X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Main Slate - DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (7/5/23): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

Justin Steele - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

The top main-slate daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on July 5, 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 only a couple of day games today, we're left with a robust 11-game main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Today's matchups feature a surprisingly thin pool 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 on 7/5/2023 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!

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code NEW! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Justin Steele, CHC vs. MIL ($10,300 DK, $9,700 FD)

Justin Steele continues to impress during his breakout 2023 campaign. Through 15 starts, he sports a 3.00 xERA and 3.83 xFIP. That includes an outstanding .273 xwOBA, 85 mph average exit velocity, 30.7% hard-hit rate, 5.4% barrel rate, .332 xSLG, and 5.6% walk rate. Steele only strikes out batters at a middling 22.3% rate, but he is inducing consistently weak contact at an elite level. He's allowed just three total home runs through 85 1/3 innings pitched this season.

The Brewers' offense is the most favorable matchup Steele could hope to draw. They carry a league-worst .653 OPS against left-handed pitchers, alongside a similarly terrible .135 ISO and 80 wRC+. Further, Milwaukee strikes out at a 27.9% rate versus southpaws, the highest mark in baseball. Their lineup is not entirely devoid of talent, but everything appears to be working in Steele's favor today.

Pablo Lopez, MIN vs. KC ($10,100 DK, $10,800 FD)

Right up there with Steele, Pablo Lopez has a strong case for being today's top pitching option. Though his 4.24 ERA doesn't suggest he'd be worth the premium price, his underlying numbers are significantly more encouraging. Through 17 starts, Lopez boasts a 3.09 xERA and 3.58 xFIP. That consists of a .277 xwOBA, 87.5 mph average exit velocity, .209 xBA, and .353 xSLG. He's a slightly more volatile arm than Steele, but Lopez's best characteristic is his outstanding 29.8% strikeout rate.

Lopez also draws an easy matchup today in the form of the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City scores just 3.8 runs per game on the season. They boast a .661 OPS against right-handed pitchers, the third-worst in baseball, including a .140 ISO and 79 wRC+. The Royals additionally strike out at a generous 24.5% rate. Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are always capable of big days, but the rest of this lineup is underwhelming. Look for Lopez to dominate and rack up the strikeouts today.

Also consider: Michael Soroka, Kodai Senga, Alex Cobb

Want more MLB DFS tools and content? Our MLB Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Discord Chatrooms, where members can chat with our MLB analysts. Check out this recent big win from RotoBaller's Jon Anderson on DraftKings - join in on the winning!

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Matt Olson – 1B, ATL vs. Cal Quantrill ($6,400 DK, $4,300 FD)

Considering he leads the National League in home runs, Matt Olson isn't exactly a creative pick. Still, getting different isn't always the best path, and Olson is absolutely shredding the ball this season. On top of his 28-home run total, he's slashing .250/.354/.571. That includes a .572 xSLG, 56.3% hard-hit rate, 94.4 mph average exit velocity, and 20.3% barrel rate.

Cal Quantrill looks awful in 2023. Through 12 starts, he carries a 5.98 xERA and 5.53 xFIP. Quantrill has surrendered a .373 xwOBA, .492 xSLG, .296 xBA, and a horrible 12.3% strikeout rate. Left-handed hitters are slugging .486 against Quantrill.

Gunnar Henderson – 3B/SS, BAL vs. Randy Vasquez ($4,700 DK, $3,000 FD)

Gunnar Henderson has terrorized right-handed pitching this season to the tune of a .522 slugging percentage, .269 ISO, and 11 home runs. Overall, he sports a 50.7% hard-hit rate, 92 mph average exit velocity, and 12.5% barrel rate versus all pitchers. Henderson has seemingly replaced Cedric Mullins as the Orioles' leadoff batter and will hope to take advantage of the hitter-friendly right field at Yankee Stadium, all adding to his case.

Randy Vasquez has posted consecutive strong outings during his first two MLB appearances and sports a 1.72 ERA thus far. Still, he's undermined by a small sample size and a 4.12 xERA. Vasquez also posted a 5.11 ERA through 13 starts in Triple-A this season, so there's no reason to believe he'll continue to pitch this well. Today presents a good opportunity for regression to kick in.

Brandon Belt – 1B/OF, TOR vs. Lance Lynn ($3,000 DK, $2,700 FD)

Brandon Belt is having a solid season, slashing .257/.363/.443 with six home runs and a 126 wRC+. He's not the flashiest play that I'll highlight today, but he generally hits near the top of the order against right-handed pitching and matches up better than most Blue Jays bats against Lance Lynn. For the price and positional flexibility on DraftKings, Belt will be an easy guy to slot into your builds.

