MLB DFS Playbook June 16: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel

Welcome to the MLB DFS Playbook for June 16! It’s a big, juicy 14-game slate, so I don’t want to get too caught up an introduction. I think we need to just get down to business. As always, let me remind you, as you move through today’s DFS Playbook, be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, take in the daily MLB projections, follow the MLB DFS Ownership projections and maybe even take our MLB DFS Lineup Generator for a spin. With so much knowledge at your fingertips, it’s going to be tough to not see green no matter if you’re playing cash games or GPP tournaments. 

MLB DFS Playbook: June 16

MLB Weather Updates

STL/NYM – strong chance of rain, though right now the skies seem clear; we will have to monitor this one closer to the start time.

NYY/BOS – a few showers leading up to game-time which could force a slight delay, but we expect this to play.

MIA/WAS – Looking at a 50-percent chance of rain but the expectation is that this game plays

DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts

With no Coors Field on the slate, it’s a pretty straightforward lineup build today. I like paying up for at least one starter on DraftKings and I will pay up in cash games on FanDuel. For FD GPPs I am doing both – paying up and bargain-shopping. With so many great games and so many options tonight, you can legit go in any direction you want. I prefer a mid-priced Reds stack over paying up for the bigger Braves or Blue Jays stack, but that might be a little too chalky. I’m kinda into these White Sox against Seattle, so perhaps a mini-stack here to help get in some of the bigger bats. 

Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options for Strikeouts

• Joe Ryan vs Detroit Tigers
• Shane McClanahan vs San Diego Padres
• Yu Darvish vs Tampa Bay Rays
• Michael Kopech vs Seattle Mariners
• Kevin Gausman vs Texas Rangers
• Rich Hill vs Milwaukee Brewers

Best Odds for a Win

• Sandy Alcantara vs Washington Nationals (-110)
• J.P. France vs Cincinnati Reds (+115)
• Kevin Gausman vs Texas Rangers (+120)
• Rich Hill vs Milwaukee Brewers (+130)
• Miles Mikolas vs New York Mets (+130)
• Jared Shuster vs Colorado Rockies (+140)
• See More

Bullpens Most Likely to Blow Your Starters’ Win & Boost Your Stacks

• Pittsburgh Pirates – 12.18 ERA (last 7 days)
• St. Louis Cardinals – 8.27
• Philadelphia Phillies – 7.71
• Texas Rangers – 5.52
• Los Angeles Dodgers – 5.40

Side Note: Most overused bullpens in the last week are the Athletics (31.2 IP), Tigers (33.1), Giants (32.0), Dodgers (30.0) and Rangers (29.1)

Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins

Might be too pricey on FanDuel, but sits in a reasonable spot when paying up for one starter on DraftKings. The Tigers are soft against righthanded pitching (.288 wOBA) and strike out 34.2-percent of the time. They just don’t have the bats to even threaten in this one, even though they’ve hit well recently. I think Ryan dominates.

Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks

Lousy outing against the Tigers last time out, but should round back into form against the Guardians who are a middling offense that occasionally shines. They won’t in this one. You may not get the strikeouts you covet, but he’s a good pay-down from Ryan on FD if you still want to pay up for pitching.

Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

I like how he’s priced down as few people still believe in last year’s CY Young winner. I think it clicks for him and I will take the discount against a Nationals team that may not strike out a bunch but still has a weak .288 wOBA against righthanded pitching. They also have the worst team wOBA (.266) over the last seven days and that comes with a feeble .116 ISO.

Patrick Sandoval, Los Angeles Angels

He’s my primary pay-down tonight and will be locked in as my second starter on DK. He’s had some issues with some lefty bats, but not enough that guys like Nick Pratto or MJ Melendez worry me. He’s had some struggles with teams in his division, but overall, the Royals are weak against lefties and have a near-24-percent strikeout rate.

Recommended DFS Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals 

• 5.54 – Atlanta Braves vs Dinelson Lamet
• 5.21 – Los Angeles Angels vs Brady Singer
• 5.00 -- Houston Astros vs Andrew Abbott
• 4.90 -- Boston Red Sox vs Domingo German
• 4.90 – Milwaukee Brewers vs Rich Hill
• See More 

Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups

Spencer Steer, 1B Cincinnati Reds

I don’t understand the Vegas odds, giving so much respect to J.P. France. Using Steer in a mid-priced Reds stack is where I want to be tonight and Steer is an underrated power guy. Tough to not pay up for Matt Olson or Vladdy Jr. but if we’re spending up for one pitcher, we need mid-tier pricing for some hitters.

Bryson Stott, 2B Philadelphia Phillies

A strong .368 wOBA against lefthanded pitching this season with an .830 OPS has me eyeballing Stott who is at a great price. He’s on a six-game hit streak with four multi-hit performances in that span. Ride the wave.

Jake Burger, 3B Chicago White Sox

Very underrated power-hitter facing righty Bryan Woo who is really just not a good pitcher. Burger has a .363 wOBA against righties with 11 of his 16 homers coming off them. Real nice bargain price as well.

Matt McLain, SS Cincinnati Reds

As stated before, the books are giving way too much credit to J.P. France and these Reds are exciting to watch. McLain is hitting everyone right now -- lefties, righties, it doesn’t matter. While everyone else spends up for Elly De La Cruz, I’ll take the discount on a moderately-priced McLain.

Jordan Walker, OF St. Louis Cardinals

Everyone knows I’m a big Walker fan and if this game goes tonight – chances of rain are strong – I’ll have him locked in against Tylor Megill. The .368 wOBA is super-tasty and he’s hot at the plate right now with an eight-game hit streak.

Jesus Sanchez, OF Miami Marlins 

Cheap power to be had here, especially against Trevor Williams. He hasn’t homered in eight days so I can use the “he’s due” analysis if you like. But his .830 OPS and .359 wOBA against righties say it all.

Player Pool

• DraftKings
• FanDuel

$ Tier	SP	1B	2B	3B	SS	OF
High	Joe Ryan $11,400	Matt Olson $3,800	Brandon Drury $3,900	José Ramírez $3,900	Wander Franco $3,800	Ronald Acuña $4,600
	Zac Gallen $10,800		Thairo Estrada $3,700		Matt McLain $3,700	Corbin Carroll $4,400
						Nolan Jones $3,900
Medium	Sandy Alcantara $8,800	Spencer Steer $3,400	Bryson Stott $3,200	Jake Burger $3,200	Royce Lewis $3,000	Mike Trout $3,700
		Vladimir Guerrero $3,300		Matt Chapman $3,100	Bo Bichette $3,500	Nick Castellanos $3,500
						Luis Robert $3,400
						Joc Pederson $3,300
Low	Patrick Sandoval $8,100	Andrew Vaughn $3,000	Luis Arraez $2,900	Brett Baty $2,600	Elvis Andrus $2,400	Jordan Walker $2,900
			Chris Taylor $2,700			Joey Wiemer $2,700
						Jesús Sánchez $2,700

Stacks

Reds	Spencer Steer	Matt McLain	Jonathan India
DraftKings	4400	4700	4900
Fanduel	3400	3700	3600

White Sox	Luis Robert	Andrew Vaughn	Eloy Jiménez	Jake Burger
DraftKings	4700	2900	4100	3500
Fanduel	3400	3000	3200	3200

Blue Jays	Matt Chapman	Bo Bichette	Vladimir Guerrero
DraftKings	4300	5200	5100
Fanduel	3100	3500	3300