MLB DFS action on Monday, April 26, features 11 games across five slates with giant contests on Yahoo, DraftKings and FanDuel. Before locking in MLB DFS picks and lineups, make sure to check out Awesemo’s daily fantasy baseball top stacks, picks, rankings and projections. Let’s dig into some MLB DFS picks and daily fantasy baseball stacks, including the Yankees, Astros and more.
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MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Hitters and Stacks, Monday, April 26th
Yahoo Stack of the Day: New York Yankees at RHP Matt Harvey — 5.4 implied runs
The Yahoo salary algorithm is gifting several discounted Yankees bats today. Matt Harvey will be on the hill for the Orioles, and it seems every one of his starts is now an adventure. Since the beginning of 2019, Harvey has faced 197 lefties, allowing a 1.98 HR/9 and a .264 ISO. In that same timeframe, he has squared off against 222 same-handed batsmen, allowing a 2.17 HR/9 and a .233 ISO.
It will be interesting to see where Rougned Odor lands in the batting order. Yesterday he was batting cleanup for the second time with his new squad. While he generally has been at the bottom of the order, his $12 salary on Yahoo makes him a steal wherever he is slotted on Monday. Gleyber Torres also is checking in with a $12 tag, and with his .230 ISO in righty/righty matchups over the last two seasons, he should be a core part of plans.
Though his batting average is abysmal, catcher Gary Sanchez still has light-tower power and fills the catcher requirement. Finally, there are the usual suspects of D.J. LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. It does not take a rocket scientist to recommend these guys with their well-known bona fides.
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Evening Slate
Houston Astros vs. LHP Justus Sheffield — 5.1 implied runs
This is not going to be an easy matchup for southpaw Justus Sheffield, as the Astros are loaded with lefty mashers, even with Jose Altuve on the sideline. Sheffield has allowed a home run in each of his three starts, and his 9.5% career walk rate is not doing him any favors. On the positive side, he does have above-average strikeout ability, though Houston is collectively a selective group of hitters with solid plate discipline.
Carlos Correa should be leading off, which all but assures him of five at-bats tonight. Alex Bregman has produced an eye-popping .323 ISO in his last 309 righty/lefty matchups. Yuli Gurriel will be in the middle of the order and should be at the plate with runners in scoring position a couple times tonight. Finally, gamers can always turn to Yordan Alvarez, who has a .300 ISO against fellow lefties in his young career.
Late Slate
Colorado Rockies at RHP Anthony DeSclafani — 3.3 implied runs
With just four teams in the late-slate player pool, the options are limited tonight. Most gamers are likely to shy away from the Rockies on the road in the most dramatic of park shifts, going from Coors Field down to sea level in Oracle Park. Tonight it will be a brisk 51 degrees at first pitch with a 12- to 15-mph breeze heading out to right-center field.
Anthony DeSclafani tends to struggle with left-handed hitters, and there are several to choose from tonight. Over his last 503 matchups with opposite-handed batters, DeSclafani is allowing a .213 ISO, a 10.1% walk rate and a 1.87 HR/9. Charlie Blackmon and Ryan McMahon are the two top priorities, and gamers can also look to Raimel Tapia leading off if feeling frisky.
Final Thoughts for the Monday, April 26th MLB DFS Slate
As always, keep in mind that salaries and scoring formats differ across the various fantasy sites, and a home run play on Yahoo may be a below-average MLB DFS pick on DraftKings or FanDuel.