Lynn has surrendered a .456 xSLG and 10.9% barrel rate to opposing hitters this season. His problems are almost particularly concentrated on left-handed hitters, who are slugging .655 against him with 16 home runs. Most of the Blue Jays' key bats are righties, but Belt should thrive in this matchup.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Shohei Ohtani – 1B/OF, LAA vs. Seth Lugo ($6,600 DK, $4,600 FD)

Shohei Ohtani is the scariest hitter in baseball right now. He's slashing .300/.387/.658 with a major-league-leading 31 home runs. That includes an absurd .653 xSLG, 18.9% barrel rate, 52.9% hard-hit rate, .432 xwOBA, and .295 xBA. Ohtani is live to go yard any day.

The Padres' starting pitcher has yet to be confirmed, but at the time of my writing this, it looks like Seth Lugo lines up. Lugo surrenders a .451 xSLG and .269 xBA overall. He's allowed left-handed hitters to slug .426 against him. Even if Lugo doesn't take the mound today, Ohtani is live to go yard any day he's in the lineup.

Joc Pederson – OF, SF vs. Darren McCaughan ($4,600 DK, $3,200 FD)

Joc Pederson's overall numbers are slightly underwhelming, but the underlying metrics are very exciting. He boasts a .521 xSLG, .391 xwOBA, 50.9% hard-hit rate, 14.7% barrel rate, and 91.3 mph average exit velocity. Pederson is a little premium for his level of output this season, but he's crushing the ball and that's bound to start paying off for him.

Darren McCaughan has only 13 innings of MLB service time, resulting in a forgettable 7.62 ERA. The sample size is too small to take overly seriously, but McCaughan additionally struggled in the minors. He posted a 6.56 ERA through 13 starts in Triple-A this season and a 4.55 ERA in 28 Triple-A starts last season.

Jake Bauers – OF, NYY vs. Dean Kremer ($2,400 DK, $2,700 FD)

Bauers is getting consistent opportunities to hit near the top of the order against right-handed pitchers. He's posted a phenomenal .574 xSLG, 20.7% barrel rate, .388 xwOBA, 47.1% hard-hit rate, and 11.6% walk rate. Bauers isn't hitting for a particularly high average. When he does hit the ball, the numbers show his approach is much better than his .227/.313/.477 slash line suggests. Regardless, he's a really cheap bat.

Dean Kremer is pitching worse than his 5.04 ERA tells us. Through 17 starts, he carries a 6.02 xERA. That includes a .524 xSLG, .295 xBA, 45.6% hard-hit are, 11% barrel rate, and .374 xwOBA. Left-handed hitters have brutalized Kremer this season to the tune of a .559 slugging percentage.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

Atlanta Braves vs. Cal Quantrill

Despite previously being a reliable arm, Cal Quantrill is not getting it done this season. Through 12 starts, he carries a 5.98 xERA and 5.53 xFIP. Quantrill has surrendered a .373 xwOBA, .492 xSLG, .296 xBA, and a horrible 12.3% strikeout rate. He's surrendered six earned runs or more in three consecutive outings entering today.

The Braves bring debatably the league's scariest offense. Atlanta scores 5.6 runs per game on the season behind elite names like Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, and Sean Murphy. They are about as expensive as a stack can get, but it's worth the spend if you can get there. They'll undoubtedly be chalky, though I'd recommend at least rostering a one-off bat or mini stack of Atlanta.

Favorite Plays: Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Sean Murphy

New York Yankees vs. Dean Kremer

It was highlighted above, but Dean Kremer is pitching worse than his 5.04 ERA tells us. Through 17 starts, he carries a 6.02 xERA. That includes a .524 xSLG, .295 xBA, 45.6% hard-hit are, 11% barrel rate, and .374 xwOBA. Left-handed hitters have brutalized Kremer this season to the tune of a .559 slugging percentage.

The Yankees are still without their best hitter Aaron Judge, but they look like a great discount stack on today's slate. All of their hitters are under $5K on DraftKings today, and the matchup and setting are very offense-friendly. Look to midrange plays like Gleyber Torres and Anthony Rizzo as cores to your stacks, and punt plays like Jake Bauers for a cheaper alternative. New York will be a very accessible stack to roster.

