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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 | Danny Duffy |
| P Two | Gerrit Cole |
| C | Buster Posey |
| 1B | Pat Valaika |
| 2B | Pat Valaika |
| SS | Trevor Story |
| 3B | Nolan Arenado |
| OF One | Brandon Guyer |
| OF Two | Andrew McCutchen |
| OF Three | Ian Desmond |
| Salary | $49,700 |
| Expected Points | 114.64 |
Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.
Pitchers
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerrit Cole | LAD | $12,000 | 27.11 | 2.26 |
| Aaron Nola | HOU | $11,500 | 26.22 | 2.28 |
| José Berríos | OAK | $10,900 | 21.16 | 1.94 |
| Eduardo Rodríguez | BOS | $10,700 | 19.46 | 1.82 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Duffy | NYY | $5,800 | 15.73 | 2.71 |
| Jeff Samardzija | SF | $5,400 | 12.46 | 2.31 |
| Aaron Nola | HOU | $11,500 | 26.22 | 2.28 |
| Gerrit Cole | LAD | $12,000 | 27.11 | 2.26 |
Catcher
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buster Posey | SF | $3,800 | 8.23 | 2.16 |
| Yan Gomes | LAA | $4,000 | 7.50 | 1.87 |
| Yadier Molina | WSH | $4,100 | 7.37 | 1.80 |
| J.T. Realmuto | ARZ | $4,600 | 7.36 | 1.60 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Barnes | STL | $2,900 | 6.89 | 2.37 |
| Tyler Flowers | NYM | $2,900 | 6.39 | 2.20 |
| Sandy Leon | BOS | $3,100 | 6.84 | 2.20 |
| Buster Posey | SF | $3,800 | 8.23 | 2.16 |
First Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Desmond | TB | $4,500 | 10.56 | 2.35 |
| José Abreu | MIN | $3,800 | 9.08 | 2.39 |
| Matt Carpenter | WSH | $4,900 | 8.82 | 1.80 |
| Edwin Encarnacion | LAA | $4,200 | 8.74 | 2.08 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Valaika | TB | $3,000 | 7.35 | 2.45 |
| José Abreu | MIN | $3,800 | 9.08 | 2.39 |
| Ian Desmond | TB | $4,500 | 10.56 | 2.35 |
| Victor Martinez | CHW | $2,600 | 5.97 | 2.30 |
Second Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Altuve | PIT | $4,600 | 9.50 | 2.06 |
| Dee Gordon | TEX | $4,300 | 9.23 | 2.15 |
| Scooter Gennett | PHI | $4,800 | 9.00 | 1.87 |
| Javier Báez | ATL | $5,300 | 8.61 | 1.62 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Valaika | TB | $3,000 | 7.35 | 2.45 |
| Austin Barnes | STL | $2,900 | 6.89 | 2.37 |
| Chase d’Arnaud | SD | $3,000 | 6.84 | 2.28 |
| Logan Forsythe | STL | $3,000 | 6.73 | 2.24 |
Short Stop
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trevor Story | TB | $5,400 | 10.99 | 2.03 |
| Francisco Lindor | LAA | $5,600 | 10.48 | 1.87 |
| Manny Machado | BAL | $5,100 | 9.67 | 1.90 |
| Tim Anderson | MIN | $4,400 | 9.51 | 2.16 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiké Hernández | STL | $3,800 | 8.40 | 2.21 |
| Tim Anderson | MIN | $4,400 | 9.51 | 2.16 |
| Tyler Saladino | MIN | $3,000 | 6.34 | 2.11 |
| Elvis Andrus | TOR | $3,900 | 8.20 | 2.10 |
Third Base
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nolan Arenado | TB | $5,500 | 11.43 | 2.08 |
| Kris Bryant | ATL | $4,700 | 9.35 | 1.99 |
| Alex Bregman | PIT | $5,000 | 9.08 | 1.82 |
| Anthony Rendon | CHC | $4,200 | 9.05 | 2.15 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Moran | PIT | $3,200 | 7.63 | 2.39 |
| Tim Beckham | BAL | $3,400 | 7.90 | 2.32 |
| Danny Valencia | TEX | $3,500 | 8.03 | 2.29 |
| Chase d’Arnaud | SD | $3,000 | 6.84 | 2.28 |
Outfield
Best Rating
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | BOS | $5,800 | 11.27 | 1.94 |
| Ian Desmond | TB | $4,500 | 10.56 | 2.35 |
| Mike Trout | MIL | $4,800 | 9.84 | 2.05 |
| Aaron Judge | DET | $5,100 | 9.80 | 1.92 |
Best Values
| Name | Team | Cost | Expected | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Guyer | LAA | $2,900 | 7.31 | 2.52 |
| Adam Jones | BAL | $3,400 | 8.25 | 2.43 |
| Ian Desmond | TB | $4,500 | 10.56 | 2.35 |
| Danny Valencia | TEX | $3,500 | 8.03 | 2.29 |
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.