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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (4/21/18): MLB DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 21, 2018. Troy Klauder's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

We've got another day full of action ready for us on DraftKings, with an early slate starting at 1pm eastern and the featured slate kicking off at 7pm.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/21/18. 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 @TroyKlauder.

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DraftKings Starting Pitchers

Aaron Nola, PHI (vs. PIT) - $10,600

Aaron Nola has been rolling along this season, posting a 2.22 ERA through his first two starts of the season. Nola comes at a very modest price for the type of talent he has, which makes him my favorite pitcher on the early slate. While Nola hasn't been racking up many strikeouts this season, he had a 26.6% K-rate in 27 starts last year, so there's probably some positive regression on the way. The Phillies lineup has been on fire lately and should provide Nola with a win against Pirates starter Steven Brault.

Zack Godley, ARI (vs. SD) - $8,800

Godley was horrific in his last start against the Dodgers, but you shouldn't judge a pitcher based off of one bad start. Even with his blow-up start, Godley still has just a 3.00 ERA on the season, supported by a 3.24 FIP. He's a great buy-low candidate on Saturday, as many owners will probably be scared off by his last start, and he comes at a pretty cheap price. The Padres are one of the worst lineups in baseball, and Godley has huge strikeout potential against them, as the Pads strike out 27.9% of the time against righties. That's the third-highest mark in all of baseball, so I would be comfortable playing Godley in any type of contest.

 

DraftKings Infielders

C - Yadier Molina, STL (vs. CIN) - $3,500

Molina has been one of the best catchers in the league at the plate this season, with a 123 wRC+ and five homers so far. His opposition, Reds starter Homer Bailey, has a 3.42 ERA this season - but that's not fooling anybody. Bailey has a 4.74 SIERA this year, which gives a more accurate representation of the way he's pitched this season. After all, he had a 6.43 ERA last season! The Cardinals are a great lineup to stack on Saturday, but you can also use Molina as a standalone at catcher.

1B - Yuli Gurriel, HOU (@ CWS) - $4,200

Gurriel is back from the DL and batting fifth in the loaded Astros lineup, a spot where he can rack up runs and RBIs. The Astros are an expensive lineup to stack, but I would try to at least get a few of them aganist Lucas Giolito. Giolito has struggled mightily this season to the tune of a 5.50 ERA with 12 walks and just eight strikeouts. Gurriel is particularly valuable in cash games, where his high floor makes him more attractive.

2B - Jonathan Villar, MIL (vs. MIA) - $3,500

Villar is actually having himself a fantasy relevant season once again, batting .288 with four steals. His home ballpark, Miller Park, is one of the best offensive environments in all of baseball, and he's facing an awful pitcher in Jose Urena on Saturday. Urena has a 5.57 ERA through his first four starts, and Villar is coming in at a great price against him.

3B - Mike Moustakas, KC (@ DET) - $4,000

Moose has been on fire this season, so it's actually pretty crazy that his price has only gone up to $4,000. In his last 15 games, Moustakas is batting .380 with a 1.092 OPS and four homers. Yowza! Facing Mike Fiers is one of the best possible matchups you can ask for when you play Moustakas, as Fiers has a 1.54 HR/9 this year after posting a 1.88 mark in 2017. Prepare for Moose to go deep.

SS - Ketel Marte, ARI (vs. SD) - $3,500

There are lots of garbage pitchers taking the mound on Saturday, many of which I have already highlighted. We've got another one to target in Padres starter Clayton Richard, who has just a 16.5% K-rate with a 10.3% walk-rate. Unsurprisingly, he's rocking a 5.73 ERA as well. I think Marte's high-contact style of play will play well against Richard's lack of strikeout ability. If nothing else, Marte's got a solid power/speed combo and comes in at a cheap price.

 

DraftKings Outfielders

Jay Bryce, NYM (@ ATL) - $3,900

Braves starter Julio Teheran always struggles when he pitches at home, and SunTrust Park in Atlanta is a fantastic park for left-handed power. This combination gives Jay Bruce a fantastic opportunity to bust out of his slump on Saturday. Teheran's already got a 6.43 ERA at home this season after posting a 5.86 in Atlanta last season, and don't forget that Bruce knocked 36 dingers last season. He's a great value at this price.

