MLB DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for April 12, 2018
We have a full slate of MLB DFS games scheduled for Thursday, 4/12/18. The main slate on DraftKings includes four games starting at 7:05 p.m. EST, while FanDuel’s main slate includes five games starting at 7:05 p.m. EST.
For today, we’re listing our top MLB DFS pitchers, hitters, and stacks to target in Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used for crafting your daily fantasy baseball strategy at FantasyDraft.
Please note the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and lots of other factors. This is important to consider when constructing a roster. Remember that more than in other sports, variance is a huge part of baseball. Even Jose Altuve can go 0-for-4 on a given night, and Max Scherzer can get lit up by a weak team.
Weather can also play a huge role in MLB DFS on a nightly basis, and lineups are constantly shifting. So always, always check the starting lineups and weather reports when playing for an MLB slate.
4/12/18 MLB DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Tape Measure Home Run: $5 entry, $200k guaranteed (DraftKings) – $25,000 to 1st!
Fastball: $33 entry, $150k guaranteed (DraftKings)
Grand Slam: $33 entry, $150k guaranteed (FanDuel) – $30,000 to 1st!
Rally: $9 entry, $100k guaranteed (FanDuel)
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Best MLB DFS Pitchers for April 12, 2018
Jose Berrios vs. CWS ($11.0k DraftKings, $9.0k FanDuel)
The Twins 23-year-old righthander continues to show plenty of promise after going 14-8 with an 8.59 K/9 ratio and 3.84 FIP in his first full MLB campaign last season. Jose Berrios was on fire in a complete-game shutout against the O’s to open 2018, then went cold in a tough matchup against the hot-hitting Mariners. He’ll return home tonight, where he posted a 2.41 ERA, .197 BAA and 25.8% K-Rate last season. And he’ll take on a White Sox team that hit just .248 with the sixth-highest K-Rate (23.7%) when facing RHP last season. The last time Berrios faced the White Sox at home, he struck out 11 over seven scoreless frames.
Others to Consider: Red Sox RHP Rick Porcello ($8.1k, $8.2k) is off to a good start in a bounce-back effort, but is only worth deploying in GPP formats against the slugging Yankees.
Sonny Gray ($7.7k, $8.4k) remains undervalued in pinstripes and is talented enough to shut down the Red Sox right-heavy lineup. Gamble on him in all formats if feeling bold.
Ian Kennedy ($7.2k, $7.7k) has turned back the clock with impressive starts against the White Sox and Indians and he could keep rolling in a tough matchup against the Angels.
Gio Gonzalez ($10.1k, $8.6k) is probably a player to fade against a Rockies team that crushes lefties.
Chris Stratton ($6.0k) could serve as one of the better values on FanDuel against the light-hitting Padres. He posted 7 K’s over 8 IP in a home start against San Diego last September and could find his stride after sputtering through consecutive starts against the elite Dodgers offense.
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Best MLB DFS Catchers for April 12, 2018
Buster Posey vs. SD ($3.1k FanDuel)
Even in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, the Giants are worth stacking on FanDuel against Padres RHP Bryan Mitchell. He struggled during spring training and is rocking a 16.7% HR/FB ratio and is maintaining his 92 percent Z-Contact Rate from last season through two starts. Posey took an 8-game hitting streak into Wednesday’s action and is a reliable Cash play as well as an integral addition to a potential stack.
Others to Consider: Chris Iannetta ($3.4k, $2.9k) is a player to target if stacking against LHP Gio Gonzalez.
Jason Castro ($2.9k, $2.2k) could be an intriguing GPP option as a LHB with power facing White Sox homer-prone young righty Lucas Giolito. Martin Maldonado ($2.9k, $2.4k) has been a solid Cash game play as a reliable hitter for the Angels.
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Best MLB DFS First Basemen for April 12, 2018
Hanley Ramirez vs. NYY ($4.2k DraftKings, $3.4k FanDuel)
Hanley Ramirez is silencing questions of his toughness and ability to play in adverse conditions by compiling 2 HRs and an A.L. best 12 RBIs so far this season. He’s worth deploying in chilly Boston provided the weather looks good enough for baseball to be played at Fenway tonight. Hitting in front of Ramirez will be the league’s leader in average (Mookie Betts) and likely a dangerous LHB in Rafael Devers or Andrew Benintendi, while J.D. Martinez is heating up behind him and that should force Sonny Gray to give him pitches to hit.
Others to Consider: Jose Abreu ($4.0k, $3.7k) is hot enough to deploy even if you’re using Twins starter Jose Berrios tonight.
Albert Pujols ($3.7k, $3.4k) has been consistent so far this year and happens to be 5-for-18 with 3 HRs in his career against Royals RHP Ian Kennedy.
