FanDuel MLB Daily Lineups: Friday June 15

Welcome to the FanDuel MLB Daily Lineups column. This is the Friday, June 15th 2018 Main slate edition. We’re a fantasy baseball column focused on helping you build a DFS MLB optimal lineup for each slate.

We tried to get a FanDuel MLB Daily Lineups column out yesterday, but ran out of time. It’s unfortunate, because it was a good one. For the Main slate, we had some mild success. Our top pitcher was Anibal Sanchez ($6,300) who slung seven K’s against the Padres, and Matt Duffy ($2,600) and David Peralta ($3,100) combined for more than 61 FanDuel MLB points.

However, we also focused on the Red Sox and Mariners offense, and neither was dynamic yesterday. So the Main slate’s results fell short. On the contrary, we landed over 173 FanDuel MLB points with the Early Only slate.

Picking a pitcher in the Early Only wasn’t easy. After combing through the metrics of each pitcher in a four-game slate, we continued to fall back to Vince Velasquez ($8,600) against the Rockies in a hitter friendly park. But the Rockies offensive metrics against RHP’s continues to be bad, and it paid off with 42 FanDuel MLB points.

We also continued our stack of the Giants in Miami, and once again that paid off. Andrew McCutchen ($3,200) maintained his hot streak with another home run, two singles, two runs, and two RBI’s for 32.4 FanDuel MLB points.

We also focused on the Phillies offense, and were rewarded with a bounce-back game for Rhys Hoskins ($3,500) and Nick Williams ($2,200). Williams ended up hitting fifth in the lineup yesterday.

With all 15 games, or 30 MLB teams, playing after 7pm EDT tonight, Friday’s slate is considerably different from the last two days, but resembles the Tuesday night Main slate. We have a long list of great pitcher options, and there are many offensive stacks to consider.

Before we get there, a reminder to never take a DFS MLB optimal lineup as ‘bible’ for your personal lineup each day. Use the suggestions as guidance. Also, make sure you follow final lineup thoughts throughout the day on our twitter account @FantasyCPR or me @mattymcmatt17 look for late breaking lineup news.

Weather Note: Sticking with the theme for the week, the weather in most baseball stadiums today is fantastic. There is a minor risk of rain showers in Atlanta, but it’s minor enough to shrug them off. For now, green light to play all teams in all ballparks, with minimal wind considerations.

With weather-related considerations addressed, let’s get to the top pitching options…

FanDuel MLB: Top Pitcher Main Slate

Unlike most of my articles, I’m just going to start with my favorite starting pitcher pick of tonight’s FanDuel MLB slate, James Paxton ($10,000). I say that…because now I have to spend the rest of my page explaining why in the world would I pick Paxton over all of the other great arms today.

Of all the pitchers today, Corey Kluber ($12,000) is clearly the most elite pitcher. Corey’s 2.61 xFIP is the best of this slate, and one of the best in baseball right now. Kluber has a 27.5% K rate, 1.99 ERA, and very low 0.83 WHIP. Kluber’s stats resemble Scherzer’s, and he’s a great option in cash games.

However, between Paxton and Kluber, James has the better match up. The Twins offense isn’t dynamic against RHP’s, but they’re not bad either. With a 96 wRC+ and 21.9% K rate, the Twins are in the middle of the pack against RHP’s this season. That’s still a decent reason to pick Kluber.

Paxton isn’t quite as elite as Kluber, but he’s facing a Red Sox offense who’s 85 wRC+ against LHP’s this season is fourth worst in baseball. Also, the BoSox have a 24.4% K-rate against southpaws like James. Yes, THAT Red Sox offense has been horrendous against lefties.

There’s risk of course. J.D. Martinez could finally get back to his lefty-smashing hitting from last season. Also, for some odd reason, Paxton has been owned by the Rangers offense after two starts. But if you look at his metrics without those Rangers outings, Paxton is debate-worthy for elite status this season.

The only caveat to Paxton is there are many very good arms on the mound today, at a better price. Ross Stripling ($9,100) started the season in the relief mix for the Dodgers, but has been abolutely dominate in his last six starts.

