Spotlight Pitchers: MLB DFS Picks for DraftKings + FanDuel | Pay up for Max Scherzer?

The following FREE MLB DFS picks for fantasy baseball lineups are based on Awesemo’s MLB Projections for today’s MLB DFS fantasy baseball slate on DraftKings. For more free DraftKings MLB picks and analysis for DFS baseball lineups, check out the Awesemo.com YouTube Channel for today’s MLB Strategy Show, Deeper Dive and Live Before Lock Shows. Picks in green are for cash or GPP-style contests.


*****1/2 OFF PROMOS*****

Sports are back and we’re giving you your first month of Awesemo+ half-off when you use promo code RESTART at checkout. That’s only $45 for a month of Awesemo’s leading DFS projections, tools and content for NBA, MLB, PGA and more! Celebrate the return of sports with this great deal, you won’t find a better value anywhere else. This offer is valid through Aug. 3.


Top MLB DFS Value Plays

Kyle Hendricks – Cubs vs. Royals – FanDuel $8,300, DraftKings $7,700

Hendricks has been two very different pitchers through his first two starts. He opened up the season with a sub-100 pitch complete game shutout against the Reds and followed it up by getting blown up (4.1 IP, 6 ER) on the road in Cincinnati. When you dig deeper, he was extremely unlucky in his second start and posted a 3.12 xFIP for the game. Hendricks has also been a lot better at home in his career, where he’ll go back to tonight. 

He’ll now draw a dream matchup with the Royals at home. We’re looking at 15 mph winds blowing in, and the Royals hold just a 3.27 implied total by Vegas. Hendricks is a phenomenal play in all formats on both sites. I expect him to see around 100 pitches here, and the Royals strike out 24% of the time. At his current price on both sites, Hendricks is an elite value. 

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: A, A

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: B, A


Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.


Max Fried – Braves vs. Blue Jays – FanDuel $8,500, DraftKings $8,500

I love the way Fried has looked in each of his first two starts, and I’ve been able to watch every pitch of each. He was close to perfect against the Rays through five last time out before running into a bit of trouble in the sixth and seventh. His sole earned run was given up by a reliever, and the Braves couldn’t ask for much more out of the youngster.

After Soroka left with a leg injury early last night, this bullpen is going to need Fried to go another six or seven innings here. The matchup against Toronto is an elite one, as they ranked 26th in baseball a season ago against left-handed pitching. They strike out 23% of the time and hold the third-lowest wOBA in the MLB. Fried is going to go under-owned in the mid-range, and I have a ton of interest in cash games. On DraftKings, Fried is my favorite SP2 in cash next to Hendricks.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: B, C

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: B, C

Jesus Luzardo – Athletics vs. Rangers – FanDuel $6,100, DraftKings $7,600

Luzardo is underpriced on both sites, and his ownership might not even be that high. The lowest implied total on the slate (3.24) belongs to the Rangers, which speaks volumes about how good Luzardo is. He’s been up and down through his first two appearances but has maintained a 3.36 xFIP and 9.45 K/9. It will all come down to how many pitches he will see.

If Luzardo is stretched out to 70-plus, he could very well be the top value on the slate at his price. If given more, he could be a must-own in tournaments. Luzardo is a lock to strike out at the very least a batter per inning, and Awesemo projects Luzardo as a top-three arm on the slate. The value on FanDuel is extremely tough to pass on in tournaments. This all comes down to pitch count, and the entire slate will be dictated by a few guys that haven’t gotten many pitches to this point but could break the slate if they do. 

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: C, A

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: B, B

Top MLB DFS GPP Target

Andrew Heaney – Angels at Mariners – FanDuel $7,300, DraftKings $8,000

Heaney has been electric to begin the season, striking out 12 batters through 9.2 innings while allowing a total of three runs. The issue has been the pitch count, as Joe Maddon has held Heaney under 70 pitches in both starts. It’s kept his price down, but for good reason. There isn’t much upside when you can barely get to five innings. In a tournament, I’m willing to take a shot that Heaney is stretched out and demolishes his price tag.

The matchup against Seattle is elite, as they strike out at a 25% clip and play in one of the friendliest parks in baseball for pitchers. With the home run ball plaguing Heaney, I expect him to roll through this order with a strikeout to two per inning. If finally stretched out closer to 100 pitches, he’ll likely end up the top value pitcher on the board. He’s certainly worth getting over the field on in both sites.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: B, A

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: B, C


Related MLB DFS Content

Stokastic +

Premium Data and Tools
PREMIUM TOOLS
Lineup Generator
Stokastic Sims MLB
PREMIUM DATA
Projections
Top Stack %s
MLB Data Central
FREE DATA
SoRare MLB Rankings
DraftKings Night Owl
FANTASY CRUNCHER (ADD-ON)
MLB Lineup Study
COMMUNITY
MLB Discord Server
PREMIUM DATA
Projections
Ownership Projections
PREMIUM TOOLS
Fantasy Cruncher (ADD-ON)
NHL Lineup Study
COMMUNITY
NHL Discord Server
PREMIUM TOOLS
Lineup Generator
Stokastic Sims PGA
PREMIUM DATA
Ownership Projections
Top Golfers Tool
PGA Tournament Models
FANTASY CRUNCHER (ADD-ON)
PGA Lineup Study
COMMUNITY
PGA Discord Server
Ownership Projections
Top Drivers Tool
NASCAR Discord Server
NASCAR Fantasy Cruncher
USFL Projections
USFL Discord Server
Ownership Projections
Top Fighters Tool
MMA Discord Server
MMA Fantasy Cruncher
NFL Betting Tools
Stokastic Discord Server
Best Ball
Best Ball Rankings
Best Ball Stat Projections
Stokastic Discord Server
Season Long Fantasy (Coming Soon)

Premium Data

MLB Data Central

Top Batters Tool: DraftKings

MLB DFS Top Stack % for FanDuel

MLB DFS Top Stack % for Yahoo

DraftKings MLB DFS Top Stacks Tool

DFS Winners from the Stokastic Community

Subscribe to the Stokastic newsletter

DFS advice, exciting promos, and the best bets straight to your inbox

Stokastic.com - Daily Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting Data, Tools, & Analytics

Please play responsibly. Only customers 21 and over are permitted to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.