Welcome to the DFS Army MLB Full Count! You have to start your research somewhere, and often times going game by game and breaking down every matchup and its key players is the first step in our process. My name is Eric aka @Razzle11Grinds on Twitter, make sure to give me a follow as I’ll occasionally make updates to the advice in the article. But, you’ll mostly find me in our VIP coaching forums where I provide detailed lineup maneuvers and answer all lineup questions. With that said, let’s get it started!

The main part of my daily process – looking at pitchers

I always start a slate by looking at pitching, not only do you get a grasp on who the pitchers are that you want to target. But it also gives you an idea of what offenses are in good spots. I start my research by going straight to the Nilly’s MLB Carnage Report, this is where we can analyze all the pitchers on the slate in a compact, yet detailed manner. I normally give a quick glimpse of the top three pitchers in this report, but I’m going to leave that for VIP members for this slate, instead, I’ll break down some guys in interesting spots.

Miles Mikolas – The Marlins lack any kind of dangerous LHBs. They are very RH heavy at this point and that aligns with Mikolas’ strength. He continues to struggle against the lefties but has very dominant stretches against RHBs. I have a feeling he doesn’t garner the ownership that I think he needs on this slate.
Joey Lucchesi – Lucchesi gets to take on a weak Giants team that lacks thump. He has one really strong start and one really bad start against the Giants this season but has shown a solid K rate against them in his career.
Zach Plesac – Plesac has surprised a bit to start his MLB career. I was very impressed with how he pitched against the Yankees in his last start. He gave up a home run early but it didn’t force him to back down and nibble. While the Reds LHBs do worry me slightly, I love the fact that he is willing to attack hitters.

Full Count Breakdown:

Toronto Blue Jays (-115) @ Baltimore Orioles

This game opens with a total set at 11. That number is RIDICULOUSLY high for a game not in Coors. When you look at the projected SPs, you understand why. Jackson has given up 8 HRs in 19.2 innings so far in 2019, while Hess has given up 20 HRs in 61 innings. That is a TON of HRs being allowed.

TOR 5-star plays: Randal Grichuk, Vlad Guerrero Jr.

4-star plays: Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

GPP Note: 17 of the 20 HRs allowed by Hess have been to RHBs

BAL 5-star plays: Trey Mancini

4-star plays: Renato Nunez

GPP Note: RHBs have hit 7 of the 8 HRs allowed by Jackson.

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Philadelphia Phillies (-135)

The game has opened with a total of 9.5 with a couple of pitchers going that I think we can attack. While I do not expect to see another 13 HRs combined in this one, I do think there are a couple of them hit. I thought I might want to be on the Eflin side of things but ARI is swinging pretty hot sticks.

ARI 5-star plays: Ketel Marte

4-star plays: David Peralta

GPP Note: I am tempted to pull the fade as I think there will be some ownership on ARI stacks based on recent performances.

PHI 5-star plays: Scott Kingery, Rhys Hoskins

4-star plays: Bryce Harper

GPP Note: I prefer the RHBs (Harper obviously an exception) against M.Kelly.

Our MLB Domination Station lineup optimizer is Powered by DFS Army proprietary projections. The Domination Station will help you create 150 of the highest projected lineups in a matter of minutes. With features that allow you to Like Love or Dislike a player, you can create a fully unique pool of players to generate your lineups from every day. Combine the power of the Domination Station with our VIP Only Articles and the MLB Research Station to really take your game to the next level.

Cincinnati Reds @ Cleveland Indians (-135)

I have some interest in the CLE side of this game and some outside interest in a game stack. I really like the way Plesac has pitched in his young career so far. The Reds aren’t a very dangerous team but he has had some issues with LHBs so far. DeSclafani has really struggled with LHBs in 2019 (and much of his career).

CIN 5-star plays: Derek Dietrich

4-star plays: Joey Votto

GPP Note: CIN strikes out at a 25% rate against RHP

CLE 5-star plays: Carlos Santana

4-star plays: Francisco Lindor

GPP Note: CLE strikes out at under a 24% rate against RHP

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox (-160)

This game has opened with a total at 9.5 runs. The weaknesses of the SPs fit some of the strengths of the offenses here. Lynn is giving up power to RHBs while Porcello is having troubles with LHBs this season. I am looking at stacking the Red Sox quite a bit in this spot. Just a feeling that I have, the night before!

TEX 5-star plays: NONE

4-star plays: Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara

GPP Note: TEX is striking out at under a 26% rate against RHP.

BOS 5-star plays: Mookie Betts

4-star plays: Jackie Bradley Jr., Michael Chavis

GPP Note: BOS is striking out at just a 21% rate against RHP.

Oakland Athletics @ Tampa Bay Rays (-162)

Total for this game is set at 9 runs. I might be on an island here as I am very interested in the OAK side (as far as bats go). There are a few OAK bats that profile extremely well in this spot and Chirinos is going to draw a bunch of ownership with how he has pitched recently.

OAK 5-star plays: Matt Olson

4-star plays: Matt Chapman, Khris Davis

GPP Note: I think its a rough outing for Chirinos

TBR 5-star plays: NONE

4-star plays: Guillermo Heredia, Yandy Diaz

GPP Note: TB is striking out at a 29% rate against LHP.

