Introduction
Today’s MLB DFS slate on DraftKings presents an intriguing mix of high-ceiling stacks and pitchers, with some teams and players standing out as top options based on the simulated data. This analysis breaks down the key insights from the data, highlighting the best stacks, pitcher rankings, and top player exposures. Whether you’re playing in cash games or GPPs, this guide will help you make informed decisions.
Top Stacks to Consider
The simulations have identified a few team stacks that are particularly promising for today’s slate:
- San Francisco Giants (SF):
- Top Stacks Simulated: SF is the top stack
- HR Potential: The Giants rank high in simulated home runs (HR) and HR RBIs, making them a solid option for power upside.
- Best Matchups: San Francisco bats are also favored when facing today’s slate of starting pitchers, particularly against Jonathan Cannon, who is listed as the Worst SP.
- Kansas City Royals (KC):
- Team Bats Ranking: KC is tied for the top spot in terms of batting rankings.
- GPP Stacks: KC also ranks highly as a top GPP stack, suggesting their lineup could be an under-the-radar option with high upside.
- Oakland Athletics (OAK):
- Above Average Expectation: OAK is the most frequent team with counts showing above average expectations, with five counts noted. This implies a strong performance against today’s starters, particularly Taj Bradley, who is highlighted as a pitcher in trouble.
Pitching Breakdown
When it comes to selecting pitchers, it’s crucial to focus on both their upside and the matchup they face. Here are the top pitchers based on the SP Rankings:
- Yusei Kikuchi (TOR):
- Positive Points: Kikuchi tops the list with 36 positive points, making him a top option for your DFS lineups.
- Matchup: He faces BOS, who only has 1 count under Above Average Expectation, indicating a favorable matchup.
- Kevin Gausman (TOR):
- Solid Performance: With 29 positive points, Gausman is another top-tier option, though his matchup against CIN might present some challenges as CIN bats aren’t heavily favored.
- Gavin Stone (LAD):
- Consistency: Stone’s 24 positive points suggest a strong potential performance against SEA.
- Michael King (NYY):
- Balanced Output: With 23 positive points, King has a balanced risk/reward profile, facing MIN, which has some exposure but is not a heavy threat.
SPs in Trouble
Three pitchers stand out as being in potentially problematic matchups today:
- Taj Bradley (TB):
- High Exposure to OAK: Bradley is facing an Oakland team that is identified as a team with above average expectations, making him a risky play today.
- Yusei Kikuchi (TOR):
- Slight Concerns: While Kikuchi is a top SP, BOS has some exposure, meaning there’s a slight risk, but the upside outweighs the downside.
- Michael King (NYY):
- Facing MIN: King also has a tricky matchup against MIN, who shows some above average expectations.
Below Average/Poor Performance
- Chicago White Sox (CWS): The White Sox have been flagged for potential poor performance 10 times, making them a team to avoid. Their struggles could benefit Kyle Harrison, making him a more appealing, albeit risky, option on the mound.
Top Simulated Exposures
Finally, here are the players with the highest simulated exposures across various positions, which can help you build balanced and high-upside lineups:
- SP: Yusei Kikuchi, Michael King, Taj Bradley
- C: Cal Raleigh, Salvador Perez, Danny Jansen
- 1B: LaMonte Wade Jr., Pete Alonso, Brandon Lowe
- 2B: Michael Massey, Lenyn Sosa, Zack Gelof
- 3B: Matt Chapman, Mark Vientos, Josh Jung
- SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Tyler Fitzgerald, Corey Seager
- OF: Mike Yastrzemski, Michael Conforto, MJ Melendez, Nick Martini, Hunter Renfroe, Jo Adell
Conclusion
Today’s slate offers plenty of opportunities for DFS players on DraftKings, with strong options for both stacks and pitchers. The Giants, Royals, and Athletics stand out as top team stacks, while Yusei Kikuchi, Kevin Gausman, and Gavin Stone are among the best pitching options. However, be cautious with pitchers like Taj Bradley, who faces a potentially explosive Oakland lineup.
Using this analysis to guide your lineup construction should give you a solid foundation for success in today’s DFS contests.