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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 17, 2018. Tom Vecchio's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a MASSIVE 12 game slate tonight and there are some fantastic options across the board. There are some heavy favorites on the board, and you are going to want to look at those pitchers for your cash games. Plenty of high priced bats out there, so finding value will be important.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/17/18. 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 @DFS_Tom.
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DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Corey Kluber - P, CLE @ MIN (DK - $12,100)
Kluber is by far the best pitcher on this slate and is looking to be the cash game lock of the night. He is up against the Minnesota Twins, who have a 25% strikeout rate this season versus right-handed pitchers, which is ninth worst in the league. He has eight or more strikeouts in two of his three starts this season and has only given up four walks in those three starts. Kluber is truly one of the elite pitchers in baseball, and you should be doing everything you can to have some exposure to him tonight. One of the best parts about rostering Kluber is that you don't have to worry he will get pulled early. He has gone over 90 pitches in each of his three starts and eats up innings, so plenty of opportunities for points.
Patrick Corbin - ARI vs SFG (DK - $9,800)
Corbin is off to a very solid start this year and has posted 19 or more DraftKings points in each of his three games. He has eight or more strikeouts in each of his three starts and has only surrendered four walks and five earned runs. Tonight he faces off against the Giants, who have a 24.6% strikeout rate vs left-handed pitchers, which is about league average. He will be at home in a hitters park, but the Giants have scored the third fewest runs in the league, so not much of a threat offensively.
DraftKings Infielders
Yadier Molina - C, STL @ CHC ($3,700)
This season vs left-handed pitchers, Molina has a .337 wOBA and a .400 ISO, putting him in a great spot tonight. He is up against Jon Lester, who gave up 1.47 HR/9 to right-handed hitters last season. He has six RBIs over his last four games and two home runs in that span. Molina isn't too expensive and should be batting in the middle of the lineup.
Cody Bellinger - 1B, LAD @ SD (DK - $4,100)
Bellinger has .399 wOBA and a .111 ISO this season vs right-handed pitchers and has three hits in his last four games. He is off to a bit of a slow start in terms of the power numbers, but this is a good spot for him against a pitcher, who gave up a .344 wOBA to left-handed hitters last season. This isn't the best hitter's park, but this is a very weak pitcher who can be picked on.
Ian Kinsler - 2B, LAA vs BOS (DK - $4,100)
Kinsler had a .374 wOBA and a .261 ISO last season vs left-handed pitchers and is in a good spot against a shaky David Price. Kinsler only has three games under his belt this season, but already has four hits and one home run. The Angels are one of the better offenses in the league, and he is a nice addition to a stack tonight, which should be loaded with right-handed hitters.
Travis Shaw - 3B, MIL vs CIN (DK - $4,100)
Shaw is in a great spot tonight and is looking to be a solid cash game option at third base. He is up against a right-handed pitcher, who he excels against. So far this season, he has a .403 wBOA and a .250 ISO but comes with a 25% strikeout rate. Regardless of the strikeouts, he can hit for power, which shouldn't be too much of a problem for him considering this is a great hitter's park. He is up against Romano, who is giving up 1.50 HR/9 to lefties to start the year.
Pat Valaika - SS, COL @ PIT (DK - $2,900)
Valaika is super cheap and should be getting the start tonight since Nolan Arenado is out due to a suspension. Valaika is super cheap and is a bit of a punt play since he doesn't come in with the best numbers versus right-handed pitchers. Last year he had a .301 wOBA and a .245 ISO against RHP. The matchup is ok, as he is up against Trevor Williams, who gave up 1.01 HR/9 to righties last season.
DraftKings Outfielders
David Peralta - OF, ARI vs SFG (DK - $4,000)
Peralta has a .500 wOBA and a .214 ISO this season versus right-handed pitchers to start the season. This level isn't sustainable, but if he is not right now, you want to take advantage of it. He will be facing off Johnny Cueto, who will be making his first start back from the DL. Not sure what type of form Cueto will be in, but this could be a good spot to jump on him if he isn't 100%.
Gregory Polanco - OF, PIT vs COL (DK - $5,000)
Polanco has a .373 wOBA and a .341 ISO this season vs right-handed pitchers, putting him a good spot. I see him as a tournament pivot, since he is only $100 cheaper compared to Mike Trout, so most will likely go to him over Polanco. The upside is there for Polanco since he is up against Bettis, who gave up 1.54 HR/9 to righties last year.
