the bottom third of the order. Shields is an excellent matchup for nearly any hitter with pop, and Bradley is no different, owning a .393 wOBA and .293 ISO split.
Franklin Gutierrez (OF, SEA) - $3,300
Gutierrez against a southpaw is almost a must play, especially when he's listed so cheap and gets a slight park boost moving away from Safeco Field in Seattle. For the season, Gutierrez's splits are some of the best in the majors - .410 wOBA and .285 ISO.
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