Now that we’re almost a full month into the MLB season, we’re starting to have a better idea of lineup trends and how players are settling into the long 162-game grind. With nine games on tonight’s main slate, there should be plenty of value to help us build premium lineups. Throughout the season this article will primarily focus on players on the teams with the highest implied team totals for the day.
As always, you must pay close attention to batting lineups when they are released in addition to monitoring weather reports leading up to game time. For reference throughout the season, be sure to bookmark our overview of MLB Park Factors and how to Use Weather to Your Advantage in MLB DFS. Also, check out our GPP and Cash Games Primers to learn more about different daily fantasy game types specific to MLB. Play ball!
Create FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool 
Pitcher
Michael Wacha (STL): $6,600 vs NYM
Given his price, Wacha continues to fly under the radar this season. And although his numbers aren’t staggering, he’s still managed three straight wins and has gotten better with each start. The Mets have a putrid 3.5-run implied team total, easily one of the lowest among all teams on the slate. Wacha’s never going to give you huge strikeout totals, which helps keep his price depressed, but with Kershaw on the mound, he should have low ownership and a solid floor. That’s enough to keep you afloat in cash games while letting you splurge on high-priced options like Paul Goldschmidt, Jose Ramirez and Mookie Betts.
First Base/Catcher
Jesus Aguilar (MIL): $3,200 @ KC
Nothing stands out about Aguilar’s matchup tonight, but he’s simply too hot to not have in your lineup. Aguilar owns a crazy .429/.487/.629 slash line right now and is clearly seeing the ball really well, evidenced by his 13-pitch walk-off home run at bat over the weekend. The Brewers are implied for 5.25 runs, the highest total on the slate, and Aguilar is almost guaranteed to start with Eric Thames needing an MRI on his thumb. Aguilar’s an easy play given his hot bat and more than reasonable price. Don’t be fooled by his one home run tally either; Aggie mashed 16 home runs across just 279 at-bats in 2017.
Second Base
Sean Rodriguez (PIT): $3,000 vs DET
With Josh Harrison (hand) on the shelf, Rodríguez is getting all the playing time he can handle at second base, and more importantly, he’s batting leadoff for a decent lineup. It’s tough to get a decent leadoff hitter with some pop at this price (he has three home runs in limited playing time this year), and Pittsburgh has one of the higher implied totals of the slate at 4.5. The right-handed Rodríguez gets the added benefit of facing a lefty starter to boot.
Third Base
Tommy La Stella (CHC): $2,400 @ CLE
Even with Trevor Bauer on the mound, La Stella is simply the perfect combination of price and opportunity. With Kris Bryant (head) likely out another day, La Stella has loads of opportunity in the potent Cubs lineup. Yesterday he batted fifth, sandwiched in between Willson Contreras and Kyle Schwarber, which is a pretty nice place to be. At this basement-low price, La Stella doesn’t need to do a ton to pay off for your lineup, yet he carries a decent ceiling in the middle of this lineup. He gets the added benefit of batting left-handed against the righty Bauer.
Shortstop
Eduardo Nunez (BOS): $3,000 @ TOR
There aren’t any screaming values at shortstop, so we might as well pick the reasonably-priced guy in the best lineup. Nunez fits the bill, usually batting sixth in the intimidating Red Sox batting order, and the Sox have one of the higher implied totals of the night at 4.25 in the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. Make sure to check back when lineups are released to confirm Nunez’s spot.
Outfield
Ryan Braun (MIL): $3,200 @ KC
As mentioned above, the Brewers have the highest implied total despite playing on the road, so they’re definitely the team to target for your rosters. Braun’s still hitting third in this potent lineup, and he’s really started to hit the ball better after a slow start to the year, scoring at least 24 FD points in three of his last five games. He’s the cheapest way to get a piece of the Brewers’ outfield tonight, but it’s also worth noting he owns a career .355/.459/.774 battling line against Jason Hammel for his career.
Get 5 FREE entries w/ your 1st deposit on FanDuel (up to $50 value!)
Eli Weiner is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor and editor for SconnieSportsTalk. For more from Eli, you can view his archive or follow him @eweiner_bball.
