This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We have eight games featured on the main slate for DraftKings today. The first pitch is at 12 p.m. EDT, with the Braves set to face the Phillies in a seven-inning, first part of a double-header. There appears to be a decent selection of arms to choose from this afternoon, with two standouts that could help your lineup building process.
Pitching
Lance Lynn, TEX vs LAA ($9,700): Hard to argue Jacob deGrom isn't the best option on the slate facing the Marlins, but Lynn has been equally impressive to start the season and comes in $1,900 cheaper then the Mets' ace. One thing you're definitely getting from Lynn is safety, as he's thrown over 100 pitches in all three starts and averaged at least six strikeouts or more. He's been on a tear since last season and held righties to a .219 average in 2019, which will help against an Angels' lineup that regularly deploys five to six righties. Granted, the Angels have a power bat or two in Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, but that shouldn't be enough for the efficiency Lynn has displayed consistently all last season and into 2020.
Sonny Gray, CIN at MIL ($9,400): Much like Lynn, you're getting a pitcher here that can go the distance. Gray has seen his pitch count rise in every start this season, with 102 in his most recent dismantling of the Indians in a six-inning, eight-strikeout gem. He gets a Brewers' team that looks to be a shell of itself after losing multiple players in the offseason, with Christian Yelich as their only real remaining threat. The Brewers lead the league in strikeouts per game with 11 and rank in the league's bottom half in runs scored at 3.58, so this sets up well for Gray to continue his early season success despite the Brewers being favored at home.
Top Targets
Mike Trout, LAA at TEX ($5,900): Even though Lynn looks to be one of the best plays on the slate, this is still Mike Trout and he's arguably the best hitter in baseball that hasn't stopped even when facing Lynn. In 18 at-bats against the Rangers' starter, Trout has produced five hits that includes two homers and three RBI. As a one-off to anchor your desired stacks, you can't do much better than the Angels' star slugger.
Nick Markakis, ATL at PHI ($4,300): Despite this game only set for seven innings, I think you can still target a few bats and one that stands out is Markakis facing Vince Velasquez. He has gone 9-for-22 lifetime against Velasquez with five RBI and four walks, and recently opted back into the 2020 season to which he responded with a solo shot versus the Blue Jays in just his second game.
Value Plays
Brett Gardner, NYY at TB ($3,600): Charlie Morton isn't someone I like to normally attack, but there's no denying the success Gardner has enjoyed when facing the Tampa Bay hurler. Going 8-for-20 with five extra base hits, three home runs and six RBI, it's pretty obvious he likes to take pitches from Morton and knows what to do with them. Gardner tends to bat lower in the order at this point in his career mostly due to the Yankees' star-studded lineup, but getting exposure at $3,600 is never a bad idea.
Ryan O'Hearn, KC vs MIN ($2,700): The Royals' power lefty seems to always sit under 3k, making him a great value when getting the platoon advantage, which he will receive facing Jose Berrios. It isn't only the platoon advantage that makes O'Hearn an attractive option today. There's also the 6-for-13, two-homer, four-RBI stat line he sports against the Twins' pitcher and he should slot in as the cleanup hitter provided he's able to play after leaving the game early Saturday night. By filling a position for only $2,700, we have to consider O'Hearn if we are trying to pay up for pitching and need the savings elsewhere.
Stacks to Consider
Mets vs Pablo Lopez: Pete Alonso ($4,500), Michael Conforto ($3,700), Jeff McNeil ($4,000)
Lopez looked solid in his first start against the Orioles, but heads on the road to face the Mets. He was extremely efficient with his 61 pitches, however the numbers will tell us he struggles versus lefties as his .303 opposing average in 2019 will show. Conforto and McNeil fit the bill of power left handers to target here and we'll round out the stack with Alonso, who should capture all the power we need to have this stack succeed.
Tigers vs Steven Brault: C.J. Cron ($3,100), Jonathan Schoop ($3,200), Austin Romine ($3,000)
You can make this stack well under $20,000 if including as a five-man unit, provided we're paying up for pitching. The Tigers strike out at a high clip by averaging 10.83 per game. They can surprise at times and could prove to be a pesky opponent for Brault. He just faced them a few days ago and got shelled, giving up four earned runs before being chased out of the game after only 32 pitches. Brault lacks K upside, which greatly benefits a high strikeout team like the Tigers. The trio listed above also fills infield spots, leaving your valuable OF positions available even if you make it a full five-man stack.
