After looking at all of the tools available on FantasyAlarm, the example lineups page should be used to help validate your thoughts, as well as help you consider some options that may not have been on your radar for the slate.  In addition to the example lineups, below you will find a breakdown of possible routes to take when building your MLB lineups tonight.  While we are focused on FanDuel and DraftKings, this breakdown can be used for all sites.  Please use our live chat features to share your thoughts, and receive any feedback leading up to first pitch.  Good luck!

With a large slate, there are plenty of routes to take, and therefore, not every player in a good spot will be mentioned below.

 

Pitching: 

I always start my lineup building with pitching, as it’s the most important part of building your lineups. I tend to look for pitchers who I believe can pitch six innings, strike out six, and give up no more than two runs.  Feel free to set up whatever parameters you want to, but you should set yourself some type of “floor” when it comes to how you select your pitchers.

If paying up for pitching, I think the field will go with Corey Kluber if playing cash games, with the possible pivot move to Shohei Ohtani for gpp’s.  Although Kluber is an elite option with the best chance for a win, you can rack up some K’s with some much cheaper pitchers in Patrick Corbin , as well as some slightly cheaper options.  Alex Wood will likely be a highly owned #2 SP on DK, unless you’re willing to go Yonny Chirinos .  Him and Kluber are a combined $16.8K, and Wood did just hit for 0.1 DK points in his last start.

Thoughts from the FantasyAlarm Team:  Our pitching coach today, Jon henry Holt, likes both Kluber and Corbin if paying up, with Wood and Zack Wheeler as mid-priced targets.  He’s willing to pay nothing for Chirinos as a fyler, and Trevor Cahill as his sneaky gpp play.

Our projections for FD have Kluber at the top, with six pitchers bunched together within three points in the next tier.  Michael Foltynewicz was the lowest priced of that bunch.  Kluber remains at the top on DK, with Chirinos and Wood as the top value options.

 

Top Hitting Targets:  

On FD, I think avoiding a catcher outside of stacks, due to the deep first base options, is the way to go on most nights.  On DK, plenty of backup catchers have made it into their team’s lineups if looking to punt.  Best to target one on a team you are already targeting.  If paying up and in the lineup, Yasmani Grandal would be my preferred play over Evan Gattis .

As mentioned in the playbook, I think first base is stacked tonight, and hoping it will keep ownership spread out.  There are plenty of options to go with, and could be best to wait and see your salary restrictions if not fully 100% on a certain player.

Expect to see plenty of Daniel Robertson , or possibly Eric Sogard in cash game lineups tonight as value plays.  I’m not against a Sean Rodríguez pivot either.  Bettis has been talking up Iannetta for his quick start, but he is not catching today.   Jason Kipnis is stuck in a mid-priced spot, and can always pay up for Ozzie, Cano, Altuve, or Kinsler.

Third base is pretty similar to second as the option to go cheap is there with Christian Villanueva , Travis Shaw , and a few others depending on which teams you are looking to target.  If paying up, prefer Chapman or Ramirez over Bryant.

As mentioned in the playbook, I’m not really feeling the shortstop position tonight.  Francisco Lindor would be my preferred option if paying up, but Corey Seager and Carlos Correa are in solid spots as well.  If you liked Robertson or Sogard at second, they are both 2B/SS eligible on DK.

OF is always wide open, as I feel the sites want you to punt with one of the three spots, as well as pay up for one of them.  I don’t think you have to fully pay up for Harper or Trout, but I do like George Springer ’s spot tonight, with Nelson Cruz as a solid FD play from the same game.  Matt Joyce will likely be a popular play on DK, while the Reds and Brewers options are also in play, led by Ryan Braun , Lorenzo Cain , Adam Duvall , and Billy Hamilton .  The Rays and Rangers will likely be top targets to find value from if looking elsewhere. OF does provide the most flexibility, and sometimes best to wait to see what your salary restrictions could be before filling that last OF spot.

Thoughts from the FantasyAlarm Team:  Our hitting coach today, Brett Talley, like the Yankees if playing the all day FD slate, and Freddie Freeman in a non-cold atmosphere if paying up.  He likes Matt Olson , Shaw, and Dexter Fowler as mid-tier plays, and Joyce is joined by Austin Jackson as a value option.

Our projections have Ryan Braun and Cody Bellinger as the top projected plays, with Matt Joyce as the highest projected of the cheaper priced options.  Austin Jackson is the top point per dollar value.  On DK, Trea Turner jumps above Braun and Belly to take the top spot.  While Joyce leads the points per dollar spot on DK, Jason Kipnis isn’t too far behind.

 

GPP’s: 

If playing gpp’s, your best approach is stacking.  Pick a game, or two teams that you think will blast off, and go all in on them.  Yes, entering your cash lineup, or another type of lineup can cash in a gpp, but if looking to finish in the top 1%, you need to hit with a stack. Small slate you’ll see stacking combos from every team in your gpp’s tonight.  I like a full game stack tonight in the Reds/Brewers, and like my chances with an Indians stack.  I listed a few other packs in the playbook. 

Thoughts from the FantasyAlarm Team:  Our stacking coach today, James Grande, likes the Houston bats to break out vs Miranda, as well as the 60,000 plus fans getting their free game look at some Oakland homers.  James likes the Cards and Padres as lower owned stack options.

 

Final Thoughts:

FanDuel:  I would go Kluber or Corbin, one of the $2.5K or under second baseman, Shaw or Villanueva at third, and then go cheaper in two OF spots, while using Springer or down to Cruz with the third spot. Of course, not going Kluber opens up plenty of salary to spend up elsewhere. 

DraftKings:  DK mainly comes down to how you approach pitching.  Taking Kluber is something I plan to do, but just can’t pull the trigger personally on Chirinos.  Won’t fault you if you do, but will likely lean Wood or Corbin as the #2 SP.  Plenty of solid catchers under $2.9K to target, two cheap Tampa players, Sogard, Springer, and Braun will likely be my core.  Adding in Villanueva leaves $4.4K per player for the last two spots with Wood, and $3.6K with Corbin.