We have a 12-game MLB DFS main slate kicking off at 1:05 pm ET on Saturday, April 15th, over on DraftKings and FanDuel. We don't have many elite starters to speak of on the slate but guys like Freddy Peralta and Anthony DeSclafani are two names that stand out. Offenses such as the New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays could very well be some of the best options on the board in terms of offenses. Be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the daily MLB projections, MLB DFS Ownership projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator. Lets dive into today's content!

 

MLB DFS Weather Center

Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees - Mild concern

There’s going to be some afternoon rain which *could* cause a delay, but it’s nothing we’re banking on and assume this game is played in full without any stoppages.

Pittsburgh Pirates @ St. Louis Cardinals - Mild concern

If this game begins in a delayed start then it’s possible the concern level rises a bit. They should be able to get in a clean game here as long as it starts on time.

Los Angeles Angels @ Boston Red Sox - Mild concern

There could be some rain, but the likely outcome is they play a dry nine innings.

Cleveland Guardians @ Washington Nationals - Moderate Concern

We’ve seen Washington react to weather issues that were forecasted and pulled the trigger on pulling the game way too early. There’s going to be rain and it definitely could cause a delay and possibly more. I’m still OK using bats here, but it’s a little risky.

Atlanta Braves @ Kansas City Royals - Moderate Concern

We should expect some type of delay here, whether it’s a delayed start or play and then delay. Seems the most likely game to have some type of stoppage.

Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options for Strikeouts

Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Diego Padres (1st in K-rate vs. RHP)

Tyler Mahle, Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees (6th in K-rate vs. RHP)

Anthony DeSclafani, San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers (5th in K-rate vs. RHP)

Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves vs. Kansas City Royals (9th in K-rate vs. RHP)

Best Odds for a Win

Steven Matz, St. Louis Cardinals (-200) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Carlos Carrasco, New York Mets (-190) @ Oakland Athletics

Zach Plesac, Cleveland Guardians (-175) @ Washington Nationals

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Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Diego Padres

I understand if it’s too hard to get to the price point, especially on DraftKings where Freddy Peralta sits at $10,700, but he’s been electric to start the year. Let’s not forget how dominant he was in 2021 and last year he was plagued with injuries. Peralta has already beaten the Mets and Cardinals in two starts and has a 29.2% K-rate. No team strikes out against right-handed pitching more than the Padres this year, so that plays right into Peralta’s hand.

Anthony DeSclafani, San Francisco Giants vs. Detroit Tigers

If DeSclafani can avoid fire-breathing dragon Nick Maton, he should be fine here. DeSclafani has come out sharp to start the year allowing just one earned run over his first 12.1 innings pitched. There’s a lot to like about the start of this campaign for DeSclafani. He’s posted a 11:0 K:BB ratio and saw his pitch count rise from 73 to 88 from his first start to his second. He’s allowed barely any flyballs and any contact is being kept on the ground. The Tigers have the fifth-highest K-rate against righties and are 28th in OPS, wOBA, and wRC+ as well. DeSclafani is probably my favorite pitcher on the slate.

Carlos Carrasco, New York Mets vs. Oakland Athletics

It’s undoubtedly been an awful start for Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco and the peripheral numbers suggest this is the guy he is. This is not who he’s been for years, however, and I do not believe he’ll continue to have a walk rate five percentage points higher than his strikeout rate. Especially with Oakland on the docket. He’s one of the slate's biggest favorites and not only is Oakland striking out the eighth most against righties this year, but they’re walking the eighth fewest times. The combination of those two things bodes well for Carrasco to get on track here and have a good performance.

Steven Matz, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

When you look at things on the surface, no, Steven Matz has not been any good, but when you look into things further, he’s been VERY unlucky. He has a .486 BABIP (batting average on balls in play) and that’s HORRIBLE. His 3.39 xFIP and 3.99 SIERA do not match up very well with his 8.18 ERA. He’s faced the Braves and had to pitch in Coors Field in his first two starts this year. The Pirates are neither of those teams and they sport a 25.2% K-rate against southpaws, the 10th-highest rate in the game. Look for Matz to get back on track with a solid start here.

Recommended DFS Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals 

Toronto Blue Jays – 5.15

Boston Red Sox – 5.14

New York Mets – 4.98

Cleveland Guardians – 4.97

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Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups

Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians

HOPEFULLY, the weather holds up in this game because it’s expected to rain during the game and we know Washington hasn’t always had the best strategy when the weather is (or isn’t) a factor. Nevertheless, Chad Kuhl is on the mound and that is a VERY good thing for Ramirez and the Guardians. Last season, lefties posted a .493 SLG%, .365 wOBA, and 1.72 HR/9 against Kuhl. Ramirez had a .918 OPS against righties last year and is clearly more dangerous from the left-side of the dish.

Francisco Lindor, SS, New York Mets

I’m not just suggesting Francisco Lindor because of Friday’s performance, I’m suggesting him because he’s in another great spot. He’s now homered in two straight games and has hit in eight of his last nine. He has three homers and 14 RBI over that span. Shintaro Fujinami has been incredibly wild against left-handed bats and if he puts Lindor on first with a free pass, we know his ability to swipe a bag. He has multiple paths to having an elite fantasy day and I’m banking on another big one here.

Christian Walker, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Christian Walker is not exactly off to the best start, but I expect that to change here against Braxton Garrett. Sure Garrett misses bats, but right-handed swingers have had success against him going on a couple of seasons now. Righties posted a .349 wOBA, 33.7% hard-hit rate and his groundball rate was cut in HALF and they lifted the ball much more against him. Walker has hit both of his homers this year off lefties and a year ago posted a .232 ISO and .845 OPS against southpaws.

Isaac Paredes & Harold Ramirez, 3B & OF, Tampa Bay Rays

I couldn’t decide which value Ray I liked more so why not just go with both? Both guys love facing left-handed pitching so what do Yusei about using them both against Kikuchi? I’ll see myself out. Anyways, Paredes had a .286 ISO and .360 wOBA against southpaws last year and has a 1.007 OPS this season. Ramirez hit .360 with a .382 wOBA against them in ‘22 and has upped that this year so far batting .417 with a 1.400 OPS. Kikuchi is not shy about allowing home runs and with the walls moved in closer in Toronto, that is a recipe for disaster for him.

Michael Conforto, OF, San Francisco Giants

We’ll see if Conforto cracks the lineup today as he hasn’t played since Wednesday but with the off-day on Friday, the Giants are hopeful to get him back into Saturday’s lineup. He faces Michael Lorenzen, who’s making his season debut, and Lorenzen struggled against left-handed bats last year. Lefties had a .336 wOBA against him last year and he was shelled in his last rehab start. Conforto has a .414 wOBA, .930 OPS, and .207 ISO vs. RHP early on this year.

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