MLB DFS Slate Preview: Saturday, June 10
Taylor Smith previews the Friday, June 9th slate, breaking down his favorite MLB DFS picks, the top stacks, and some optimizer values at DraftKings & FanDuel. Sign up for MLB Premium to build DFS lineups like a pro!
We’ve got games scattered everywhere today, and DraftKings and FanDuel are doing things differently. DK is rolling with a massive 11-game slate starting at 1:10 ET. FanDuel, meanwhile, has a 7-gamer at 4:10 as its main slate. There are a few overlapping games between them, but your lineups are likely to be quite different from site to site today.
Regardless, there are some good DFS picks to be found on both sites, so let’s hop right in.
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel & DraftKings
This daily article highlights some of RG’s most helpful MLB DFS tools, including our industry-leading MLB DFS projections and MLB DFS optimizer, with some picks and analysis along the way. I will focus on the main slate of the day, but you can still find plenty of other tools, content, and analysis on RG for other slates.
MLB DFS Weather Check
Before we look at the projected lineups and MLB DFS picks for the day, it’s crucial to understand how the weather will impact the slate. Then we can better understand if we want to target certain games with ideal hitting conditions, for example, and possibly avoid games at risk of delay or postponement. Two tools to use are the MLB Weather Report and MLB WeatherEdge, which are both managed by RG’s Chief Meteorologist, Kevin Roth. You should also be following Roth on Twitter for his important weather news and updates.
- SD/COL is the only game with slight weather concerns, but a YELLOW isn’t overly concerning, especially in Coors. There’s a chance for a delay, but it’s not like we’re playing pitchers here to begin with.
- CIN/STL is a straight GREEN with rain likely to come after the game’s already over.
- We do have quite a few games with warm temps today. ARI/DET, MIA/CHW, CIN/STL, KC/BAL, LA/PHI, NYM/PIT, WAS/ATL, and HOU/CLE will all be in the 80s at first pitch. The Coors game is just under.
- SD/COL and SEA/LAA will be in the 60s with 5-10mph wind blowing out. NYM/PIT, HOU/CLE, and MIA/CHW will be in the low 70s to high 60s.
- Dome games today are TEX/TB, MIN/TOR, and OAK/MIL.
MLB Projected Lineups – Analysis & Top Stacks
There are ways to get edges in MLB DFS, such as stacking a lineup or targeting guys higher in the order (since they are more likely to see an extra at-bat). We should always look for value bats that arise each slate. They allow us to fit those extra one or two players into our lineup who are likelier to hit home runs and get us those ceiling games we need to win tournaments.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at MLB Starting Lineups to see what the likely batting orders are for this slate, which teams I’m looking to stack, and any other interesting notes. Going forward, the projected lineups will usually be pretty consistent daily, with the main changes being based on the opposing pitcher being a righty or lefty. Also, certain players are more likely than others to get a day off if playing a day game after a night game.
- Cole Irvin is back for his fourth start of the season for the Orioles today at home against the Royals. He was wrecked to begin the season, so Baltimore sent him down to the minors to get straightened out. There’s risk, but he’s not the worst value option on DK ($6,200) if you’re looking to punt.
- Ketel Marte should lead off for Arizona today against lefty Matt Boyd, with Pavin Smith sliding down to the 6 hole. Evan Longoria, Gabriel Moreno, and Nick Ahmed are all projected to crack the starting 9 after sitting out of last night’s game, as well. Lourdes Gurriel is reportedly feeling better after missing nearly a week with a groin injury, so we’ll see if he makes his return today.
- Eric Haase should get back into the Tigers’ lineup against Ryne Nelson. Akil Baddoo left last night’s game with a quad issue, and we have Andy Ibanez projected to start in his place tonight. Ibanez came in to play left in place of Baddoo yesterday.
- Ryan Mountcastle missed last night’s game with an illness, so he’s questionable for today’s clash against Brady Singer. Anthony Santander started in his place at first with Ryan McKenna getting the nod in left.
- Jorge Polanco sat out yesterday after undergoing an MRI on his ailing hamstring. Kyle Farmer slid over to play second in his spot last night, and an IL trip is possible for Polanco. We’ve got Willi Castro projected to move up to the leadoff spot, while Trevor Larnach and Max Kepler are likely to get back into the lineup today vs. right-hander Bowden Francis.
- Eloy Jimenez is expected to be out for the next few days after injuring his leg on Thursday, so he’s unlikely to suit up today against Sandy Alcantara and friends. Gavin Sheets started in right last night, and should do so again today.
