Spotlight Pitchers: MLB DFS Picks for DraftKings + FanDuel

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.

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MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers for DraftKings, FanDuel

Top Value Plays

Luis Castillo – Reds at Tigers – FanDuel $10,100, DraftKings $8,000

Castillo faced this same Detroit Tigers team in his first start, going six innings and striking out 11. He gave up just one run and was pulled after 91 pitches. He made the majority of this lineup look silly and did it while getting extremely unlucky. The Tigers posted a .462 BABIP in game 1, which will surely go down tonight. I expect another 10 strikeouts, and don’t be shocked if Castillo inches closer to 100 pitches in his second start.

He was cheated out of a win in game 1 and still more than came through, so we have seen nowhere near the ceiling. On DraftKings, Castillo is going to be extremely high-owned at just $8,000. The value is undeniable and he’s the top value in both cash games and tournaments. He’s the most expensive pitcher on FanDuel, which is where he should be priced.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: C

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: A

Mike Clevinger – Indians at Twins – FanDuel $9,800, DraftKings $10,000

Clevinger was solid in his first start of the season, striking out six Royals through seven innings with two earned runs. It seemed like the Royals were doing anything they could to not strike out after striking out 14 times against Shane Bieber the night prior. Tonight, Clevinger draws a matchup that I love in the Minnesota Twins. While they have a ton of power, they don’t string together hits well and can go cold if the power is neutralized.

Clevinger was one of the best pitchers at keeping the ball in the park in 2019, giving up just 0.71 home runs per nine innings. If he’s able to keep the Twins in the park and strike out a batter per inning, Clevinger should be the highest-scoring pitcher on the slate. He’s surely allowed to go over 100 pitches if cruising, and the upside is monstrous in this spot. Pairing Clevinger with Castillo on DraftKings will be the chalk, but it’s hard not to get behind them both.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: B

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: B

Lance McCullers – Astros at Angels – FanDuel $9,000, DraftKings $9,000

McCullers doesn’t have the upside as the two guys above, but only because he won’t be stretched out to 100 pitches in any circumstance. While dominant just about every time he’s given the opportunity, McCullers has dealt with injury after injury since reaching the majors. He posted a 3.43 xFIP in 2019 and struck out 9.44 batters per nine innings through 128 innings of work. He started just where left off in start one, striking out six Mariners through six innings and picking up the win.

The Angels are a bit tougher of a matchup, but the bottom of the order is as weak as it gets, and McCullers should rack up the strikeouts. McCullers is a bit more viable on FanDuel as the obvious move on DraftKings is to move down $1,000 for Castillo. On FanDuel, however, McCullers is cheap, and he’s going to be under-owned with so many aces on the board. I expect another solid performance and am a fan in all formats over there.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: D

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: D

Top GPP Targets

Yu Darvish – Cubs vs. Pirates – FanDuel $9,100, DraftKings $10,500

Darvish is probably the biggest GPP-only pitcher in baseball, at least in my book. While I would flirt with him in cash games after a few strong starts, there is no way I would go there right now. With Darvish, it’s all mental. He could be facing nine All-Stars or nine AAA hitters, and it all would come down to the guy on the mound. Darvish struck out nearly 50 batters in his last three starts of 2019, and it’s why DraftKings is so hesitant to move off of his price.

The Cubs ace didn’t look great in his first start, but certainly showed flashes of what we’re all looking for. He struck out five Brewers and gave up three runs through four innings. He looked solid through two but fell apart in the third, and it was obvious that the Cubs weren’t looking to leave him out to dry. They pulled the plug, and I would expect closer to 100 pitches tonight if all works out. The Pirates are one of the worst lineups in baseball, and you don’t need me to tell you that. Just look at it. If Darvish is on, he could break this slate wide open. Get over the field.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: C

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: D

Mike Minor – Rangers at Giants – FanDuel $8,700, DraftKings $9,200

Minor is another guy that is extremely boom or bust, but there is no denying how great this matchup looks. On one front, this ballpark is massive and Minor won’t have to worry all that much about the long ball against this lineup. On the other, this lineup might be the worst in baseball, and Minor could easily strike out 10 or more if on his game. The price is also lofty on both sites, so the ownership will likely stay around 5%. There are so many options on this slate, and Minor could match the aces here at far too low of ownership. Take a shot in some tournaments.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: C

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: D