The main MLB DFS slate on DraftKings this Wednesday comprises just six games, so there are notably fewer options than usual to choose from. Still, there’s plenty of options for lineups across the board and still some stars to capture for tonight’s contests.
As you prepare to fill out your rosters for tonight, here are three must-start MLB DFS picks to consider.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $175K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
SP Robbie Ray, SF Giants @ COL Rockies, $9,300
Typically I try and stay away from the most-rostered pitcher on these slates, however, this matchup looks too tasty to pass up. Only Kris Bubic ($9,600) comes with a more expensive price tag than Robbie Ray ($9,300), but the latter should provide much safer production against the Rockies than the former against the Yankees.
Ray averages 22.2 FPPG and comes off a massive 30.8-point performance with nine strikeouts in his last outing. With a low 1.07 WHIP, he’s keeping runners off the basepaths and doesn’t allow much scoring with a 2.44 ERA. With 87 strikeouts across 77.1 innings of work, Ray sits batters down at a pretty high rate, which should be nice against a Rockies squad with the third-most strikeouts of any team. I don’t think the matchup in Colorado needs much more explanation, so DFS players should pencil Ray into lineups with glee.
SS Jeremy Pena, HOU Astros vs. CHI White Sox, $4,500
Don’t be alarmed by how far down the hitter list you have to scroll to find Jeremy Pena’s ($4,500) name. He’s a bit cheaper than the typical must-start option, but the Astros shortstop looks like one of the best players in the MLB this season.
The hype train hasn’t fully taken off yet, but people are starting to take notice of the 2022 World Series MVP’s production. Pena slashes .319/.375/.484 this season, leading his team in hits along with 32 RBIs and nine homers as well. He’s sixth in the league in WAR to this point and averages 8.9 FPPG on the year with 12.6 FPPG across his last 10 contests. Save a little bit of salary compared to the names at the top and profit with Pena.
OF Byron Buxton, MIN Twins vs. TEX Rangers, $5,500
I still haven’t forgotten Byron Buxton’s ($5,500) lightning card in MLB The Show a couple of seasons ago — what a fun time that was. Honestly, the version of Buxton we’ve seen this season feels about on-par with the infamous, pixel-made persona of himself from that card.
The outfielder slashes .268/.327/.490 with 38 RBIs and 10 home runs. He’s crossed home plate 37 times as well with an additional 10 stolen bases, showing the speed he brings to the table. Most importantly, he’s been pretty healthy! Knock on wood, but he’s appeared in 50 contests. A healthy Buxton is the best Buxton, and with 9.9 FPPG this season and a 10.3 FPPG average over his last 10 games, he can provide reliable production for lineups in a solid matchup with the Rangers tonight.
