MLB DFS: DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (8/16/24) - Today's Top Lineups

The top MLB DFS daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel, DraftKings on August 16, 2024. Mike Barner's MLB DFS sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.

DraftKings and FanDuel are handling the schedule differently on Friday. The main evening slate on DraftKings will begin at 7:05 p.m. EDT and consist of eight games. The main evening slate on FanDuel will begin at 6:40 p.m. EDT and consist of 13 games.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/16/2024, with the slate starting at 6:40 p.m. EDT. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential.

Good luck, RotoBallers!

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Paul Skenes vs. SEA (NA DraftKings; $11,200 FanDuel)

This is one of the games that will be on FanDuel, but not on DraftKings. Skenes has a hefty salary, but he could be well worth it. He continues to dominate hitters, recording a 32.3% strikeout rate. The Mariners have struck out the most times in baseball. Don’t be surprised if Skenes posts his third double-digit strikeout performance of the season.

Spencer Arrighetti vs. CWS ($8,500 DraftKings; $9,500 FanDuel)

The White Sox continue to be a team to attack in DFS. They have the worst OPS and have scored the fewest runs in baseball. Arrighetti already comes into this matchup on a heater, allowing six runs and recording 33 strikeouts over his last three starts.

Arrighetti did allow three runs over 4.1 innings against the White Sox in Chicago in June, but look for him to have better results in their rematch.

Sean Manaea vs. MIA ($8,700 DraftKings; $9,300 FanDuel)

The Marlins have been almost as bad as the White Sox, scoring the second-fewest runs and posting the second-lowest OPS in baseball. They traded away some of their key hitters at the deadline, so things aren’t likely to improve for them down the stretch.

Manaea, who has a 3.44 ERA and a 3.80 FIP for the season, stands out as a pitcher who could provide value, despite not having the same strikeout upside as Arrighetti.

Also consider: Gerrit Cole at DET, Spencer Schwellenbach at LAA

Want more MLB DFS tools and content? Our MLB Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Discord Chatrooms, where members can chat with our MLB analysts. 

DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Jose Altuve – 2B, HOU vs. Garrett Crochet ($5,400 DK; $3,600 FD)

Facing Crochet isn’t as daunting as it was earlier in the season. The Cubs tagged him for seven runs in his last start and he gave up five runs to the Mariners three starts ago. The White Sox have started to limit his workload, leaving him to log four or fewer innings in each of his last six starts.

Behind him is a bullpen that has the second-highest bullpen WHIP in baseball. Altuve and the Astros could be primed for a big night at the plate.

Yainer Diaz – C, HOU vs. Garrett Crochet ($4,600 DK; $3,300 FD)

Diaz has become one of the better offensive catchers in baseball. Over his last 29 games, he is 40-for-116 (.345) with five home runs and six doubles. He generally does a good job of making contact, leaving him with a strikeout rate of just 15.1%. Although he is only slugging .417 on the road, he is slugging .488 at home.

Yainer Diaz is a dangerous man.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/KalVPpnARO

— Houston Astros (@astros) August 12, 2024

Alec Bohm – 3B, PHI vs. Patrick Corbin (NA DK; $3,400 FD)

After exploding for 13 runs against the Nationals on Thursday, the Phillies will now take on Corbin. He has been a disaster, posting a 1.56 WHIP to go along with his career-high 46.7% hard-hit rate allowed. Bohm is a great option for any Phillies stack, given his career .216 ISO and .371 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers.

Also consider: Bryce Harper, Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Jackson Merrill – OF, SD vs. Cal Quantrill ($5,100 DK; $3,900 FD)

Merrill has cranked up his production as the Padres make a push for a playoff spot. Over his last 22 games, he is 28-for-81 (.346) with five home runs, seven doubles, and three triples. He now has a .192 ISO for the season to go along with his .341 wOBA. A game at Coors Field against Quantrill and his 1.41 WHIP leaves Merrill with a favorable opportunity to stay locked in.

Jackson Merrill is unreal

pic.twitter.com/EgDEGU3FnM

— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) August 14, 2024

Nick Castellanos – OF, PHI vs. Patrick Corbin (NA DK; $3,200 FD)

It has been a disappointing season on the power front for Castellanos, who has a .171 ISO. After hitting 29 home runs last year, he has a modest 16 homers this year. However, he does have a .239 ISO versus left-handed pitchers this year, which comes on the heels of his .237 ISO against them last season.

With how poorly Corbin has performed, Castellanos is another top target for a Phillies stack.

Adolis Garcia – OF, TEX vs. Simeon Woods Richardson ($4,300 DK; $3,200 FD)

Garcia is showing signs of breaking out of his slump, hitting 15-for-41 (.484) with two home runs over his last eight games. Woods Richardson has not pitched poorly with his 3.78 ERA and 3.79 FIP, but he is not an overpowering force with his career 21.1% strikeout rate.

He has also been worse on the road, recording a 4.27 FIP and a 1.34 WHIP away from Minnesota. This is still a matchup that a red-hot Garcia can exploit.

Also consider: Shohei Ohtani, Yordan Alvarez, Brenton Doyle

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Phillies vs. Patrick Corbin

• Favorite Plays: Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos

2. Astros vs. Garrett Crochet

• Favorite Plays: Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Yainer Diaz

3. Dodgers vs. Miles Mikolas

• Favorite Plays: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux