We have a boat load of pitchers to deal with on Thursday. I'm assuming no one is playing the all-day slate, so you get to pick two of the following in the early slate: Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and David Price. And two of these in the late slate: Gerrit Cole, Jake Arrieta, and Dallas Keuchel.
My recommendation is not to stray from these pitchers if at all possible. With that in mind, you'll need some value picks to fill your offensive positions. Let's see what we can do for ya.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/21/16. 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 DraftKings.
DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Seattle Mariners vs. Cody Anderson
As a young, right-handed pitcher, Anderson could run into some trouble with this Mariners lineup. Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz are obvious bets here. However, when you pay up at pitcher, value stacks are key. Look at some lefties like Adam Lind, Kyle Seager, Seth Smith, and Norichka Aoki as a possible, sneaky stack.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chris Tillman
There aren’t a ton of stacking options in the late slate, and it’s tough to stay cheap with the Blue Jays, but let’s try. Tillman is a below-average pitcher in a hitter’s park, and the Blue Jays are arguably the most dangerous offensive team in the league. Michael Saunders gives you some cheap exposure as a lefty in the leadoff spot. Pairing him with other cheap bottom hitters like Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins could pay off in a GPP. Then, you can pick one of the big three in the middle of the lineup and hope they go yard (my choice would be Josh Donaldson).
Also Consider: San Francisco Giants vs. Shelby Miller, Houston Astros vs. A.J. Griffin
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Pick from the aforementioned group
I've pretty much outlined the pitching situation for you in the above paragraph. Yep, that's all it took. I'm pretty much choosing my pitchers based on my financial situation. So, if I can't fit in the batters I want with Kershaw, I'll move down to Scherzer. Of course I could knit-pick about which pitchers I prefer, but I don't think the difference will be so extreme that you have to sacrifice on offense for one or the other.
I will say, however, that I don't think lineups will be successful without the above pitchers. There are too many studs to be fading them. One ore two non-stud pitchers may pitch well, but I can't find one who I feel comfortable paying down for. I'll be sticking to the studs on Thursday.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Jonathan Lucroy, MIL vs. MIN - $3,700
Lucroy gets a great matchup against Ricky Nolasco in the midst of a nice start to his season. The Brewers should score some runs and Lucroy is due for a homer or two.
Russell Martin, TOR @ BAL - $3,600
Martin is quietly turning around his slow start. Where his real value lies is the fact that he hits in the middle of one of the most productive lineups in baseball. Martin works as part of a stack or as a safer cash play.
First Base (1B)
Albert Pujols, LAA @ CWS - $4,000
With a price as high as this and a guy as volatile as Pujols has been thus far, this is probably a tournament play. Still, you have to consider one of the most dominant power hitters of this generation. Pujols has had his fair share of looks at lefty John Danks.
Adam Lind, SEA @ CLE - 4,200
If you're stacking the Mariners I love the idea of Adam Lind. He crushes righties (like young Cody Anderson), and is right smack dab in the middle of that lineup.
Second Base (2B)
Jean Segura, ARI @ SF - $3,500
I've been using Segura a lot lately. Good contact hitter with power and speed upside. He sits atop a great Diamondbacks lineup, and Cueto doesn't scare me off him Thursday.
Rougned Odor, TEX vs. HOU - $3,500
Here's a tourney play for ya. Dallas Keuchel is not someone I usually target, but when Odor gets hot like he is now it doesn't matter who's pitching. Use him in a GPP at your own risk.
Shortstop (SS)
Troy Tuolowitzki, TOR @ BAL - $4,100
OK fine. So I'm trying to hop on the Tulo wagon before everyone else does. Camden Yards plays well in the home run department, but I'm just looking for a few base hits from the once elite shortstop.
Corey Seager, LOS @ ATL - $3,300
Seager is the safer play at shortstop. Matt Wisler is a RHP. That's all you need to know. Seager isn't absurdly priced yet, and he's great against righties.
Third Base (3B)
Justin Turner, LOS @ ATL - $2,800
This is the only third baseman on my DraftKings radar. When paying up for pitchers, you need to find safe discounts. Turner is just that batting third against a RHP in Wisler.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Michael Saunders, TOR @ BAL - $3,200
Saunders has found success at the top of the Blue Jays' lineup. I think you and I would as well. This is far too cheap still for the Toronto leadoff man.
Norichka Aoki, SEA @ CLE - $3,900
I see the Mariners having some success against Anderson. Aoki should be on base enough to benefit from that success.
Denard Span, SF vs. ARI - $4,000
Shelby Miller has not been sharp thus far. I don't think a matchup with the Giants will fix that. Again, go with the leadoff hitters on teams that should succeed on offense.
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