Penned By: @Ryan_Humphries on Twitter and LineStar Chat.

• Rate LineStarApp on the App store and get a shoutout on Twitter from @LineStarApp official account!

• Have questions? Check out the LineStar Tutorial Wiki.

• LineStar’s 2024 MLB DFS Primer & Strategy Guide ⚾

Top DFS Offers 6/24/24 💸

Our editors found the top deals in sports-books so you don’t have to! Tapping below links will help support LineStar through an affiliate referral.

• Sleeper DFS - Deposit Match up to $100 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Underdog DFS - 50% Deposit Match up to $250 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Chalkboard DFS - Deposit Match up to $100 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Must be 18+ (some states may require 21+) and be present in an eligible state; if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

OnDeck MLB DFS & Prop Bet Podcasts 🎙️

Like, Subscribe, and Comment @ LineStar YouTube channel! You never know when we’ll shout you out or give you something cool. New episodes drop Mon-Fri feat. hosts Shannon Sommerville & Tyler Wiemann! Every episode is quick, informative, & easy to watch.

Main Slate Rundown 🏟

We’ve got a nice nine-game main slate to get us rolling this week! This slate strikes a pretty nice balance between pitching and hitting/stack options. Summertime temps are also heating up in many parts of the country, so we’re beginning to see more and more high totals on the board. Let’s waste no time and dive right into it! Best of luck!

Main slate match-ups with implied run totals and moneyline odds:

🆕💣New “Dinger Report” Feature💣🆕

While many overpriced DFS services are content to sit on their hands and rarely roll out new features, that’s not how things work at LineStar! Premium LineStar subscribers now have access to the new “Dinger Report” feature on the desktop website (coming to the mobile app soon). Here you’ll find all the juicy info needed when home run hunting! This tool will be very useful for both DFS lineup building and when making home run prop bets/parlays!

Today’s Top Dinger Odds (sorted by LineStar projected odds)

Main Slate Weather Outlook 💨🌦️☁️

Check LineStar's MLB Daily Dashboard to see an overview of the most up-to-date game forecasts.

• TOR @ BOS (7:10 ET, 8.5 O/U): It won’t exactly be hot here, with temps around 70 degrees, but some 10 mph winds blowing OUT to right will provide a bump to bats, especially the lefty bats.

• PIT @ CIN (7:10 ET, 10.0 O/U): Warm with light winds OUT to center.

• MIA @ KC (8:10 ET, 9.5 O/U): 90 degrees at first pitch, humid, and winds OUT to left at 10-15 mph. Best hitting conditions on the slate.

• OAK @ LAA (9:38 ET, 9.0 O/U): 10 mph winds OUT to center.

Pitchers to Consider ⚾

Cole Ragans (LHP), KC | DK: $10.1k, FD: $11k | vs. MIA

By my guess, Ragans could easily end up as the highest-owned pitcher on the slate but I’ll bite on some chalk here. He has been “good, not great” in recent weeks but this is a strong spot for a potential ceiling game. Overall, Ragans comes into his 17th start with a 3.13 ERA, 3.21 xFIP, 28.9% kRate, and 14.3% SwStr%. He has also shown more strikeout potential at home where he’s rocking a 31.8% kRate (vs. 25.6% kRate away).

The match-up will be a big draw here. Over the last month against LHPs, Miami ranks 26th or worse in AVG, OPS, wOBA, ISO, and wRC+. Their 25.0% kRate is also the 6th highest in that span. The one issue here is the fact that there will be some very hitter-friendly conditions (hot, humid, winds blowing out) at an already hitter-friendly ballpark (Kauffman Stadium: #2 hitter’s ballpark this season). Ragans has also allowed a high 47.5% FlyBall Rate over the last month. Fortunately, for Ragans, the Marlins own the 4th lowest FlyBall Rate against lefties over the last month and their .106 ISO in that same span ranks 27th. As long as those trends remain true, Ragans should be well worth the five-figure investment. The Royals also step in as slate-leading -245 ML favorites, so we’ll like Ragans's chances of earning the win bonus as well.

