FanDuel MLB Daily Fantasy Picks 6/4/19

Slate News, Injuries, Vegas Totals, & Weather

We are back with a normal size slate tonight, as yesterday’s three gamer was a snooze-fest. Tonight we have a mix of everything, although no Coors on the slate. There is some weather in the Kansas City-Boston game, but nothing that looks too serious. Overall it is a pretty good slate for weather. Los Angeles, Baltimore, Boston, Texas, Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Washington all have over a five implied total on the slate. Just a ridiculous amount of offense predicted tonight. Tampa Bay, Washington, New York, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles are all over -175 favorites.

Pitchers

Stephen Strasburg ($11,500) – While Stephen Strasburg comes in at a hefty price tag, he has some of the highest upside on the slate. There were a few blips on the radar for a few other guys I considered, like Luis Castillo‘s control issues of late, and price tags factoring in like Blake Snell and Hyun-Jin Ryu. All are strong options here tonight, but Stras is sitting pretty. He is a monster -258 home favorite against the White Sox, who have a 3.2 implied total. Strasburg has a 2.82 xFIP and 31% strikeout rate this season, and dating back to last season sits with a 3.25 xFIP and 29.6% strikeout rate. He gets a projected White Sox lineup that has a 24.5% strikeout rate against right-handers dating back to last season, but also a weak .311 wOBA and .146 ISO. With a combination of some mid-range and value plays, Strasburg is the top arm.

Cash Hitters

Aaron Hicks ($3,200) – If you are looking for cheaper exposure to the Yankees, Aaron Hicks is your guy. He has a .337 wOBA and .217 ISO off left-handed pitching since last season, but also has a 45% hard-contact rate. At just $3,200, hitting in the top of the order, we get a bargain price on him. Clayton Richard is on the hill, and has allowed a .350 wOBA, .186 ISO, and 43% hard-contact rate to right-handed hitters since last season. Richard relies on his sinker and slider mostly, which Hicks has a .188 ISO off sinkers, but struggles a bit against slider. Regardless, he is a strong play tonight.

Kris Bryant ($4,200) – It was tough to find a pay up bat, but Kris Bryant stands out tonight. Wrigley wind is blowing out, and the Cubs have over a six implied total. Jeff Hoffman has allowed over a .390 wOBA and .200 ISO to right-handers in his career, and since 2018 has allowed a .240 ISO to right-handed hitters. Most of the Cubs bats are in play tonight, so feel free to use other options besides Bryant. However, despite the shoulder injuries, dating back to last season he has a .357 wOBA and .175 ISO off right-handers. Hard-contact was down, but in 2019 alone he has a .392 wOBA and .241 ISO off right-handers with a 39% hard-contact rate. He looks back and healthy.

Alex Verdugo ($2,700) – Taking a similar approach, where we can get cheaper exposure to the top targets tonight. The Dodgers are other high total favorites, getting an inexperienced right-hander on the mound. Taylor Clarke hasn’t shown much strikeout upside in the minors, and has had a few rocky showing in the majors. Alex Verdugo has a .343 wOBA and .160 ISO off right-handers since last season. His contact rate is 85%, and he has a 43% hard-contact rate. Both strong signs from such a young hitter. At just $2,700, he is one of my favorite value outfielders on the board, and is in a plus spot against Clarke.

Tournament Hitters

Matt Adams ($3,000) – I could have written Juan Soto above for the 1000th time this season, but I will continue the trend of finding cheaper players with upside to pair with Strasburg. Matt Adams is one of them, who has a .250 ISO and .342 wOBA off right-handers dating back to last season. He faces a flyball right-hander. Reynaldo Lopez has allowed a .336 wOBA, .195 ISO, and 51% flyball rate to lefties since last season. His strikeout rate drips, and he gets away from his best pitch, the slider. Throwing a 95mph fastball 61% of the time to lefties isn’t going to do wonders. Adams also has a .250 ISO off this fastball range.

Danny Santana ($2,800) – Texas is pretty banged up right now, and we are going to see Danny Santana in the lineup tonight. He is a cheap switch hitting option and once again is cheap exposure to a high total team. He has a .351 wOBA and .169 ISO off right-handers this season. His hard-contact is at 46% and he has a line drive rate of 33% as well. Facing Dylan Bundy this is a strong matchup. Bundy has allowed a .375 wOBA, .215 ISO, and 45% flyball rate to left-handed hitters. Santana makes sense as another cheaper option, who has surprisingly fit in well this season after being in the minors for quite a while.

Max Muncy ($3,800) – How do we not continue to target Dodgers hitters, they have been one of the hottest teams in baseball, and the offense is a big reason why. Max Myncy has a .297 ISO and .411 wOBA off right-handed hitters since last season. His issue has been the strikeout rate, but given Taylor Clarke has zero strikeout stuff, this is a good spot. Muncy has a .250 ISO and .414 wOBA off his fastball range, and Calrke has allowed a .419 wOBA and .243 ISO to left-handed hitters since last season. At $3,800 he is a fine option if you have the extra cash. Outside of Bellinger, the Dodgers prices aren’t all that bad.