As always, my goal with this article is to help you identify viable options to insert into your DraftKings lineups, based on pricing and matchups data. He's a compilation of players I like when choosing a lineup for Friday, June 5th.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Cleveland Indians LHB vs Chris Tillman
The left-handed batters in the Cleveland Indians lineup have really improved through the course of the year, and now hold one of the best offenses in the league against right-handed pitching. As lefties, the Indians lineup has a wRC+ of 110 against right-handed pitching, good for seventh in the league. They have an easy matchup against Chris Tillman, who has really struggled this year and holds a 5.94 ERA with a 1.64 WHIP. Michael Brantley and Brandon Moss look like excellent outfield options for Friday.
San Francisco Giants LHB vs Jerome Williams
The San Francisco Giants continue to fly under the radar as one of the best offenses in the league against right-handed pitching. The left-handed batters in their lineup hold a wRC+ of 124 against right-handed pitching, which is fourth best in the league. This spells bad news for opposing pitcher Jerome Williams, who has only thrown one quality start in his last seven outings. On the year, Williams holds a 5.49 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP. Joe Panik looks like a nice option at second base and Nori Aoki could provide excellent value at outfield.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Jake Odorizzi – SP – Rays ($8600)
Jake Odorizzi headlines as the cream of the crop on a rather weak day for pitching on DraftKings. However, Odorizzi has all the credentials to post a great night against the Seattle Mariners. Odorizzi has gone at least six innings in all ten of his starts this year, and he has only failed to post a quality start in two of them. His consistency can be credited to his nice strikeout rate and his limited walks, as he now holds a 2.61 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP. Look for Odorizzi to have a nice game against the Mariners, who hold a bottom ten offense against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of just 90.
Kyle Gibson – SP – Twins ($6200)
Kyle Gibson looks like a nice sleeper pick for your secondary pitching slot. Gibson has been surprisingly effective this year despite a relatively high walk rate that could point to some regression in the future. For now, Gibson holds a 2.61 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. Gibson has allowed one earned run or less in five of his last six starts, and has a solid matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The Brewers hold the third worst offense in the league against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 81.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Yadier Molina – C – Cardinals ($3300)
The catcher position has become increasingly hard to pick. With top names like Steven Vogt possibly out on Friday and Evan Gattis banished from the position on DraftKings, you must look for high value guys in this position and save your investment salary elsewhere. Molina looks like an excellent pick against opposing pitcher Brett Anderson. Anderson has given up at least five hits in all of his starts this year, while Molina has been incredibly consistent and holds a .285 average on the year with 10 runs and 20 RBI.
Miguel Cabrera – 1B – Tigers ($5200)
Miguel Cabrera is as safe of a pick as ever. His investment price will always be sky high, but you know he will produce from his position. Cabrera is doing normal Miggy things. He is hitting .335 on the year with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. He is currently also riding a six game hitting streak and will face off against opposing pitcher Jose Quintana. Cabrera is a lifetime 9 for 25 against Quintana with a home run.
Dustin Pedroia – 2B – Red Sox ($4200)
Dustin Pedroia is a must start on Friday. His investment price is still a tier lower than the other popular second basemen, but he has really improved his play this year and now holds a .299 average with 7 home runs and 22 RBI. He is also a lifetime 19 for 40 with two home runs against opposing pitcher Scott Kazmir.
Nolan Arenado – 3B – Rockies ($4900)
Nolan Arenado was temporarily derailed on Wednesday night, but please feel free to continue riding his bandwagon. Arenado has a home game on Friday night, and should look to have a nice matchup against opposing pitcher Tom Koehler. On the year, Arenado has a .285 average with 13 home runs and 39 RBI. Expect Arenado to have plenty of chances to knock in runs against Koehler, who has been extremely generous in giving up walks this year.
Troy Tulowitzki – SS – Rockies ($5100)
Troy Tulowitzki has admittedly been somewhat shaky this year. However, he is still arguably the best shortstop in baseball and is riding a hot streak into Friday’s matchup against Tom Koehler. Tulowitzki is 10 for his last 20 with four home runs. He now holds a very nice .293 average with 6 home runs and 28 RBI on the year.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
A.J. Pollock – OF – Diamondbacks ($4600)
A.J. Pollock’s investment price has finally caught up to his production, but he remains a must play. He is the hottest outfielder in league and now holds a .318 average with seven home runs and 23 RBI. Pollock always bats at or near the top of the Diamondback’s lineup. With this nice placement, Pollock has also contributed 37 runs along with 13 stolen bases. Look for Pollock to have another nice game against opposing pitcher Jonathan Niese, who has failed to get out of the fifth inning in two straight starts. On the year, Niese holds a 4.42 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP.
Joc Pederson – OF – Dodgers ($4400)
Joc Pederson has been absolutely crushing the ball. He now has five home runs in his last four games, and he is tied for second in the National League in home runs. On the year, Pederson holds a .267 average with 17 home runs and 32 RBI. Pederson looks to continue his great play against Carlos Martinez on Friday.
Chris Colabello – OF – Blue Jays ($3500)
Chris Colabello is an excellent value pick for Friday. At this incredibly low-investment price, Colabello is an excellent option for your tertiary outfield slot. He is riding a 14-game hitting streak, and is now hitting .352 on the year with 4 home runs and 16 RBI. Getting to hit in this excellent Blue Jays offense gives Colabello plenty of opportunities to score runs and drive in runs. Make sure to consider Colabello for your lineup against the struggling Roberto Hernandez, who holds a 4.92 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP on the year.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6PM on 6/5
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