- Jake Fraley has been scratched multiple times this week with his nagging wrist injury that kept him out of the lineup last night in St. Louis. We have him projected to lead off against Miles Mikolas today, but keep an eye on Twitter in case he gets scratched yet again.
- Vinnie Pasquantino departed last night’s game with right shoulder discomfort. Angels legend Matt Duffy came in to replace him. We could see Duffman in there again today against aforementioned southpaw Cole Irvin.
- Kevin Kiermaier didn’t start last night’s game because of his wrist injury, though he did pinch-run for Brandon Belt late in the game. Whit Merrifield and Cavan Biggio are projected to occupy the corner outfield spots today, as they did last night.
- Needless to say, the Padres look great again today at Coors after teeing off on Austin Gomber last night. Kyle Freeland isn’t as bad as Gomber, but he’s another lefty against a lineup with loads of right-handed power. The Rockies will face Ryan Weathers, one of the weaker cogs in the San Diego rotation. Colorado’s lineup is weak – especially with CJ Cron and Kris Bryant IL’d – but they still have an implied run total pushing 6 here. The A’s will take on Julio Teheran, whose current 1.56 ERA is the epitome of unsustainable. We do have OAK on the FD main slate, but things look a little dicier from a stacking standpoint without Coors. CLE (vs. JP France) is probably my next stop, while we can always hunt for home runs with the ATL power bats against MacKenzie Gore.
Make sure to follow the RG MLB Twitter feed for confirmed lineups, as well as our DFS Alerts page for important news and analysis.
MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Optimizer Picks
With a good feel for the projected lineups, weather, and strong stacks to consider, let’s check out the RotoGrinders MLB DFS optimizer, LineupHQ. With this tool, you can create up to 300 MLB DFS lineups in seconds, all of which will adhere to the custom settings you input. For insight into how one of the best MLB DFS players uses LineupHQ, read this article and watch the embedded videos from the GOAT himself, CheeseIsGood.
If we click on the “P/$” column header in the LineupHQ grid, it will rank all of the available players from highest to lowest based on their expected fantasy points per dollar of salary on the specific DFS site you have selected — this is one of the best starting points for finding value on every slate. Let’s do that now and see what stands out on FanDuel and DraftKings.
- Nathan Eovaldi tops the charts at $11,000 on FanDuel despite a tough matchup at Tampa Bay. Triston McKenzie ($10,800) gets a tough draw of his own at home to Houston, while Taj Bradley ($10,100) is the other 5-figure pitcher at home on the other side of Eovaldi. I prefer Eovaldi among the 3 especially when you take track records into account, but I’m inclined to take the considerable savings we get with Patrick Sandoval ($7,500) instead. Sandoval is hardly a sure thing, but there are some strikeouts in the Seattle lineup (23.6%).
- The Angels are an intriguing stack here against Bryan Woo, who got crushed in his MLB debut last week against the Rangers. Shohei Ohtani ($3,800) is the clear standout with the platoon advantage, while Mike Trout ($3,600) is Mike Trout. The stack is easy to afford with no other hitter coming in over the $2,900 Taylor Ward. Ohtani should be a staple of your FD cash lineup today.
- Teheran has a 4.80 SIERA to go along with that 1.56 ERA, so the regression train should be arriving at the station soon. The A’s are never the most comfortable stack, but there is some talent here. Seth Brown ($2,500) and Ryan Noda ($2,900) are the standouts with the platoon edge over Teheran, who has struggled to contain LHBs for years and years. Jace Peterson ($2,500) is the next stop for value, while JJ Bleday ($2,400) has legitimate power. Esteury Ruiz ($3,100) is always worth a look in stacks thanks to his stolen base upside.
- Paul Blackburn isn’t the most thrilling pitcher on the other side of that game, so targeting some of Milwaukee’s flyball-hitting power bats is viable. Willy Adames ($3,000) stands out as a particularly terrific value alongside Rowdy Tellez ($2,900). Brian Anderson ($2,900) and Joey Wiemer ($2,900) offer some power potential, as well. The Brewers do have a solid 5.16 total in this spot.
- Sandoval is in play, but so are the Mariners’ power RHBs against him. Eugenio Suarez ($2,700) and Teoscar Hernandez ($2,600) really stand out, while you can get Dylan Moore ($2,000) for free. Julio Rodriguez ($3,700) is the core piece of any Seattle stack.
