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The top main-slate daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on June 7, 2023. Kevin Hickey's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Wednesday, RotoBallers! I'm excited to be covering another fun DFS slate. The MLB season has been good to me in the early going, so I'm looking forward to sifting through another crop of games. Let's break down my favorite plays from today's main slate!
With a few games scattered throughout the day, we're left with a robust 10-game main slate. Today's matchups feature an intriguing array of pitching options, opening up plenty of opportunities to get creative with your lineup builds. I'll point out the standout plays.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 6/7/2023 and the main slate locking at 7:05 pm ET. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. 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. Now that we got all that out of the way, it's onto the picks!
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Logan Webb, SF vs. COL ($9,900 DK, $11,000 FD)
This slate lacks a clear standout ace play, but my favorite is Webb. Through 12 starts, he sports an impressive 2.85 ERA. That includes a .290 xwOBA, 3.39 xERA, 2.87 xFIP, .232 xBA, 4.9% walk rate, and a 26.5% strikeout rate. Obviously, playing at Coors is a detraction from Webb. With a 60.4% groundball rate, he's as well-equipped as any pitcher to neutralize the environment's power surge.
The Rockies are far from the league's scariest offense. They score 4.4 runs per game behind middling stars like Charlie Blackmon, Ryan McMahon, and Elias Diaz. Kris Bryant recently departed for the injured list, and this lineup is severely lacking in established firepower. Colorado's lineup is not as deadbeat as it seemingly should be on paper, but they are certainly capable of being shut down. The Rockies carry an 88 wRC+ and .149 ISO against right-handed pitching.
Webb has been the most consistent pitcher on this slate in 2023. The environment could be better than Coors Field, but I'm confident in Webb's ability to limit power with groundballs and strikeouts. Webb has pitched at least six innings in 11 of his 12 appearances this season and has gone at least seven innings in five of his last six outings. Between working deep and his elevated strikeout rate, Webb has a very exciting ceiling.
Jaime Barria, LAA vs. CHC ($7,000 DK, $6,200 FD)
There are several more established pitching names on this slate, but considering they all have tricky matchups, I don't think it's a terrible idea to pay down for a cheaper option. If you find yourself looking for a true discount, then Jaime Barria is worth a look. He's operated primarily out of the bullpen this season, though he worked his pitch count up to 90 in his most recent outing last week and figures to assume a full starter's workload today.
Overall, Barria carries an impressive 1.59 ERA through 34 innings pitched this season. That includes a 2.70 xERA, consisting of some phenomenal weak contact metrics, like an 84.7 mph average exit velocity, 25.6% hard-hit rate, .303 xSLG, and 2.2% barrel rate. Barria is also striking out batters at a career-high 25% rate. The small sample size may have something to do with the impressive numbers, but Barria has looked his best in 2023.
The Cubs score a middling 4.3 runs per game on the season. They're not terrible, but Chicago has been noticeably worse against right-handed pitchers, who they own a .708 OPS, 96 wRC+, and .146 ISO against. They also strike out at a 24.6% rate against righties, further raising Barria's ceiling today.
Barria won't carry the same upside as Logan Webb, Max Scherzer, or Corbin Burnes. For a significant discount, he's a worthwhile punt. He specializes in limiting hard contact and is racking up more strikeouts than he has in prior years. There may be a fluky element to Barria's success, though, in this matchup. I'm willing to roll the dice on him.
Also consider: Corbin Burnes, Max Scherzer, Tanner Bibee
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Mookie Betts – 2B/OF, LAD vs. Brandon Williamson ($6,000 DK, $4,000 FD)
Betts is enjoying a strong campaign, headlined by his 15 home runs. The advanced metrics are even more flattering for Betts, carrying a .391 xwOBA, .530 xSLG, 92.3 mph average exit velocity, and 12.4% barrel rate. His hitting prowess is further elevated against left-handed pitching, sporting a .607 slugging percentage and .339 ISO against southpaws this season, part of a career .901 OPS.
Brandon Williamson's MLB career is only four starts deep, but I feel there's enough information to predict he matches up poorly today. He's posted a 6.30 xERA, 5.15 xFIP, .522 xSLG, .382 xwOBA, 45.9% hard-hit rate, and 13.1% barrel rate. Small sample size plays a factor, but considering Williamson posted a 6.62 ERA through eight starts in Triple-A this season, I don't think he turns it around today against the Dodgers.
Josh Naylor – 1B, CLE vs. Kutter Crawford ($3,400 DK, $2,900 FD)
Naylor has been due for positive regression all season long, and his impressive peripherals are finally translating into on-field success. He's hit safely in six consecutive games entering today, including three multi-hit efforts and six extra-base hits during that span.
Overall, Naylor sports a .292 xBA, .509 xSLG, 46.3% hard-hit rate, and .362 xwOBA. He's only converted that into a .254/.311/.441 slash line with eight home runs, but the trends are in Naylor's favor.
