DraftKings and FanDuel MLB Picks for Monday 6/26/23

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Pitchers

Spencer Strider FD 11300 DK 12600
Opponent - MIN (Sonny Gray) Park - MIN
FD - 43 DK - 24.46
Luis Castillo FD 10600 DK 11000
Opponent - WSH (Trevor Williams) Park - WSH
FD - 38.82 DK - 21.08

There is a case to be made for both elite-priced aces tonight. Strider leads all of baseball with a wicked 39% K rate while using primarily two pitches(FB-59%, SL-34%) which create massive swings and misses. After a couple rough outings he bounced back in a big way in Philly last week allowing just one earned run and striking nine en route to his 8th win. He now gets an elite matchup for strikeouts as the Twins have struck out 28% of the time over the last 14 days and 27% of the time vs. right-handed pitching on the season.

If you end up needing that $1,600 for bats on DraftKings, I love starting with Luis Castillo who despite having some control issues lately(10 BB last two starts) has been very consistent overall in 2023. He has held opponents to three or fewer earned runs in 13 of 15 starts and held them to two or fewer in four of his last six. The K upside is nowhere near that of Strider tonight facing a Nats team that strikes out less than 20% of the time but the good news is they are bottom 5 in almost all other hitting categories and splits.

Stay tuned for starting lineup and value plays that pop up but both these starters are elite plays in all formats.

Justin Verlander FD 8100 DK 8300
Opponent - MIL (Colin Rea) Park - MIL
FD - 35.99 DK - 19.84

It still feels weird seeing Verlander down in this price range and it fully comes from the inconsistency but we can't ignore the PT/$ value on a Hall of Fame pitcher who is a -180 favourite. He gets a terrific matchup to get back on track after allowing four earnies in his last starts as he now faces a Brewers team that is bottom five in hitting over the last couple of weeks striking out at a 28% rate and also strike out the 4th most(25%) of any team against right-handed pitching. I am willing to take on the risk the veteran arm presents at these prices and will have exposure in all formats.

Also Consider: Reid Detmers(LAA) who has been tremendous recently allowing just 10 hits and two earned runs over his last three starts while striking out 24 batters(34% K rate)

Catcher/First Base

Ty France FD 2900 DK 3500
Opponent - WSH (Trevor Williams) Park - WSH
FD - 11.64 DK - 8.88
Cal Raleigh FD 2600 DK 4400
Opponent - WSH (Trevor Williams) Park - WSH
FD - 10.43 DK - 7.85

The big thing that could really change the dynamic of lineup construction on this small slate is the fact two of the games could get washed out with rain leaving minimal value. That means if we are paying up for Strider or Castillo we likely won't be able to afford Olson or Alonso which has me turning to the Mariners for some PTS/$ value. France is not a player with big power upside but he has been consistent throughout his career and has a 120 or higher wRC+ in each of his last four seasons. He hits third in a very powerful lineup and comes in hitting .329 with a .376 wOBA and 148 wRC+ going back to the start of June. At catcher, Raleigh comes to us in the mid-range of pricing but has been hot as of late with hits in eight of his last 10 games with three long balls. Both players are in play in all formats on Monday.

Second Base

Matt McLain FD 3600 DK 4700
Opponent - BAL (Cole Irvin) Park - BAL
FD - 10.16 DK - 7.8

While the winning streak ended over the weekend, the Reds' offence stayed hot and are again in play on Monday. After tearing up AAA, rookie Matt McLain has been tremendous at the big league level with a .325/.380/.541 slash line through his first 37 games. He hits second in the lineup and while he has been good in both splits, he has crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of a .432 wOBA, 168 wRC+, and 1.025 OPS. Provided the rain stays away in Baltimore on Monday, McLain will be a core play for me in all formats.

Shortstop

J.P. Crawford FD 2800 DK 3100
Opponent - WSH (Trevor Williams) Park - WSH
FD - 10.71 DK - 8.24

The shortstop position is very flexible on Monday with options at all price points. If you are not paying top dollar for Corey Seager it makes a ton of sense to save as much as possible and roll with J.P. Crawford. He provides some excellent PTS/$ value hitting leadoff for the Mariners and while the average is down overall(.240), he is still getting on base at a .348 rate and has 25 RBI and 40 runs scored to this point. All things considered not his tricky slate, Crawford is in play for me in all formats.

Third Base

Josh Jung FD 3400 DK 4700
Opponent - DET (Matthew Boyd) Park - DET
FD - 10.7 DK - 8.17

We have yet to talk about the Rangers' bats who lead all teams in implied runs but the issue comes with trying to fit the top of the order(Seager/Semien) and their premium prices. If paying up for pitching but still want some exposure to the Rangers, I love rolling with Josh Jung who leads all rookies in RBI(44) and is second to Corbin Carroll with 15 home runs and 52 runs scored. He has cooled off a bit in the short term but gets a plus matchup to get back on track as he has crushed lefties to the tune of a .430 wOBA, 180 wRC+, and .319 ISO. Load up on Jung in all formats.

Outfield

Luis Robert Jr. FD 3200 DK 4900
Opponent - LAA (Reid Detmers) Park - LAA
FD - 9.44 DK - 7.27

The White Sox, as a team, have been a huge disappointment but one player who has been a monster for fantasy has been Luis Robert. The power has been there all year as he is 4th overall with 21 home runs and the average is also starting to come around as he has been red-hot in June hitting .324 with a .465 wOBA and 204 wRC+ over his last 19 games. He has also been in beast mode against left-handed pitching this season with a ridiculous .495 wOBA and 225 wRC+ which is second to only Jorge Soler. The price is on the rise but in this matchup he is a core play for me in all formats.

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