Consider Eric Hosmer ($3.2k) on FD as a quick-hitting lefty with the platoon advantage against Stratton. Ryan Zimmerman ($3.6k, $2.7k) could serve as a solid addition to a Nationals stack against Rockies RHP Chad Bettis.
Tyler Austin ($3.1k, $3.1k) might be worth throwing into a Yankees stack against Porcello.
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Best MLB DFS Second Basemen for April 12, 2018
DJ LeMahieu vs. WAS ($3.9k DraftKings, $3.4k FanDuel)
The Rockies have been all over lefties this year including a six-run effort against Padres southpaw Clayton Richard Tuesday. DJ LeMahieu logged two hits in that contest and should hit second again tonight against LHP Gio Gonzalez, who is lucky to avoid serious damage with a 27 percent line drive rate through two starts this year. LeMahieu hit .362 with a 38.3 percent hard contact rate against lefties last season and is 2-for-4 with a HR in a limited sample against Gonzalez. Hitting in front of lefty-destroyer Nolan Arenado gives DJM even more appeal tonight at a mid-tier price tag.
Others to Consider: Howie Kendrick ($3.5k, $2.8k) would serve as a solid value option in this same game as the Nats face RHP Chad Bettis.
Brian Dozier ($4.4k, $4.1k) has plenty of appeal in GPP formats against White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito.
Joe Panik ($2.8k) is a reliable value and could have upside as part of a Giants stack against Bryan Mitchell
Neil Walker ($3.1k, $2.9k) will be worth a look if he’s starting against Rick Porcello. Stacking lefties against the Red Sox RHP may pay off tonight at Fenway Park.
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Best MLB DFS Third Basemen for April 12, 2018
Anthony Rendon vs. COL ($4.5k DraftKings, $3.8k FanDuel)
Rockies RHP Chad Bettis posted troubling reverse platoon splits last season in allowing RHB to hit .300 with a 1.54 HR/9 ratio. He also posted an 8.40 ERA on the road and faces a deadly lineup tonight in Washington. Rendon is hitting .300 and should see plenty of opportunities to drive in runs with Bryce Harper likely to get on base consistently tonight.
Others to Consider: Nolan Arenado ($4.7k, $4.3k) definitely carries GPP appeal against any lefty, AND Nationals solid southpaw Gio Gonzalez fits the bill.
Evan Longoria ($2.6k) is a true longshot to consider as part of a Giants stack. Luis Valbuena ($3.2k, $2.9k) is another tournament play to consider as a boom-bust option against boom-bust RHP Ian Kennedy.
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Best MLB DFS Shortstop for April 12, 2018
Didi Gregorious @ BOS ($4.6k DraftKings, $4.1k FanDuel)
Most of the production Rick Porcello has given up this year has come against lefties, in fact all 4 ER he’s given up have come against the platoon. That makes Didi Gregorious one of the most appealing additions to a potential Yankees stack in the atypical confines of Fenway Park, where he could hook a homer down the RF line with ease. Gregorious is off to a scorching start with a .383 average and .522 OBP as pitchers naturally relax when facing him after navigating the Yankees “murderer’s row” of power-hitting RHB. Gregorious is also 29-for-92 with 3 HRs over his last three seasons in trips to Fenway.
Others to Consider: Trea Turner ($4.8k, $4.2k) has immense upside in a plus matchup against Chad Bettis.
Consider Alcides Escobar ($3.0k, $2.6k) in Cash games as there’s a chance he leads off for the Royals against Angels RHP J.C. Ramirez.
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Best MLB DFS Outfielders for April 12, 2018
Bryce Harper vs. COL ($5.8k DraftKings, $5.4k FanDuel)
While Chad Bettis has been more vulnerable against RHB, he faces an extremely tough out tonight in Bryce Harper. The Nats lefty has already slugged 6 HRs and drawn 15 walks over 42 plate appearances for a league-best 31.4% BB Rate this season. Harper’s .554 wOBA is off the charts and Bettis has been a bit shaky with his control through two starts. The walks give him a solid floor and Harper’s impressive power accounts for his upside.
Others to Consider: Andrew McCutchen ($2.9k) is finding his stride and might be sparking the bounce back campaign many predicted for him.
Eddie Rosario ($2.9k, $2.5k) often flies under the radar, but is one of the Twins best hitters and a candidate to go yard off RHP Lucas Giolito tonight.
Brett Gardner ($3.5k, $3.1k) is 14-for-46 at the plate and 6-for-6 on SB attempts in a large sample size against Rick Porcello. He’s a good option to consider in GPP formats and even Giancarlo Stanton ($4.9k, $4.5k) could be worth paying up for if Porcello implodes as he often did at Fenway last season.
Ian Desmond ($4.1k, $3.5k) is worth using in tournaments against Gio Gonzalez and Brian Goodwin ($3.5k, $2.6k) is a quality Cash play as the Nationals likely leadoff man while Adam Eaton (ankle) is on the DL.
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