Fantasy Baseball Picks: Top DraftKings MLB DFS Lineup Strategy for Reds vs. Dodgers Showdown on April 27

After taking the opening game of the series on Monday in extras, the Cincinnati Reds will try to make it two in a row against the team with the most wins in the bigs, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles continued to slump in the first game against the Reds, but did return Gavin Lux ($6,200) which should help provide a bit of a punch to this lethargic lineup. Without further ado, let’s get into how to construct your DraftKings lineups for Tuesday night’s Showdown contest.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Captain’s Picks

Editor’s Note: Reds 3B Mike Moustakas (illness) has been activated from the IL and will be in the lineup for tonight’s game vs. the Dodgers.

Walker Buehler ($16,800 CP) - In these showdowns, it can be difficult to pass up the pitcher you have a pretty good feeling about picking up a win, and that’s what we have here with Buehler. The Dodgers should beat up on Jeff Hoffman ($9,600) and put this game out of reach early, and on the other side, I think the Reds could struggle to hit without Mike Moustakas (illness), who has been arguably their best hitter. Without him, and with Eugenio Suarez ($8,800) struggling so much, this lineup isn’t as imposing as it was a few weeks ago. Buehler’s a good pitcher and should match up well.

Max Muncy ($12,300 CP) - I’m going to want to stack up the Dodgers bats in this one, and Muncy is definitely my favorite. Not only does he lead the team with a 193 wRC+ against right-handers in 2021, he’s also been an on-base machine lately with 10 walks in the last four games. That’s help mask the fact that he’s just 1-for-8 over that same span, but those performances came against some pretty good right-handers. Plus, in the games prior, he was facing lefties, which isn’t as good of a matchup. I like this as his breakout game.

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Value Plays

Gavin Lux ($6,200) - Lux isn’t going to hit very high in the Dodgers’ order, but man did he look comfortable at the plate on Monday. He was seeing the ball well and delivered a big RBI single early on to get the scoring started, looking like he didn’t have any rust coming off the IL. Against a very hittable right-hander, I think this is a great way to get a piece of a good Dodgers lineup. Muncy’s elite walk rate and the return of Justin Turner ($9,600) should mean he has plenty of ducks on the pond when Lux is up at bat.

Alex Blandino ($4,200) - It sure feels like a mistake, but you can get the man who’s led off for the Reds in two straight games — against a righty and a lefty — at just $4.2K. Blandino’s been pretty great in the spot, as well, walking three times and stealing a base on Tuesday, and overall just hitting the ball well with an 84.4% contact rate to lead the team. This is the type of guy I like to get in showdown lineups because he’ll offer a decent floor, as he’s almost guaranteed to get you something. And, at just over $4K, I think that’s what you want.

Fades

Editor’s Note: Reds SS Eugenio Suarez is not in the lineup for tonight’s game vs. the Dodgers.

Eugenio Suarez ($8,800) - As someone who has enjoyed watching countless Suarez round-trippers over the years, it pains me to put him in this spot. The harsh truth is that he’s just been downright awful at the plate this year. Suarez is making contact on just 60.8% of his swings, and has homered three times. That’s not an inspiring sentence, and I don’t expect much to change against a very above-average right-hander. At this price, he’s an easy pass.

The Outcome

Jeff Hoffman escaped Coors Field only to make every park he pitches in feel like Coors Field. The ball is flying off the bat against this guy, as he’s averaged an exit velocity of 91.6 mph on his batted balls events this season. He also owns a 5.18 expected ERA. That points to the fact that he does not deserve the start he’s had, and he should be in for some big-time regression against the team which leads the league in wRC+ against righties. Justin Turner’s day off on Monday made this offense look less formidable, but with Turner back in the mix, as well as Lux playing again, this offense should get back to raking.

Final Score: Los Angeles 7, Cincinnati 2

Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB Showdown $8K Extra Inning [$2K to 1st] (CIN vs LAD)

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