Sunday brings a sizable 10-game featured slate with a 1:35 p.m. ET lock time on DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo. Before you build lineups, several Stokastic tools can help identify daily MLB DFS Top Stacks, key pitchers and MLB DFS picks. Let’s dig into the player projections and popularity for DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo lineups, including RHP Michael Kopech and the Detroit offense.
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers
Main Slate Primary Pitching Target: RHP Sandy Alcantara vs. Oakland Athletics — 3.1 implied runs
First Pitch: 1:40 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $9,000 | FanDuel $9,700 | Yahoo $43
Oakland has a mere four victories in the last 26 games. It is no coincidence that three of those victories include three of the four times the Athletics have put more than a trio of runners across the plate during this stretch.
The Regression Monster has been feasting on RHP Sandy Alcantara this season, but this is the perfect get-right spot for the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Further underscoring this matchup is the fact Miami is -225 to win, per the sportsbooks. Don’t think too long on this one, just accept the give and move on.
For those not interested in riding with Alcantara, RHP Joe Ryan has a nice matchup against the Guardians. RHP Ben Lively is the discount du jour, though the pucker factor will be high against the Brewers who have a 5.1 implied run total as the guests in the Great American Ballpark.
Main Slate Secondary Pitching Target: RHP Michael Kopech vs. Detroit Tigers — 4.0 implied runs
First Pitch: 2:10 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $8,700 | FanDuel $9,300 | Yahoo $40
After a dreadful first month of the season that saw RHP Michael Kopech saddled with a 7.01 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 2.8 home runs per nine innings rate, May was a walk in the park. Kopech made six starts last month and rebounded with a 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Walks and home runs will lurk under the surface whenever Kopech is on the mound, but few matchups are better for right-handed pitching than the Detroit Tigers.
The Motor City Kitties were frisky last week and went 5-2, but this week they are back to reality with just one victory and 10 runs over six tilts. It also does not help that three of their frontline outfielders, Riley Greene, Matt Vierling and Kerry Carpenter, are on the injured list. The projected Detroit lineup is loaded with strikeouts, to the tune of 27.4% against right-handed pitching since the start of last year. Utilityman Andy Ibanez is the only player with a sub-23% strikeout rate during this timeframe.
Late Slate Pitching Target: RHP Tyler Wells at San Francisco Giants — 4.0 implied runs
First Pitch: 4:05 p.m. ET
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $7,900 | FanDuel $9,300 | Yahoo $45
For this afternoon’s three-game slate, both RHP Tyler Wells and RHP Zac Gallen have similar projections. While Gallen is the more established hurler, Wells does have a far more appealing salary and won’t line up against the dangerous Atlanta offense. This duo is the preferred pairing on DraftKings and Yahoo, where two pitchers are required for those roster formats.
Joc Pederson, Thairo Estrada and Joey Bart are all on the injured list, and Michael Conforto has missed the last three games with a bruised heel. Even if Conforto returns, the Giants will be without three of their best seven batsmen. This should help Wells, who does a decent job of limiting walks to around one per appearance, and who collects strikeouts nearly once per inning. The projected San Francisco lineup has five hitters who have struck out 25% or more over the last season and change against right-handed pitchers.
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MLB DFS Picks: Top Stacks
Main Slate Target: New York Mets vs. LHP Yusei Kikuchi — 4.6 implied runs
First Pitch: 1:40 p.m. ET
Even if we look back to his days with the Mariners, LHP Yusei Kikuchi is constantly teetering on the verge of disaster. When he isn’t coaxing groundballs from opposing hitters, his elevated walk, fly ball and home run rates are an extremely combustible combination.
We all know that Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor are strong options in the DFS world, but this duo also stands out in the sports wagering market. Lindor looks good for either total bases or hits and Alonso of course is the longball option. Looking at the new “True Odds” feature on OddsShopper, the other-worldly slugger is +425 to hit a home run on some books, which is a bonus since the market is around +400. That means his backers are essentially receiving a 6% profit boost based on the inefficient line that is currently available.
For those looking at some longshots, why not consider Mark Canha, who is likely to be towards the bottom of the order, but whose success against Kikuchi (5-for-17, .294 with two doubles, two home runs and four walks) make him appealing at +900 to hit a home run or at +300 to record over 1.5 total bases. Though he is a pinch-hit risk when a right-handed reliever comes into the game, he should get two at-bats against Kikuchi.
Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte, can be combined with Alonso and Lindor for a potent core four. Tommy Pham and Jeff McNeil are solid discount dandies, plus depending on where he is in the batting order, catcher Francisco Alvarez is a solid selection to fulfill the backstop requirement on DraftKings ($3,600).
Mid-Afternoon Slate Target: Chicago White Sox vs. LHP Matthew Boyd — 5.2 implied runs
First Pitch: 2:10 p.m. ET
While LHP Matthew Boyd will occasionally rack up strikeouts, his elevated walk rate and propensity for allowing power ultimately undo his efforts. In three of his last six starts, Boyd has allowed five or more runs. He is issuing a free pass nearly every other inning this season.
The White Sox have been dealing with a myriad of injuries, but at this time, the only notable name on the injured list is Billy Hamilton, who is basically a pinch runner at this point of his career. Chicago will be running out a parade of right-handed hitters, which could further contribute to a rough day for Boyd.
Tim Anderson and Luis Robert both have a long history of success against southpaws and should be near the top of the order. Veteran Jake Burger is a strong option on DraftKings ($3,300), particularly if he sees his name in a prominent slot on the lineup card.
Eloy Jimenez, Andrew Vaughn and switch-hitter Yoan Moncada are likely to be in their customary spots in the heart of the order. Clint Frazier or Romy Gonzalez can be used as extreme punt options or as differentiation plays if the White Sox project to be overrepresented in tournaments.
Late Slate Target: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. RHP Michael Soroka — 4.6 implied runs
First Pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
Hopefully, the name recognition attached to RHP Michael Soroka keeps The Masses away from the Arizona offense this afternoon. Of course, with only three games on the docket, no one team is likely to be overlooked by any conventional definition. Gamers will recall that Soroka was a prospect of note for Atlanta and made good on that mantle by earning an All-Star Game appearance in 2019 while finishing second to Pete Alonso in the National League Rookie of the Year vote.
During the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, Soroka became the youngest Opening Day Starter in Atlanta history, though he suffered an Achilles injury in his third outing of the season. There were setbacks and multiple surgeries that kept him out of the Majors until this year. Prior to his injury, Soroka got by with impeccable control and a high groundball rate. He needs double-plays to get out of jams as his career 7.12 strikeouts per nine innings does not translate to a lot of outs from the batter’s box.
The Arizona offense has a nice mix of power and speed, while also having a lineup loaded with batters willing to take a walk. Corbin Carroll brings all three skill sets from the left side of the plate, while Christian Walker is a righty bat with power who is not so fleet of foot. Switch-hitter Ketel Marte is always in play, and this trio can be augmented with Pavin Smith at the top of the order or speedster Jake McCarthy, who has returned from his Triple-A demotion and is firing on all cylinders now that his confidence is back.
Final Thoughts for Sunday, June 4 | MLB DFS Picks
Expect showers in Boston and Kansas City. Neither venue looks at risk of a postponement, but an in-game delay is possible.
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