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We have a bit of a weird Thursday with the main slate going on during the day, but we still have three games for a nightcap tonight. I can deal with that! As usual, I'm with you for all of your Thursday MLB DFS needs. There are still some really good options here. Let's get going!
This article contains my picks for the three-game late slate on Thursday, June 22, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 6:40 PM ET. Weather in New York could be an issue, so make sure to check in before first pitch in Yankee Stadium to make sure the game is trending towards playing.
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
Shane McClanahan, TB vs. KC ($10,300 DK, $11,000 FD)
Some point to McClanahan's rising walk rate as proof that he's slipping, but I still don't see it. He has only had one bad outing all season. Since that May 13 game against the Yankees in New York, McClanahan has only allowed eight runs in six starts. Yeah, we can point to the lower strikeout numbers, but I'll argue that the elite 2.12 ERA and pristine 1.10 WHIP are equally important, not to mention the 11-1 record. It's a small slate and options are limited, so pay up for the best!
Braxton Garrett, MIA vs. PIT ($7,900 DK, $9,300 FD)
Scanning Garrett's stats on the season, nothing looks all that great, right? Looks can be deceiving. Garrett's stats are extraordinarily skewed by a game against the Braves on May 3 in which he gave up a staggering 11 runs on 14 hits with four homers. Ouch. If you take that game out of his log, Garrett's ERA drops to 2.45 and his WHIP to 1.01. When you consider that, this price feels cheap, especially against a team like Pittsburgh that still strikes out quite a bit.
Others to consider: Bryan Woo ($6,200 DK, $6,500 FD) at NYY
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Ty France - 1B, SEA at NYY ($3,500 DK, $2,700 FD)
I want to have some exposure to Domingo German after the Red Sox tagged him for arguably his worst major league start last week, but it's difficult when the Seattle offense is struggling as a whole. France hasn't been held scoreless in DFS since June 2, so even though he hasn't been on a major hot streak, he is still making good contact and getting on base. He's a good way to get cheap exposure to German.
Luis Arraez - 2B, MIA vs. PIT ($4,800 DK, $3,200 FD)
Hey, it's a three-game slate. We can't have massive home run potential at every position. Here I'll take a flier on the best bet to hit .400 in a season since Anthony Keith Gwynn in the strike-shortened 1994 season. Arraez is hitting .398 in 69 games, so his .386 mark over the last 10 games is a bit of a step back. He doesn't have much power and he really doesn't run, but Arraez gets a lot of hits and scores his share of runs. Against Mitch Keller, who has allowed four or more runs in five of his last six starts, that plays well.
Maikel Garcia - 3B/SS, KC at TB ($2,900 DK, $2,800 FD)
The reason to play Garcia tonight is simple: leverage. A large percentage of players are going to have McClanahan and won't use any Royals against him since he is expected to dominate. Even if Garcia only extends his hitting streak to six games, he's putting us ahead of the field. Garcia is 9-for-25 during that hit streak with a homer, three RBI, six runs scored, and two steals. He's a great punt option on a slate where we need to pay for pitching.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Randy Arozarena - OF, TB vs. KC ($5,900 DK, $4,400 FD)
Believe it or not, most of the outfielders on the six teams in action on this slate are struggling. Arozarena is one of the few exceptions. He is hitting .306 with two homers, seven RBI, five walks, and five runs scored in the last ten games. He will have ample opportunity to feast on the Royals bullpen tonight, especially if lefty Austin Cox is expected to be the innings-eater.
Luke Raley - 1B/OF, TB vs. KC ($4,600 DK, $3,300 FD)
The Royals are throwing a horde of relievers at the Rays, so that could be a bit tough on strict platoon guys like Raley. That said, a righty is starting, and even if lefty Austin Cox is the long reliever behind him, I have a hard time believing that the Rays would burn Raley after one at-bat. Raley is hitting .361 over the last ten games with three doubles, two triples, two homers, five RBI, 10 runs scored, and a steal. He should get his full compliment of at-bats tonight.
Connor Joe - OF, PIT at MIA ($3,000 DK, $2,400 FD)
Joe's overall numbers are nothing to write home about, but he is hitting 90 points higher against lefties this season and has four of his six homers on the season against southpaws in just 72 at-bats. When a lefty is on the mound, Joe becomes one of my favorite punt plays, especially on a small slate where we desperately need value plays.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Jose Cuas, etc.
Cuas is expected to open and give way to the rest of the staff that has a 5.17 ERA on the season and a 5.52 ERA on the month. I highlighted a couple of my favorite Rays above. If I can afford it, Yandy Diaz, Isaac Paredes, and Jose Siri will complete my full Rays stack.
Also consider: Seattle Mariners vs. Domingo German
German gave up seven runs in just two innings against Boston last week. I want some Seattle exposure, but I'm not sure that I can find enough that I like to put a full five-man stack in there.
Sneaky stack: Miami Marlins vs. Mitch Keller
Keller is still getting really good strikeout numbers, but he has allowed 20 runs over his last five starts. The Marlins make for nice one-offs or a sneaky stack in large-field GPP tournaments.
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