MLB DFS Playbook April 6: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Published: Apr 06, 2023
An MLB DFS slate that once started with six games is down to a four-game main slate on Thursday, April 6th, on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The slate kicks off at 1:05 pm EST too. It is in fact a Coors Field slate so congrats to all that celebrate. There are not many elite arms on the slate, but on two-pitcher sites, Kevin Gausman is like the highest rostered player of the day, even higher than the Rockies and Nationals. Be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the daily MLB projections, MLB DFS Ownership projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator. With all these tools you are set up to make some money on FanDuel or DraftKings before most people are even clocking out for the day.
MLB Weather Updates
We’ve had two games removed from the slate due to inclement weather, but all four games that are playing are in no danger of any bad weather.
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
The question of the day is to play Coors Field or not, and on a four-game slate there is going to be massive ownership towards that entire game. The leverage is to fade the game, but I'm personally very interested considering the pitchers taking the mound. After seeing the White Sox lineup, I give the slight edge to Alex Wood over Chris Sale as my third favorite pitcher on the board. On two-pitcher sites, it's Kevin Gausman and then pair him with who you think the next best arm is between Lance Lynn, Chris Sale and Alex Wood. My favorite stacks of the day are Coors Field, Boston Red Sox, and the Toronto Blue Jays.
Top Options for Strikeouts
Kevin Gausman 6.5 Ks (-102)
Chris Sale 6.5 Ks (-112)
Lance Lynn 6.5 Ks (-106)
Best Odds for a Win
Kevin Gausman vs. Kansas City Royals (-202)
Chris Sale vs. Detroit Tigers (-151)
Kyle Freeland vs. Washington Nationals (-147)
Lance Lynn vs. San Francisco Giants (-134)
Favorite Pitchers to use for DFS Lineups
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
I’m not the only one going to get to Gausman. In fact, he will be far and away the highest-owned arm of the slate. Gausman looked sharp in his debut and is the biggest favorite on the board at -205 on some books across the industry. Kansas City’s offense is off to a horrible start ranking 27th in OPS and wOBA.
Early in the 2023 campaign, only the Miami Marlins have struck out more than the San Francisco Giants. Sure, they have flashed a lot of power, but a 29.9% K-rate is hard to ignore. The 96 pitches were great to see out of the gate for Lynn, but he lacked control walking four batters. He had six strikeouts and that could be a repeat performance here against the Giants. Lynn is going to be one of the more popular SP2’s of the slate.
There was not much to like about Chris Sale’s first start as he allowed seven earned runs and only lasted three innings, but if there was a silver lining it was the six strikeouts. Detroit’s offense, despite winning a couple of games against the Astros, has not been great. They’re 26th in OPS and wOBA. Sale’s pitch count should top 80 pitches here and that might be enough considering what we’re looking at with pitching.
Recommended DFS Hitters
Highest Expected Run Totals
Colorado Rockies - 5.7
Washington Nationals - 4.92
Toronto Blue Jays - 4.7
Boston Red Sox - 4.45
Best Odds for a Home Run
C.J. Cron +280
Joc Pederson +300
Kris Bryant +310
Ryan McMahon +350
Favorite Hitters to use for DFS Lineups
Although lefties hit Josiah Gray harder, he allowed 38 total home runs and 16 came to right-handed bats. Cron had a .823 OPS, .209 ISO, and .354 wOBA against right-handed pitching last year. He also had a .299 ISO and a .400 wOBA in Coors last season.
Luis Robert Jr., Chicago White Sox
Right-handed bats beat Alex Wood up last year and Robert has started off 2023 hot. He also hit lefties at a solid .354 clip along with a .909 OPS and .390 wOBA. Wood, as I mentioned, allowed 16 of his 17 homers to righty bats and a .460 SLG% and .347 wOBA.
Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies
McMahon plays at a weak second base position and gets to hit off Josiah Gray who did nothing but serve up home runs on a silver platter to left-handed bats. Lefties had a 3.38 HR/9 against Gray last year and lifted the ball 61.8% of the time against him. McMahon had 17 of his 20 HR against RHP last year and posting a .779 OPS and .197 ISO against them.
Daulton Varsho, Toronto Blue Jays
I wish the Blue Jays had more lefty power bats, but Varsho will have to do. That’s where Jordan Lyles really struggles. He allowed 1.75 HR/9, .500 SLG%, and a .365 wOBA to lefties. Varsho hit 26 of his 27 bombs last year off righties and posting a .244 ISO and a .345 wOBA against them. This spot profiles as one that he leaves the yard in.
Lane Thomas, Washington Nationals
Lane Thomas had a very good second half of the 2022 last season and was very impactful against left-handed pitching all year. He had a .441 SLG%, .188 ISO, and .743 OPS against southpaws and he’s started off well against LHP in 2023 as well. Thomas should lead off here and he’s not only a power threat but he had eight stolen bases this year.
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