MLB DFS Slate Preview: Saturday, June 3
Taylor Smith previews the Saturday, June 3rd 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 quite a few games scattered throughout this Saturday, but we’re here to talk about the 8-game slate that gets underway at 4:05 ET. There are a few solid young pitchers on this slate, but we don’t have nearly as many aces on the board as we did last night. One good thing to note about the slate is that all 8 games start within 5 minutes of each other, so we’ll have all the lineups in time for lock. Things also look a little quiet on the weather front, which is nice on the heels of last night’s Rays-Red Sox postponement. Let’s get a bird’s-eye view of this one, shall we?
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.
- Roth’s early report says some storms should roll into DC this evening, but PHI/WAS should be over before the trouble starts. That game’s a GREEN as a result.
- MIL/CIN and COL/KC are both GREEN/YELLOW for the chance of a pop-up storm. It’s also in the 90s in Cincinnati, which will make what is already a hitter-friendly park even more so.
- TOR/NYM has cool temps and winds blowing in from center, but no precip to worry about. This is good pitching weather in a pitcher-friendly park.
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.
- Matt Strahm will serve as the Phillies’ opener today in Washington. Dylan Covey was originally scheduled to start, but it’s still possible he comes in to handle a few innings after Strahm departs. In related news, the Nationals could be a decent value stack today.
- The Brewers put Tyrone Taylor and Darin Ruf on the IL. Astros legend Jon Singleton was called up and will start today at first base.
- We have Jason Delay projected to start behind the plate for the Pirates after Austin Hedges’ 1-for-4 effort in that role last night. Andrew McCutchen should lead off against lefty Jordan Montgomery, while Mark Mathias should crack the lineup as well.
- The Mariners will call up Bryan Woo to start in place of Marco Gonzales today in Arlington. Woo is one of the Mariners’ top pitching prospects, but he’s not in the player pool on DraftKings or FanDuel. The Rangers have a decent 4.86 implied run total against him. Mike Ford started at first for Seattle last night, but Ty France should play that position today. AJ Pollock should draw a start against lefty Andrew Heaney.
- Texas activated Mitch Garver from the IL yesterday, but he didn’t start. Garver is really just a DH option at this point with Jonah Heim holding down the starting catcher spot, but we’ll see if he cracks the lineup today.
- TJ Friedl missed last night’s game with a hamstring injury, and he’s questionable to play today. We have him projected to lead off against Colin Rea if he’s good to go. Stuart Fairchild started in Friedl’s spot last night.
- Nick Fortes should be back in the lineup today after sitting out of last night’s game.
- Zach Neto came out of last night’s game after getting hit on the foot by a pitch. Luis Rengifo came in to replace him at short. We have lefty Livan Soto projected to start tonight against Cristian Javier. Mickey Moniak could also replace Taylor Ward in the outfield for the Halos.
- We have Matt Duffy projected to lead off for KC today against left-hander Austin Gomber, with Maikel Garcia and Freddy Fermin also cracking the lineup.
- With that hitter-friendly weather in Cincy, the Brewers and Reds look like outstanding stacks today. Colin Rea has been weirdly effective this season for Milwaukee, but a 5.13 total is extremely high by the Reds’ standards. Milwaukee (5.37) looks even better against Graham Ashcraft, though he does have some groundball ability. The Rangers face a relatively unknown commodity in Woo, but this offense is certainly talented enough to give him some headaches in his MLB debut. Patrick Sandoval is one of the better pitchers on the slate, but the Astros’ lineup tends to profile more favorably against left-handed pitching.
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.
- Most of the top pitchers on today’s slate are facing good offenses. Cristian Javier ($10,800) is the priciest pitcher on the board at home against the Angels, while you can save some salary with Andrew Heaney ($9,800) vs. Seattle or MacKenzie Gore ($9,600) vs. Philadelphia. I’d expect ownership to congregate around Eury Perez ($9,300) at home against Oakland. People love top prospects, and people love picking on the A’s.
- The value options aren’t great, but Jordan Montgomery ($8,300) and Daniel Lynch ($7,700) have winnable matchups against the Pirates and Rockies, respectively. We saw Jordan Lyles of all people strike out 8 of these Rockies just last night, and Lynch has more whiffs in his game. Rostering the lower-strikeout Montgomery is a grind, but the park should help. Tylor Megill ($7,500) is another potential cheapie to consider with pitcher-friendly weather at home tonight, but the matchup against the Blue Jays is suboptimal.
- Texas looks like a good stack, but they won’t come cheap on FanDuel. Woo brings a traditional split from the right side, but we’re paying premiums for Corey Seager ($3,700) and Jonah Heim ($3,400), while all of Jung, Garcia, and Semien are $3,600 or higher. Nate Lowe ($3,300) looks fine, while Robbie Grossman ($2,900) is a decent value.
