Daily Fantasy Baseball: DraftKings Picks for June 20
By Rich Pelesky
Jun 19, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Daily Fantasy Baseball: DraftKings Picks for June 20
Welcome back to the best place to get expert fantasy baseball picks for DraftKings. This was evident again last night as our picks were fairly successful and gave you a very good chance to win a H2H or place in a 50/50. The results for our picks in the contests on Friday, June 20th were as follows:
Pitchers:
– Chris Sale (CWS) home vs. TEX for $11,900: 44.8 FP, 3.8 FP/$1K
– Sonny Gray (OAK) home vs. LAA for $10,100: 10.7 FP, 1.1 FP/$1K
– Mike Bolsinger (LAD) home vs. SF for $7,400: 7.4 FP, 1.0 FP/$1K
– Tyler Lyons (STL) at PHI for $6,800: 14.45 FP, 2.1 FP/$1K
Hitters:
– 2B/3B Aaron Hill (ARZ) home vs. SD for $3,100: 11 FP, 3.6 FP/$1K
– 2B/OF Ben Zobrist (OAK) home vs. LAA for $4,000: 23 FP, 5.8 FP/$1K
– 3B Josh Donaldson (TOR) home vs. BAL for $4,900: 2 FP, 0.4 FP/$1K
– OF Denard Span (WAS) home vs. PIT for $4,200: 8 FP, 1.9 FP/$1K
Next: Saturday June 20 Picks
Jun 19, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) is congratulated by right fielder Clint Robinson (25) after scoring a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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My selections are tailored toward DraftKings scoring system but these picks can also be helpful in H2H formats with daily rosters where some of my recommended players may be available to pick up off the Waiver Wire. Also, a majority of these selections would also be recommended for FanDuel, but you should first understand the differences between each baseball scoring system before plugging players in both.
Here are my best early and late picks for DraftKings lineups in the full slate of MLB Games on Saturday, June 20th. The early afternoon slate (6 MLB games) starts at 1:05 p.m. while the evening slate (9 games) starts at 7:05 p.m.
Good Luck!
Next: Early Pitchers
Jun 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Francisco Liriano (47) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of an inter-league game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Early Pitchers:
Fransisco Liriano (PIT) at WAS for $10,400: Liriano has been top-notch for the Bucs, putting up lofty numbers: 2.94 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 99 K in 82 2/3 IP. His 4-5 record is indicative of poor run support, but Frankie is still averaging 22.9 FPPG. He is coming of a superb start last time out vs. CWS, fanning 12 over 8 shutout innings and earning 44.2 points. Expect him to do well against a makeshift Nationals lineup that most likely will again be without Bryce Harper.
Trevor May (MIN) home vs. CHI for $6,800: The young, talented Twins righty has been has been fairly effective in 2015 with a 4-5 record and 4.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 58 Ks in 67 2/3 IP over 12 starts. He has averaged 14 FPPG which is decent considering his average salary of about $6,000. He has been good lately, with only 4 runs allowed in his last 3 starts over 18 innings. He faces the Cubs and John Lester at home at about even odds, but the Twins hit lefties well and thus May has a decent chance to get a win and the extra 4 points.
Next: Late Pitchers
Jun 8, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher John Lackey (41) throws during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Late Pitchers:
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Around the Foghorn
Corey Kluber (CLE) home vs. LAA for $10,100: Although Kluber has not duplicated his 2014 Cy Young form consistently in 2015, he still has been very good with a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 111 K in 96 2/3. Like Liriano, his 3-8 record is a product of bad run support by the Indians. Kluber (22 FPPG) will get you innings and strikeouts and is at home where he has averaged 33.1 FP over his last 3 starts there. He faces the Rays tonight as -175 favorite and is 2-0 in 3 career starts vs. Tampa with 23 Ks over 16 2/3 IP.
John Lackey (STL) at PHI for $7,900: Lackey (5-4, 3.59, 1.23 WHIP, 16 FPPG) has been steady all year, allowing more than 3 runs once twice in 13 starts. He had a great start last time in a win vs. MIN on 6/15 with 26.4 FP. Although he’s not the pitcher he once was (only 63 Ks in 82 2/3 IP), he still is very solid. Against the reeling Phillies, who have the league’s worst record and offense, getting good production from Lackey should be expected tonight. The Cards are a huge -185 road favorite and the $7,900 price tag is very reasonable.
Next: Early Hitters
Jun 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Early Hitters:
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Call to the Pen
SS Troy Tulowitzki (COL) home vs. MIL (Lohse) for $4,700: Tulowitzki (.306, 7 HR, 34 RBI, 7.4 FPPG in 60 games) is on a roll, hitting .354 in his last 7 games. He faces Kyle Lohse (3-8, 6.44 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) in a great matchup as Tulo is .385 lifetime (10 for 26 with a HR) against him. Add in the Coors Field Factor and this is a must-start, even at the top SS salary of the slate.
OF Adam Jones (BAL) at TOR (Buehrle) for $4,700: Jones is playing at his usual high level in the heart of the Oriole order, hitting .301 with 10 HR, 31 RBI, and 8.2 FPPG in 61 games. He is crushing LHP this season going 16 for 43 (.372) with 3 HRs. If that’s not enough, Jones faces lefty Mark Buehrle (.410, 2 HR in 39 career ABs) and is at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre which is 9th in the league in Park Factor HRs at 1.12.
Next: Late Hitters
Jun 18, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) connects for a double in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Late Hitters:
1B Eric Hosmer (KC) home vs. BOS (Porcello) for $4,100: Hosmer (.297, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 8.1 FPPG in 63 games) is having a good season and is facing Porcello, whom he is 9 for 24 (.375) against with 2 HRs. He also is 9 for his last 22 and is at home going against a pitcher who has given up 9 ER and 16 H in 11 2/3 IP in his last two starts. For $4,100, getting a Lefty/Righty matchup for a clean-up hitter at this position is a bargain.
OF Jason Heyward (STL) at PHI (Harang) for $4,200: Heyward has recovered from a poor April (.217 BA, 4 RBI. 21 games) and is now at .260, 6 HR, 20 RBI, and 7 SB in 62 games. In his last 3 games, he is 5 for 11 with a HR and a SB. He faces Harang (0-5 in last 5 starts with a 6.07 ERA) and holds a 5 for 12 mark against him. Draft him and also consider a Cardinal stack.
See you back here tomorrow for Sunday’s Picks. Bookmark our Fantasy Baseball Page and/or follow me on Twitter so you get the picks as soon as they come out.
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