TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (8/20/17): MLB DFS Advice for FanDuel and DraftKings

Welcome back to another edition of Sunday morning DFS picks and advice. I am your host, JB, and today we have a weather concern-free Sunday main slate that consists of 10 games on FanDuel and 12 games on DraftKings. DK knows we all prefer bigger slates, while FanDuel just doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks. In case you are curious, the extra two games are CWS-TEX and MIL-COL.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/20/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @RowdyRotoJB

Happy New Year! Save 30% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider

Jacob deGrom, NYM vs MIA (DK - $12,700, FD - $10,400)

deGrom is the top dog on today's main slate, and rightfully so. At home this season, he owns a 2.49 ERA with a 10.9 K/9. The last time he faced this offense, he struck out 13 batters in seven innings. The other thing he has going for him today is his performance in day games in 2017. Through five day starts, deGrom owns a 2.67 ERA and has only allowed two HR (33.2 IP).

 

Brad Peacock, HOU vs OAK (DK - $9,200, FD - $8,400)

deGrom may be the safest pitcher available on the main slate today, but you gotta love the ceiling for Peacock against the team with the second most strikeouts against RHP this season. Oakland has scored all of one run through the first two games of this series, and are hitting a combined .167/.271/.333 against Peacock. He has fallen off a bit since the All-Star break, but is still 10-1 with a 11.8 K/9. He has only pitched seven innings in one start this season, but reached the QS minimum in two of his last three. He is far from a safe option, but the K upside should provide enough points to be worthy of consideration in both cash and GPP contests, while freeing up 3.5K of salary on DK (2K on FD) to get those Astros and Dbacks into your lineup.

 

Luis Castillo, CIN at ATL (DK - $8,400, FD - $7,300)

If you are looking to save even more dough on pitching, or need a SP2 on DraftKings, Castillo is next man up on my list. The strikeouts have dropped significantly in the second half, 7.5 K/9 compared to 11.7 before the break, but the tradeoff here is keeping the ball in the park. He had surrendered five dongs in his first 23.0 IP, whereas he has now only given up four in his last 43.1. This will be key today pitching in SunTrust Park with that mysterious wind funnel. Despite the sub-optimal location today, Castillo has been terrific on the road this season, boasting a 2.48 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through six starts.

*Be on the lookout for who is starting at catcher for the Reds today. Castillo has been fantastic with Tucker Barnhart behind the dish, with a 2.66 ERA and .195 BAA.

 

DFS Infielders to Consider

Juan Centeno- C, vs OAK (DK - $2,500, FD - $2,200)

If you can get any human being facing Jharel Cotton for cheap, you don't ask questions. Over his last four starts, he owns an 8.27 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, and has allowed six bombs. Don't let his road splits fool you, he gave up six runs on 10 hits in just 4.1 innings in his only start at Minute Maid Park this season.

 

Paul Goldschmidt - 1B, at MIN (DK - $5,300, FD - $4,400)

Yes, the future 2017 NL MVP is amazing, and should probably always be in consideration for your lineups. Over the last month, he's rockin' a 1.202 OPS with 16 XBH. Through his 36 day games this year (ET), he is hitting .336/.414/.692 with 13 bombs. Today he faces the ageless wonder Bartolo Colon, who served up three long balls in his last outing. Today is a day that you need to pay up for Goldy.

 

Brad Miller - 2B, vs SEA (DK - $2,900, FD - $2,600)

Besides the major salary relief, there isn't much that would lure me into rostering Brad Miller. But Yovanni Gallardo is like a giant welcome sign. He has been just awful his last two outings, giving up 11 ER and four long balls over just 8.1 IP. This should certainly put some life into those cold Tampa bats, and if Miller is sitting atop of the order yet again today, well you aren't going to find a better value. For his career, Miller is 5-15 with two doubles and a triple against Gallardo.

 

Kris Bryant - 3B, vs TOR (DK - $5,000, FD - $4,200)

The other infielder that deserves every cent of his high salary today is Kris Bryant. Marco Estrada fooled me into thinking he had figured things out prior to getting shelled by Tampa Bay at home in his last outing. He is allowing a .287/.366/.503 line to RHB, and is 2-5 with a 5.33 ERA on the road. If any Cubs hitter is going to take advantage of the match-up today, its going to be KB. Over the last two weeks he is hitting .415 with a 1.257 OPS and has hit 15 of his 23 HR at Wrigley Field this season.

