RADIO
There are a plethora of games today, but they are broken into two slates. We'll be focusing on the later slate, as that is labeled as the "featured" slate. Even focusing on one of the two slates, there will be more than enough options to focus around tonight.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/18/18. 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 @BalesSJustin.
DraftKings Starting Pitchers
Gerrit Cole - P, at SEA ($11,900)
Cole has been throwing at an elite level this season, recording a 1-0 record, 1.29 ERA, and 0.67 WHIP through three starts. He has given up three runs this season, which all came via the long ball. He has also recorded an elite 15.4 K/9, recording double digit strikeouts in each of his games. Cole will be playing in a pitcher friendly stadium tonight, and he is a -165 favorite in a game set at 8 runs. Cole can be used in all leagues.
Kenta Maeda - P, at SD ($9,700)
Maeda is in an interesting position at the moment. He has only thrown 8.2 innings through three games, but he also features a 2.08 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 14.6 K/9. In other words, he has found success in the limited opportunities he has been given. With that being said, he threw 90 pitches in his first game, and he is expected to return to his normal pitch count tonight. He also gets a great matchup against the San Diego Padres, and Maeda is a -161 favorite in a game set at 7.5 runs. He does come with some risk, but he is a great option for his price tag.
DraftKings Infielders
Buster Posey - C, at ARI ($3,700)
Posey is an option that can always be considered against left-handed pitching. He has played well this season, recording an average over .300 with a .500 slugging percentage and OPS nearing .900. He also features 0.101 wOBA and 0.103 ISO differentials against left-handed pitching. The matchup against Robbie Ray is less than ideal, but Posey will be playing in a hitter friendly stadium. He's a high upside option tonight.
Yulieski Gurriel - 1B, at SEA ($4,100)
Gurriel recently returned to the Houston Astros lineup, scoring fantasy points in each of his four games. He has also flashed upside, scoring as high as 23 fantasy points in his limited games this season. He has been a slightly better hitter against right-handed pitching, and he gets a good matchup against Mike Leake tonight. Houston should feature plenty of runs tonight, and Gurriel is a big part of their offense.
Daniel Descalso - 2B, vs SF ($2,500)
Descalso has been a better hitter in Arizona this season, recording a higher average, slugging percentage, and OPS at home. He gets a great matchup against Chris Stratton, and Descalso has performed well against right-handed pitching throughout his career. He is far from an elite player, but for a low price tag, he only needs a few fantasy points to hit value. He could also see extra opportunities for runs and RBIs in the middle of the Diamondbacks lineup tonight.
Wilmer Difo - 3B, at NYM ($3,000)
Difo has been heating up a bit recently, as he is hitting over .300 with some power over his last 10 games. More importantly, he dominates left-handed pitching, and gets a good matchup against Steven Matz tonight. Difo has featured 0.078 wOBA and 0.127 ISO differentials against lefties, while hitting .310 against left-handed pitching in 2017. He is still fairly cheap, and can be considered in all leagues tonight.
Scott Kingery - SS, at ATL ($4,100)
Kingery is only hitting .250 over his last 10 games, but he is averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game over that span. He has displayed a tremendous combination of power and speed this season, recording two home runs and two steals in only 14 games. He has been hitting all over the Phillies lineup, but he is a great option tonight, regardless of where he is hitting in the Philly lineup.
DraftKings Outfielders
Mike Trout - OF, vs BOS ($5,500)
If you have the salary, Trout is an easy option to use. Over his last 10 games, he is hitting for a .270 average with a .595 slugging percentage and 1.011 OPS. In those games, he has recorded four home runs and one steal. He is arguably the best hitter in the MLB, and he comes with unmatched upside. Trout comes with a hefty price tag, but is well worth it if you have extra salary.
Austin Jackson - OF, at ARI ($2,700)
Jackson has not been an elite option this season, but he has been fairly consistent over his last few games. He also comes with decent upside, specifically in his matchup tonight. He'll face off against a great pitcher in Robbie Ray, but Jackson features 0.087 wOBA and 0.076 ISO differentials against left-handed pitching. Jackson is also expected to lead off for the San Francisco Giants, adding to his upside on this slate.
