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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 1st, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Another split slate greets us this Thursday, with four games on the afternoon part of the slate before six games in the evening. There are some cracking matches today, with an especially good pitching duel to round out the day in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers and Astros are the biggest favorites on the later slate, with both clearly expected to come out on top. However, both Gerrit Cole and Clayton Kershaw are expensive options on this slate, both because they are favorites and they have strikeout upside. The highest totals can be found in the Tampa Bay Boston and Toronto Baltimore games, and the lowest totals in Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Cleveland.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/1/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. 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 @benrolfe15.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Jack Flaherty, STL (vs. CHC) - $8,600
I really like this spot for Flaherty, taking the mound in a series which has averaged 2.5 runs per game in the first two games, at home, where he has a 3.20 ERA. It gets even better when you look at the other numbers, such as his .197 batting average against and his 75 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. The Cubs are not a bad offense, but they can be prone to be held quiet and struck out. The perfect combination for a DFS play.
Jon Lester, CHC (@ STL) - $8,200
I do not really like picking two pitchers from the same game, but the cheaper options in this series are pretty ugly to consider. Lester has had some troubles on the road this season, but he had a 2.77 ERA in 26 innings in July. As I said above this has been a quiet series, and I do not see that changing massively today. Lester does not have the upside of Flaherty, but he does generally offer a pretty safe floor.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Brian McCann, ATL (vs. CIN) - $3,700
McCann against right-handed pitchers this season has been somewhat of a value play this season, especially given that all 10 of his home runs this season have come against righties. Against righties, he has hit .287, with a .208 ISO and a .350 wOBA. He has also got a .209 ISO and a .366 wOBA at home this season.
1B - Justin Smoak, TOR (@ BAL) - $4,200
Smoak is a bit of an all-or-nothing play, as he is hitting under .220 this season, but does have 16 home runs when right-handed pitchers are on the mound. In hitter-friendly conditions, at a hitter-friendly ballpark, his .273 ISO and .366 wOBA gives him every chance to be a big contributor to DFS lineups on this slate.
2B - Max Muncy, LAD (vs. SD) - $4,400
Muncy has had solid numbers this season with left-handed pitchers on the mound, with a .268 batting average, seven home runs, a .232 ISO and a .360 wOBA. He has struggled a little at home this season, but on a weak slate for second basemen I will bank on Muncy getting his 10th home run at home this season.
3B - Eugenio Suarez, CIN (@ ATL) - $4,900
Another player with good numbers against left-handed pitchers is Suarez, with a .269 batting average, six home runs, .256 ISO and a .383 wOBA. Suarez has scored double-digit fantasy points in five of his last 10 starts.
SS - Manny Machado, SD (@ LAD) - $3,900
Not many people are worth selecting against Clayton Kershaw, but Machado's numbers against left-handed pitchers are well worth the gamble, especially at this price. In 88 PA he has 10 home runs, a .378 batting average, .459 ISO and a .524 wOBA.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Trey Mancini, BAL (vs. TOR) - $5,000
This feels like a really nice spot for Mancini, at home against Trent Thornton in hitter-friendly conditions. Against right-handed pitchers this season he has 18 home runs, a .290 batting average, .272 ISO and a .373 wOBA. Since the All-Star break, he has hit seven home runs, even if they have come with just a .243 batting average.
Yasiel Puig, CLE (vs. HOU) - $3,600
This just feels like good value for Puig in his new home. Yes, facing Gerrit Cole is tough, but Puig has a solid .225 ISO and .321 wOBA against right-handed pitchers. While they are not blowing you away type numbers, it does free up salary to be used elsewhere.
Jose Martinez, STL (vs. CHC) - $3,500
Martinez has really been killing it against left-handed pitchers this season, with a home run every 12 PA and a .368 batting average. His ISO with lefties on the mound this season is .333, with a very impressive .463 wOBA.
