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We have a busy Thursday this week with ten total games today. As usual, I will be with you all day today, covering both the early and the main slate for RotoBaller. This article will focus on the three-game early slate.
This article contains my picks for the three-game early slate on June 15, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 1:05 PM ET. We have no make-up games and no doubleheaders today and no weather to speak of, so we shouldn't have any big surprises.
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.
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Taj Bradley, TB at OAK ($9,000 DK, $11,400 FD)
Wow, Bradley must really hate Tampa. Four of his eight career starts have come at the Trop and he has a miserable 7.13 ERA there with three of the four homers he has allowed being hit in front of his home crowd. The road has been much more kind to Bradley. He has a 1.71 ERA on the road and all of those starts are at hitter-friendly venues: Fenway, Wrigley, CitiField, and Great American Small Park. What can he do in a cavernous castle like Oakland? For this price, I'm finding out!
Paul Blackburn, OAK vs. TB ($6,000 DK, $8,200 FD)
Blackburn has been in the majors long enough that we know what to expect from him. He is usually solid, but unspectacular. He was Oakland's representative in the All-Star Game last season, so maybe that's something. Blackburn's 2023 debut was delayed by a finger injury and as expected, his results have been mixed thus far.
One thing to note is that Blackburn's K/9 is significantly higher than his career average so far this year. Through three starts is sits at 8.4 compared to his 6.1 career mark. I'll take the discount on Blackburn against a Rays team that has struggled on the left coast hoping that his strikeout totals remain higher than average.
Others to consider: Aaron Nola ($10,200 DK, $9,700 FD) at ARI
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Alec Bohm - 1B/3B, PHI at ARI ($3,500 DK, $2,800 FD)
Since Bohm returned from the IL on June 11, he has four hits in 14 tries with two runs and four RBI. Only one of the hits has gone for extra bases, but the rest will come. The Phillies have scored 23 runs in the first two games of this series. Bohm is a big part of that but isn't priced like it on either site.
Gunnar Henderson - SS/3B, BAL vs. TOR ($3,900 DK, $3,400 FD)
It took Henderson a bit to get going, but he is on fire in June. Yesterday resulted in the end of his four straight games with multiple hits, but I'll go back to the well today. Yusei Kikuchi has again been solid, but he can be had. Henderson has 11 hits over the last five games, including three homers and eight RBI (not to mention two steals). Henderson is too hot to not take advantage of at this price.
Trea Turner - SS, PHI at ARI ($5,700 DK, $3,100 FD)
I'm a huge fan of Turner for the price on FanDuel. He's even cheaper than Henderson! His first two months in Philly were marred by poor performances, but Turner has four multi-hit games in June. Though the power is still inconsistent (both of his June homers came in the same game), he is still getting on base and stealing bases. Turner has scored seven runs in the last four games. He is finally able to be mentioned with a straight face in DFS circles.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Corbin Carroll - OF, ARI vs. PHI ($5,400 DK, $4,400 FD)
Carroll has been on a major heater for about the last month now. He is hitting .363 with nine of his 14 homers in his rookie campaign in the last month. He has been blistering hot over the last week, with a .520 average, four homers, 10 RBI, and two steals. I don't care who he's facing today. Carroll is hotter than the surface of the sun right now.
Luke Raley - 1B/OF, TB at OAK ($4,200 DK, $3,300 FD)
Raley drew the collar with three strikeouts last night, but I'll look at the bigger picture and what Raley has done in June. He is hitting .375 for the month with a homer, seven runs scored, five RBI, and a steal in seven games. He's still a platoon guy, but the Rays get another righty today, so I'm in. Just because I would use Blackburn doesn't mean I'm crazy about the idea. I will likely use cheaper bats to pay for pitching.
Jake McCarthy - OF, ARI vs. PHI ($2,700 DK, $2,500 FD)
Hey, I'm just here for the steals. McCarthy has ten of them since being recalled from Reno 16 games ago. It's just a bonus that McCarthy has chipped in five hits in the first three games of this series.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Ryne Nelson
I will preface this by saying that I won't have a full stack from any of the six teams in the matinee. The pitching is actually decent or better across the board this afternoon. Nelson grades the lowest, but he did hold the Phillies to one run in six innings in Philly about three weeks ago. Kyle Schwarber will get you a homer or a zero. Just be mindful of that based on what kind of tournament you enter.
My favorite plays are Bryce Harper, Bohm, and Schwarber. My Phillies exposure will be limited to those three, and probably not all of them in the same lineup.
Also consider: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Paul Blackburn
Blackburn has been good this year, but he's too old of a leopard to change his spots. Regression is coming, and a patient team like the Rays could be what it takes to knock over the first domino. The Rays are a bit expensive. Raley is my favorite play based on price. I will add Wander Franco and Yandy Diaz if I can afford them.
Sneaky stack: Baltimore Orioles vs. Yusei Kikuchi
Kikuchi is solid but unspectacular and the Orioles hit lefties well.
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