Matt Waldron (RHP), SD | DK: $8.3k, FD: $8.3k | vs. WAS

Dipping into the mid-range, we’ll put the spotlight on the knuckleballer Matt Waldron. Waldron has been in a nice groove for a while now and he has surrendered no more than two earned runs in eight consecutive starts. That includes games against the Dodgers, Phillies, and Braves. In that eight-game span, he has procured a 1.82 ERA, 3.73 xFIP, 0.89 WHIP, .184 opp AVG, and 24.7% kRate.

Washington does not provide much strikeout upside for Waldron as they’ve posted an MLB-low 14.5% kRate vs. RHPs L2Weeks. However, they are fresh off of a series at Coors Field, with no off-day in between, so the infamous “Coors hangover” could be in play here. Washington steps into this match-up with a slate-low 3.2 implied run total and the Padres (-202 ML) are the second-heaviest favored team on the day. Waldron has also pitched seven innings in three of his last five starts. So there are some ways that Waldron can counter the lack of immense K upside -- by earning the win bonus and potentially pitching 7+ innings. All-in-all, he sets up as a solid all-around option at his $8,300 price point on both DFS sites.

Spencer Schwellenbach (RHP), ATL | DK: $7.4k, FD: $8k | @ STL

The pitching options that are priced below the aforementioned Matt Waldron all seem dicey in one way or the other. If I’m really punting an SP2 on DraftKings, I suppose I don’t mind a cheap Luis Medina (DK: $5.5k, FD: $6.4k) against the Angels, but it is far from a high-confidence play. Schwellenbach has his own downsides, but he’s showing some promising underlying metrics as well, albeit in just four starts into his MLB career. For starters, he’s generating plenty of swing-and-miss. His 13.7% SwStr% is tied for the 3rd best figure on the slate, alongside the much more expensive Freddy Peralta. Schwelly’s 4.98 ERA is also backed up by a considerably better 3.62 xERA. His statcast data is also full of green (good) figures -- 45.3% Groundball%, 23.4% SoftContact%, 86.5 mph average exit velo, and he has allowed just a single barreled ball in his four starts (1.6% Barrel%).

One big strike against Schwellenbach is the fact that he has allowed a .260 ISO to lefty bats… and the Cardinals have no shortage of LHBs to throw at him today with seven lefty/switch hitters in their lineup today. The Cardinals are also hitting well against RHPs lately, with a 131 wRC+ against righties L2Weeks (6th best). They do, however, have an above-average 24.3% kRate in that same span. I don’t envision Schwellenbach pitching an overly clean game, but I could see him posting a third consecutive quality start (6.0+ IP, ≤ 3 ER) paired with 6-to-8 Ks. If that comes to fruition, then he likely returns some nice value at his current DFS salaries. I doubt I’d trust him in a cash lineup but Schwellenbach is an intriguing option for GPPs considering he’ll likely check in at < 10% ownership.

Other Pitchers to Consider

Garrett Crochet (LHP), CWS | DK: $9.7k, FD: $10.2k | vs. LAD

Freddy Peralta (RHP), MIL | DK: $9.5k, FD: $9.8k | vs. TEX

Justin Steele (LHP), CHC | DK: $8.5k, FD: $9.5k | @ SF

Luis Medina (RHP), OAK | DK: $5.5k, FD: $6.4k | @ LAA

Team Stacks to Target 🎯

Disclaimer: Stacking in MLB DFS is not a requirement but it is a very common strategy used to take down GPPs. This strategy is covered in more detail in the MLB DFS strategy guide linked in the header at the top of this newsletter. Check out the MLB StackFinder on LineStar.

Kansas City Royals vs. Roddery Munoz (RHP), MIA

+ Royals: 5.4 implied runs (ranks 1st on the slate).

+ Munoz has been bad overall across his six starts this season: 5.76 ERA, 7.00 xERA, 50.0% HardHit%, and 15.9% Barrel%.

+ The Royals are returning from a long nine-game road trip. They have been much better offensively at home where they’ve averaged 5.38 runs/gm (vs. 3.80 runs/gm away).

