With only three night games on Wednesday, most of the action across baseball will be in the afternoon. With that in mind, let’s dig into the main afternoon slates on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/17/2024, with the slate starting at 1:05 p.m. EDT. 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. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential.
Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Freddy Peralta vs. SD ($9,300 DraftKings; $11,200 FanDuel)
There is some question as to whether or not Peralta will start this game. He is lined up to take the hill on regular rest, but the Brewers could opt to give him an extra day off. After recording a 3.86 ERA and 3.85 FIP last year, Peralta has a 2.55 ERA and a 2.45 FIP through three starts this season. He has been dominating his opponents, posting a 39.4 percent strikeout rate. What’s equally as impressive has been his 3.0 percent walk rate. With his strikeout upside, he is one of the top pitchers to target for this slate, if he does take the hill.
Brady Singer at CWS ($9,200 DraftKings; $10,500 FanDuel)
The game between the Royals and White Sox was rained out Tuesday, setting up a doubleheader for Wednesday. Singer will start for the first game for the Royals, while Michael Wacha will start the second game. Singer already faced the White Sox once this season, giving up one run over 6.1 innings. The White Sox are averaging 2.1 runs per game for the season, leaving Singer with plenty of upside for their rematch.
Steven Matz at OAK ($6,700 DraftKings; $7,300 FanDuel)
The Athletics are usually a team to attack in DFS. Their lineup has been terrible, averaging just 2.8 runs per game. They have also struck out the third-most times in baseball. To top this off for Matz, the game will be played in the Athletics’ pitcher-friendly home park. At such cheap salaries on both sites, Matz could be worth the risk in tournament play.
Also consider: Andrew Abbott at SEA, Dane Dunning at DET
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Mookie Betts – 2B/SS, LAD vs. Jake Irvin ($6,400 DK; $4,600 FD)
Betts was locked in at the plate Tuesday, finishing 5-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored. He has a staggering 220 wRC+ in the early going and is a great option in DFS most days when the Dodgers are in action. Expect him to be a difficult out for Irvin, who has a career 4.57 ERA and 5.15 FIP.
Mookie Betts is 5-for-5 🤯 pic.twitter.com/2RflykOr1r
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2024
Jose Altuve – 2B, HOU vs. Max Fried ($5,400 DK; $4,100 FD)
After two disappointing outings to begin the season, Fried only allowed one run over 6.1 innings in his last start. It came against a bad Marlins lineup in Miami, so take his results with a grain of salt. This will be a much more difficult task against the Astros, especially when facing Altuve. Altuve has a .303 ISO and a .490 wOBA in the early going. For his career, he has a .381 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers.
Oswaldo Cabrera – 3B, NYY vs. Kevin Gausman ($3,700 DK; $3,100 FD)
Cabrera has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees. He was forced into the starting third base job with DJ LeMahieu (foot) out and has responded with a .235 ISO and a .375 wOBA. He comes with a cheap salary on both sites, especially on DraftKings. That puts him in play in a matchup against Gausman, who has not looked like himself while allowing 13 runs (12 earned) over 9.1 innings this season.
Also consider: Freddie Freeman, Matt Olson, Bobby Witt Jr.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Shohei Ohtani – OF/1B, LAD vs. Jake Irvin ($6,200 DK; $4,400 FD)
Ohtani came away with two more hits Tuesday, marking his ninth multi-hit game of the season. He has continued to provide plenty of power, as well, with his .293 ISO. His quality of contact has been excellent, given his 20.6 percent barrel rate and his 57.4 percent hard-hit rate. While he comes with a hefty salary, he also has tremendous upside.
Michael Harris II - OF, ATL vs. J.P. France ($4,700 DK; $3,100 FD)
Ozzie Albies (toe) is slated to miss at least a couple of weeks for the Braves. In the first game that he missed Tuesday, Harris moved up to the second spot in the Braves’ lineup. When Albies missed a couple of weeks in August last season, Harris also hit second. That puts him in an ideal spot behind Ronald Acuna Jr. and ahead of Austin Riley and Matt Olson. He and the Braves could hang a crooked number on France, who has a 1.89 WHIP through three starts.
Starling Marte - OF, NYM vs. Bailey Falter ($3,800 DK; $3,100 FD)
After posting a 5.36 ERA and a 5.25 FIP last season, Falter has a 4.20 ERA and a 4.98 FIP through his first three starts this season. The Mets haven’t exactly been potent on offense, but this could be a matchup to exploit. A player to use for it who has a cheap salary is Marte. After getting off to a slow start, he is 14-for-44 (.318) with one home run and three stolen bases over his last 10 games.
Starling Marte leads off the sixth with his second hit of the night! pic.twitter.com/Ng2OPH0hLE
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 16, 2024
Also consider: Juan Soto, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bryan Reynolds
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Dodgers vs. Jake Irvin
- Favorite Plays: Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman
2. Braves vs. J.P. France
- Favorite Plays: Ronald Acuna Jr., Marcell Ozuna, Michael Harris II
3. Cubs vs. Brandon Pfaadt
- Favorite Plays: Cody Bellinger, Michael Busch, Dansby Swanson
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