 

Marwin Gonzalez - SS, vs OAK (DK - $4,400, FD - $3,000)

Marwin is a much better value on FD today, as $3,000 is still just way too low for a match-up with Jharel Cotton. Against RHP at home this year, Marwin owns a 159 wRC+, .406 wOBA, and .302 ISO. Elite numbers, for a very moderate price.

Also Consider: Amed Rosario - SS, vs MIA (DK - $3,100, FD - $2,400) *DK Salary Relief

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider

Steven Souza - OF, vs SEA (DK - $4,200, FD - $3,300)

Souza sneakily owns the 10th highest ISO against RHP (.294) in the league, one point higher than Goldy himself. Gallardo, as discussed previously, is struggling mightily and allowing a .511 SLG to RHB. Souza will feast today.

 

J.D. Martinez - OF, at MIN (DK - $4,800, FD - $3,900)

JD is my favorite hitter for today's main slate. Not only because the man is rocking a .615 SLG this season, or even because Bartolo Colon will be throwing him BP. It is both those factors, plus the fact that he owns a career .312/.375/.495 slash with four HR and eight doubles at Target Field. He's heading back to the familiar foes of the AL Central, and once Colon gets bounced from the game, will enjoy the bullpen that's allowed the third most HR in the league also.

 

Lorenzo Cain - OF, vs CLE (DK - $3,500, FD - $4,000) 

Phillip Ervin - OF, at ATL (DK - $3,600, FD - $2,100)

I have paired these two together due to their ridiculous prices on each respective site. On DraftKings, Lorenzo Cain is criminally cheap. In 30 career PA against Salazar he is hitting .357, is hitting .426/.466/.556 over the last two weeks, and is hitting .307 against RHP this season. Over on FanDuel, Phillip Ervin sneaks by their pricing model despite going 4-6 with a double and two bombs in their series at Wrigley and facing a LHP in the friendly confines of SunTrust Park.

Also Consider: Josh Reddick - OF, vs OAK (DK - $4,400, FD - $3,400) *Jharel Cotton effect + Marwin-esque numbers at home vs RHP: 155 wRC+, .401 wOBA, .230 ISO. 

 

DFS Premium Tools & Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Win more. Try the most advanced lineup optimizer in daily fantasy baseball.

Sign Up Now!

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Devin Booker

Injures Ankle on Friday, Requires Assistance Off the Court
RJ Barrett

Starting on Friday
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Herbert Jones

is Returning on Friday
Derrick White

is Resting on Friday
Aaron Gordon

Holds Probable Tag for Friday
Jaylin Williams

is Returning on Friday
Quenton Jackson

Won't Play on Friday
Duncan Robinson

is Available to Play on Friday
Jock Landale

is Cleared to Play for Friday's Game
Ron Holland II

to Play on Friday
Cade Cunningham

is Upgraded to Available on Friday
Neemias Queta

is Available on Friday
Aaron Holiday

Won't Suit Up on Friday
Aaron Wiggins

is Ruled Out for Friday's Game
Bo Horvat

Rejoining Islanders Lineup Saturday
Dylan Holloway

Out Friday
Ross Colton

Won't Play Friday
Filip Chytil

Ready to End Three-Month Absence
Mason McTavish

Misses Second Straight Game Friday
Anthony Stolarz

Returns to Action Friday
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Available Friday
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026
Duncan Robinson

Listed as Probable Friday Against Houston
Ja'Kobe Walter

to Miss Seventh Straight Game
Collin Murray-Boyles

Uncertain Friday Against Portland
RJ Barrett

Could Return Friday vs. Portland
Myles Turner

Expected to Play Friday vs. Nuggets
Sam Merrill

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
Quinn Hughes

Makes History With Three-Assist Effort
Bennedict Mathurin

Remains Sidelined vs. Thunder
Anthony Mantha

Scores Twice Against Oilers
Jet Greaves

Keeps Stars Off Scoreboard With 28 Saves
David Pastrnak

Leads Bruins to Victory With Three-Point Effort
Jonathan Huberdeau

on Track to Return Friday
Darcy Kuemper

Cleared for the Weekend
Zach Benson

Hurt in Thursday's Win
Baltimore Ravens

Ravens Hire Jesse Minter as Their Head Coach
Kris Letang

Questionable Thursday
Andre Burakovsky

Frank Nazar, Andre Burakovsky Available for Blackhawks Thursday
Indianapolis Colts