+ Based on Park Factor, Kauffman Stadium has been the #2 most hitter-friendly ballpark and there are going to be some excellent hitting conditions in play this evening (hot, humid, winds blowing out).

+ Against RHPs at home this season, the Royals are procured a .276 AVG (1st), .793 OPS (2nd), .343 wOBA (3rd), .174 ISO (7th), 116 wRC+ (5th), and 16.3% kRate (1st).

+ Outside of a couple of bats (Bobby Witt Jr. & Salvador Perez), there are plenty of affordable hitters to choose from in this lineup.

-/+ Munoz has been awful versus LHBs (.298 AVG, .468 wOBA, .474 ISO, 9.64 ERA, 5.14 HR/9 Rate) but the Royals do not have a ton of high-caliber lefty bats to deploy against him.

- The Royals have really struggled against RHPs lately with an MLB-worst .186 AVG, .252 wOBA, and 57 wRC+ over the last two weeks. So, we’re counting on their positive home splits to kick in here.

Favorite KC Bats: Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino

Bargain Bat: Michael Massey

Cincinnati Reds vs. Bailey Falter (LHP), PIT

+ Reds: 5.3 implied runs (ranks 2nd on the slate).

+ Falter has allowed a high 28.6% LineDrive% over the last month and averages -29.1% less FPPG on the road.

+ Falter just faced the Reds last Tuesday and, while they were held to two runs on seven hits across 7.0 IP against him, facing the same pitcher twice in the span of a week often works out in the opposing offense’s favor.

+ In 64 PA vs. Falter, the current Reds roster owns a .367 AVG, .453 wOBA, and 9.4% kRate.

+ There are some quality hitting conditions in play tonight at an already hitter-friendly ballpark.

+ The Pirates bullpen has not pitched well L2Weeks: 5.83 ERA, .284 opp AVG, 1.38 WHIP, and 1.45 HR/9 Rate.

-/+ The Reds have been just “okay” against LHPs over the last month: .267 AVG (10th), .741 OPS (12th), .328 wOBA (12th),.129 ISO (19th), and 108 wRC+ (14th).

Favorite CIN Bats: Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Jeimer Candelario

Bargain Bat: Jonathan India

Low-Owned Stack That Just Might Work Out 🤔

Chicago White Sox vs. James Paxton (LHP), LAD

+ Every White Sox hitter in the projected lineup has a < 10% pOwn%.

+ Somewhat surprisingly, the White Sox have been a top 10 offense vs. LHPs over the last month: .272 AVG (7th), .780 OPS (10th), .338 wOBA (9th), .171 ISO (9th), and 119 wRC+ (7th).

+ Paxton’s 3.65 ERA is backed up by a poor 4.64 xERA and 5.18 xFIP. Some inevitable regression has been hitting him in recent weeks, which has led to a 5.08 ERA over his last six starts.

+ Paxton doesn’t get many strikeouts (15.4% kRate) and he owns a slate-worst 11.8% BB% this season.

+ There are plenty of cheap bats to choose from in this CWS lineup.

- White Sox: 3.7 implied run total (3rd lowest on the slate).

- The Dodgers do have a solid bullpen to turn to if Paxton gets in trouble early.

- It’s still the White Sox.

Favorite CWS Bats: Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Vaughn, Tommy Pham

Bargain Bat: Lenyn Sosa

One-Off Bats ☝️

A maximum of one hitter per team will be listed below. Feel free to use these players as one-off options, one-half of a two-man mini-stack, or a core piece to a full team stack.