Favorite Plays: Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, Harrison Bader, Giancarlo Stanton, Jake Bauers

Also Consider: Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jameson Williams

Lions Didn't Entertain Trade Offers For Jameson Williams
Dalton Rushing

Homers In Four-Hit Game
Qadir Ismail

Raiders Sign Qadir Ismail
New York Giants

Giants Plan To Exercise Kayvon Thibodeaux's Fifth-Year Option
Russell Wilson

Will Be Giants Starting Quarterback
Max Muncy

With A Pair Of Doubles Back At Triple-A
Michael Lorenzen

Tosses Quality Start
Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs Close Out The First Round With Josh Simmons
Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles Trade Up One Spot In First Round To Select Jihaad Campbell
A.J. Puk

Likely To Miss Multiple Months
Marquis Grissom Jr.

Notches Fifth Save At Double-A
Buffalo Bills

Bills Address Secondary And Take Maxwell Hairston With 30th Overall Pick
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Records Third Save
NFL

Eagles, Chiefs Swap First-Round Picks
Washington Commanders

Josh Conerly Jr. Goes At No. 29 Overall To Commanders

Giants Trade Up For Jaxson Dart At No. 25
Detroit Lions

Tyleik Williams Taken By Lions At No. 28 Overall
Shane Smith

Tosses Five Shutout Frames
Roman Anthony

With Home Run No. 5 On Thursday
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Go With Malaki Starks At No. 27 Overall In NFL Draft
Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Takes Donovan Jackson No. 24 Overall
NFL

Rams Trade The 26th Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft To The Falcons
Andrés Muñoz

Andres Munoz Secures Ninth Save
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Trade Back Into First Round To Draft James Pearce Jr. At No. 26 Overall

Matthew Golden Selected No. 23 Overall By Green Bay
NFL

Texans Trade The 25th Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft To The Giants
Jakob Marsee

Up To 18 Steals At Triple-A

Omarion Hampton Taken No. 22 Overall By Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Selects Derrick Harmon At No. 21 Overall
Denver Broncos

Broncos Build Secondary By Selecting Jahdae Barron At No. 20

Buccaneers Add Emeka Egbuka At No. 19
Jeff McNeil

Activated From Injured List
Brett Baty

Optioned To Minors
Zack Gelof

To Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Ryan Walker

Remains Giants Closer
Kumar Rocker

Heads To Injured List
Brent Rooker

Resting For First Time This Season
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Isaiah Stewart

Remains Out For Game 3
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Bryan Woo

Picks Up Third Win, Strikes Out Eight On Thursday
Cade Cavalli

Moving Rehab Assignment To Double-A
Paul DeJong

Having Surgery On His Nose
Royce Lewis

Starting His Rehab Assignment On Friday
Tyler O'Neill

Out On Thursday With Sore Neck
Linus Ullmark

Attempts To Overcome Playoff Struggles Thursday
Anthony Cirelli

A Game-Time Call Thursday
Logan Thompson

Comes Up Big In Game 2
Connor McMichael

Strikes Twice In Wednesday's Win
Anze Kopitar

Tallies Four Points In Game 2 Victory
Adrian Kempe

Notches Two Goals, Two Assists In Wednesday's Win
Tyler Seguin

Gives Stars Series Lead With Overtime Winner
Gabriel Landeskog

Delivers Six Hits In First Game Since 2022
Tyler Herro

Scores Game-High 33 Points In Wednesday's Loss
Donovan Mitchell

Fires In 30 Points In Game 2 Win
Paolo Banchero

Notches 32 Points In Game 2 Loss
Jaylen Brown

Posts 36-Point Double-Double Wednesday
Jalen Green

Erupts For 38 Points In Game 2 Victory
Brandin Podziemski

Limited To 14 Minutes Wednesday
Jimmy Butler III

Set For MRI Thursday
Brandin Podziemski

Upgraded To Available
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Michael Porter Jr.

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Davion Mitchell

Moves Into Starting Lineup Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Al Horford

Starts Game 2
Michael Porter Jr.

Practices On Wednesday
Jayson Tatum

Out On Wednesday
Isaiah Stewart

May Miss Another Game Thursday
NYI

Cal Clutterbuck Announces Retirement
Pavel Zacha

Recovering From Small Procedure
Nikolaj Ehlers

To Miss At Least Two More Games
Miro Heiskanen

Still Out On Wednesday
John Klingberg

Enters Oilers Lineup For Game 2
Evander Kane

To Make Season Debut Wednesday Night
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Posts Team-High 26 Points In Tuesday's Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Notches 27 Points Despite Poor Shooting
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Pascal Siakam

Scores Team-High 24 Points In Game 2 Win
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF