DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

DraftKings MLB: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.

PITCHER

Adam Wainwright, STL vs. SD ($10,400): This price isn't prohibitive enough to pass up the plus-matchup and Wainwright's current form. The veteran has allowed just one run through his past three outings with 19 strikeouts over 23 innings while limiting hitters to a .485 OPS. San Diego also ranks second-last in wOBA (.288) against right-handed hurlers.

Francisco Liriano, PIT vs. MIL ($6,800): Going down the rabbit hole with Liriano is obviously risky, but the matchup checks out, and he's been approaching serviceability through his past three outings. Milwaukee has the sixth-highest strikeout rate (23.4 percent), and Liriano has limited opponents to a .323 slugging percentage and a .297 wOBA over his latest three starts.

CATCHER

Nick Hundley, COL vs. ATL ($3,400): It's been a rough season for the backstop, and he's reeling along a 9-for-37 run in July. However, Hundley posted a .428 wOBA and 159 wRC+ at home against right-handed pitchers last season. This is well within flier territory, but the upside is there.

FIRST BASE

John Jaso, PIT vs. MIL ($3,100): An against-the-grain lean likely to go scarcely owned, Jaso has a solid .351 on-base percentage, .343 wOBA and 121 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers since 2014. Facing Matt Garza helps, as the veteran righty has served up a .362 OBP and .366 wOBA to lefty bats over the past two seasons.

SECOND BASE

Jed Lowrie, OAK vs. TB ($2,500): Given the minimum salary, Lowire is a viable target Thursday. He typically hits first or second against southpaws and has a respectable .334 wOBA and 111 wRC+ against lefties over the past two seasons. Keep expectations in check, but as far as basement-priced options go, Lowrie sets up to return profit.

THIRD BASE

Nolan Arenado, COL vs. ATL ($5,100): The star is 6-for-21 without an extra-base hit since the All-Star break, which lines him up nicely for a bounce-back outing at home Thursday. He has a .589 slugging percentage and .383 wOBA against righties over the past two seasons, and he's been even better at Coors Field against right-handed arms this year (.608 slugging percentage and .394 wOBA).

SHORTSTOP

Marcus Semien, OAK vs. TB ($4,800): Hope others are timid about the salary and avoid Semien, who has posted a .412 wOBA and 163 wRC+ against lefties this season, which is fueled by 10 home runs through 88 plate appearances. Matt Moore has also struggled on the road this season, allowing a .375 wOBA.

OUTFIELD

Carlos Gonzalez, COL vs. ATL ($5,300): A lineup building block Thursday, Gonzalez grabs an A+ matchup against Mike Foltynewicz (2.25 HR/9 and .396 wOBA allowed to lefties during his career), and the game is at Coors Field. It's an obvious chalk nod, but it's difficult to ignore Gonzalez's .464 wOBA and 178 wRC+ against right-handed arms at Coors this season.

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA at PHI ($4,600): Back in slugging form, Stanton has posted a .326 ISO, .395 wOBA and 149 wRC+ over the past 30 days. It isn't a dreamy matchup against Jerad Eickhoff (1.17 HR/9 allowed to right-handed hitters), but the wind is projected to be blowing out at Citizens Bank Park, and the asking price is reasonable.

Melky Cabrera, CWS vs. DET ($3,600): Going up against Mike Pelfrey (.376 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters dating back to last season) makes Cabrera an excellent value option. His high floor is supported by a respectable .339 wOBA and 114 wRC+ against righties since 2014.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only MLB Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire MLB fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neil Parker
A loyal Cubs, Cowboys and Maple Leafs fan for decades, Neil has contributed to RotoWire since 2014. He previously worked for USA Today Fantasy Sports.
What Does It Mean for Jared Jones to Be This Good This Early?
What Does It Mean for Jared Jones to Be This Good This Early?
MLB FAAB Factor: More Than the NFL Draft Happening
MLB FAAB Factor: More Than the NFL Draft Happening
Mound Musings: Their Stock Is on the Rise
Mound Musings: Their Stock Is on the Rise
Los Angeles Dodgers-Washington Nationals, Expert MLB Picks for Thursday, April 25
Los Angeles Dodgers-Washington Nationals, Expert MLB Picks for Thursday, April 25
MLB Picks: PrizePicks Plays and Strategy for Thursday, April 25
MLB Picks: PrizePicks Plays and Strategy for Thursday, April 25
MLB DFS: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Thursday, April 25
MLB DFS: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Thursday, April 25