MLB DFS Hitting Picks for 6/12: Let’s Go O’s

160

Wednesday slates are almost always based off a full schedule, but we have just 11 games here for some reason. That’s the perfect amount for a DFS slate though, as we have games spread all throughout the day. The good news is that we really don’t have much weather concerns, with Philly and Atlanta looking like the only questionable forecasts. For more info on that, check in with Mark Paquette prior to submitting lineups. 

Catcher  

Victor Caratini, CHC at COL 

DK ($4,200)   FD ($3,100) 

With Willson Contreras playing Tuesday night, we have to assume that Caratini will enter the lineup in a day game here. That makes him a heck of a bargain, as Caratini is not priced up like most Coors Field bats. This guy has quietly been a fantastic backup catcher too, posting a .333 average and .977 OPS in 54 at-bats this season. That’s all you can ask for from someone in this price range, especially considering he gets to face a pitcher with a 4.95 ERA and 1.53 WHIP, pitching in a hitter’s haven like Coors Field. 

Also Consider: Pedro Severino and Danny Jansen are both in play in the Baltimore-Toronto matchup

First Base 

Chris Davis, BAL vs. TOR 

DK ($2,900)   FD ($2,100) 

Alright, let’s get crazy. Davis has been one of the laughingstocks of baseball for over a year now but I’m calling my shot here and predicting that he goes yard at a near minimum price. The main reason for that is because he gets to face Edwin Jackson, who’s pitching to an 11.90 ERA and 2.24 WHIP so far this season. Those are embarrassing numbers and we love Davis’ power potential with the platoon advantage in his favor. We’re still talking about a guy who has an .821 OPS against righties and a .490 SLG while providing a .230 career ISO. His recent numbers aren’t even close to that, but facing Jackson could help him to rewind to some of that power potential.  

Also Consider: If you’re looking for someone safer, Anthony Rizzo is hard to overlook against a gas can like Antonio Senzatela in Coors Field. 

Second Base  

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. TOR at BAL 

DK ($4,500)   FD ($2,800) 

Let’s keep the value plays rolling, as Gurriel has been a different player since his demotion to the minors. Since being called up on May 24, Gurriel is hitting .327 while accruing a 1.100 OPS in those 15 games. Those are elite numbers and the Blue Jays have rewarded him by moving him up to the three-hole. What we like about him here is that he gets to face David Hess, who’s posting a 7.08 ERA and 1.51 WHIP to match his .391 wOBA and .394 xwOBA. 

Also Consider: Cesar Hernandez has taken over leadoff duties in the absence of Andrew McCutchen and gets a quality matchup against Merrill Kelly at an affordable price.

Third Base 

Nolan Arenado, COL vs. CHC 

DK ($5,100)   FD ($4,800) 

It’s weird to say that Arenado is a value on DraftKings but that’s the case here. His price actually dropped about $500 and it’s hard to understand why. Arenado is quite simply one of the best hitters in the league and we love him at Coors Field with the platoon advantage in his favor. Since the beginning of 2017, Arenado has a 1.237 OPS against southpaws while generating a 1.082 OPS at home in that same span. That means we’re looking at an OPS approaching 1.500 when he faces a lefty at home, which is obviously absurd. The slugging third baseman is scorching-hot right now too, tallying a .385 average and 1.103 OPS over his last 20 games.  

Also Consider: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. makes a great two-man stack with Gurriel, as he too gets that spectacular matchup against Hess. 

Shortstop 

Jonathan Villar, BAL vs. TOR 

DK ($4,600)   FD ($3,100) 

With Edwin Jackson’s disastrous numbers emphasized in the Davis write-up, let’s go with an Orioles bat who’s a bit safer. The main thing we love about Villar is that he gets to lead off for Baltimore, as that lineup slot alone makes him a great fantasy option with the Orioles projected for more than five runs. The leadoff role, paired with the fact that he bats better from the left side, makes Villar a premium play, with the Baltimore shortstop posting an OPS just shy of .800 against righties so far this season. Not to mention, facing a right-hander nearly triples Villar’s chances to steal a bag, which is huge for his value too. 

Also Consider: Manny Machado remains super cheap on both sites and will inevitably see his price increase some time down the road. 

Outfield 

Kyle Schwarber, CHC at COL 

DK ($5,000)   FD ($3,600) 

This increase in price tells you everything you need to know about Schwarber, as he’s been a different player since moving to the leadoff spot. In fact, Schwarber has nine homers, 22 runs scored and 18 RBI over his last 25 games en route to a .946 OPS. The last seven games have been even more impressive, with the lefty outfielder providing a .793 SLG in that span. Elite power from a leadoff hitter is huge for DFS purposes and we haven’t even taken into consideration this stellar matchup. Not only does Schwarber get the platoon advantage against Senzatela, he also gets to rake in the best hitter’s park in the Majors. 

Wil Myers, SD at SF 

DK ($4,100)   FD ($2,800) 

One may look at Myers’ season-long numbers and be discouraged, but there are things I like. The first is he has 11 homers and eight steals, as that puts him right on track for about 28 homers and 20 steals. You can’t argue with numbers like that and he’s been seeing the ball much better recently. Over his last 15 games, Myers has four homers, four steals and 10 runs scored en route to a .390 OBP and .890 OPS. Shaun Anderson is not a pitcher we need to worry about either, posting a 4.71 FIP, 1.36 WHIP and .367 xwOBA so far this season. 

Yordan Alvarez, HOU vs. MIL 

DK ($4,000)   FD ($2,900) 

Let’s marvel at these minor league statistics real quick. In Triple-A this season, Alvarez led all hitters with 23 homers and 71 RBI in 56 games played. That led to a .443 OBP and 1.185 OPS, which are simply bonkers statistics. That’s why he got the call-up and batted fifth in his debut, rewarding his manager with a dinger in each of his first two games. Facing Brandon Woodruff is no easy chore but it’s hard to argue with that sort of production from a player priced so reasonably. 

Also Consider: Nelson Cruz is on a homer streak and remains too cheap on both sites.