Bradley Zimmer, CLE (@ BAL) - $3,300

Indians centerfielder Bradley Zimmer is coming in at near punt-level prices on Saturday, and it's not exactly clear why. He's batting .385 in the last 15 days with a 1.005 OPS! Zimmer has a great matchup in Oriole Park, an outstanding hitter's park, and opposing pitcher Chris Tillman might actually be the worst of the worst pitchers on today's slate. Tillman has a hilarious 11.91 ERA with only three strikeouts and 10 walks in three starts. I recommend an Indians stack, and Zimmer is an essential part of that stack.

Mitch Haniger, SEA (@ TEX) - $4,000

Don't be a goofball and avoid Mariners hitters against Bartolo Colon on Saturday. He had a fantastic start against the Astros his last time out, but he's going to have to show us much more than just that in order to take him seriously. For now, he's still a pitcher we want to target, and Haniger is a great mid-range play to consider against him. Haniger has a 131 wRC+ this season and hasn't gotten a ton of buzz despite his success.

MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Paul George

to Meet With Doctors, Could be Nearing a Return
Kawhi Leonard

Out Again on Saturday with a Right Ankle Sprain
Dillon Brooks

Questionable vs. Clippers
Kyler Murray

Future with Cardinals in Limbo
Quenton Jackson

Ruled Out Versus Denver with a Right Hamstring Strain
Andrew Nembhard

Questionable vs. Nuggets
Shaedon Sharpe

Probable to Face Heat on Saturday
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Will Remain the Giants' Starting Running Back
Daniel Gafford

Exits Friday's Game With Right Ankle Soreness
Artemi Panarin

Ends Dry Spell With Three-Point Outing
Marcus Johansson

Extends Point Streak to Eight Games
Spencer Knight

Posts First Shutout of the Season
Matt Duchene

to Remain Out Saturday
Zayne Parekh

Expected to "Miss a Little Bit of Time"
Frank Nazar

Day-to-Day Following Friday's Early Exit
Rashid Shaheed

Could Play Extensively in Seahawks Debut
Aaron Judge

Headlines AL Silver Slugger Award Winners
Terry McLaurin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 10
Kelly Olynyk

Cleared to Play on Friday
Jeremy Sochan

Available to Play Friday Against Houston
Puka Nacua

Will Play in Week 10
Steven Adams

Cleared to Face the Spurs
De'Andre Hunter

Available on Friday
Luke Kennard

Ruled Out Friday Against the Raptors
Kyshawn George

Ruled Out Versus Cleveland
William Eklund

Moved to Injured Reserve
Cam Thomas

Out 3-4 Weeks
Gustav Nyquist

Expected to Remain Out Friday
Luguentz Dort

Will Miss Friday's Meeting with Sacramento
Thatcher Demko

Questionable to Play This Weekend
Brock Purdy

Questionable Again, Won't Start in Week 10
Austin Reaves

Out Again on Saturday
Rasmus Dahlin

Takes Leave of Absence
Filip Hallander

to Miss at Least Three Months With Blood Clot
Domantas Sabonis

Will Not Play Friday vs. the Thunder
Kevin Bahl

a Game-Time Call Friday
Patrick Kane

Returns to Action Friday
Garrett Wilson

Listed as Questionable for Week 10, Expected to Play
Shohei Ohtani

Headlines List of NL Silver Slugger Winners
MLB

Munetaka Murakami Officially Being Posted on Friday
Alvin Kamara

Listed as Questionable for Week 10
De'Aaron Fox

To Make Season Debut On Saturday
Aaron Jones Sr.

Questionable for Week 10
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out For Week 10
D'Andre Swift

Listed as Questionable for Week 10
J.K. Dobbins

Getting Second Opinion on Foot Injury
Collin Sexton

Downgraded from Probable to Doubtful on Friday
LaMelo Ball

Downgraded to Doubtful on Friday
Kyler Murray

Expected to Return This Season
Yves Missi

Remains Sidelined on Saturday
Harold Fannin Jr.

Questionable for Sunday
Justin Fields

Jets Refusing to Name Starting QB; Justin Fields Expected to Get the Nod
Shedeur Sanders

Back in QB2 Role in Week 10
Kayshon Boutte

Ruled Out in Week 10 Against Tampa
Rhamondre Stevenson

Officially Ruled Out for Week 10
Tetairoa McMillan

Questionable to Play With Hamstring Injury
Rico Dowdle

Cleared to Play Against Saints
Harold Fannin Jr.

