June 24, 2017

JB's top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 6/24/17. Expert MLB DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for FanDuel and DraftKings.

Welcome to the weekend, RotoBallers, and another Saturday full of baseball. Also Happy Kershaw day, although with the way the ace in Cleveland has been pitching I am inclined to instead declare this Corey Kluber day... Due to the starting times being spread all over the clock per usual, the slates are always funky on Saturdays. Today FanDuel has a five game early slate for the 4:05 ET games, and a seven game main slate starting at 7:05 ET. That leaves a measly three game "very" early slate that most of you will ignore like me. Due to this, I will focus all my advice on games starting at 4:05 ET or later. DraftKings, however, split it up much more neatly. They have a seven game early slate to include the two games starting at 2:10 ET with the 4 o'clock bunch.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on 6/24/2017. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options, and of course, value plays.

If you want to contact me, send me a message on Twitter at @RowdyRotoJB. Now, let's get rowdy.

Top Offensive Stacks

Cincinnati Reds versus Joe Ross

I have said multiple times that the Reds are my favorite team to stack in DFS. They have a number of options for hitters on both sides of the plate, they hit for power, and they always have great price tags. For the season, they own the eighth highest OPS against RHP. Last night they hung four in the first inning against Stephen Strasburg. Today they get a much easier opponent in Joe Ross, who owns a 5.98 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. In five of his nine starts this season, Ross has allowed at least five runs. Joey Votto, Scott Schebler, Adam Duvall, and Eugenio Suarez all deserve your attention.

Chicago Cubs versus Justin Nicolino

Over the last seven days, the Cubbies own the sixth highest SLG in the league. They are also the fourth highest scoring offense this season against LHP. Today they draw a fantastic match-up against Justin Nicolino who looked completely lost on the mound in his first start off the disabled list. In that start against the Nationals he surrendered six runs (three earned) on seven hits (two HR) in just three innings. The hardest part here is going to be selecting which Cubs hitters you want in your lineup today. Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, Javier Baez, Ian Happ, Anthony Rizzo, Albert Almora, and Kris Bryant all own wRC+ over 100 versus southpaws. But if its the long ball you're looking for; KB, Rizzo, Happ, and Baez own the four highest ISO.

Cleveland Indians versus Kyle Gibson

It is no secret that Kyle Gibson has been awful in 2017. He is allowing an OPS over .900 to both RHB and LHB, and owns a 6.56 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. As if that wasn't bad enough, today he faces a team that has absolutely owned him in the past. In 184 career PA against Gibson, the active Indians have combined for a .362/.435/.594 slash. That is an OPS of 1.029 if you don't want to do the math. Based on BvP; Edwin Encarnacion, Yan Gomes, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, and Jose Ramirez are all super safe plays today. But I would also even love using Bradley Zimmer and Lonnie Chisenhall if you need some cheaper options.

FanDuel & DraftKings DFS Pitchers

Jacob Faria, TB vs BAL ($8,500 FD; $8,900 DK)

Man I love this play today. Through his first three starts in the bigs, Faria owns a 1.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 10.1 K/9. He has gotten better with each start, and finished seven innings of one run ball last time out, whiffing nine Tigers along the way. The Orioles have some big name hitters, but rank 24th in runs versus RHP this season, and are still without Chris Davis. If you are playing on DraftKings, Faria should be one of your pitchers. On FanDuel he is the perfect way to beat out the Kluber lineups with that extra dough to spend on your hitters.

Corey Kluber, CLE vs MIN ($10,800 FD; $12,600 DK)

If you are looking to spend up on a bonafide ace in cash games, the floor is through the roof right now with Kluber. Over his four starts since returning from the DL, he has already amassed 39 K, while only allowed five ER. He is coming off a complete-game shutout against the Orioles where he whiffed 11. He is absolutely on fire right now, and the poor Twins are the next unfortunate souls to attempt to stop him. Minnesota strikes out at a 24.7% rate against RHP. With Kyle Gibson on the opposing mound, the W is almost guaranteed.

Jacob deGrom, NYM at SFG ($10,300 FD; $11,400 DK)

My top choice for anti-Kershaw selection in cash games is deGrom, against the lowly Giants in the spacious AT&T Park. The Giants own the lowest SLG in the entire league against RHP, and by FAR the lowest SLG for any team at Home this season. deGrom faced this offense in New York back in May and struck out 11 in just six innings, good for 46 FP on FanDuel. Expect an increase in points today due to the park factor and assumption the Mets offense can give him enough run support against the struggling Johnny Cueto to secure him the W this go-around.

