MLB DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for April 23, 2018
There are eight games on the main MLB DFS slate for Monday, 4/23/18. Below is a list of our top MLB DFS picks for pitchers, hitters, and stacks to target in Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used for creating 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 Mike Trout can go 0-for-4 on a given night, and Max Scherzer can get lit up by an unsuspecting 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 an MLB slate.
4/23/18 MLB DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
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Best MLB DFS Pitchers for April 23, 2018
Carlos Carrasco @ BAL ($11.7 DK / $9.6 FD)
The Baltimore Orioles enter tonight’s game with the second highest strikeout rate in baseball (26.9 percent). Carlos Carrasco has looked much stronger over his last two outings: 13 K, 6 hits, 1 ER in 16 IP, including a complete game performance against Detroit. While Gerrit Cole looks un-hittable, Carrasco’s matchup is much better, and he’s lighter on the wallet…especially at FanDuel.
Masahiro Tanaka vs. MIN ($8.8 DK / $9.6 FD)
Masahiro Tanaka has looked awful over his last two starts, allowing 12 runs on 15 hits while walking four. He remains a good source for strikeouts but continues to struggle with the long ball. Tanaka is hard to play in Cash, but given his recent success and the Twins’ strikeout rate, he makes for a decent tournament play.
Walker Buehler vs. MIA ($6.2 DK)
The Dodgers promoted top prospect Walker Buehler over the weekend, and he’ll make his first MLB start Monday against the Marlins. It’s not a bad matchup for the 2015 first-round pick as Miami ranks 25th in average and 24th in runs scored. Buehler posted double-digit K/9 numbers across three levels of minor league ball last season and has 50 strikeouts over 36.2 career AAA innings. In 9.1 innings out of the pen last season, Buehler racked up 12 punch outs. Like most youngsters, he’s struggled with his command, but the upside is tremendous. He’ll most likely just need to get to the fifth to pick up the win.
Others to consider: Gerrit Cole, Gio Gonzalez
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Best MLB DFS Hitters for April 23, 2018
Jose Abreu vs. SEA ($4.0 DK / $3.6 FD)
Mike Leake’s 81.8 contact percentage has resulted in 22 hits allowed and a 44.7 hard hit rate. The Mariners’ pitcher has allowed 20 plus home runs in seven straight seasons and has surrendered three so far thanks in part to a 40.8 fly ball percentage. Jose Abreu doesn’t strike out much and has shown nothing but power since entering the league.
Jed Lowrie @ TEX ($4.6 DK / $4.0 FD)
Until Jed Lowrie cools off, just keep playing him. He leads baseball with 33 hits, and has a team-high .378 average (14 hits) against lefties. The Athletics (.275 AVG vs LHP) make for a sneaky stack against Matt Moore, who has allowed 24 hits, 14 runs and nine walks over 19.1 innings. His 1.71 WHIP is the sixth highest, and he’s allowed 53 home runs since 2016 due to a career 41.7 FB%.
Gleyber Torres vs. MIN ($3.0 DK / $2.5 FD)
Gleyber Torres finished 0-for-4 in his MLB debut Sunday, but get him in your lineups now while his price is low. The 22-year-old is a five-tool player who had a .347 AVG across 14 AAA games this season after having hit .309 in 23 AAA games in 2017. The Yankees are a great stack, but they are expensive. Playing Torres will allow you to get a piece of it, and sometimes stacking the bottom part of a lineup is a great way to be contrarian in tournaments. Jake Odorizzi’s 44 percent fly ball rate (45 percent career mark) has resulted in four home runs already this season. His 63 allowed since the start of 2016 are tied with Kevin Gausman for the third most.
Michael Brantley @ BAL ($3.8 DK / $3.6 FD)
Michael Brantley has six multi-hit games over a current seven-game hit streak and checks in at a great price on both sites. Brantley has hit in the cleanup spot in all seven of those games and has five extra base hits to show for it. Kevin Gausman’s six home runs allowed this season are tied for the third most, as are the 63 he’s given up since 2016. Gausman ranks inside the top 15 in hits allowed (27) and WHIP (1.57) this season.
Mitch Haniger @ CWS ($3.7 DK / $3.5 FD)
Mitch Haniger has seven home runs on the season and has homered in three straight games. He has six extra base hits in his last three games and hits in five straight contests. Miguel Gonzalez has a ridiculously bad 2.43 WHIP, which is the third-highest mark among pitchers. He’s allowed 24 hits, 18 runs, four home runs and six walks in 12.1 innings. He also has an awful 84.9 contact percentage, which is slightly lower than his 85.7 mark last season. Think Mariners when putting together your lineups.
Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion, Matt Olson, Ian Desmond, Robinson Cano, Howie Kendrick, Jose Ramirez, Matt Davidson, Kyle Seager, Didi Gregorius, Marcus Semien, Jurickson Profar, Nelson Cruz, George Springer, David Dahl, Buster Posey, Mike Zunino
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MLB DFS Stacks to Consider for April 23, 2018
Indians @ Kevin Gausman
Rockies vs. Bryan Mitchell
Mariners @ Miguel Gonzalez
Yankees vs. Jake Odorizzi
Athletics @ Matt Moore
Astros vs. Tyler Skaggs
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