:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69168882/1232185192.5.jpg)
Thursday’s main DraftKings MLB slate has a start time of 6:10 p.m. ET. For up-to-the-minute news related to today’s DraftKings MLB slate, download the DK Live app and follow DK Live on Twitter at @dklive.
The idea of this fantasy baseball rankings page is to rank the top DraftKings options in each salary range, helping you make quick decisions when debating which players to roster for the upcoming main DraftKings MLB slate.
One of the best ways to find hitter value in DraftKings MLB contests is through lineup slot upgrades after pricing has been set. These lineup slot upgrades often do not happen until teams release lineups a few hours before the game locks. Check back before lock to see potential updates to the rankings.
Get a free DraftKings contest ticket with your first deposit! Claim the offer at the DraftKings Playbook Promo page!
Refer a friend and get $20 DK Dollars! Head to the DraftKings Playbook Promo page for more details!
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
Notable Lineup Absences
| Team | Name | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Name | Position | Injury Status |
| New York Mets | Brandon Nimmo | CF | Kevin Pillar will continue to start in Nimmo's absence. |
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Total Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | Moneyline | Total Runs |
| ARI Diamondbacks | +125 | Over 8.5 |
| CIN Reds | -148 | Under 8.5 |
| PIT Pirates | +104 | Over 8.5 |
| DET Tigers | -121 | Under 8.5 |
| NY Yankees | -107 | Over 8 |
| CLE Indians | -109 | Under 8 |
| SEA Mariners | +145 | Over 9 |
| BOS Red Sox | -175 | Under 9 |
| NY Mets | -115 | Over 9 |
| CHI Cubs | +100 | Under 9 |
| LA Angels | +110 | Over 8.5 |
| HOU Astros | -129 | Under 8.5 |
| MIA Marlins | +125 | Over 8.5 |
| SF Giants | -150 | Under 8.5 |
| SD Padres | +155 | Over 8 |
| LA Dodgers | -182 | Under 8 |
Pitchers
All
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Walker Buehler | SP | SD | $10,000 |
| Nick Pivetta | SP | SEA | $7,400 |
| Cristian Javier | SP | LAA | $9,600 |
| Aaron Sanchez | SP | MIA | $7,100 |
Hitters
Studs ($5,000+)
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| J.D. Martinez | OF | SEA | $6,000 |
| Mookie Betts | OF | SD | $5,900 |
| Mike Trout | OF | HOU | $5,800 |
| Rafael Devers | 3B | SEA | $5,800 |
| Xander Bogaerts | SS | SEA | $5,700 |
| Shohei Ohtani | 1B/OF | HOU | $5,100 |
| Pete Alonso | 1B | CHC | $5,000 |
Midrange ($4,000-$4,900)
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Alex Bregman | 3B | LAA | $4,800 |
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | SS | LAD | $4,800 |
| Francisco Lindor | SS | CHC | $4,700 |
| Dominic Smith | OF | CHC | $4,600 |
| Yordan Alvarez | OF | LAA | $4,500 |
| Anthony Rizzo | 1B | NYM | $4,400 |
| Alex Verdugo | OF | SEA | $4,400 |
| Jeff McNeil | 2B | CHC | $4,200 |
| Kyle Tucker | OF | LAA | $4,200 |
| Mitch Haniger | OF | BOS | $4,100 |
| Kike Hernandez | OF | SEA | $4,100 |
Salary Relief ($3,900 and under)
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Ian Happ | OF | NYM | $3,900 |
| Bobby Dalbec | 1B | SEA | $3,800 |
| Ty France | 2B | BOS | $3,700 |
| Marwin Gonzalez | 1B/3B | SEA | $3,700 |
| Brandon Nimmo | OF | CHC | $3,700 |
| J.D. Davis | 3B | CHC | $3,600 |
| Michael Conforto | OF | CHC | $3,500 |
| Justin Upton | OF | HOU | $3,300 |
| AJ Pollock | OF | SD | $3,200 |
Offense Notes
Winds Boosting Offense at Wrigley
The Mets and Cubs combined for 20 runs on Wednesday night (16-4 Cubs) and offense for their game on Thursday should be plentiful once again. It’s not warm enough in Chicago to get the optimal wind situation (the ball travels further in the summer) but there is expected to be some wind blowing out towards center field. The Mets in particular look like an appealing stack against Trevor Williams ($8,500), with a few expensive players in their lineup but also some underpriced outfielders like Brandon Nimmo ($3,700) and Michael Conforto ($3,500). The other side of the game could be more appealing in GPPs, with the Cubs going against a better pitcher in Joey Lucchesi ($6,500), which likely will make them significantly lower owned than the Mets. The Cubs offense isn’t as good as the Mets and they’re similarly priced, but they have plenty of upside with the aforementioned windy conditions.
Is Boston too Expensive?
The Red Sox are in arguably the best spot on the slate against Justin Dunn ($6,800) and the Mariners, and there’s expected to be some significant wind blowing out to right field. The Red Sox offense has played well lately and this would ordinarily make them an extremely popular stack, but their prices may be high enough that it’ll be too hard for too many people to prioritize them. J.D. Martinez ($6,000), Xander Bogaerts ($5,800), and Rafael Devers ($5,700) are among the highest owned players on the slate, and there’s not much salary relief in the lineup either that would help to make them more affordable. Boston’s hitters won’t be unowned by any stretch, but they could wind up being a secondary choice for most people and that would make them pretty appealing.
Leverage Spot for the Padres
Walker Buehler ($10,000) is the one true ace on Thursday’s slate, or at least that’s what most people seem to think of him. Buehler is widely regarded as an elite starting pitcher, and while he’s certainly a very good pitcher, his actual numbers seem to fall short of the hype that surrounds him. Buehler is going to be a popular choice on a night where there aren’t any other pitchers on his level, but his matchup is actually fairly difficult against an above average Padres offense. With Buehler being popular and the Padres surely being unpopular, there’s an opportunity here to get some good hitters at low ownership that will provide leverage against the field in GPPs.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
For sports betting, head over to DraftKings Sportsbook or download the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of the applicable MLB entity. All rights reserved.
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.