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We have a full 15-game slate scheduled for Friday and all games are set for 7:05pm (EST), or later. That means we have a stocked player pool from both the pitching and hitting aspect of DFS.
Seven of the games have an over/under of at least nine total runs and only one team is a somewhat strong favorite (NYY is -180). However, we’re still waiting for odds on LAD/COL (Alex Wood’s start has been pushed back to Sunday), TB/SEA (Sergio Romo starting for Rays), and CIN/SD (Walker Lockett pitching for the Padres).
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/01/18. 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 @CharlieSideHstl.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Chris Sale, BOS (@ HOU) - $11,100
Sale is the No. 1 starting pitcher on my board for Friday. That works out great because DraftKings lists him as the No. 3 pitcher, by price tag. Sale struggled in his last outing (4.1 IP, 6 ER, and 8 K vs. ATL). That could work out in our favor. During the 2017 regular season, Sale never allowed more than three earned runs after giving up four, or more, earned runs in the previous performance. In fact, Sale surrendered at least four earned runs eight times last year. In four of those follow-up appearances, he didn’t allow an earned run and he punched out double-digit batters. Sale has struck out at least eight batters in five consecutive starts. Also, while the Astros are 11th in team wOBA (.331) against left-handed pitchers, they’re only 18th in team ISO (.163) when facing southpaws.
Tyler Mahle, CIN (@ SD) - $7,900
We need to save money on our second pitcher, if we’re going with Sale as our SP1. Mahle is facing a Padres team that is second in the league with 547 strikeouts and 25th in runs scored (214 runs in 57 games). San Diego is also 29th in team wOBA (.283) against right-handed pitchers. While Mahle has allowed four earned runs in each of the past three outings, Vegas is still a believer. The Reds are favored (-115) and the over/under is only eight total runs.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Chris Iannetta, COL (vs. LAD) - $3,400
Alex Wood’s start will be pushed back from Friday to Sunday for the Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts is calling Friday a “bullpen” day. While we aren’t 100 percent sure who will get the nod for Los Angeles (rumblings suggest RHP Dennis Santana), we are fortunate that Iannetta has success against both lefties and righties. Iannetta has a .242 ISO against right-handed pitchers and a .194 ISO against southpaws. Also, Iannetta is batting .455 (5-for-11) with two doubles in the past week. Colorado has one of the highest implied run totals on the slate and selecting any batter playing at Coors Field is almost always highly recommended.
1B - Greg Bird, NYY (@ BAL) - $3,900
This is the easiest selection you’ll make all day. Bird is back from the disabled list and is already crushing the ball. In four games, he has produced four hits with one double and one home run. Since 2017, Bird has a .209 ISO against right-handed pitchers. Also, his Yankees are slated to score the second-most runs on Friday (5.4).
2B - Jason Kipnis, CLE (@ MIN) - $3,100
The Cleveland second baseman is batting below the Mendoza line (currently .199), but he’s improving with every game, thus far. In the past week, Kipnis is 10-for-30 (.333) with two doubles and two home runs. He’s also recorded at least two hits in four of the past six games. The Indians aren’t projected to score a high run total (4.2), but the price tag for Kipnis allows us to pay up for bigger bats later down the line.
3B - Josh Donaldson, TOR (@ DET) - $4,100
Donaldson had the day off on Wednesday and the Blue Jays didn’t play on Thursday, so the Toronto third baseman is well rested. He’s recorded a hit in seven straight games and has five walks during that span, as well. Donaldson also leads the team with a .320 ISO against left-handed pitchers. This season, he’s batting .279 against southpaws (.213 against righties).
SS - Didi Gregorius, NYY (@ BAL) - $4,300
The NYY/BAL matchup was postponed on Thursday night, so the starting pitchers are pushed back to Friday. Gregorius is 4-for-16 (.250) in his career against Andrew Cashner, but three of those hits are for extra bases (one home run). Gregorius has gathered five hits in the past three games.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Nicholas Castellanos, DET (vs. TOR) - $4,300
Castellanos is tied for the most hits in the past week (12). He’s 12-for-32 (.375) with three RBI. He’s notched three hits in back-to-back games and currently owns a five-game hitting streak. Castellanos also leads the Tigers with a .271 ISO against left-handed pitchers.
Brandon Nimmo, NYM (vs. CHC) - $4,000
All Disney movies jokes aside, the Mets have found their centerfielder of the future in Nimmo. He currently has a .287 AVG with six home runs and 12 RBI. He’s recorded half of those RBI in the past week. Nimmo has also notched two hits in three consecutive games. This year, he has a .318 AVG against right-handed pitchers (.200 against lefties).
Kike Hernandez, LAD (@ COL) - $3,900
Playing at Coors Field? Check. Facing a lefty? Check. Affordable price tag? Check. That settles it for Hernandez. He has a .270 ISO against southpaws and currently has a .308 AVG (4-for-14) in the past week. You can slate Hernandez into your 2B or OF spot on DK. Make sure he’s in your lineup on Friday.
