MLB DFS action on Wednesday, April 21, features 15 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 Rays, Braves and Angels.
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MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Hitters and Stacks, Wednesday, April 21st
Yahoo Stack of the Day: Atlanta Braves at RHP Corey Kluber — 4.0 implied runs
Atlanta’s low implied run total of four is likely to keep gamers at bay, as will the name recognition of Corey Kluber. This is not the same Kluber who won Cy Young Awards in 2014 and 2017, however. Injuries have limited him to just 10 starts over the last three seasons, including lasting only a single inning in the pandemic-shortened season.
Through three starts this year, his fastball is barely cracking 90 mph, and the curveball and cutter do not have their usual bite as they did in his heyday. These starts have spanned just 10.1 innings where he is allowing an unsightly 2.3 baserunners per inning, along with three home runs. While he does have 12 strikeouts, that is not going to be enough to offset that many baserunners.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is dealing with a sore oblique, and while he is expected to avoid the injured list, he may not play tonight. That should also lessen interest in the Braves. Freddie Freeman, Marcell Ozuna, Travis d’Arnaud and Ozzie Albies are still a fierce core four. For those looking for savings, Pablo Sandoval is the guy, as he should be enjoying today as the designated hitter since this game is in an American League park.
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Early Slate
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. RHP Mike Foltynewicz — 4.9 implied runs
With potential snow out in Coors Field and solid pitching in the Minnesota – Oakland game, the Angels stand out in an excellent matchup against Mike Foltynewicz. Last year Foltynewicz was released by Atlanta after just one 3.1-inning start in which he was hammered by Tampa Bay for six earned runs, four walks and three home runs across only 16 batsmen. This year has not been much better, as Foltynewicz has tallied 16 innings across three starts. He has also allowed five home runs.
Lefties have been a career long issue for Foltynewicz, with the last 234 to face him posting a 1.92 HR/9 and a .230 ISO. Same-handed hitters have caught up as well in that same timeframe with a 1.97 HR/9 and a .229 ISO over 273 plate appearances. Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are the plug-and-plays. However, this is a perfect matchup for Albert Pujols, who still profiles well against Foltynewicz even with his declining skillset. Jared Walsh has seen a salary bump on some of the DFS sites, but he should be batting in the heart of the order. This is a day game after a night game, so catcher Kurt Suzuki may not play, but if he is behind the dish, he makes for a fine MLB DFS pick where catchers are required. To round out the stack, sprinkle in David Fletcher, who should be leading off, and Justin Upton, who has somehow been seeing time in the cleanup spot.
Late Slate
Tampa Bay Rays at RHP Jakob Junis — 4.7 implied runs
While there will be game-time temperatures in the mid-40s, at least there should not be any precipitation issues in Kansas City. Jake Junis is going to be a frequent pitcher to target with his propensity to allow the long ball. Since the beginning of the 2018 season, he has allowed 70 home runs in 69 starts, which is the fourth most in the league.
Same-handed hitters have been getting in on the fun, with a 1.78 HR/9, 17.1% HR/FB, 41.1% hard-hit rate and a .209 ISO across 405 plate appearances. Lefties have performed well with a 1.55 HR/9, 18.6% HR/FB, 42.2% hard-hit rate and a .193 ISO over 480 plate appearances. In his favor, Junis does a good job limiting walks, which somewhat controls the overall damage from home runs.
From the left side of the plate, make Austin Meadows (.250 ISO) and Brandon Lowe (.242 ISO) the priorities given their gaudy power numbers since the beginning of the 2019 season. Randy Arozarena has tallied at .277 ISO in his 180 career plate appearances against same-handed hurlers, and while that is a small sample size, it is a trend worth targeting. If a full stack is the goal, then working in Manuel Margot, Joey Wendle or Kevin Kiermaier is a fine strategy. To be different, catcher Mike Zunino will likely be batting ninth, but he has serious power when he actually makes contact and works as part of a wrap-around stack with the top of the order.
Final Thoughts for the Wednesday, April 21st MLB DFS Slate
Even with all of the early games, there are several treacherous weather situations. Watch the forecasts for Astros – Rockies, Giants – Phillies, White Sox – Indians, Blue Jays – Red Sox and Brewers – Padres. Pirates – Tigers is going to be a doubleheader with two seven-inning games. Also 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.
