:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69310805/usa_today_16091295.0.jpg)
Wednesday’s main DraftKings MLB slate starts at 7:05 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 $175K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
Notable Lineup Absences
| Team | Name | Position | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Name | Position | Injury Status |
| Chicago Cubs | Javier Baez | SS | Eric Sogard will start with Baez out. |
| Chicago Cubs | Anthony Rizzo | 1B | Kris Bryant will slide to 1B in Rizzo's absence. |
DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Total Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | Moneyline | Total Runs |
| CHI White Sox | -139 | Over 8.5 |
| MIN Twins | +120 | Under 8.5 |
| COL Rockies | +210 | Over 7.5 |
| SD Padres | -250 | Under 7.5 |
| SF Giants | -121 | Over 8.5 |
| CIN Reds | +105 | Under 8.5 |
| MIA Marlins | +104 | Over 8 |
| PHI Phillies | -124 | Under 8 |
| BOS Red Sox | +102 | Over 10 |
| TOR Blue Jays | -120 | Under 10 |
| PIT Pirates | +185 | Over 7 |
| STL Cardinals | -225 | Under 7 |
| CLE Indians | +108 | Over 7.5 |
| LA Angels | -130 | Under 7.5 |
| MIL Brewers | -175 | Over 7.5 |
| KC Royals | +148 | Under 7.5 |
| HOU Astros | -112 | Over 8.5 |
| OAK Athletics | -106 | Under 8.5 |
| DET Tigers | +120 | Over 8 |
| SEA Mariners | -141 | Under 8 |
Pitchers
All
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Clayton Kershaw | SP | ARI | $10,500 |
| Max Scherzer | SP | CHC | $10,000 |
| Jack Flaherty | SP | PIT | $9,700 |
| Charlie Morton | SP | NYM | $8,500 |
| Zach Eflin | SP | MIA | $8,300 |
| Logan Gilbert | SP | DET | $4,700 |
Hitters
Studs ($5,000+)
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | OF | NYM | $6,200 |
| Mookie Betts | OF | ARI | $6,000 |
| Trea Turner | SS | CHC | $6,000 |
| Juan Soto | OF | CHC | $5,800 |
| J.D. Martinez | OF | TOR | $5,700 |
Midrange ($4,000-$4,900)
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Christian Yelich | OF | KC | $4,600 |
| Mitch Haniger | OF | DET | $4,500 |
| Kyle Schwarber | OF | CHC | $4,100 |
Salary Relief ($3,900 and under)
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Position | Opp | Salary |
| Joc Pederson | OF | WAS | $3,900 |
| Hunter Renfroe | OF | TOR | $3,600 |
| Josh Bell | 1B | CHC | $3,500 |
| Starlin Castro | 3B | CHC | $3,300 |
| Eddie Rosario | OF | LAA | $3,300 |
| Kike Hernandez | 2B/OF | TOR | $3,300 |
| Avisail Garcia | OF | KC | $3,200 |
| Kyle Lewis | OF | DET | $3,200 |
| Lorenzo Cain | OF | KC | $3,200 |
| Justin Upton | OF | CLE | $2,900 |
Offense Notes
Nationals Getting Plenty of Attention in an Elite Spot
The Nationals were largely unowned on Tuesday night’s slate, likely due to the concerning weather forecast, but Wednesday’s weather doesn’t look nearly as problematic and that’s going to make them a very popular target. The Nationals have a few extremely high-upside hitters in their lineup, and they’re getting a plus matchup against Jake Arrieta ($7,600) and the Cubs. Trea Turner ($6,000) and Juan Soto ($5,800) are two of the best pay-up options on the slate, but the main reason the Nationals are going to be popular is that the rest of their hitters are well-underpriced. Josh Bell ($3,500) figures to be a top target at first base, and Kyle Schwarber ($4,100), Josh Harrison ($3,400), Starlin Castro ($3,300), and Victor Robles ($2,500) all help to save salary as well. Turner and Soto are still probably worth a look, but most of these other Nationals are likely going to be higher owned than they deserve to be because of the savings they provide.
Overpriced but Contrarian Stacks Available Once Again
It seems to be a theme of the 2021 MLB DFS season (at least in this article) but the best GPP leverage plays day in and day out seem to be the overpriced offenses, who are comprised of very good hitters in good matchups but are simply too expensive to fit with the best pitching plays. Wednesday’s slate could be a little harder to predict from this angle due to the presence of a potentially popular Logan Gilbert ($4,700) at pitcher (for the Mariners), but it’s still hard to imagine that teams like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Astros will all be go-to choices. The Astros in particular seem like an obvious afterthought in a closer-to-neutral matchup against Frankie Montas ($8,900) in Oakland, but there’s enough hitting talent in their lineup that there’s basically always reason to be excited about them whenever the field isn’t playing them. Montas isn’t that imposing, and the Astros are a good bet to wind up being the most under owned stack on Wednesday night’s slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $175K 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.