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We have an even split today with five early and five evening games. The two doubleheader games from the middle of the day are left off of both sites. I'll cover both slates for you, so come along for a full day of baseball here at RotoBaller! We had serious air quality issues take away the games in Philly and New York last evening. Be on the lookout in Washington this afternoon in case the smoke in the air in D.C. from the Canadian wildfires makes this game unplayable.
This article contains my picks for the five-game early slate on Thursday, June 8, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 12:35 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
Merrill Kelly, ARI at WAS ($9,400 DK, $10,200 FD)
You can't really find much to complain about with Kelly. He's consistent, having not allowed more than four runs in any of his dozen starts this year. His strikeout rate isn't as elite as Kershaw or Glasnow, but Kelly averages right around six innings per outing this year. Glasnow is making just his third start of the season and Kershaw's home/road splits are getting bigger every season. I doubt Glasnow goes six and Kershaw is in one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the majors against a team that has mashed lefties this year. I'll take the discount on a sure thing from Kelly, who held the Nats to one run in four innings in Phoenix back on May 5.
Bailey Ober, MIN at TB ($8,300 DK, $9,700 FD)
Pitching is tough this afternoon since we have Coors and some bad matchups for good pitchers on just a five-game slate. Much like Kelly, Ober is consistently solid. Unlike Kelly, Ober hasn't learned how to rack up the strikeouts like Kelly is this year and he doesn't have a cushy matchup to land on. I don't mind Kyle Bradish if you're trying to be different or Chase Anderson if you like to live dangerously, but I can't see myself doing that with pitching the way it is today. I'm going to dig for values with the hitters instead of taking huge chances on pitching.
That said, give me all the Glasnow on FD for $700 cheaper. As much as I believe in Ober, Glasnow on FanDuel might be the best bargain on this slate on either site.
Others to consider: Tyler Glasnow ($9,800 DK, $9,000 FD) vs. MIN
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
LaMonte Wade - 1B, SF at COL ($4,800 DK, $3,400 FD)
Wade loves Coors Field. In the first two games of this series, he has five hits, three walks, three runs, and two RBI with just one strikeout. He is definitely doing his job as a leadoff hitter. Chase Anderson has been good, but he is also not going deep into games. That Colorado bullpen is beyond bad and the Giants are feasting on it just like everyone else has. Wade is hitting a cool .378 over the last ten games with nine runs scored and as many walks as strikeouts. I have no reason to think that he'll deviate from that today.
Elly De La Cruz - 3B/SS, CIN vs. LAD ($2,900 DK, $3,200 FD)
So far, the rookie is as advertised. He is 3-for-7 and all hits have gone for extra bases with two walks, three runs, and two RBI. Sure, he has struck out three times, but who's counting? Those Ks will catch up with him, maybe even today against Kershaw. That said, I'll roll De La Cruz in every lineup no matter who he's facing at the price on DK. The upside is massive for that price, even against one of the best pitchers of this generation.
Willy Adames - SS, MIL vs. BAL ($3,900 DK, $2,900 FD)
Adames returned from the concussion IL last night in grand fashion with two hits, including his tenth homer of the season. For those of you that are season-long junkies like I am, remember how hot Adames was last June? What month is it? He's still facing a painfully average Baltimore staff in a good hitter's park. I want Wander, but I can't afford him. Adames is the consolation prize.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Corbin Carroll - OF, ARI at WAS ($5,600 DK, $3,700 FD)
Carroll is on a hot streak of epic proportions right now. He has seven hits in his last three games alone with six runs, two homers, three RBI, and a pair of steals. He is doing everything. Five of Carroll's 11 homers on the season have come in the last ten games alone – a stretch in which he is hitting .395 with four steals, ten RBI, and 12 runs scored. Fade at your own risk, especially against this pitching staff.
Jake McCarthy - OF, ARI at WAS ($3,300 DK, $2,500 FD)
In the immortal words of Lou Brown "You may run like Mays, but you hit like s***" Jake McCarthy is no Willie Mays Hayes (played brilliantly by Wesley Snipes), but his major league career is starting the same way. Next thing you know, McCarthy will be doing push-ups for hitting pop flies. McCarthy's average is a paltry .184, but he has 12 steals...nine of which have come in the last ten games. Look, I spent a ton on pitching and Carroll. For value, it comes down to McCarthy for steals or Alex Kirilloff for average and walks. Take your pick, but those steals rack up points quickly.
Joey Wiemer - OF, MIL vs. BAL ($2,200 DK, $2,600 FD)
Here's your free space on DK. Wiemer is finally heating up, batting .412 over the last ten games with three homers, three steals, five doubles, eight runs scored, and nine RBI. Two of those homers came last night in the destruction of the Orioles. The rookie has an eight-game hitting streak and is nearing a boil while still near the minimum price.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Graham Ashcraft
There is a reason I don't have any Dodgers highlighted individually. It's low-hanging fruit and I wanted to highlight others. That said, the Dodgers are freaking expensive and you're going to have a hard time jamming a full stack in with a good pitcher on either site. We'll start with why the Dodgers are the best stack. Ashcraft has a ghastly 6.64 ERA that balloons to 7.85 over his last ten starts and balloons even more to 8.49 in six home starts. May the baseball Gods have mercy on Ashcraft today.
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and J.D. Martinez are must-haves. Maybe we get a break today and Jonny DeLuca gets another start and maybe Jason Heyward joins the lineup to help ease the cost of a most necessary stack.
Also consider: San Francisco Giants vs. Chase Anderson
This stack isn't aimed directly at Anderson. The guy has pitched surprisingly well, but the Giants can and will load the lineup with lefties to make his day miserable. This is indirectly aimed at the atrocious Colorado bullpen. Anderson hasn't made it through six innings yet and he doesn't strike out a lot of batters. That's bad news for a team like the Giants that makes good contact.
Sneaky stack: Cincinnati Reds vs. Clayton Kershaw
If you stack Reds, you will definitely be on an island. However, Kershaw has a 4.70 ERA on the road and the Reds are hitting a strong .279 against lefties. Oh...and 30 of the Reds' 48 homers have come in 33 home games.
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