Also Consider: Lance Lynn, STL vs PIT ($7,400 FD; $7,100 DK); Homer Bailey, CIN @ WSH ($6,500 FD; $4,400 DK); and of course this Clayton Kershaw guy is never a bad decision if you can afford him ($12,300 FD; $12,500 DK)

FanDuel & DraftKings DFS Infielders

Yasmani Grandal - C, LAD vs COL ($3,000 FD; $3,800 DK)

Over his last five games, Grandal has hit three bombs. Eight of his nine HR on the season have come off RHP, and seven of those nine have been hit at home. Today the Dodgers welcome Tyler Chatwood, who gave up five runs in 4 1/3 innings against this offense in May. Grandal is 5-9 with a double, triple, and a HR against Chatwood for his career.

Matt Carpeneter - 1B, STL vs PIT ($3,800 FD; $3,800 DK)

Carpenter has had an ice cold week, which hopefully drops his ownership percentage today. A bout with division-rival Gerrit Cole should be the perfect medicine to breakout in a big way. Cole has been awful against LHB this season, allowing an .890 OPS, and has been a completely different pitcher away from PNC Park. On the road this season he owns a 5.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, while serving up 10 dingers. Matt Carpenter is 11-29 lifetime versus Cole, with a double and three HR. The price on DraftKings is a steal.

Jose Pirela - 2B, SDP vs DET ($3,100 FD; $3,600 DK)

Two words, Anibal Sanchez.

Now through 14 games in 2017, Pirela is still hot at the plate. He is rocking a .351/.422/.596 slash with eight XBH. He has fared particularly well against RHP, and is absolutely loving Petco Park (1.301 OPS at home). I don't need to waste my finger strength on bashing Anibal Sanchez, but I will give you three numbers: 7.56 FIP, 1.96 WHIP, and 3.5 HR/9. Ew.

Kris Bryant - 3B, CHC at MIA ($3,900 FD; $4,900 DK)

Out of the studly high priced options at the hot corner tonight, Kris Bryant is my favorite, and I think he is very reasonably priced- staying below the 4K line on FD and the 5K line on DK despite the match-up. Against LHP this season, KB owns a 1.174 OPS, .358 ISO, and a 199 wRC+. Against LHP on the road, the numbers become absolutely insane: 1.647 OPS, .545 ISO, 297 wRC+. I couldn't replicate that in a video game on Rookie mode.

Also consider: Nolan Arenado - 3B, COL at LAD ($2,700 FD; $4,100 DK)- FD Only

Francisco Lindor - SS, CLE vs MIN ($3,600 FD; $4,800 DK)

I'll be honest, I don't like many options at SS today, so I am going with the safety of Lindor against Gibson. Lindor has been much better at home this season, and already has nine HR off RHP. As I stated previously, the Tribe love facing Gibson, and Lindor is obviously no exception. For his career he is 9-16 against the RHP, and has stolen two bases, which fantasy owners have been wanting to see more of from him.

Also consider: Addison Russell - SS, CHC at MIA ($3,100 FD; $4,300 DK)

FanDuel & DraftKings DFS Outfielders

Jay Bruce - OF, NYM at SFG ($3,300 FD; $3,600 DK)

Johnny Cueto has been a disappointment this season, carrying a 4.42 ERA and serving up 17 bombs. Over his last five starts he owns a 1.45 WHIP. Bruce has hit four HR in his last 13 games, while hitting .333 with a 1.053 OPS. He destroys RHP, and should never be this cheap when facing one that is allowing so much contact. Michael Conforto and Yoenis Cespedes are also both very affordable today.

Andrew Benintendi - OF, BOS vs LAA ($3,500 FD; $4,300 DK) & Jackie Bradley Jr. - OF, BOS vs LAA ($3,400 FD; $4,000 DK)

J.C. Ramirez has been getting lit up by LHB all season, allowing 22 XBH (.949 OPS) compared to only seven to RHB. That ain't gonna fly today with the young duo residing in Bostons outfield. Benintendi has hit RHP better up to this point in 2017, and JBJ has the slight edge with his home splits, but I prefer to just use both of them tonight.

Scott Schebler - OF, CIN at WSH ($3,400 FD; $4,100 DK)

As I said, I love using the Reds. Schebler might be my favorite today thanks to his 20 HR this season and his hitting prowess on the road. Away from Great American Ball Park, he has hit 22 XBH (only 8 at home), and is rocking a 1.019 OPS. As a power hitting lefty, you already know he feasts on RHP.

Also Consider: Giancarlo Stanton, MIA vs CHC ($3,800 FD; $3,900 DK); Marcell Ozuna, MIA vs CHC ($4,000 FD; $3,900 DK)

Sample Lineups

FanDuel Early

DraftKings Early

FanDuel Main

DraftKings Main

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