Kutter Crawford has a longstanding issue with left-handed hitting to reckon with today. Lefties have hit five home runs off him this season in limited action and are slugging .536 against him for his career.
Elly De La Cruz – SS, CIN vs. Noah Syndergaard ($2,700 DK, $2,800 FD)
De La Cruz's long-awaited MLB debut finally arrived on Tuesday, and the 21-year-old did not disappoint. He blasted a double alongside two walks and a run scored. This performance builds off the 1.031 OPS De La Cruz posted in Triple-A this season, and he figures to be a fixture in the Cincinnati lineup going forward. De La Cruz's price is unlikely to remain this low for long, so get in while the getting is good.
Noah Syndergaard's best days are long behind him. He sports a 6.54 ERA through 11 outings in 2023. While his 5.44 xERA suggests some positive regression, the outlook is ugly. Syndergaard has surrendered a .483 xSLG, .295 xBA, and .359 xwOBA. Left-handed hitters are slugging .539 against him this season, including seven home runs.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Yordan Alvarez – OF, HOU vs. Chris Bassitt ($5,900 DK, $4,400 FD)
Alvarez is the type of hitter you can roster any day he's playing, and there's a good chance it pans out. He's slashing .278/.391/.582 with 16 home runs on the season. Alvarez ranks in the 97th percentile or better with each of his .600 xSLG, .422 xwOBA, 55.6% hard-hit rate, 93.3 mph average exit velocity, and 18.8% barrel rate. He's about as elite as they come.
Bassitt is a caliber of pitcher you won't typically want to pick on, but he does have a persisting problem with left-handed batters. Lefties are slugging .533 against Bassitt with eight home runs and a .380 wOBA. Alvarez is clearly the best option to capitalize on Bassitt's weakness, but look to Kyle Tucker as a more affordable pivot.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – OF, ARI vs. Patrick Corbin ($4,000 DK, $3,400 FD)
Gurriel has missed the past couple of games with groin tightness but will look to rejoin the Diamondbacks lineup on Wednesday night. He's having a strong campaign, posting a .310/.359/.550 slash line with a .388 wOBA and 144 wRC+. If he's ultimately unable to suit up, numerous other Arizona bats look good in this spot.
Patrick Corbin has been batting practice for opposing hitters for several years now. He's done a better job at keeping bats quiet this season, but right-handed hitters are still slugging .494 against Corbin with 11 home runs. If his numbers hold, it would be the first time since 2019 that right-handed hitters slugged below .500 against Corbin. Though his .521 xSLG suggests tougher times are ahead.
Jonny DeLuca – OF, LAD vs. Brandon Williamson ($2,300 DK, $2,000 FD)
DeLuca expects to make his MLB debut tonight against southpaw Brandon Williamson. He's a fantastic punt play option if you need an outfielder near the minimum price. DeLuca posted a .952 OPS over 49 games in the minors this season, smacking 14 home runs with 12 stolen bases. It wouldn't be terribly surprising to see him stumble in his first taste of the big leagues, but you won't find a higher upside with other players in this price range.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Dodgers vs. Brandon Williamson
Based on my highlights above, you won't be surprised to learn that I will be picking on Brandon Williamson today. His 4.29 ERA suggests a decent enough arm, but the underlying numbers are ugly. Williamson sports a 6.30 xERA, consisting of a .522 xSLG, 45.9% hard-hit rate, .382 xwOBA, and 13.1% barrel rate.
He also posted an awful 6.62 ERA over eight starts in Triple-A this season, so the struggles feel more like the rule than the exception. Williamson has only made four career starts, and he may figure things out eventually. But I'm willing to bet that's not happening today against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers bring one of the league's most intimidating offenses. They score 5.6 runs per game behind a stacked lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, a reinvigorated J.D. Martinez, and more. Los Angeles lights up left-handed pitching to the tune of a .792 OPS, .239 ISO, and 115 wRC+.
Favorite Plays: Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Jonny DeLuca
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Patrick Corbin
Corbin hasn't posted an ERA below 5.82 since 2020, and that includes making 31 starts in each of the past two seasons. By now, the sample size for his struggles is beyond sufficient. Corbin is washed, and even though he carries a semi-acceptable 4.92 ERA through 12 starts this season, the regression is on its way.
He sports a 6.11 xERA alongside a .521 xSLG, .377 xwOBA, .316 xBA, 91.1 mph average exit velocity, and 45.8% hard-hit rate. Even after Corbin's day is done, Washington owns the league's fourth-worst bullpen ERA (4.83), further opening up scoring opportunities.
Arizona's offense scores a respectable five runs per game on the season. They offer roster options at any price, ranging from premium bats like Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll to midrange and discount options like Christian Walker and Emmanuel Rivera. This makes Arizona stacks very approachable, and they appear poised to pop off opposite Patrick Corbin.
Favorite Plays: Ketel Marte, Christian Walker, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Corbin Carroll, Emmanuel Rivera
Also Consider: San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels
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