DFS MLB Lineups for June 21, 2017 at Draftkings.com & Fanduel.com
For this daily fantasy baseball season, each day there’s a good slate of DFS MLB games, we’ll be writing up a group of pitchers and hitters that we’re considering for our cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. We’ll also provide a list of stacks to consider, MLB start times, starting pitchers, and game run totals to give you a good idea of where the fantasy goodness might come from on a given night. As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, park factor, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for a new way to play DFS, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy a try!
We’ve got 11 games on the DFS MLB slate for June 21 with Max Scherzer (early), Carlos Carrasco, and Jose Berrios coming in at an absurd $11.4k on DK. Look, Berrios is awesome and he draws the White Sox, but the most expensive he’s ever been is $8.8k and there’s absolutely no way I’m paying that price for a guy that’s given up at least 2 ERs in each of his last 5 starts. At $11.4k, we’d need at least 7 innings, 1 ER tops and and about 8 Ks. It could happen, but it’s not likely. I’ll pass. A couple of guys I’ll be on are Nick Pivetta and Jordan Montgomery. As for Pivetta ($5.8k DK), he’s got at least 5 strikeouts in 5 of his 7 starts. This is strictly a price play, but I like the upside. And for Montgomery, I’ll continue to pick on the Angels (for better or worse). As for bats, I’ll be on Twins and Indians, two teams that blend nicely for stacks. I’ll look at Padres for some value where it’s needed. Good luck and I hope to see you guys above the cash line. – Matt
A quick reminder while playing DFS MLB, don’t forget baseball is a game of variance. You can make a really solid lineup and still fall short of the cash line. Even Clayton Kershaw can get lit up, and Mike Trout can still go 0 for 4. Baseball is funny like that. Trust the process and know that if you’re playing quality lineups, you’ll be a winner in the long term.
Another thing to remember outside of making sure your player is in the lineup, is to always check the weather. Always. Make this something that is part of your basic routine. Baseball games can get postponed! Your players receive no points from postponed games!
6/21/17 MAIN SLATE TOURNAMENT RUNDOWN
DraftKings Fastball: $33 buy-in, $225k guaranteed
DraftKings Rally Cap: $8 buy-in, $150k guaranteed
DraftKings Four Seamer: $4 buy-in, $100k guaranteed (20 Entry Max)
FanDuel Grand Slam: $44 buy-in, $150k guaranteed
FanDuel Squeeze: $4 buy-in, $150k guaranteed
FanDuel Rally: $6 buy-in, $66k guaranteed
Best DFS MLB Pitchers for June 21, 2017
Carlos Carrasco @ BAL ($10.9k DraftKings, $9.8k FanDuel)
You don’t necessarily have to pay up for pitching tonight, but if you chose to do so, Carrasco is certainly in the conversation for highest upside on the slate. He’s been boom-or-bust this season, but has exceeded value in 3 of his last 4 appearances, so he’s a quality option tonight against an Orioles team that’s sporting the sixth-highest K-Rate (23.5%) in the Majors this season. Current O’s are 6-for-30 (.200) with 4 K’s and just 2 XBH in their careers against Carrasco, who is actually pitching better with a 2.89 ERA and .188 BAA on the road this year.
Mike Fiers @ OAK ($8.1k DraftKings, $7.8k FanDuel)
A couple of years ago, Fiers was one of the most dominant SPs in baseball for a stretch when he posted a 2.13 ERA with a 9.54 K/9 ratio over 14 appearances with the Brewers. He’s fallen off since then, but seems to have rekindled some magic with a 1.40 ERA and .197 BAA this month. While he’s been more vulnerable on the road, tonight he faces an Athletics offense that ranks 23rd in runs scored (299) with the fifth-highest K-Rate (25%) in the league this season and the massive confines of Oakland Coliseum can help out any pitcher.
Junior Guerra vs. PIT ($6k DraftKings, $7.7k FanDuel)
It might seem like Guerra’s been a weak DFS option based on the results of his last few starts, but stats can be deceiving. He pitched quite well against the Padres in his last outing, allowing just 2 hits, one of which was an absurdly great swing by Wil Myers to take a low-outside offspeed pitch out to right-center field for a 3-run shot. Guerra is still rocking a 2.84 ERA on the year and when he can avoid the long ball, he should be able to give you 6 or so innings with decent production. He’s a GPP option only, but there’s a chance for some solid production against a Pirates squad that’s hit the second-fewest HRs (66) in the Majors this year.
Other pitchers to consider: Jose Berrios, Justin Verlander, Jordan Montgomery, James Paxton, Sean Manaea
Best DFS MLB Hitters for June 21, 2017
Matt Adams vs. SF ($4.1k DraftKings, $3.7k FanDuel)
Adams has essentially been the Braves offense lately, as he’s hitting .343 with a .464 wOBA and ridiculous .400 ISO Mark while slugging 8 HRs this month. He remains affordable on both main DFS sites ahead of a matchup against RHP Jeff Samardzija, who is giving up a 1.70 HR/9 ratio when facing LHB this year and Adams happens to be 6-for-11 with 2 doubles and a HR in his career against the Giants hard-throwing, but inconsistent starter.
Hunter Pence vs. ATL ($3.4k DraftKings, $3.2k FanDuel)
After really struggling for a month or so, Pence is now priced quite affordably on DK ahead of a matchup with youngster Sean Newcomb. Pence is a capable righty, who is hitting .344 over his last 8 appearances and gets a massive park boost moving from San Fran to Atlanta. The Giants as a whole should be low owned and could be an interesting piece to a GPP winning lineup.
Other hitters to consider: Nolan Arenado, Gary Sanchez, Cody Bellinger, Brian Dozier, Buster Posey, Justin Turner, Didi Gregorious, Cameron Maybin, Austin Jackson, Carlos Gonzalez, Jose Pirela (early), Miguel Sano
6/21/17 DFS MLB STACKS
Indians vs Kevin Gausman
Things have not gotten any better for Gausman, as he’s given up 16 ER and 3 HRs over his last 3 appearances to maintain his unsightly 6.60 ERA and league-worst 1.92 WHIP on the season. Prolific SS Franciso Lindor and feisty infielder Jose Ramirez are good candidates to get on base and spark some rallies, while Edwin Encarnacion has flashed his immense power lately. It’s important to note that Gasuman’s allowed RHB to hit .377 with a 1.79 HR/9 ratio this year, so look at Austin Jackson as well if he fills in for the injured Michael Brantley.
Dodgers vs Tyler Pill
The Dodgers are on fire right now, having scored 43 runs during their current five game win streak. Of course the red hot Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager are in play, as is Justin Turner with his insane .457 batting average at home against RHP. Joc Pederson always presents multi-homer upside and would be a sneaky way to differentiate yourself within this popular stack as Pederson will likely hit toward the bottom of the lineup.
Yankees vs Ricky Nolasco
The Angels’ veteran has been quite homer-prone lately with 8 bombs allowed over his last 5 starts and he’s posted a notable 20.6% HR/FB ratio with a 5.75 FIP on the season. That certainly puts Aaron Judge in play as one of the best young power hitters in the game and makes Gary Sanchez another high-priced option to consider at catcher with his power. Didi Gregorious leads the list of LHB with upside against Nolsaco, who has a career 1.42 WHIP when facing the platoon and has allowed lefties to post a .357 wOBA this season, but the bulk of this stack should include the big RHB as well as steady 2B Starlin Castro.
Other Stacks to consider:
Rockies vs. Taijuan Walker
Brewers vs. Trevor Williams
Twins vs. David Holmberg
