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Barry Leonard Jr. highlights the top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 8/20/16. These are the top value and sleeper plays for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups.
Saturday is always a big day around Major League Baseball and this week is no different. With the playoffs approaching, teams in contention are beginning to make their final pushes. The action doesn't show any signs of slowing down on DraftKings, as there are some early games and well as evening games to focus on today.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/20/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings. The following targets have been selected for all day contests on DraftKings.
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Baltimore Orioles vs. Mike Fiers (RHP)
The Orioles have one of the most potent lineups in the league. Today they get to go up against a struggling Mike Fiers. He's given up a total of nine runs in his two previous August starts and has a total ERA of 4.66 for the season. Most Orioles in the lineup make sense today, but especially the left-handers.
Washington Nationals vs. Tyrell Jenkins (RHP)
A loaded lineup against a pitcher who got torched for seven runs in his last start makes for a good stacking option. That last start just so happens to have been against the same Nationals he'll fave today. Washington put up seven runs in just 4.2 innings of work. Current Washington hitters have a combined .353 lifetime average against him. Lefties Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy stand out as great options. Anthony Rendon has a home run in two at-bats against Jenkins.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Chris Tillman, BAL vs. HOU - $8,700
With a 15-4 record and an ERA of 3.46 this season, Tillman has been a solid option for daily fantasy lineups. He has won five of his last eight starts and has been particularly good at home (8-1). He gets a favorable matchup today, as current Houston hitters have a combined lifetime average of just .200 against him. Although he's been dealing with a shoulder issues, he's been throwing this week and is still on track to start today. Be sure to confirm his status, but the recent injury could help to keep his ownership low.
Jake Odorizzi, TB vs. TEX - $7,800
Odorizzi has been pitching well lately, putting up wins in four of his last six starts. His 3.18 ERA at home is better than the 4.34 ERA he has put up on the road. He's in a good spot tonight considering current Texas hitters have a lifetime .200 against him. With a total of five earned runs in his last five games and a season ERA of 3.72, Odorizzi is a solid option for your lineup.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Gary Sanchez, NYY at LAA - $3,700
Sanchez has had about as good of a week as anybody, slamming four home runs and hitting well over .500. He's also got at least 16 fantasy points in four of his last five games and enters today with a five-game hit streak, including a three-hit performance Friday night. The downside to selecting Sanchez is that everybody else is likely riding the hot had as well, but he's a must-start at the moment.
First Base (1B)
Pedro Alvarez, BAL vs. HOU - $4,900
Alvarez has been on a tear lately, hitting .361 in the month of August. He went yard Friday night, his first home run since hitting two on August 8. Alvarez has certainly enjoyed his move to the potent Baltimore lineup and has played himself into fantasy relevancy. He gets a favorable matchup with righty Mike Fiers today, as he's hitting .275 with 17 homers against right-handed pitchers. Although he's only 3-for-14 lifetime against Fiers, but two of his three hits have been home runs.
Second Base (2B)
Devon Travis, TOR at CLE - $4,700
Travis has seemingly come out of nowhere to be a very valuable commodity to daily fantasy owners. He's putting together a great season with an average of over .300 and double-digit home runs. He's got two multi-hit games in his last five contests and is 1-for-2 lifetime against opposing pitcher Josh Tomlin. He's averaging eight fantasy points a game this season.
Shortstop (SS)
Brad Miller, TB vs. TEX - $5,100
Miller continues to be one of the top daily fantasy shortstops. He's hitting .333 in August and has two multi-hit games and three home runs in his last three games. The majority of his home runs have come at Tropicana Field, so that's even better news for him today. Also working in his favor is the fact that he 1-for-3 lifetime with a home run against opposing starter A.J. Griffin.
Third Base (3B)
Jose Reyes, NYM at SF - $3,400
Reyes has turned back the clock a bit since returning from the DL on August 13. He enters today with a six-game hit streak and is has seen his season average tick up about 20 points in the last week. Although he's 0-for-7 with two walks lifetime against Matt Moore, don't shy away from Reyes. He's got a low price tag and has four double-digit fantasy performances in the last six games. With an average of nine fantasy points a game, Reyes is certainly a solid selection at shortstop.
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DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Paulo Orlando, KC vs. MIN - $3,700
A favorable matchup with Hector Santiago makes Paulo Orlando worth a look in daily leagues today. Aside from being a righty vs. lefty matchup, he's got a .375 lifetime average with a homer against Santiago. Orlando has nailed southpaws this year to the tune of a .358 average. His numbers don't exactly jump out with just four home runs, but he's hitting over .300 for the season and .343 during August.
Melky Cabrera, CHW vs. OAK- $4,000
Cabrera has been very solid this season, keeping his average near the .300 mark. Although he's hitting down near the Mendoza Line in August, he can still be useful to daily fantasy lineups. He's 3-for-5 lifetime against opposing starter Ross Detwiler and should be looked at as a sleeper option for tournaments.
Marcell Ozuna, MIA at PIT - $3,700
Although it's Giancarlo Stanton who has the big contract in Miami, the Marlins have relied heavily on outfielder Marcell Ozuna for offense this season. Now with Stanton on the DL, Ozuna has assumed an even bigger role. Although he's hitting below .200 for the month of August, he's shown signs of life in the past few days. He extended his hit streak to six games Friday night and has three homers in the last five contests. With at least 14 fantasy points in three of his last five games, Ozuna is worth a good look for daily lineups.
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