St. Louis Cardinals (-152) @ Miami Marlins

The game has opened with a total of just 8 runs. The Marlins will be calling up a pitcher from AA to make the start. While Yamamoto has looked really solid throughout his minor league career, this is a big jump for the kid. There is a good chance this game stays under the total in my eyes.

STL 5-star plays: Miles Mikolas

4-star plays: Marcel Ozuna

GPP Note: Tough to trust an offense playing in a big park, against an unknown pitcher.

MIA 5-star plays: NONE

4-star plays: NONE

GPP Note: The Marlins don’t have any LHBs that scare me off of Mikolas. Great spot to target (as in use Mikolas).

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Atlanta Braves (-226)

The game has opened with a run total of 9.5. The Pirates top pitching prospect is making just his second career start and it comes against an offense scoring a few runs right now. Soroka is pitching extremely well and should pick up some easy innings, even if his K numbers might not be there in this one.

PIT 5-star plays: NONE

4-star plays: NONE

GPP Note: PIT is striking out at just a 21% rate against RHP.

ATL 5-star plays: Freddie Freeman

4-star plays: Mike Soroka

GPP Note: Soroka has done a ridiculously good job of keeping the ball in the yard so far in 2019

The MLB Research Station is my #1 source for research every single day and is one of the VIP Only tools our members have access to daily. The info in the MLB ReSearch Station includes today’s DFS Army Projection, Adjusted BVP matchups and much more. This tool will cut your daily research time in half. If you’re familiar with CeeGee and Ben you already know the time they’ve put into the “Sheets” and are extremely happy to provide them as apart of your DFS Army VIP Membership this year.

Milwaukee Brewers @ Houston Astros (-135)

This game has opened with a total sitting at just 7.5. Both SPs are VERY much in play in this spot. I love Verlander but I might be on the Woodruff side slightly more, depending on what kind of lineups we see out of these teams.

MIL 5-star plays: Brandon Woodruff

4-star plays: Christian Yelich

GPP Note: The Brewers strike out at just over a 25% rate against RHP.

HOU 5-star plays: Justin Verlander

4-star plays: Yordan Alvarez

GPP Note: Astros are striking out at under an 18% rate against RHP.

Seattle Mariners @ Minnesota Twins (-230)

The game opened with a total set at 9.5 runs. I want all the Twins in this game that I can get into my lineups. Berrios at home is extremely strong while the Twins bats absolutely destroy LHP this season. BOMBS AWAY!

SEA 5-star plays: NONE

4-star plays: Edwin Encarnacion, Kyle Seager

GPP Note: SEA strikes out at over a 25% rate against RHP

MIN 5-star plays: C.J. Cron, Nelson Cruz, Mitch Garver

4-star plays: Jose Berrios, Byron Buxton, Marwin Gonzalez

GPP Note: The Twins have a team ISO of .243 against LHP this season

Detroit Tigers @ Kansas City Royals (-135)

This game opened with a total set at 9 runs. I have an interest in a few things from this game. Duffy and the KC side look to be the best spots as KC as a roster has hit Norris pretty well. I think a mini-Tigers stack makes sense as a GPP contrarian play that should go pretty overlooked.

DET 5-star plays: Nicholas Castellanos

4-star plays: Miguel Cabrera

GPP Note: DET is striking out at nearly a 27% rate against LHP.

KCR 5-star plays: Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler

4-star plays: Danny Duffy, Alex Gordon

GPP Note: KC is striking out at a 26% rate against LHP.

Chicago Cubs (-140) @ Colorado Rockies

The game has opened with a total of just 12.5 runs! Neither team actually has impressive offensive numbers against the opposing SPs. This muddies it up a bit. We could see a couple of odd lineups with it being a day game after a night game. Make sure to pay attention to the lineups when they get posted!

CHC 5-star plays: Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez

4-star plays: Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber

GPP Note: I am tempted to fire some shares of Cole Hamels as a GPP contrarian option.

COL 5-star plays: Nolan Arenado

4-star plays: Trevor Story, Ian Desmond

GPP Note: Day baseball in COL sounds like a LOT of offense to me

Watching the weather is half the battle when it comes to MLB DFS. The DFS Army Weather Station has you covered, from games that have delay and postponement potential, to games that could have significant winds that will play a roll in selecting a team to stack or a pitcher to use.

San Diego Padres (-140) @ San Franciso Giants

This game has an opening total of just 7.5 runs. This tells me we need to consider both pitching options in this spot while probably avoiding the bats, at least for stacking purposes. I could see using a couple of Padres bats as one-offs for your GPP lineups.

SDP 5-star plays: Joey Lucchesi

4-star plays: Franmil Reyes, Hunter Renfroe

GPP Note: SD is striking out at just under a 28% rate against RHP this season.

SFG 5-star plays: NONE

4-star plays: Shaun Anderson, Tyler Austin

GPP Note: SF is striking out at over a 24% rate against LHP this season.

As always I appreciate everyone who gave the article a read! Feel free to mix it up with me in our coaching forums as news breaks and lock approaches.

The only thing you are missing at this point is the key to unlock the next level of your game. Come inside and check us out!! We have the experts sharing their secrets and experience on a daily basis. Combine that with the actual ability to ask them questions and get quick answers in return, and you have a recipe for success that puts our army hats on leaderboards all over the face of DFS.

DFS Army Full Count – MLB Game Breakdown, Advice, and Strategy for FanDuel and Draftkings – June 12th, 2019