There are nine games total on Thursday, but just two of them occur before 7:05 pm eastern time. So, we'll work with the main, seven-game slate.
The pitching on this slate is absolutely horrendous. I think your best bet is to play a few tournaments and hope for the best. Trying to build a cash game lineup around this pitchers almost gave me a migraine. Best of luck to you on this weird slate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/9/16. 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
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tyler Wilson (RHP)
Wilson doesn’t have a whole lot of success in the MLB thus far in his young career, and that’s largely in part to his inability to miss bats. The Blue Jays finally woke up Wednesday afternoon against Jordan Zimmermann and company, so let’s hope they start looking like themselves again. Prices shouldn’t be ridiculous on the studs like Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, and Edwin Encarnacion based on recent play, but I like them all. Justin Smoak and Russell Martin are also viable, cheaper options who have the ability to go yard.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Ivan Nova (RHP)
Well, the Angels don’t have a ton of lefties that can take advantage of Nova and the short porch in right field, but Kole Calhoun is a must in this stack. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are fine tournament options too, as Nova has allowed a home run in each of his last six starts. As a punt play, left-handed outfielder Rafael Ortega could fill in to save some cap.
Also Consider: Miami Marlins vs. Ervin Santana
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Adam Wainwright, STL at CIN - $5,600
Wainwright has been shaky, but not as bad as his price indicates. The Reds have been hot lately, and the ballpark is small, so maybe DraftKings is onto something here. Still, this is a good, veteran pitcher who's starting to find his good stuff again. He's the safest play on a night in which there are no safe plays.
Marcus Stroman, TOR vs. BAL - $5,700
Although $100 more expensive, Stroman seems like the riskier option to me. For one, the Orioles are a very dangerous team. Second, Stroman has really been struggling of late. He's an extreme ground ball pitcher with great stuff when he's got it working, but this doesn't look like the perfect spot for a bounce back. Still, the upside is certainly there with this kid. I like him in the GPP setting.
Jimmy Nelson, MIL vs. NYM - $8,700
I'm baffled by how expensive Nelson is, and I think every other DraftKings player will be too. So, that means Nelson's ownership should be very low. Still, there is some reason for his high price. The Mets can't seem to hit anything right now, so that helps Nelson's case. Still, he's very inconsistent, and Miller Park is prone to homers. I don't love this play, but the GPP upside that goes along with the presumed low ownership makes it interesting.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Wilson Ramos, WAS @ CWS - $4,000
Ramos is the most expensive catcher on the slate, but I think he's high in value too. He's red hot right now, Miguel Gonzalez lets up plenty of contact, and his spot in the order bodes well for production. Ramos is a fine play if you can afford him.
Russell Martin, TOR vs. BAL - $3,200
After a dreadful start, Martin is showing some signs of life in what could still be a very potent Blue Jays lineup. After a day off on Wednesday, Martin is primed to take advantage of youngster Tyler Wilson. I like his spot here.
First Base (1B)
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. WAS - $3,600
Abreu is still the great hitter we saw evolve from a Cuban prospect, and he's starting to look more like it lately. The first baseman hits righties slightly better than lefties, but Gio has struggled to get good hitters out lately. I like Abreu for his deflated price in cash games or tourneys.
Justin Bour, MIA at MIN - $3,400
I love this tournament play. Ervin Santana is getting abused by power hitters these days, and Bour is next in line. His spot in the order should provide for plenty of RBI chances, and he has multi-homer upside at an affordable price.
Second Base (2B)
Robinson Cano, SEA vs. CLE - $4,400
Cano is certainly expensive, but he's making plenty of hard contact lately to explain that price. Josh Tomlin has been pitching better of late, but I'll take Cano a couple times in that matchup. The run production should continue Thursday for the stud second baseman.
Derek Dietrich, MIA at MIN - $3,800
Here's a nice tourney play, as no one seems to think that Dietrich is worth this price these days. I'll take the low ownership, as Dietrich is a great hitter in a good lineup spot. He should be able to take advantage of Santana as well.
Shortstop (SS)
Aldemys Diaz, STL at CIN - $4,000
Diaz hasn't quite proved his ability to hit lefties like Brandon Finnegan yet, but there's still plenty of time. I love this spot for him in a ballpark that's prone to homers. Diaz should be able to produce some runs in this one.
Ketel Marte, SEA vs. CLE - $3,200
Because of his recent injury, Marte is still very cheap across the industry. So, if you run out of cash, I like him as a punt play at shortstop. He's already stolen a base since he's been back, and we know he has the ability to rack up three hits in a game. It's not a fantastic play, but it makes sense.
Third Base (3B)
Josh Donaldson, TOR vs. BAL - $4,800
Donaldson finally went off on Wednesday, and I'm banking on him doing it again against the young Wilson. Pay up for this stud here in a stack or by himself.
Anthony Rendon, WAS at CWS - $4,500
If you don't have quite enough for Donaldson, Rendon has already created a hot streak of his own. He's displaying speed, power, and gap shots day to day. He's a fine pick for a couple of hits and some run production too.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Kole Calhoun, LAA at NYY - $5,200
DraftKings took my lock of the day and jacked his price up. Calhoun gets a mediocre RHP in Ivan Nova who's let up a homer in six straight outings. Oh yeah, and the Yankees have a very short porch in right field. Sign me up.
Rajai Davis, CLE at SEA - $3,100
Davis is so cheap because he's known as a lefty masher. However, he's playing everyday, and he's doing it well too. He's a great tournament option thanks to his homer plus steal potential. Use him if you need to conserve some cap space.
Follow Your Stack
As I mentioned above, I would stick to tournament games on Thursday. So, with that in mind, I would recommend filling in the outfield with a member of the team you're stacking. Mike Trout is ideal for the Angels. Bryce Harper is in a good spot for the Nats. Jose Bautista should succeed atop the Blue Jays lineup. Marcell Ozuna even works for the Marlins. Take your pick.
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