1B/OF Shohei Ohtani, LAD | DK: $6.6k, FD: $4.9k | vs. Garrett Crochet (LHP), CWS

SS Bobby Witt Jr., KC | DK: $6.5k, FD: $4.2k | vs. Roddery Munoz (RHP), MIA

SS Elly De La Cruz, CIN | DK: $6.3k, FD: $4.1k | vs. Bailey Falter (LHP), PIT

1B/OF Cody Bellinger, CHC | DK: $5.9k, FD: $3.2k | vs. Spencer Howard (RHP), SF

OF Jarren Duran, BOS | DK: $5.4k, FD: $3.8k | vs. Chris Bassitt (RHP), TOR

SS Corey Seager, TEX | DK: $5.2k, FD: $3.6k | vs. Freddy Peralta (RHP), MIL

3B Austin Riley, ATL | DK: $5.1k, FD: $3.4k | vs. Lance Lynn (RHP), STL

SS Willy Adames, MIL | DK: $5.1k, FD: $3.5k | vs. Michael Lorenzen (RHP), TEX

3B Manny Machado, SD | DK: $5k, FD: $3.3k | vs. Patrick Corbin (LHP), WAS

OF Luis Robert Jr., CWS | DK: $5k, FD: $3.2k | vs. James Paxton (LHP), LAD

OF Heliot Ramos, SF | DK: $4.9k, FD: $3.7k | vs. Justin Steele (LHP), CHC

OF Bryan Reynolds, PIT | DK: $4.5k, FD: $3.3k | vs. Carson Spiers (RHP), CIN

OF Lane Thomas, WAS | DK: $4.5k, FD: $3.3k | vs. Matt Waldron (RHP), SD

3B Luis Rengifo, LAA | DK: $4.3k, FD: $3k | vs. Luis Medina (RHP), OAK

2B Nolan Gorman, STL | DK: $4.1k, FD: $2.9k | vs. Spencer Schwellenbach (RHP), ATL

Bargain Batters 💸

Note: Additional hitting value may open up once all official starting lineups are released. For now, here are some cheap hitters who are already confirmed or currently expected to be on the field tonight and find themselves in a good spot to pay off their modest DFS salaries.

Default cut-off to qualify as a “Bargain Batter” is <$4,100 on DraftKings

OF Jurickson Profar, SD | DK: $4k, FD: $3.1k | vs. Patrick Corbin (LHP), WAS

OF Alec Burleson, STL | DK: $3.9k, FD: $3.1k | vs. Spencer Schwellenbach (RHP), ATL

OF Andrew McCutchen, PIT | DK: $3.9k, FD: $3k | vs. Carson Spiers (RHP), CIN

C Logan O’Hoppe, LAA | DK: $3.8k, FD: $2.9k | vs. Luis Medina (RHP), OAK

OF Brendan Donovan, STL | DK: $3.7k, FD: $3.1k | vs. Spencer Schwellenbach (RHP), ATL

2B Michael Massey, KC | DK: $3.5k, FD: $2.9k | vs. Roddery Munoz (RHP), MIA

OF Jarred Kelenic, ATL | DK: $3.4k, FD: $2.9k | vs. Lance Lynn (RHP), STL

2B Jonathan India, CIN | DK: $3.4k, FD:  $3k | vs. Bailey Falter (LHP), PIT

OF MJ Melendez, KC | DK: $3.2k, FD: $2.5k | vs. Roddery Munoz (RHP), MIA

OF Wyatt Langford, TEX | DK: $3.2k, FD: $3k | vs. Freddy Peralta (RHP), MIL

OF Jackson Chourio, MIL | DK: $3.1k, FD: $2.7k | vs. Michael Lorenzen (RHP), TEX

1B Tyler Soderstrom, OAK | DK: $2.3k, FD: $2.6k  | vs. Griffin Canning (RHP), LAA

OF Kyle Isbel, KC | DK: $2.3k, FD: $2.4k | vs. Roddery Munoz (RHP), MIA

Home Run Calls of the Day 💣

Make sure you’re following @LineStarApp on Twitter. Retweet the Home Run Calls of the Day tweet below for your chance to win prizes!

Ryan’s PrizePicks Power Play of the Day⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's MLB action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these picks so I don't just lightly throw them out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

No picks from me today but, as usual, Tyler has some great recommendations in the props video at the top of this newsletter!

🔥 Props AI 🔥

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props AI for MLB! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks and UnderDog Fantasy!

Speaking of props, put the Props AI tool to use by signing-up for UnderDog Fantasy for 2-months of LineStar Premium (Promo code: LINESTAR). Plus $100 deposit match for new customers. What many people may not realize is that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em and it’s insanely easy.

Best of luck out there today, everyone!