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Optimal Lineup
Updated Throughout the Day
Optimal lineups are generated to demonstrate groups of players that work well together. This should be used only as a thought-starter for your lineups. This lineup may not conform to exact requirements of DraftKings (ie. players from one team), and may cross over multiple slates. For more detailed and customizable lineup generation, please use the MLB FanDuel Optimizer.
| P | Gerrit Cole |
| C/1B | Justin Smoak |
| 2B | Ildemaro Vargas |
| SS | Francisco Lindor |
| 3B | Pablo Sandoval |
| OF One | Tim Locastro |
| OF Two | Aaron Altherr |
| OF Three | Mallex Smith |
| Util | José Ramírez |
| Salary | $33,900 |
| Expected Points | 132.98 |
Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.
Pitchers
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerrit Cole | LAD | $11,300 | 43.12 | 3.82 |
| Max Scherzer | CHC | $11,000 | 39.76 | 3.61 |
| Rich Hill | STL | $8,900 | 37.27 | 4.19 |
| Julio Teheran | NYM | $8,600 | 32.36 | 3.76 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Hill | STL | $8,900 | 37.27 | 4.19 |
| David Price | BOS | $8,200 | 31.55 | 3.85 |
| Gerrit Cole | LAD | $11,300 | 43.12 | 3.82 |
| Jeff Samardzija | SF | $6,300 | 24.08 | 3.82 |
Catcher/First Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Smoak | KC | $4,100 | 12.43 | 3.03 |
| Anthony Rizzo | ATL | $4,400 | 12.31 | 2.80 |
| Daniel Murphy | CHC | $3,900 | 12.28 | 3.15 |
| Luke Voit | WSH | $4,100 | 12.25 | 2.99 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Thames | CLE | $2,500 | 10.55 | 4.22 |
| Stephen Vogt | CLE | $2,100 | 8.65 | 4.12 |
| Sam Travis | BOS | $2,000 | 8.21 | 4.10 |
| Jacob Stallings | LAD | $2,000 | 8.01 | 4.01 |
Second Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJ LeMahieu | TB | $3,700 | 11.03 | 2.98 |
| Niko Goodrum | CHW | $3,200 | 10.63 | 3.32 |
| Jason Kipnis | LAA | $2,600 | 10.54 | 4.06 |
| Rougned Odor | TOR | $2,700 | 10.54 | 3.90 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jedd Gyorko | WSH | $2,000 | 9.18 | 4.59 |
| José Rondón | SD | $2,000 | 8.26 | 4.13 |
| Brian Dozier | OAK | $2,400 | 9.79 | 4.08 |
| Jason Kipnis | LAA | $2,600 | 10.54 | 4.06 |
Short Stop
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Bregman | PIT | $4,200 | 12.87 | 3.06 |
| Francisco Lindor | LAA | $3,700 | 12.37 | 3.34 |
| Jonathan Villar | CLE | $3,400 | 11.83 | 3.48 |
| Amed Rosario | CIN | $3,000 | 11.50 | 3.83 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amed Rosario | CIN | $3,000 | 11.50 | 3.83 |
| Jonathan Villar | CLE | $3,400 | 11.83 | 3.48 |
| José Iglesias | CHW | $2,200 | 7.49 | 3.41 |
| Brandon Crawford | SF | $2,500 | 8.34 | 3.34 |
Third Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Arenado | TB | $4,800 | 15.13 | 3.15 |
| José Ramírez | NYM | $3,100 | 12.57 | 4.05 |
| Anthony Rendon | CHC | $4,400 | 12.13 | 2.76 |
| Eduardo Escobar | OAK | $3,900 | 11.91 | 3.05 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pablo Sandoval | SF | $2,400 | 10.84 | 4.52 |
| Eduardo Núñez | BOS | $2,000 | 8.23 | 4.12 |
| José Ramírez | NYM | $3,100 | 12.57 | 4.05 |
| Rio Ruiz | NYM | $2,100 | 8.39 | 3.99 |
Outfield
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Trout | MIL | $4,800 | 15.00 | 3.13 |
| Christian Yelich | ARZ | $4,700 | 14.02 | 2.98 |
| Joc Pederson | STL | $3,900 | 13.69 | 3.51 |
| Cody Bellinger | STL | $4,800 | 13.30 | 2.77 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Locastro | STL | $2,400 | 11.43 | 4.76 |
| Aaron Altherr | HOU | $2,000 | 8.72 | 4.36 |
| Harrison Bader | WSH | $2,400 | 10.43 | 4.35 |
| Gerardo Parra | TB | $2,300 | 9.96 | 4.33 |
Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Picks are updated regularly, but we advise that you keep up to date on late-day roster moves and injuries – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk. Sample lineups are provided as thought-starters, and are not intended for direct use.