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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 DraftKings Optimizer.
| P One | Justin Verlander |
| P Two | Clayton Kershaw |
| C | Buster Posey |
| 1B | Pedro Álvarez |
| 2B | Daniel Descalso |
| SS | Eduardo Núñez |
| 3B | Daniel Descalso |
| OF One | Denard Span |
| OF Two | Shin-soo Choo |
| OF Three | Andrew McCutchen |
| Salary | $49,500 |
| Expected Points | 121.49 |
Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.
Pitchers
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw | STL | $12,200 | 27.91 | 2.29 |
| Justin Verlander | PIT | $12,000 | 26.73 | 2.23 |
| Max Scherzer | CHC | $12,500 | 26.40 | 2.11 |
| Noah Syndergaard | CIN | $11,400 | 23.34 | 2.05 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw | STL | $12,200 | 27.91 | 2.29 |
| Justin Verlander | PIT | $12,000 | 26.73 | 2.23 |
| Drew Pomeranz | BOS | $7,500 | 16.47 | 2.20 |
| Michael Wacha | WSH | $7,200 | 15.62 | 2.17 |
Catcher
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buster Posey | SF | $3,800 | 8.70 | 2.29 |
| Gary Sánchez | DET | $4,700 | 8.60 | 1.83 |
| Willson Contreras | ATL | $4,500 | 8.60 | 1.91 |
| Yadier Molina | WSH | $3,800 | 7.78 | 2.05 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Hundley | SF | $2,400 | 6.68 | 2.78 |
| J.T. Realmuto | ARZ | $2,600 | 7.17 | 2.76 |
| Buster Posey | SF | $3,800 | 8.70 | 2.29 |
| Alex Avila | ATL | $2,800 | 6.38 | 2.28 |
First Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Rizzo | ATL | $5,100 | 10.08 | 1.98 |
| José Martínez | WSH | $3,700 | 9.51 | 2.57 |
| Ryan Braun | CLE | $4,600 | 9.22 | 2.00 |
| Ryan Braun | CLE | $4,600 | 9.22 | 2.00 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Álvarez | BAL | $3,000 | 8.47 | 2.82 |
| Justin Bour | ARZ | $3,000 | 8.42 | 2.81 |
| Mitch Moreland | BOS | $3,200 | 8.28 | 2.59 |
| José Martínez | WSH | $3,700 | 9.51 | 2.57 |
Second Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Altuve | PIT | $4,900 | 10.14 | 2.07 |
| Javier Báez | ATL | $4,800 | 9.78 | 2.04 |
| Whit Merrifield | NYY | $9,000 | 8.84 | 0.98 |
| Eduardo Núñez | BOS | $3,800 | 8.60 | 2.26 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jurickson Profar | TOR | $2,700 | 6.62 | 2.45 |
| Wilmer Flores | CIN | $3,200 | 7.84 | 2.45 |
| Scooter Gennett | PHI | $3,200 | 7.65 | 2.39 |
| Yoán Moncada | MIN | $3,600 | 8.43 | 2.34 |
Short Stop
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Correa | PIT | $5,100 | 9.41 | 1.85 |
| Didi Gregorius | DET | $5,200 | 8.77 | 1.69 |
| Manny Machado | BAL | $5,000 | 8.71 | 1.74 |
| Jean Segura | TEX | $3,400 | 8.60 | 2.53 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Segura | TEX | $3,400 | 8.60 | 2.53 |
| Jurickson Profar | TOR | $2,700 | 6.62 | 2.45 |
| José Peraza | PHI | $2,900 | 7.05 | 2.43 |
| Orlando Arcia | CLE | $3,100 | 7.26 | 2.34 |
Third Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kris Bryant | ATL | $5,500 | 10.62 | 1.93 |
| Nolan Arenado | TB | $5,100 | 9.29 | 1.82 |
| Travis Shaw | CLE | $3,800 | 8.80 | 2.31 |
| Todd Frazier | DET | $4,300 | 8.70 | 2.02 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedro Álvarez | BAL | $3,000 | 8.47 | 2.82 |
| Miguel Andújar | DET | $2,800 | 7.69 | 2.75 |
| Wilmer Flores | CIN | $3,200 | 7.84 | 2.45 |
| Evan Longoria | SF | $3,100 | 7.46 | 2.40 |
Outfield
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Blackmon | TB | $5,600 | 11.59 | 2.07 |
| Aaron Judge | DET | $5,300 | 10.92 | 2.06 |
| Mike Trout | MIL | $5,500 | 10.89 | 1.98 |
| Mookie Betts | BOS | $5,700 | 10.75 | 1.89 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew McCutchen | LAD | $3,400 | 9.39 | 2.76 |
| Austin Jackson | LAA | $2,700 | 7.40 | 2.74 |
| Eddie Rosario | OAK | $3,000 | 8.09 | 2.70 |
| Albert Almora Jr. | ATL | $3,200 | 8.45 | 2.64 |
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.