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We have a loaded Thursday extravaganza today. There are nine matinee games for our enjoyment today. The weather has been an issue at times this week, so keep an eye to the sky in Washington and Denver, but other than that, let's go!
This article contains my picks for the nine-game main slate on Thursday, May 4, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel which locks at 1:05 PM ET.
The lineup picks will range from some elite high-priced players to mid-priced options and value plays. I'll give you a few of my top pitching options and then some infielders, outfielders, and teams to stack. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Pablo Lopez, MIN at CWS ($9,900 DK, $10,700 FD)
The White Sox only have four hits in 31 career tries with one extra-base hit off of Lopez in his career. The strikeout rate is a bit lower (23.5%) than we would like, but Lopez has at least six strikeouts in every game this year, hitting eight or more three times. The White Sox are striking out at a 26.5% clip on the season against all pitchers, so I like the chances of Lopez today.
Lucas Giolito, CWS vs. MIN ($7,400 DK, $8,300 FD)
I don't really understand this pricing on Giolito. His numbers are skewed by a dreadful outing against the Pirates on April 7, but in all of his other games, he has been solid. Giolito has at least five strikeouts in every game but that Pittsburgh disaster, including punching out seven Twins in Minneapolis back on April 12. A look at Giolito's performance in his career against the Twins is solid too.
Yeah, he has given up some homers, but that K% and whiff% are very nice, not to mention an average below the Mendoza line. If you take Kepler out of this, it becomes really ugly for the Twins. A solid outing at this price when most bargain pitchers are powder kegs is a blessing on this slate.
Others to consider: Jesus Luzardo ($8,600 DK, $9,200 FD); Grayson Rodriguez ($8,300 DK, $9,400 FD)
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Ryan Mountcastle - 1B, BAL at KC ($4,800 DK, $3,600 FD)
Mountcastle has a modest five-game hitting streak going in which he is hitting 9-for-24 with two homers, four doubles, and six RBI. Of course, it's against two of the worst pitching staffs on Earth in the Tigers and Royals, but who cares? He's still in KC and he still gets that KC staff that looks as good to hitters as some Gates BBQ, am I right? Jordan Lyles has been as bad as expected. Everyone is hitting him hard. Expect more of the same today.
Brice Turang - 2B, MIL at COL ($2,800 DK, $2,900 FD)
The rookie has enjoyed his first trip to Coors Field. He has three hits and a steal in the first two games of the series. This is basically a bullpen game for the Rockies and their pen is worse than the starting rotation. The cheap, seedy underbelly of pitching is nasty today. We need to get cheap where we can. Turang is in a good spot and is still very affordable, especially on DK.
Paul DeJong - SS, STL vs. LAA($2,600 DK, $3,200 FD)
It's easy to forget that DeJong was an All-Star in 2019 and hit 30 homers. He has steadily dropped off since then because of injuries, causing him to bat under the Mendoza line in each of the last two years. However, DeJong is back and hitting. His average sits at .346 right now in eight games with a pair of homers and four RBI. We don't know if it will last or not, but against an average pitcher at this bargain-basement price on DK, I'll find out.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Kris Bryant - OF, COL vs. MIL ($5,200 DK, $3,500 FD)
We are paying a bit of a Coors tax here today and the weather isn't supposed to be great, but I can't resist Bryant against Wade Miley. Bryant is a robust 9-for-20 in his career against Miley with a pair of homers and four walks. Expect some crooked numbers out of Bryant today. Miley has once again been solid this year, but Bryant's history against him shouldn't be ignored.
Jarred Kelenic - OF, SEA at OAK ($4,400 DK, $3,400 FD)
We were a year or so early on Kelenic. Maybe the Mariners knew what they were doing in letting Mitch Haniger go this offseason. Kelenic has been remarkably consistent this season, reaching base in all but three games. He's hitting over .300. He has shown some power. He's stealing bases. All of that should be on display today against Drew Rucinski, who struggled with the Reds at home in his first 2023 start.
Max Kepler - OF, MIN at CWS ($3,700 DK, $2,700 FD)
Of course, the BvP here is going to be significant and interesting. Both have spent their careers in the A.L. Central and both have had ups and downs throughout their careers. Kepler is 10-for-36 against Giolito in his career with three homers and a higher walk rate (10%) than K rate (7.5%). Kepler has only been kept off base once since his return from the IL in April, so I'll take the guy on a heater with good history against his opponent today.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Baltimore Orioles vs. Jordan Lyles
Lyles has a 6.11 ERA and 6.03 xERA, so he's clearly not fooling anyone. He has lost five of his six starts. Before you go start loading up on lefties, remember that Lyles has some nasty reverse splits going on in recent seasons. Righties have hit at least .275 off of him in every year since 2019 and are hitting .309 against him this season. I already highlighted Mountcastle and his nice series in KC so far. I am definitely adding Rutschman and Jorge Mateo to this stack along with Anthony Santander. I like Cedric Mullins to cap it off, but wow, he's expensive. I likely won't get there, but use Austin Hays instead.
Chicago Cubs vs. Patrick Corbin
On the surface, Corbin's numbers don't look all that bad. They aren't good, but compared to the last three years or so, they're better. Looks can be deceiving. Corbin's xERA is more than a run higher than his current tally, which means he's due to get whacked. It could come at Wrigley today against a righty-heavy Cubs lineup.
Nico Hoerner leading off is my favorite Cub and I will definitely have some Patrick Wisdom for the immense power potential. Ian Happ has hit Corbin well, so toss him in there too even though Corbin has been solid against lefties. I will likely close this out with Dansby and Nelson Velazquez, even though the latter will likely be subbed once Corbin gets the hook.
Also consider: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Connor Seabold
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