Back at Friday's Practice, on Track to Play Sunday?
Randy Brown

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Main Event
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Joseph Morales

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 111
Matt Schnell

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Co-Main Event
Uros Medic

Aims To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Muslim Salikhov

Looks For His Fourth Consecutive Win
Chris Padilla

Looks To Remain Unbeaten In The UFC
Chris Kreider

Extends Goal Streak to Four Games
Ismael Bonfim

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Nikita Kucherov

Lifts Lightning Past Golden Knights
Marco Tulio

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Jalen Chatfield

Injured in Thursday's WIn
Christian Leroy Duncan

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 111 Main Card
Dougie Hamilton

Exits Early Thursday
Anthony Cirelli

Expected to Be Fine for Saturday
Michael Misa

Sharks Place Michael Misa on Injured Reserve
Kyle Tucker

Headlines List of 13 Players to Receive Qualifying Offers
Pete Fairbanks

Becomes a Free Agent
Filip Hallander

Out Against Capitals
Tyson Kozak

Available Versus Blues
CFB

Luke Fickell Will Return as Wisconsin's Head Coach in 2026
Bo Bichette

Blue Jays Extend Qualifying Offer to Bo Bichette
Craig Stammen

Named Padres New Manager
Jorge Polanco

Declines his 2026 Option to Become a Free Agent
Chris Sale

Braves Picking Up Chris Sale's 2026 Option
Michael Thorbjornsen

Poised to Continue Hot Play in Mexico
Davis Riley

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of World Wide Technology Championship
Taylor Montgomery

Leaning on Putter at World Wide Technology Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Offers Strong Value at World Wide Technology Championship
Ben Griffin

Looks to Stay Hot at El Cardonal
Nick Dunlap

Looking to Find His Game at El Cardonal
Wyndham Clark

Searching for Consistency at El Cardonal
Michael Brennan

Aims to Extend Fairytale Start at El Cardonal
Shane Bieber

Staying in Toronto for 2026
Salvador Perez

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Royals
Trevor Story

Opts in for Remaining Two Years on his Contract
Yu Darvish

to Miss All of 2026 Following Flexor-Tendon Surgery
Shota Imanaga

Becomes a Free Agent
Luis Robert Jr.

White Sox Pick Up 2026 Option on Luis Robert Jr.
CFB

LJ Martin Expected to Play in Top-10 Matchup Against Texas Tech
PGA

LIV Golf Expanding To 72-Hole Format In 2026
Atlanta Braves

Braves Hire Walt Weiss as Their Next Manager
Kris Bubic

Cleared to Begin a Throwing Program
Brandon Woodruff

Declines Mutual Option for 2026
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Exercise 2026 Option on Freddy Peralta
Lucas Giolito

Declines his 2026 Player Option
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Sixth at Procore Championship
PGA

Matti Schmid Finishes Tied for 46th at Baycurrent Classic
Keith Mitchell

Finishes Tied for 10th at Baycurrent Classic
Si Woo Kim

Finishes Tied for 21st at Genesis Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Misses The Cut at Sanderson Farms Championship
Max Greyserman

Finishes Second at Baycurrent Classic
Austin Eckroat

Finishes Tied for 56th at Baycurrent Classic
Luke Clanton

Finishes Tied for 56th at Bank of Utah Championship
Pete Alonso

Officially Opts Out of his Contract With Mets
Kyle Larson

Wins His Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix
Ryan Blaney

Concludes the 2025 Season with A Win at Phoenix
William Byron

Strong Championship Effort Ends With Late-Race Flat-Tire Crash
Denny Hamlin

Overtime Four-Tire Call Costs Denny Hamlin the Championship
Chase Briscoe

Championship Bid Never Really Started After Two Tire Failures
Brad Keselowski

Nearly Steals Phoenix Race
David Onama

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Steve Garcia

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Ante Delija

Suffers His First UFC Loss
CFB

Dylan Raiola Suffers Season-Ending Injury
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Gets Knockout Win
Themba Gorimbo

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 110
Jeremiah Wells

Gets Back In The Win Column
Yadier del Valle

Remains Undefeated
Isaac Dulgarian

Cut By UFC Following Submission Loss
Daniel Frunza

Still Winless In The UFC
Charles Radtke

Dominates Daniel Frunza
Allan Nascimento

Gets Submission Win

RANKINGS

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