FBI Investigating the Death of Colts Owner Jim Irsay
Mason Marchment

Available Versus Stars
Alexandre Texier

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Marcus Johansson

Joel Eriksson Ek, Marcus Johansson Could Return Thursday
David Perron

to Miss 5-7 Weeks Due to Hernia Surgery
Mikko Rantanen

Unavailable Thursday
MacKenzie Gore

Rangers Acquire MacKenzie Gore From the Nationals
Brandon Sproat

Dealt to Brewers in Four-Player Trade
Jett Williams

Brewers Acquire Jett Williams From Mets
Freddy Peralta

Mets Acquire Freddy Peralta From Brewers
Kyle Tucker

Expected to Bat Second or Third in Dodgers' Lineup
Brandon Aiyuk

has "Played his Last Snap as a Niner"
Cody Bellinger

Signs Five-Year, $162.5 Million Contract With Yankees
Adam Scott

Looks to Overcome Putting Woes at American Express
Billy Horschel

Looking to Rebound at The American Express
Josh Allen

Might Need Foot Surgery
Russell Henley

Looks to Build on Strong Start at The American Express
Jason Day

Looking to Start 2026 Strong at The American Express
Wyndham Clark

Looking to Regain Form at The American Express
Sam Burns

Looks to Continue Success at The American Express
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at The American Express
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looking to Build on Strong Fall in Season Debut
Kurt Kitayama

Hopes To Continue Strong Start to 2026 Season at American Express
CFB

Princewill Umanmielen Expected to Sign with LSU
Scottie Scheffler

Returns To American Express After Missing Last Year's Edition
Robert MacIntyre

Keeps Momentum Rolling Heading Into American Express
Brian Harman

Can Challenge at American Express if His Putter Stays Hot
Ben Griffin

Outstanding Form Continues Heading Into American Express
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Playing Well Following Outstanding Finish to 2025 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Looks to Get a Jump Start on His 2026 Season
Blades Brown

Set to Make First PGA Tour Appearance of 2026
Kevin Roy

Has Some Confidence Heading to Southern California
Min Woo Lee

Poised to Make Bigger Impact in 2026
Max Homa

Needs a Better Start for 2026
Tony Finau

Trying to Reverse Disturbing Trend
Cam Davis

Aims for More Accuracy at American Express
Luisangel Acuña

Luisangel Acuna Sent to White Sox in Trade
Luis Robert Jr.

Mets Acquire Luis Robert Jr. from White Sox
Los Angeles Chargers

Mike McDaniel Expected to Become Chargers Offensive Coordinator
Carlos Beltran

Andruw Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Expected to Land at Georgia Tech
Malik Nabers

Giants Hope Malik Nabers Will be Back for Start of Training Camp
CFB

Duke Suing Quarterback Darian Mensah
Cam Skattebo

Should be Ready by OTAs
George Kittle

Expects to Return "Well Before November"
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Entering Transfer Portal
Mookie Betts

Plans to Retire at the End of his Current Contract
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Robert Saleh as Next Head Coach
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Expected to Hire Jeff Hafley as Next Head Coach
Zach Charbonnet

has Torn ACL
Zach Charbonnet

Needs Knee Surgery, Out for Rest of Playoffs
Tennessee Titans

Mike McCarthy a Finalist for Titans Head-Coaching Job?
Colston Loveland

Suffers Concussion in Divisional Round Loss
Kyren Williams

Scores Two Touchdowns in Divisional Round Win
Buffalo Bills

Bills Fire Head Coach Sean McDermott
Rhamondre Stevenson

Returns in Sunday's AFC Divisional Round Game
Ha-Seong Kim

has Finger Surgery, Out 4-5 Months

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP