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It has been a long time coming, but finally, the 2020 MLB regular season is set to kick-off. With that comes an abbreviated two-game opening slate just a few hours before "Opening Day" proper commences Friday. For DFS players, that means a short slate ripe with potential.
For those owners who have sat on the sidelines during the KBO, this is likely the first baseball action since late 2019 (Spring Training DFS notwithstanding). With so few options, maximizing high-end players will be paramount no matter the format.
Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news and projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like DraftKings, and other sports too.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Gerrit Cole - NYY @ WSH ($11,400)
Cole's price tag is gaudy out of the gate, but coming off the astounding 2019 campaign that he had this isn't all that surprising. Having ramped up as high as 87 pitches during intrasquad scrimmages in preparation for the regular season, it sounds as if Yankees manager Aaron Boone is comfortable deploying Cole for a full workload from the get-go.
A strikeout phenom who whiffed 326 batters last season has an excellent chance of kicking off 2020 in a similar manner, even as he draws the difficult task of matching up against Nationals ace Max Scherzer. The general consensus around baseball is that pitchers are slightly above hitters at this stage, and there is no other pitcher in baseball quite like Cole at the present moment.
Clayton Kershaw - LAD v. SF ($10,400)
If Cole's price tag is too unpalatable, Kershaw presents a nice alternative. That being said, he is also the starter on the board with the likeliest chance at claiming victory, as the Dodgers enter as prohibitive favorites (-300, per Bovada) against their long-time rivals. San Francisco's lineup will also enter the contest as a looming question mark with stalwarts Buster Posey (out for season), Brandon Belt (IL, heel), and Evan Longoria (IL, oblique) not available.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Eric Thames - 1B - WSH v. NYY ($2,400)
Thames is a new face to the Nationals, bringing his power bat to what is likely going to be the back half of the team's batting order. With at least two plate appearances against Cole on the horizon, Thames isn't in an advantageous spot for success, but his power potential makes him a high-upside play when viewing the other catcher/first base options. In order to roster Cole or Kershaw, sacrifices will have to be made offensively, and Thames can be a worthy selection, having hit 23 of his 25 home runs last season against right-handed pitching.
DJ LeMahieu - 2B - NYY @ WSH ($3,500)
LeMahieu appears on track to open the season as the Yankees' leadoff hitter. With so few guaranteed options available at second base following the demotion of the Dodgers' Gavin Lux to Minor League camp, LeMahieu sticks out due to his on-base skills (.375 in 2019) and position in the batting order, which should lead to run-scoring opportunities. He'll have a whale of a time battling Scherzer, but the scarcity of the position makes him the safest -- and highest upside -- choice.
Justin Turner - 3B - LAD v. SF ($3,100)
For a high-octane bat that figures to sit in the heart of the Dodgers' powerful lineup, this price tag for Turner feels like a steal. Factor in that Turner is 11-for-31 (.355) against Giants starter Johnny Cueto in his career, and the top-priced third baseman seems like a slam dunk selection, especially considering the two men on the hill in D.C.
Brandon Crawford - SS - SF @ LAD ($2,300)
The Crawford v. Kershaw matchup is far from enticing, but in an attempt to highlight studs and sleepers, keep an eye out for Crawford here, as opposed to his high-priced counterparts. With the Giants' lineup decimated entering the first game, Crawford figures to play a prominent role, which should lead to a prime spot in the batting order. There is no pitcher that Crawford has faced in his career more than Kershaw (48 times), and while the stats aren't encouraging, the familiarity could lead some to hope that the Giants' shortstop puts together a few times reaching base.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Aaron Judge - OF - NYY @ WSH ($4,100)
On a traditional slate, selecting high-priced sluggers against Scherzer would be a definite no-no. But our two-game evening paves the way for the best bets to enter lineups and there could be no player entering Thursday's slate with a hotter bat than Judge. Albeit, he has been tearing up scrimmages against teammates, but with Scherzer's propensity for allowing the long ball coupled with Judge's gargantuan power, one blast from No. 99 could be a slate changer.
Joc Pederson - OF - LAD v. SF ($2,800)
Pederson was a terror against right-handed pitching last season, walloping them to the tune of a .920 OPS. All 36 of his home runs came off righties, and he just so happens to face one to begin the 2020 year. Having homered in Monday's exhibition game against Arizona, Pederson enters play as a traditional boom or bust selection, but the nature of Thursday's slate makes him a prime target.
Aaron Hicks - OF - NYY @ WSH ($2,600)
It was previously believed to be wishful thinking that Hicks could enter the fold for New York as soon as Opening Day, but all signs are pointing towards him manning center field and the No. 5 spot in the batting order Thursday. Hicks' price tag represents the question marks surrounding how quickly he'll be able to acclimate to the big league game again, but he socked 10 of his 12 homers last season against righties. Seeing how scary the lower-priced outfielders are, Hicks feels like a strong upside selection for those looking to save up to spend elsewhere.
