Today's Daily Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Best starting pitchers, streamers for Friday, June 21

Matt Lutovsky

Today's Daily Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Best starting pitchers, streamers for Friday, June 21 image

Friday's daily SP rankings have several high-priced aces, one affordable ace, and a bunch of mediocre pitchers with favorable matchups. Finding worthwhile picks for your MLB DFS contests will be easy, but with so many options, finding the right pick(s) for your FanDuel and DraftKings lineups might take a while.

Going with any of our top five seems safe, as all are high-K pitchers in good spots. Stephen Strasburg (vs. Braves) has the toughest matchup and is coming off his worst start of the season, but we know he has the stuff for a nice bounce-back outing. James Paxton (vs. Astros) hasn't been quite as sharp since returning from the DL, but he's another SP with elite talent. He has a nice price relative to his ability, especially on DraftKings, but a tough matchup against the Astros makes him a GPP-only play.

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As far as values, Eric Lauer (@ Pirates)Martin Perez (@ Royals), and Mike Leake (vs. Orioles) all have favorable matchups based on the splits. The Pirates are hitting better right now, so Lauer is the riskiest, but his cheap price still makes him a decent GPP play. Aaron Nola (vs. Marlins) has frustrated fantasy owners all season, but his matchup, price, and talent will likely have him highly owned tonight. 

The most obvious fade is Dallas Keuchel (@ Nationals), who's overpriced given the brutal matchup in his first start of the season. 

Check the Fantasy Alarm Weather Center closer to lineup lock for the latest weather reports.

MORE FRIDAY MLB: DFS picks

Today's Daily Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Rankings: Friday, June 21

Rank Pitcher Team Opponent Opp. wRC+ vs. LHP (rank) Opp. wRC+ vs. RHP (rank) FD DK
1 Chris Sale Red Sox vs. Blue Jays 86 (23rd) N/A $12,000 $12,000
2 Trevor Bauer Indians vs. Tigers N/A 87 (T-23rd) $11,500 $11,100
3 Matthew Boyd Tigers @ Indians 85 (24th) N/A $10,000 $9,700
4 Walker Buehler Dodgers vs. Rockies N/A 87 (T-23rd) $11,200 $10,800
5 Stephen Strasburg Nationals vs. Braves N/A 106 (T-9th) $9,800 $10,500
6 Aaron Nola Phillies vs. Marlins N/A 75 (29th) $8,700 $8,000
7 Sonny Gray Reds @ Brewers N/A 100 (12th) $7,300 $7,900
8 German Marquez Rockies @ Dodgers N/A 116 (T-2nd) $7,600 $9,000
9 James Paxton Yankees vs. Astros 136 (1st) N/A $9,200 $8,100
10 Yu Darvish Cubs vs. Mets N/A 97 (T-13th) $7,900 N/A
11 Martin Perez Twins @ Royals 74 (28th) N/A $7,800 $7,600
12 Mike Leake Mariners vs. Orioles N/A 81 (26th) $8,500 $8,700
13 Eric Lauer Padres @ Pirates 76 (27th) N/A $7,000 $6,100
14 Griffin Canning Angels @ Cardinals N/A 92 (T-16th) $8,000 $8,500
15 Brad Peacock Astros @ Yankees N/A 116 (T-2nd) $7,100 $7,800
16 Joe Musgrove Pirates vs. Padres N/A 89 (T-19th) $7,500 $5,500
17 Chase Anderson Brewers vs. Reds N/A 82 (25th) $6,600 $6,600
18 Jason Vargas Mets @ Cubs 96 (16th) N/A $6,500 N/A
19 Taylor Clarke D-backs vs. Giants N/A 78 (T-27th) $5,900 $6,800
20 Jalen Beeks (PLR) Rays @ A's 129 (2nd) N/A N/A $7,600
21 Jeff Samardzija Giants @ D-backs N/A 89 (T-19th) $6,200 $6,900
22 Dallas Keuchel Braves vs. Nationals 118 (5th) N/A $7,700 $8,300
23 Ariel Jurado Rangers vs. White Sox N/A 91 (18th) $6,300 $6,500
24 Trent Thornton Blue Jays @ Red Sox N/A 111 (6th) $7,200 $7,100
25 Tanner Anderson A's vs. Rays N/A 109 (T-7th) $6,000 $6,700
26 Michael Wacha Cardinals vs. Angels N/A 115 (4th) $6,400 $5,000
27 Sandy Alcantara Marlins @ Phillies N/A 89 (T-19th) $7,400 $7,400
28 Jakob Junis Royals vs. Twins N/A 117 (1st) $6,700 $6,300
29 Reynaldo Lopez White Sox @ Rangers N/A 104 (11th) $6,100 $5,800
30 Ryne Stanek (O) Rays @ A's N/A 96 (15th) N/A $4,300
31 Sean Gilmartin (PLR) Orioles @ Mariners 111 (8th) N/A N/A $4,000
32 Paul Fry (O) Orioles @ Mariners 111 (8th) N/A N/A $4,000

wRC+ is defined by Fangraphs as "[measuring] how a player’s wRC compares with league average after controlling for park effects. League average for position players is 100, and every point above 100 is a percentage point above league average. For example, a 125 wRC+ means a player created 25% more runs than a league average hitter would have in the same number of plate appearances. Similarly, every point below 100 is a percentage point below league average, so a 80 wRC+ means a player created 20% fewer runs than league average." For more on the stat, click here.

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.