The LCS summer split kicks off with a rematch of the losers bracket final between Team Liquid and TSM. With the format changes implemented at the start of 2021 your LCS record from the spring split carries over to summer. This makes it even more important for the bottom teams to come out swinging at the start.
Here’s a partial lineup of strong value picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on June 4
| MVP | ||
| Top Lane | Finn | $7,700 FD, $6,000 DK |
| Jungle | ||
| Mid Lane | ||
| AD Carry | K1ng | $7,700 FD, $8,200 DK |
| Support | ||
| TEAM | Counter Logic Gaming | $7,400 FD, $4,600 DK |
After a rocky start of his LCS career, Finn ($7,700 FD, $6,000 DK) was CLG’s most improved player over the course of the split. He went from a hindrance in the first two weeks to one of the carries of the team. His opponents in FlyQuest and Licorice struggled to find their footing the whole season. Finn will look to shoot CLG up the standings in summer to get the best playoff position to challenge for worlds.
The shock of the offseason came when Cloud9 announced that starting AD carry Zven will be benched for the start of the summer split and academy AD carry K1ng ($7,700 FD, $8,200 DK) will be promoted to the starting lineup. Even after Cloud9’s lackluster performance at MSI everyone was still surprised to hear that Cloud9 were making changes, however, K1ng is no slouch. K1ng has been on Cloud9 academy, who have consistently produced LCS starters, for one and a half years and before that MAMMOTH in OCE. K1ng played with Fudge on both teams which gives him some building blocks going into the season.
With Cloud9 facing off against Golden Guardians you would think Cloud9 would be the obvious answer but I’m leaning towards Counter Logic Gaming ($7,400 FD, $4,600 DK). CLG ended the spring split on a hot streak taking down both Cloud9 and Team Liquid at the end of the regular season. Keep in mind CLG only had their full roster until week four of the split. CLG is a much cheaper option than the top ranked being the fourth and fifth least expensive TEAM options on DraftKings and FanDuel respectively.
What do you get if you sign up for $99 now?
• Full lineups for FanDuel and DraftKings
• Why to back a certain player despite their team’s struggles
• Who to pick for MVP
• Which new LCS import is looking to make a splash
FanDuel Lineup for June 4
| MVP | FBI | $9,600 FD |
| Top Lane | Finn | $7,700 FD |
| Jungle | Blaber | $10,300 FD |
| Mid Lane | Abbedagge | $9,300 FD |
| AD Carry | K1ng | $7,700 FD |
| Support | Huhi | $7,700 FD |
| TEAM | Counter Logic Gaming | $7,400 FD |
| Remaining Salary | $300 |
Despite 100 Thieves’ struggles towards the end of the split FBI ($9,600 FD, $12,000 [MVP] DK) was a consistent strong MVP choice for lineups. FBI averaged the most kills per game in the entire league, finished fourth in MVP voting, and was only 3 points away from first team all-pro. FBI was the only player on 100 Thieves whose performance didn’t waver the entire split. Even with the roster and coaching changes for 100 Thieves this off season FBI has always shown a high level of play despite the circumstances. So even if 100 Thieves gets off to a slow start as a team, FBI will still perform.
Although Blaber ($10,300 FD, $7,600 DK) lead Cloud9 to another LCS trophy and won his second MVP award it feels like he’s coming into the season with questions after an up and down performance at MSI. However, it feels like his couple of terrible performances are overshadowing his good ones. Blaber is still the best jungler in the LCS and will look to lead Cloud9 to back to back titles and possibly another MVP level season.
Before Cloud9 promoted K1ng and benched Zven, Abbedagge ($9,300 FD, $7,600 DK) was the big news of the offseason. 100 Thieves struggled the entire season at the mid lane position. When the mid lane meta shifted away from roaming/global champions after the Lock In tournament Damonte wasn’t at the same level as last year. ry0ma came in as a last minute fix in hopes that he’d be better on control mages, but he wasn’t up to par with the rest of the top mid laners in the LCS. Abbedagge is coming over from Schalke 04 in the LEC and was a top four player at his position.
DraftKings Lineup for June 4
| MVP | FBI | $12,000 [MVP] DK |
| Top Lane | Finn | $6,000 DK |
| Jungle | Broxah | $6,400 DK |
| Mid Lane | Jensen | $7,200 DK |
| AD Carry | K1ng | $8,200 DK |
| Support | CoreJJ | $5,400 DK |
| TEAM | Counter Logic Gaming | $4,600 DK |
| Remaining Salary | $200 |
With the stricter DraftKings salaries both Jensen ($9,700 FD, $7,200 DK) and CoreJJ ($7,800 FD, $5,400 DK) are great value picks as they are inexpensive due to their matchup against TSM. Team Liquid dominated TSM in the losers bracket match with a backup jungler. With Team Liquid regaining Santorin for the start of summer they are looking for revenge against Cloud9 but must get through TSM first.
Let us know about your wins on Twitter (@FantasyDFSX). We love to hear from you. Best of luck and have fun!
