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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 31st, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a packed 15-game slate on Friday. Five games have an over/under of at least nine total runs, with the MIN/TEX matchup leading the slate with a projected run total of 11. The Rangers are favored in that game.
Speaking of favorites, four teams are considered heavy favorites (-200 odds, or greater): Astros, Cardinals, Indians, and Yankees. Expect to see at least one of those starters in our suggestions for Friday night.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/31/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @CharlieSideHstl.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Corey Kluber, CLE (vs. TB) - $10,300
Yes, the Klubot has been defective over the past few outings. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in three of the past four appearances. On the bright side, he’s punched out at least six batters in five consecutive performances. The Rays are 21st in runs scored (564 runs in 133 games) and 13th in team strikeouts this season. At Progressive Field, Kluber is 8-3 with a 2.24 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 96.1 innings of action.
Nick Pivetta, PHI (vs. CHC) - $7,900
Sure, the Cubs have a powerful offense and, like Kluber, Pivetta has struggled recently (at least five earned runs in back-to-back contests), but he’s still produced at least five strikeouts in seven of the past eight outings for Philadelphia. Before his last two disappointing performances, Pivetta allowed two earned runs, or less, in three straight games.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Robinson Chirinos, TEX (vs. MIN) - $4,100
In his lone two performances in 2018, Stephen Gonsalves allowed at least four earned runs in back-to-back outings. Chirinos has the second-best ISO against left-handed pitchers for the Rangers (.245 ISO). Back to Gonsalves, right-handed hitters are batting .407 against him this season. In the past five games, Chirinos has tallied three hits and walked three times, too. Also, the Rangers lead the pack with a six run projected total on Friday night.
1B - Luke Voit, NYY (vs. DET) - $3,900
In the past week, Voit is 11-for-24 (.458) with four home runs (two walks). He homered on Thursday night and he’ll face Jordan Zimmermann on Friday. Zimmermann has allowed at least five earned runs in two of the past three contests and opponents have hit four home runs off of him during that span. Voit is third on the team with a .206 ISO against right-handed pitchers.
2B - Gleyber Torres, NYY (vs. DET) - $4,200
We already mentioned that the Rangers have the most implied runs on Friday. Now, it’s time to bring up that the Yankees are projected to score the second-most runs on Friday (5.6 runs). Torres has a the fifth-highest ISO (.199) against right-handed pitchers. As for the past week, Torres is 12-for-26 (.462) with three home runs and two stolen bases.
3B - Miguel Sano, MIN (@ TEX) - $4,100
The season has been a struggle for Sano this season. However, he’s attempting to turn around his luck. In the past five games, Sano has smacked two home runs and even walked three times. Drew Hutchison is on the hill for Texas. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in three of the past four games and six earned runs in two of the past four appearances.
SS - Paul DeJong, STL (vs. CIN) - $4,100
Since 2017, DeJong has the fourth-best ISO for the Cardinals (.220) against right-handed pitchers. In his career, DeJongs is 5-for-11 (.455), with three extra-base hits and one home run against Homery Bailey. We’re aiming for a $4K price tag for each bat, so he fits the mold for Friday night.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Matt Adams, STL (vs. CIN) - $3,800
Like his teammate, Adams also crushes right-handed pitchers. Adams owns a .262 ISO against righties (second-best, behind Matt Carpenter’s .267 ISO). As for his career stat line against Bailey, Adams is 8-for-12 (.667) with two extra-base hits and one home run against the Reds starter.
Michael Conforto, NYM (@ SF) - $3,800
Conforto has compiled three hits and five walks in the past five contests. Since 2017, Conforto has a .216 ISO against left-handed pitchers. Andrew Suarez is on the hill for the Giants. He’s allowed at least three earned runs in six of the past eight appearances.
Jake Cave, MIN (@ TEX) - $3,800
It’s almost a punt play, but Cave is also a compelling play for Friday’s slate. Since 2017, Cave has a .200 ISO against right-handed pitchers (fifth-best on Minnesota). As for his potential success against Hutchison, left-handed hitters are batting .313 against Hutchison this year.
