Welcome to Sunday baseball! We have 15 games on the slate today, but DK has decided to make the first nine of the main slate. We'll be focusing on those nine games, with one in Coors Field and no projected total under eight runs. Giolito has figured out how to make the White Sox favorites, so we may be looking at chalk Lucas Giolito. We also have a game in Coors Field being played during the day, so the runs could be abundant. Let's dive into the slate head first and take a look at each position.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/2/19. 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 @VarneyDFS.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Lucas Giolito, CWS (vs. CLE) - $11,100
Giolito has been one of the most impressive stories thus far of 2019. He’s finally turned the corner, and now looks like one of the most talented arms in all of baseball. Over his last five starts, Giolito has allowed just five earned runs while striking out 39 batters and going 36 innings. He now faces an underwhelming Indians team that ranks in the bottom half against righties and strikes out 25% of the time. The Sox have shown a willingness to stretch Giolito as well, so there’s built in upside that some of these others don’t have. He’s my favorite on the board and I’m looking for a repeat of his last two outings.
Julio Teheran, ATL (vs. DET) - $8,700
Teheran is affordable and draws a very solid match-up with the Detroit Tigers. On the season, they rank 29th against right-handed pitching with a measly .282 team wOBA. If it wasn't for one of the worst team of all time in the Marlins, they would rank dead last. They also strikeout 26.5% of the time and make less hard contact than any other team. Teheran is a guy who dominates righties and struggles vs lefties, so this is a perfect lineup for him to attack. As long as he can avoid damage from the three of four weak left-handed bats, he should be fine or even better than fine. He's affordable on DraftKings and the top SP2 on the slate with some SP1 upside.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Danny Jansen, TOR (@ COL) - $2,500
Whether it’s Danny Jansen or Luke Maile behind the plate, they’re way too cheap. Catcher is already extremely weak and DK is giving you a freebie in Coors Field. You can’t ask for much more. Antonio Senzatela has struggled a ton in Colorado this season and the Jays are expect to score over 4.5 runs. This is an easy plug and play.
1B - Ryan O'Hearn, KC (@ TEX) - $3,200
First base is always a spot you can pay up, and there are a few guys worth considering. Rizzo, Goldy vs a lefty, and some Coors power are all options. With that being said, the Royals are going to fly under the radar today and hold the 4th highest projected total on the board. Adrian Sampson is a terrible pitcher by just about every measure (5.00+ xFIP, .340 wOBA). He’s been worse on the surface against righties, but his peripherals tell us he’s about even against both sides of the plate. O’Hearn is going to have the opportunity to drive in runs and is only $3.2k on DraftKings.
2B - Joe Panik, SF (@ BAL) - $3,700
Second base doesn’t have much to offer, but that’s how a lot of positions feel on this slate of nine games. The Giants aren’t an offense that scores many runs, but they’re expected to put up nearly five runs against Gabriel Ynoa and the bullpen. Camden Yards is a huge upgrade from AT&T Park and the Giants took advantage last night. Panik will be in the leadoff hole and have plenty of run-scoring opportunities.
3B - Yoan Moncada, CWS (vs. CLE) - $4,700
Moncada is a bit expensive at third base, and Nolan Arenado is always an option, but Moncada does rake righties and won’t be very popular. Plesac was pretty good in his first start, but it’s a small sample size and he doesn’t profile as much of a starter. Against righties, Moncada has eclipsed a .375 wOBA and has all 10 of his home runs against them. The White Sox are favorites in this game and Moncada is their best hitter. He’ll go relatively ignored and has as much upside as anyone at the position.
SS - Elvis Andrus, TEX (vs. KC) - $4,900
We’ve ignored the Rangers up to this point, but they’re going to be one of the most popular teams of the day. They’re facing off with Brad Keller, who already has a bad enough time outside of this extreme hitters ballpark. The Rangers hold an implied total well over five runs and they have a good shot at surpassing that. Brad Keller is a decent prospect, but he’s simply not ready for the majors. For example, he’s allowed 27 earned runs in the last seven games. The Rangers are going to put some runs on the board here and Andrus is always consistent.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
David Dahl, COL (vs. TOR) - $5,100
You can play the Rockies at every position. They’re on fire of late, and now see Aaron Sanchez in Coors Field. He’s not a terrible pitcher, but he’s also not very good. He’s holds a .325+ wOBA against both sides of the plate and doesn’t seem to ever go past five or six innings. David Dahl on the other hand, is looking like a very promising young outfielder. Possibly one to eventually take over for the 32 year-old Blackmon. At least on offense. Dahl is a machine in Coors Field, sporting a .400+ wOBA and and 37% hard contact rate there. The Rockies are going to put up a ton of runs and it just comes down to having the right hitters.
Ronald Acuna Jr., ATL (vs. DET) - $4,300
Matthew Boyd isn’t a bad pitcher by any means, but we have to pick on a few guys and there isn’t much bad pitching on the slate. The Braves are actually -160 favorites here against Boyd, so I don’t mind one or two. The Braves rank in the top five against left-handed pitching and are much better at home. Acuna Jr. is currently in a bit of a power slump, but I predict he gets out of it tonight with a homer. His price is fair and I don’t expect much ownership with Riley an identical price.
Jason Heyward, CHC (@ STL) - $3,800
We all know Jason Heyward as an amazing fielder and downright bad hitter, but that’s not the truth this season. Against righties, he’s held a .342 wOBA and has seven of his nine hole runs against them. Adam Wainwright is still a saavy pitcher, but he’s at the end of his career and is lucky to last five clean innings. Heyward is cheap and will have some opportunity to pick up some RBI’s in a potet Cubs lineup.