DFS MLB Lineups for August 21, 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!
8/21/17 MAIN SLATE TOURNAMENT RUNDOWN
DraftKings Grand Slam: $444 buy-in, $500k guaranteed
DraftKings Power Alley: $44 buy-in, $275k guaranteed
DraftKings Four Seamer: $4 buy-in, $200k guaranteed
FanDuel Grand Slam: $44 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
FanDuel Squeeze: $6 buy-in, $200k guaranteed
FanDuel Monster: $444 buy-in, $300k guaranteed
Best DFS MLB Pitchers for August 21, 2017
Alex Wood @ PIT ($12.1k DraftKings, $9.7k FanDuel)
After stumbling in a few starts for the first time all season, Wood’s returned to his rock steady ways with 3 consecutive Quality Starts. Tonight he’ll face a Pirates teams that has scored the third-fewest runs (242) in the Majors at home this season and could once again dominate a lineup that he held to 2 hits with 11 K’s over just 5 IP in a previous meeting this season. Pittsburgh is hitting a below-average .247 against LHP this year and Wood’s been nearly untouchable with a 1.72 ERA and 1.20 FIP in road starts.
Zach Davies @ SF ($8.4k DraftKings, $7.5k FanDuel)
The Giants were eliminated from the N.L. West race with over five weeks left in the season, which tells you how poorly their year is going. With the lowest collective wOBA (.295) and second-fewest runs scored (509) in the Majors, San Francisco has been an easy target all year. This is especially true at pitcher-friendly AT&T Park, where Davies should be able to avoid the long ball and build on the momentum of his gem against the Pirates on short rest last Tuesday. While he was crushed by the Twins 5 days prior, the young RHP is rocking a 2.91 ERA since the ASB and a 2.52 ERA on the road.
Eduardo Rodriguez @ CLE ($7.3k DraftKings, $7.7k FanDuel)
A couple of unlucky Fenway-related bounces and defensive lapses led to a rough start for Rodriguez in his last outing, but he bounced back nicely to record 6 K’s over 5.1 IP against a capable Cardinals lineup. He draws another tough task tonight on the road against the Indians, but Fast Eddie shut Cleveland down completely with 8 strong innings of one run ball during his only previous meeting with the Tribe. He’s containing trouble with a 1.07 WHIP on the road this year and is pitching better than his overall numbers might suggest. We’ll use ERod in GPPs only.
Other pitchers to consider: Gerrit Cole, Taijuan Walker, Tyler Skaggs, Andrew Albers
Best DFS MLB Hitters for August 21, 2017
Rafael Devers @ CLE ($4.5k DraftKings, $4.1k FanDuel)
The Red Sox biggest midsummer move was not necessarily a trade, but a call-up, as Devers has been a key component to their success. The rookie LHB has a .364/.424/.727 slash line with a 197 wRC+ this year and has been even more dangerous in LvL matchups, which may come into play in the later innings of this matchup against Cleveland’s tough bullpen. Tonight’s starter, Mike Clevinger, is rocking a 5.08 ERA while allowing lefties to post a .368 wOBA and 2.40 HR/9 ratio at home this season and he could certainly struggle against a loaded lineup.
Adam Jones vs. OAK ($4.5k DraftKings, $3.2k FanDuel)
The slugging Orioles could be worth stacking tonight in a potential offensive explosion at Camden Yards, as they’ll look to add to their impressive HR totals at home. Jones hit .406 with 2 HRs during an 8-game hitting streak (which came to an end on Sunday) and he’s facing a rookie RHP in Chris Smith, who has been more vulnerable in RvR matchups. To be specific, Smith is sporting a rough 7.29 FIP with a 3.32 HR/9 ratio when facing righties this year and Jones has a smooth swing that can turn any fastball down broadway into a big fly.
Matt Joyce @ BAL ($4.0k DraftKings, $3.2k FanDuel)
Joyce often bats high in the order for Oakland when the A’s face a RHP that struggles against the platoon and that’s certainly the case tonight with vulnerable veteran Ubaldo Jimenez taking the mound. Lefties are hitting .281 with a .401 wOBA and 2.78 HR/9 ratio when facing Jimenez this year and he’s posting a 1.78 WHIP with a .319 BAA at Camden Yards. There’s a very high HR Factor for LHB in Baltimore and Joyce has flashed upside with 3 HRs over the last week.
Other hitters to consider: Nelson Cruz, Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew Benintendi, Adrian Beltre, Mark Trumbo, Michael Conforto, Francisco Lindor, Robinson Cano, Jed Lowrie
8/21/17 DFS MLB STACKS
Mariners vs Mike Foltynewicz
Foltynewicz has spun a couple of gems for the Braves this year, but he’s also struggled mightily in some outings, giving up 19 ER over his last 3 losses. Tonight he’ll take on the red hot Nelson Cruz and a lefty-heavy Mariners lineup that could certainly give him trouble, as LHB are hitting .295 with a 34.6% Hard Contact Rate off him. Robinson Cano and newly-acquired 1B Yonder Alonso could be great plays in this spot, while Mitch Haniger flashed some upside in his return to Seattle’s lineup. Jean Segura has become a great cash game option once again and Mike Zunino is worth a longshot play at catcher.
Diamondbacks vs Robert Gsellman
The D’Backs elite hitters are certainly pricey tonight but they could pay off in a prime matchup. Mets RHP Robert Gsellman’s been better at home yet he’s still posting a rough 4.96 ERA with a .299 BAA at Citi Field and should struggle against an elite opponent. Paul Goldschmidt would lead the way as always, while J.D. Martinez and A.J. Pollock are both strong plays since Gsellman is allowing RHB to hit .341 with a .412 wOBA and 35.2% Hard Contact Rate at home this season. Consider SS Ketel Marte for value and David Peralta as a potential lefty with upside.
Other Stacks to consider:
Orioles vs. Chris Smith
Brewers vs. Chris Stratton
Red Sox vs. Mike Clevinger
