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After an odd Friday where many teams had the day off, we're back into the swing of things on Saturday with a full 15 games on deck. With every team playing, DraftKings is offering lots of different slates and contests. There's an early slate for the 1:05 - 4:10 start times, an all-day slate covering every game, the featured slate at 7:05, and even more. This gives us endless lineup combinations.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/7/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @TroyKlauder.
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DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Gerrit Cole, HOU (vs. SD) - $12,300
Gerrit Cole is the most expensive pitcher on the featured slate, but he's absolutely worth the price. Cole was absolutely dominant in his first start of the year, striking out 11 and allowing just one earned run in seven innings against the Rangers. He gets to face arguably the weakest lineup in all of baseball in the Padres, who ranked 29th in all of baseball last year with a .299 wOBA against right-handed pitching. The Padres are also without one of their only decent hitters in Wil Myers. Cole is a great investment in cash games, where you can build your lineup around his high floor.
Trevor Bauer, CLE (vs. KC) - $9,400
A popular breakout candidate entering 2018, Trevor Bauer had a 3.01 ERA in the second half of 2017 with a 26.7% K-rate. Bauer looks to continue this success against the lowly Royals, whose lineup gives the aforementioned Padres a run for their money at the "worst in baseball" title. Bauer has huge upside strikeout potential and should have no problem getting a win against Ian Kennedy.
DraftKings Infielders
C - Kurt Suzuki, ATL (at COL) - $3,200
If you're new to daily fantasy baseball, there's one thing you should know: Coors Field is the best hitting environment in all of baseball, and any hitter playing there should be considered. Kurt Suzuki actually hit very well in his limited playing time last season, posting a 129 wRC+ and 19 homers in just 309 plate appearances. Suzuki can take advantage of Coors, and you can take advantage of his low price. Get Suzuki and as many Braves and Rockies in your lineup as you can.
1B - Joey Votto, CIN (at PIT) - $4,600
Don't let Votto's cold start fool you - he's consistently one of the best hitters in baseball, and this price tag is low for him. Votto had an absurd .320/.454/.578 line in 2017, and he's facing Pirates starter Chad Kuhl, who gave up four earned runs in his first start of the season. Spending big on a reliable first base bat and trying to find discounts elsewhere looks like a smart strategy on Saturday.
2B - Neil Walker, NYY (vs. BAL) - $3,400
Neil Walker quietly crushed right-handed pitching last year, putting up a 127 wRC+ versus righties. He's now in a loaded Yankees lineup and hitting in one of the best ballparks in baseball. Chris "human batting tee" Tillman had a 7.84 ERA last year with a ridiculous 2.32 HR/9, so the Yankees lineup is going to feast on him. Walker will enjoy the benefits by getting lots of opportunities for runs and RBI.
3B - Anthony Rendon, WAS (vs. NYM) - $4,100
Rendon's price is curiously low, as he's not even off to a bad start, with an .805 OPS so far. For a guy who had a .394 wOBA in 2017, you'd think he'd cost more. Rendon gets to face Steven Matz, who imploded in his first start of the year, walking three and only lasting four innings with three earned runs. Rendon had an outstanding 13.9% walk-rate last year, so his profile works well against Matz, who walked 16.7% of batters in his first start.
SS - Amed Rosario, NYM (at WAS) - $3,100
Amed Rosario is off to a scorching start in 2018, batting .333 with an .842 OPS. It's easy to forget that Rosario was one of the top prospects in all of baseball less than a year ago, so his start shouldn't exactly come as a surprise. Rosario has blazing speed and can score you some points on the basepaths at a punt-level price.
DraftKings Outfielders
Kevin Kiermaier, TB (at BOS) - $3,200
As the Ray's two-hole hitter, Kiermaier is in a great position for runs and RBI at Fenway Park, one of the best hitter's parks in the league. Kiermaier has a solid power/speed combo, as he hit 15 homers with 16 steals last season, so he can score for you in a variety of ways. Red Sox starter Rick Porcello struggled last year, with a 5.51 Deserved Run Average, so Kiermaier should have no issues with him.
Michael Brantley, CLE (vs. KC) - $3,500
Brantley made his 2018 debut yesterday against the Royals, and looked healthy with a two RBI day. Brantley batted fifth, a great spot in the middle of the Indians order. He will be facing Ian Kennedy on Saturday, who had an awful 5.38 ERA in 30 starts last season. Take advantage of Brantley's low price, because it won't last for long if he can stay healthy.
Eddie Rosario, MIN (vs. SEA) - $3,400
Rosario broke out of his early-season slump on Thursday with a home run, and he's looking for more on Saturday against Mike Leake. Rosario batted .290 with 27 homers last season, so a price this low is odd to see. Whether he's batting second or fourth in the Twins order, he's gonna be in a great spot either way.