- The Guardians stack comes together affordably, so this is a nice option to consider if you’re paying for one of the premium pitchers. Jose Ramirez ($3,300), Josh Naylor ($3,000), and Andres Gimenez ($2,600) are the headliners at reasonable salaries, and we have seen JP France surrender some power early in his career.
- A few more value one-offs to consider are Dansby Swanson ($3,000), Jonah Bride ($2,100), Mitch Haniger ($2,800), and Luis Urias ($2,300).
- The DK slate is also headlined by an $11,000 Eovaldi, but the rest of the pitching options are wildly different. Joe Ryan ($10,600) gets a brutal draw at a low-strikeout Toronto, while the up-and-down Aaron Nola ($10,300) is at home against the Dodgers. Kodai Senga ($9,800) is a real wild card, as is his matchup against the Pirates. As we saw last night, Pittsburgh isn’t a total pushover anymore. Senga can spike huge strikeout games, but he’s difficult to trust. I’m inclined to side with Eovaldi if I’m paying all the way up at pitcher, but plunging for value isn’t the worst idea.
- Sandy Alcantara has endured some regression after his sparkling 2022, but he still has a long leash at a reasonable enough $9,500 salary. He’ll get a huge park downgrade in this one, but the White Sox aren’t the most fearsome offense. If you trust the recent breakout of Michael Kopech ($9,100), he’s certainly playable on the other side of that game. Miles Mikolas ($8,100) isn’t the most fun roster, but the Reds’ offense isn’t quite as potent away from their tiny home ballpark. Bobby Miller has come to the majors and tamed a few high-end offenses already, and he’ll get another tough matchup today at Philadelphia. He’s still underpriced on DK ($7,000) for his talent level, but the Phillies are still awfully dangerous.
- Coors should eat the lion’s share of the ownership on the hitting side, with the Padres standing out the most. Fernando Tatis ($6,300), Manny Machado ($5,300), and Xander Bogaerts ($5,400) look great, as does Gary Sanchez at just $4,000 if he cracks the lineup again today. Juan Soto lefty-lefty should go a little overlooked, especially at $6,100. You’ll have to make some dodgy decisions at pitcher if you want to afford the good stuff here, but it’s not the worst plan of action on a sketchy pitching slate. I’ll be brave and side with more than 9.5 fantasy points for Machado on Underdog, as that number is just too low for a matchup against the low-strikeout Freeland. If you’re new to the site, be sure to take advantage of our Underdog promo code for a 100% bonus on your first deposit of up to $100.
(See RotoGrinders projections directly on the Fantasy Pick’em sites with our browser extensions, available to premium users.)
- The Rockies aren’t as sexy to stack, but Randal Grichuk ($4,600), Elehuris Montero ($3,100), and Elias Diaz ($5,100) are passable targets against Weathers. Montero is worthy of cash consideration as a cheapie with power, but this is more of a tournament stack.
- We’re banking on that Teheran regression, so the A’s are certainly playable on DK, as well. Seth Brown, Ryan Noda, Ramon Laureano, JJ Bleday, and Jonah Bride are all south of $3,000, which is just silly, especially given the park upgrade. Esteury Ruiz leads the way at a whopping $3,400. This should be a somewhat popular team to pair with the pricey Padres, but it’s hard not to love it.
- We can find more value on the Twins side of things with Willi Castro ($2,500) and Michael A. Taylor ($2,000) against Bowden Francis, who’s taking over for the recently-demoted Alek Manoah in the Jays’ rotation. Trevor Larnach ($3,100), Alex Kirilloff ($3,300), and Max Kepler ($3,500) are 3 more reasonably-priced bats with the platoon advantage against the right-hander, though this lineup overall looks a little gross without Byron Buxton in it.
MLB Premium subscribers will have access to all of this data in LineupHQ, so be sure to keep checking there as we start getting the confirmed lineups and projections update. The very best P/$ plays tend to be pretty consistent throughout the day for MLB. That being said, projections can always change if someone is hitting higher in the order than initially projected or if a player with a low salary gets a spot start for an injured/resting player.
MLB DFS – RotoGrinders Premium Tools Pre-Lock
If you have any tough last-minute decisions or need some quick MLB DFS picks, our MLB Premium package also contains Consensus Value Rankings, an Expert Survey, and daily LineupHQ Premium tags from our MLB DFS experts.
And for up-to-the-minute news and analysis leading right up to lock, make sure to watch MLB Crunch Time later in the day.
Good luck today!