Stripling’s xFIP is an incredible 2.67, just short of meeting Kluber’s. However, part of that is due to the relief experience. Still, you’re getting a low-risk starting pitcher with a high 30% K-rate, and basically a slam dunk for a quality start.

My only hesitation, and it’s a big one, with playing Stripling, is the match up. While the Giants offense hasn’t been dynamic all season, Andrew McCutchen is heating up, and the entire offense seems to be catching fire with him. We’ve been following the Giants offense all week, stacking them often, and Stripling could be a trap-play today, as a result.

 FanDuel MLB: Top Hitting Stacks Main Slate

There is a laundry list of top offensive stacks for today. Seven starting pitchers today are giving up between 1.5 and 2.0 home runs per nine innings. My favorite is Reds starter Matt Harvey, who’s currently skating on thin ice. After a disastrous start to the season, the Mets somehow convinced the Reds to trade for Harvey, and his performance hasn’t gotten better since.

The former dark knight is giving up over two home runs per nine innings, the only starting pitcher to do so, and has a terrible 5.97 ERA this season. Harvey is also sporting a bad 1.40 WHIP. Meanwhile, Harvey and the Reds are in Pittsburgh facing the Pirates today.

The Buco’s have a 99 wRC+ against RHP’s this season, 13th best in baseball. They also have a sub-20% K-rate against RHP’s and should get a lot of hard contact on Harvey today. Also, with Josh Harrison ($3,200), Colin Moran ($2,500), Austin Meadows ($3,100), and Starling Marte ($3,600), we’re likely getting the Pirates top four in the lineup for a very cheap set of salaries.

While the Padres aren’t an offense I like to stack often, they do have a solid match up against Brandon McCarthy today. After a solid season for the Dodgers, McCarthy has been fairly terrible this year.

Yes, he’s 5-3, but his 1.49 WHIP and 5.03 ERA make Harvey sound OK. McCarthy is also giving up around 1.6 home runs per nine innings. We may not stack the Padres, but they’re worth a value play, or mini-stack (two players) consideration.

Finally, the Dodgers bats have been hot since the start of June, and they get Giants lefty Derek Holland tonight. Sure, Cody Bellinger ($3,800) isn’t ideal against lefties, but Holland could be an exception, and he’s four for his last ten. Kike Hernandez ($2,700) should also be in the lineup, and Matt Kemp ($3,700) has having a fantastic season.

FanDuel MLB: Summary and Example Lineup

There are many solid arms on the mound today, and Corey Kluber is an elite option. Kluber is a solid play in all cash games, but we actually like James Paxton in all formats. Paxton has elite potential today, with a sneaky good match up against the Red Sox. Boston has struggled significantly against lefties this season.

While we love Paxton at the pitcher spot, we also gave a nod to Stripling, he’s been locked-in on the mound since starting for the Dodgers almost two months ago. Sticking with the Dodgers hosting the Giants, we also like their offense for a full, or mini, stack against Derek Holland and the Giants.

Along with the Dodgers in our offense, we may sprinkle some Padres in there for affordability. Finally, while the Pirates offense doesn’t jump off the list of player options today, they have a fantastic match up against a very terrible Matt Harvey today.

With that summary in mind, here’s a look at a sample lineup for the MAIN FanDuel MLB slate on Friday, June 15th 2018:

FanDuel MLB Early Only Sample Lineup:

P              James Paxton ($10,000)

C/1B       Cody Bellinger ($3,800)

2B            Josh Harrison ($3,200)

3B            Colin Moran ($2,500)

SS            Freddy Galvis ($2,400)

OF            Austin Meadows ($3,100)

OF            Starling Marte ($3,600)

OF            Matt Kemp ($3,700)

UTIL        Kike Hernandez ($2,700)

Remaining Salary: $0

Note: This is a recommended lineup after discussing our top options for today. You should use this as a guide, and provide your own input when building FanDuel MLB lineups.  We are not telling you, or selling you, to use this lineup.

Next: MLB DFS Game by Game Breakdown

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