MLB starting lineups for today's games are essential whether you're betting on the MLB or playing fantasy baseball. Check out our guide to know which ones to keep an eye on and how to best use them to your advantage. And if you're playing daily fantasy baseball, we recommend checking out our MLB DFS optimizer to create your own lineups.
Starting lineups once set, including starting pitchers, for each game impact MLB odds and also affect DFS values on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel. There are DFS contests each day during the regular season and any time there is a game in the playoffs. You can find all of the games scheduled today above on this page. No matter the date, you can utilize the tools on the site to research like you're a manager.
And if you still need a way to make MLB picks, be sure to sign up with the Underdog promo code.
What Is a Starting Lineup in Baseball?
A Major League Baseball lineup includes a pitcher, a catcher, three outfielders, and four infielders. Each person in the lineup contributes in their own way, whether offensively or defensively. The fantasy lineup is similar. Single-year leagues can have different draft strategies. Single-year leagues present a long-term challenge, where the greater picture is the focus.
Daily Fantasy Leagues are a quick challenge, with the ability to craft a new lineup daily. Pitcher matchups, game location, and weather are just a few factors that can affect which lineup to draft for your daily fantasy leagues. You can also use odds to help project outcomes or bet.
The Basics
Starting rosters look the same as the lineup card given to the umpire. Creating a fantasy lineup will include drafting multiple starting pitchers, multiple relief pitchers, and a utility spot as a starter. Any offensive position from the catcher to the outfield can use the utility spot. You can also find starters who are righties and lefties.
Aside from the utility spot and the pitching positions, an MLB DFS team must include a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, and three outfielders.
MLB Lineups Statistics to Follow
Here are some key stats to pay attention to when examining starting MLB lineups:
At Bats (AB)
At bats, often abbreviated using AB, is any plate appearance that results in either a hit to get on base or an out. Certain plate appearances, such as walks, sacrifice bunts, or RBIs that result in an out, do not count towards official ABs.
Run (R) & Runs Batted In (RBI)
Any time a player crosses home plate, they are awarded a run to their stat line. RBIs are calculated in a variety of way. Any hit resulting in a run scored is tallied towards the RBI stat line. However, a player can also pick up an RBI for any plate appearance resulting in a run. A bases loaded walk would result in an RBI. A deep fly ball that allows the runner on third to tag and go home is also an RBI. If a player hits a home run, they are awarded a hit, a run, and an RBI.
Hit (H): 2b, 3b, HR
A hit is awarded to a player that has put a ball in play that results in that player being awarded a base. A single would be 1b. A double is 2b. A triple is 3b. Any hit that is a home run would just be abbreviated as HR in fantasy baseball circles.
Base on Balls (BB)
A base on balls, indicated by BB, is when a batter receives four pitches outside the strike zone and gets a free pass to first base. This also helps a batter's on-base percentage.
Strikeouts (K)
A batter gets three strikes before they record an out. This negatively affects their on-base percentage. Going beyond fantasy baseball, when a strikeout is indicated with a backward K, that means the batter struck out looking. You also might find betting on pitcher props worthwhile.
How to Use the MLB Starting Lineups in DFS Play
Defining your target strategy is the first step in crafting a baseball fantasy lineup. Is your league built to favor defense or offense? Daily fantasy leagues typically cater to offense and thus should be the basis of your target players. Looking for righty and lefty batting splits against pitching, success at certain ballparks, and history against teams are other factors for creating your lineup.
Also review bullpens and bullpen usage throughout the week, which could favor or hinder certain batters. And if you want to bet on baseball, make sure to check out MLB betting picks strategy and what we think are best MLB betting apps.
Why MLB Starting Lineups Are Important for Playing Fantasy Baseball
We already gave an example of scoring at PrizePicks, but scoring can look drastically different among sites. FanDuel and DraftKings are among the first daily fantasy providers, and arguably the most popular, so let us break down their scoring chart.
FanDuel
Hitters are awarded the following points:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| 1B | 3pts |
| 2B | 6pts |
| 3B | 9pts |
| HR | 12pts |
| RBI | 3.5pts |
| R | 3.2pts |
| BB | 3pts |
| SB | 6pts |
| HBP (Hit by pitch, awarded first base) | 3pts |
Pitchers are awarded the following points:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 6pts |
| Quality Start | 4pts |
| ER | -3pts |
| SO | 3pts |
| IP | 3pts, or 1 point per out recorded as pitcher. |
DraftKings
Hitters earn points in the following categories:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| 1B | 3pts |
| 2B | 5pts |
| 3B | 8pts |
| HR | 10pts |
| RBI | 2pts |
| Run | 2pts |
| BB | 2pts |
| HBP (Hit by pitch, awarded first base) | 2pts |
| SB | 5pts |
Pitchers are awarded the following points:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| IP | 2.25pts, or 0.75 pts per out recorded as pitcher |
| K | 2pts |
| Win | 4pts |
| ER | -2pts |
| Hit Against | -0.6pts |
| BB | -0.6pts |
| Hit Batsman | -0.6pts |
| Complete Game | 2.5pts |
| Complete Game Shutout | 2.5pts |
| No Hitter | +5pts |
MLB Starting Lineup Picks Overview
As mentioned, stacking is a strategy that provides extreme highs and lows. A stack is useful if you believe a team has a significant edge over a team's pitching or hitting. You can also use odds to find the most stackable teams. However, the sport is as unpredictable as the weather, and it is part of what makes fantasy baseball great. We have tried stacking, and it's a mixed bag of results.
A more mild strategy involves utilizing players that provide low risk. In a baseball lineup, batters that hit fifth or higher are often the better hitters on their team. Drafting a lineup with just hitters that bat fifth or higher could yield better results.
Picking players that present as long shots is not useful as a strategy in daily fantasy leagues. A single is a single regardless of the batter.
Other Ways to Bet on Baseball
Live betting is also a popular avenue for sports wagering which can be found at any reputable sportsbook. Be aware that odds are always subject to change due to factors such as lineup alterations, including pitching changes, or if a game is postponed to a later date.
MLB Starting Lineups FAQ
Want to learn more about crafting the perfect MLB starting lineup? Read these common questions and answers we've compiled below.
When are MLB lineups released?
Lineups can be released up to four hours before the first pitch but are not officially set until the card is given to the umpire.
Do MLB lineups ever change?
MLB lineups usually don’t change. However, they can still happen, mostly due to injuries, strategy, or rest, shifting right before game time. These changes can affect how players bet, like if a star sits or a rookie steps in.
What positions are on the MLB lineup?
A lineup in baseball consists of a catcher, pitcher, left fielder, center fielder, right fielder, shortstop, first baseman, second baseman, and third baseman.
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