- Heaney is a fine option against a Seattle lineup that’ll strike out, but this guy will also yield plenty of power, particularly to RHBs. Julio Rodriguez ($3,700) is one of my favorite bats on the slate at any position, while there’s useful value here with Ty France, Eugenio Suarez, Teoscar Hernandez, and AJ Pollock all checking in south of $3,000. I also like taking higher than 8.5 fantasy points for J-Rod on Underdog, as he’s capable of topping that number with one glorious swing. If you’re a new player over there, be sure to take advantage of our Underdog Fantasy promo code for a 100% match 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.)
- STL looks like an excellent stack again today against Luis Ortiz. Ortiz has flashed some talent on occasion, but his numbers so far this season are horrific. A 14% strikeout rate next to an 11% walk rate and a 5.51 SIERA means he’s a guy we can pick on. Brendan Donovan ($2,700) is one of the best values on the board at any position, while Jordan Walker ($2,700) is back in our lives on the heels of his promotion yesterday. Willson Contreras ($2,800) and Tommy Edman ($2,800) can help you afford to get up to Paul Goldschmidt ($3,900), Nolan Gorman ($3,600), and Nolan Arenado ($3,400).
- The MIL/CIN game is the top hitting environment, of course. TJ Friedl ($2,800) looks phenomenal if he’s back in the lineup leading off. The most expensive bats in the Reds’ lineup are Matt McLain and Spencer Steer at $3,400 each, while Jake Fraley ($3,200) is another useful value with the platoon edge against Rea. I’m semi-concerned about Ashcraft’s groundball ability against the groundball-hittin’ Brewers, but Rowdy Tellez, Brice Turang, and Abraham Toro stand out as the flyball guys. Christian Yelich ($3,400) has shown signs of life lately, and I’d expect him to be popular today.
- More value bats I like today include MJ Melendez ($2,800), Trea Turner ($3,100), William Contreras ($2,900), and Seth Brown ($2,600). I suppose we can also go back to the well with Jose Abreu ($2,400), who miraculously hit the ball over the fence last weekend.
- Javier ($10,600) is the most expensive pitcher on DraftKings too, but we’re getting more noteworthy discounts on all of Heaney ($8,800), Gore ($9,200), and Perez ($8,700). I do think Javier is worth paying up for in GPPs against an Angels lineup whiffing at a higher-than-usual rate (25.5%) this season, but I think pairing a couple of the cheaper arms is the way to go in cash games. I’d expect Heaney and Perez to be the most popular pairing, while a matchup with the Phillies could scare the ownership down a bit on Gore.
- Lynch is worth a shout at only $6,800 on DK, as well. The Rockies really aren’t much better than the A’s at this point, and they’re an offense we can target every single day they’re away from Coors Field. Lynch is also a solid prospect, so it’s not like we’re throwing a dart with a total jabroni here. Montgomery ($7,800) is also on the radar for tournaments, but I’d rather get up to the higher-strikeout Perez/Heaney/Gore group or just take the extra savings with Lynch.
- The Mariners don’t project as well as a value stack over here, but Hernandez ($3,400) and Pollock ($2,300) are decent one-offs with power against the power-prone Heaney. The Rangers are all projecting for single-digit ownership against Woo, and I’d imagine their massive salaries have a lot to do with that.
- Brendan Donovan ($2,900) is also super-cheap on DK, but the rest of the stack is pricey. The better value stack here is probably the Royals against Austin Gomber. You’ll have to pay up for your Bobby Witt ($5,500) and Salvador Perez ($5,200), but everyone else here is under $4,000 against a hittable lefty. KC has a 5.18 total, which is the third-highest on the board.
- Yelich ($4,400) and Tellez ($4,100) should be popular in the aforementioned home run derby game, but the Reds side looks a little overlooked from an ownership standpoint. Friedl ($4,000), Fraley ($4,600), and McLain ($4,500) are the first stops in stacks, while Fairchild ($2,500) is a nice value if he gets into the lineup. Steer ($3,900) is cheap enough to one-off at first base even if you’re not stacking Cincy.
- Joey Wiemer ($2,100) and Jon Singleton ($2,000) headline the punt bats today, while I don’t mind looking at Dominic Smith ($2,100), Jared Walsh ($2,100), Brian Anderson ($3,100), Abraham Toro ($2,700), or Alec Burleson ($2,500) as cash options.
MLB Premium subscribers will have access to all of this data in LineupHQ, so be sure to keep checking there as we start getting the confirmed lineups and projections update. The very best P/$ 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!