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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.

Cyber Week Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code CYBER. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL from proven winners! Dan Palyo leads the team with exclusive picks for DFS picks, Props, betting. Enhance your game with industry-leading tools like our Lineup Optimizers, Team Sync Platform, DFS Cheat Sheets and more. GAIN ACCESS

 

 

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

Alexandre Sarr

Out of Action Again on Tuesday
Zion Williamson

Sidelined at Least Three Weeks
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
Khris Middleton

Will Not Play Tuesday
Kyshawn George

Is Questionable Against the 76ers
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Says he's Fine After Suffering Hip Contusion
Trey Murphy III

Will Return Tuesday Night
Omarion Hampton

Likely to Return in Week 14
Yves Missi

Uncertain to Play Tuesday Against the Timberwolves
Zion Williamson

Questionable Against Minnesota
Neemias Queta

Set to Return on Tuesday
Derrick White

Will Play Tuesday Against New York
Quentin Grimes

Downgraded to Questionable on Tuesday
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers "Hopeful" Brandon Aiyuk Will Play in 2025
Brayden Point

Without Timetable for Return
Jake Walman

Still Out Tuesday
Mason Appleton

Misses Tuesday's Contest
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Good to Go Tuesday
Conor Garland

Out on Tuesday
Petr Mrazek

Considered Day-to-Day
Tyson Foerster

Hurt in Monday's Loss
Trey Murphy III

May Skip Another Game Tuesday
Zion Williamson

Back in Pelicans Lineup Tuesday
Draymond Green

Probable for Tuesday Night
Jimmy Butler III

Questionable to Play Tuesday
Derrick White

Likely Available Tuesday
Paul George

Listed as Questionable for Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Won't Play Against Wizards
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Carted Off With Hip Injury on Monday Night
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
Davante Adams

Not Dealing With a Serious Injury
Brandon Miller

Unavailable on Monday
Kyler Murray

Surgery Not on the Table for Kyler Murray
Duncan Robinson

Absent Against Atlanta
Marvin Harrison Jr.

in Danger of Missing Week 14?
Jalen Duren

Back in the Lineup on Monday Evening
Noah Clowney

Cleared to Play Versus Charlotte
Danila Yurov

Won't Play on Tuesday
David Pastrnak

to Remain Out Tuesday
Adam Gaudette

Iffy for Monday
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
Logan Cooley

a Game-Time Decision Monday
Josh Norris

Available Monday
Neal Pionk

Remains Out Monday
Jimmy Snuggerud

to Miss Six Weeks After Wrist Surgery
Justin Herbert

Having Hand Surgery on Monday
Kyler Murray

Cardinals Won't Open Kyler Murray's Practice Window This Week
Sauce Gardner

Not a Candidate to Go on Injured Reserve
Jayden Daniels

Not Cleared for Contact, Decision on Week 14 Status Delayed
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful to Return in Week 14
Tee Higgins

Still in the Concussion Protocol
Drake London

"has a Chance" to Play in Week 14
J.J. McCarthy

in Line to Start in Week 14?
Aaron Jones Sr.

Not Dealing With Serious Shoulder Injury, Likely Day-to-Day
Sam Darnold

Dealing With Ankle Injury, "Should be Good" for Week 14
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
Sauce Gardner

Officially Week-to-Week with Strained Calf
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
CFB

Buster Faulkner, Joey Halzle Candidates for Florida Offensive Coordinator Job?
CFB

Kentucky Officially Fires Mark Stoops
Justin Herbert

Has Metacarpal Fracture in Left Hand
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Week 14 Availability Up in the Air
VEG

Carter Hart Expected to Make Golden Knights Debut Tuesday
Pyotr Kochetkov

Remains Without Timeline For Return
Boone Jenner

Close to Returning
Lian Bichsel

Exits With Injury Sunday
Petr Mrazek

Injured in Sunday's Loss
Adam Fox

Placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Zach Ertz

Leads Washington in Receiving in Overtime Loss
CFB

Lane Kiffin to be Introduced as LSU's Next Head Coach on Monday
CFB

Florida Poised to Land Jon Sumrall as Next Head Coach
CFB

Alex Golesh Taking Over Auburn Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Arkansas Expected to Hire Ryan Silverfield as Next Head Coach
Joel Hofer

Shuts Out Mammoth
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles
Dylan Cease

Agrees With Blue Jays on Seven-Year, $210 Million Deal

RANKINGS

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