DFS MLB Lineups for August 18, 2017 at Draftkings.com & Fanduel.com
For this daily fantasy baseball season, each day there’s a good slate of DFS MLB games, we’ll be writing up a group of pitchers and hitters that we’re considering for our cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. We’ll also provide a list of stacks to consider, MLB start times, starting pitchers, and game run totals to give you a good idea of where the fantasy goodness might come from on a given night. As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, park factor, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play DFS, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy and DRAFT a try!
A quick reminder while playing DFS MLB, don’t forget baseball is a game of variance. You can make a really solid lineup and still fall short of the cash line. Even Clayton Kershaw can get lit up, and Mike Trout can still go 0 for 4. Baseball is funny like that. Trust the process and know that if you’re playing quality lineups, you’ll be a winner in the long term.
Another thing to remember outside of making sure your player is in the lineup, is to always check the weather. Always. Make this something that is part of your basic routine. Baseball games can get postponed! Your players receive no points from postponed games!
8/18/17 MAIN SLATE TOURNAMENT RUNDOWN
DraftKings Full Count: $55 buy-in, $275k guaranteed
DraftKings Rally Cap: $8 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
DraftKings Four Seamer: $4 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
FanDuel Papa Squeeze: $9 buy-in, $135k guaranteed
FanDuel Grand Slam: $44 buy-in, $125k guaranteed
FanDuel Demonster: $666 buy-in, $200k guaranteed
Best DFS MLB Pitchers for August 18, 2017
Drew Pomeranz @ NYY ($8.5k DraftKings, $9.0k FanDuel)
If the season started on May 25, then Pomeranz would probably be in the running for the Cy Young Award. He owns a 2.72 ERA in his last 15 starts and has struck out almost a batter an inning. To be honest, the Yankees have been fairly dreadful against lefties this season; they own a .302 wOBA against southpaws on the year. The Yankees struggled against three Red Sox starters last weekend, so it would not be surprising to see them have a tough time again tonight.
Corey Kluber @ KCR ($13.4k DraftKings, $11.6k FanDuel)
Corey Kluber is right there with Max Scherzer as the top option on the slate tonight, but his price tag reflects just that. In six starts since the All-Star break, he owns a 2.53 ERA and over the course of the season, he has accumulated 192 strikeouts in 139.1 innings. The Royals .315 wOBA against righties this season ranks 22nd in the big leagues.
Max Scherzer @ SDP ($14.1k DraftKings, $11.5k FanDuel)
Scherzer owns a 2.25 ERA this season and has gotten 220 batters to whiff over the course of 160.1 frames. He has the pleasure of facing the Padres at pitcher haven Petco Park. Their .306 wOBA against right-handers and .304 wOBA at home are two of the worst marks in the big leagues. Scherzer has back to back 7-inning outings where he recorded 9 and 10 Ks, respectively. An 11 or 12 strikeout ceiling game is not out of the question tonight.
Other pitchers to consider: Dallas Keuchel, Austin Pruitt, Zack Godley
Best DFS MLB Hitters for August 18, 2017
Lucas Duda vs SEA ($3.7k DraftKings, $3.2k FanDuel)
The Rays got a major upgrade to their already powerful lineup when they traded for Lucas Duda. Now they see the benefit of having him in their lineup. The left-handed batter owns a solid .375 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season and he is facing a struggling right-hander. Erasmo Ramirez gets the start for the Mariners and enters the evening with a 5.60 ERA in 11 starts this season.
Buster Posey vs PHI ($4.1k DraftKings, $2.9k FanDuel)
Posey is not surrounded by great hitters, but he himself is a talented bat as a one off play. His .366 wOBA at home this year is good, and he is facing a pitcher who is really struggling. Zach Eflin has a 5.76 ERA in 10 starts this season. It may be a great opportunity to differentiate your lineup as gamers will likely look to punt at catcher in order to fit in the expensive pitchers.
George Springer vs OAK ($5.1k DraftKings, $4.1k FanDuel)
Springer has been one of the top batters against left-handed pitchers this season as evident by his .444 wOBA against him. That could make him a weapon tonight as the Athletics roll Sean Manaea out to the mound. After all, the A’s southpaw owns a 7.52 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break.
Other hitters to consider: Hanley Ramirez, Edwin Encarnacion, Travis Shaw, Jonathan Lucroy, Wilmer Difo, Joey Gallo, Marcell Ozuna, Freddie Freeman
8/18/17 DFS MLB STACKS
Marlins @ Chris Flexen
Flexen has let up 14 runs in 16.2 big league innings this season and walked 12 batters. His inexperience is definitely a concern. In the second half, the Marlins have been a relatively competent offensively team; their .327 wOBA since the All-Star break is certainly above-average and the whole lineup from top to bottom has really been clicking. Stanton, Ozuna, Yelich, Realmuto, and Gordon should all be in lineup consideration tonight.
Rangers vs James Shields
If the White Sox weren’t trying to tank this season, then there is about a zero percent chance Shields would be in their rotation. On the year, he owns a horrid 5.90 ERA while giving up homers on the regular. The Rangers .349 wOBA at home is downright impressive and we know the ball can get out of the Globe with ease, so loading up on the power bats could make for a solid stack.
Rockies vs Matt Garza
Garza really hasn’t pitched well on the road this season and Colorado is the worst place he could possibly pitch. He owns a 5.45 ERA in seven road starts this season and in his career, he owns a 6.10 ERA in seven starts against the Rockies. In contrast, the Rockies .356 wOBA at home is the best in baseball. Load up.
Other Stacks to consider:
Indians vs Ian Kennedy
Astros vs Sean Manaea
Braves vs Sal Romano
