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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 16th, 2018. Troy Klauder's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We've got nine games across four slates today, with the featured slate starting at 7:05 eastern.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/16/18. 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 DFS Starting Pitchers
Masahiro Tanaka - SP, vs TB ($8,000)
Tanaka got rocked in his last time out, but I think he'll be able to rebound against the Rays, who he threw a complete game shutout against a few weeks ago. Tanaka has a strong 25.3% K-rate and he's got a 2.55 ERA over the last month despite his blowup. The Rays .310 wOBA versus righties ranks them in the bottom third of the league, so even in a hitter's park, Tanaka should be able to contain them. On a day with no real aces pitching, Tanaka might be your best bet at an elite start.
Jon Gray - SP, at ATL ($8,700)
Gray has been incredible since returning from the minors and still has fantastic peripherals on the season, with a 3.17 Deserved Run Average and a 27.1% K-rate. The Braves aren't an easy lineup, but Gray has massive upside pitching away from Coors Field and is very affordable. He's a near must-start in GPP contests.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Wilson Ramos - C, vs NYM ($4,100)
Ramos had quite the debut for the Phillies, going 3-for-4 with three runs and three ribbies. He was one of the best hitting catchers in all of baseball before his injury with a 130 wRC+ and should have another big day against Corey Oswalt, owner of a 5.03 ERA. At such a shallow position, Ramos is far ahead of any other catcher on the slate.
Wilmer Flores - 1B, at PHI ($3,400)
It's not a common strategy to go cheap at first base, but you should be able to get a productive day out of Flores and spend payroll elsewhere. Flores has been better against lefties throughout his career and gets to face Ranger Suarez, who had a 4.01 FIP in triple-A this season. Flores will be batting third for the Mets, where he can tally up both runs and RBIs.
Devon Travis - 2B, at KC ($3,800)
Travis is in a valuable spot batting second for the Blue Jays as they take on Glenn Sparkman, who has a 5.06 ERA. The Blue Jays lineup should hang plenty of runs on the board, so Travis will likely be involved out of the two-hole.
Maikel Franco - 3B, vs NYM ($3,900)
Franco is another cheap Phillie to take advantage of against Corey Oswalt. He's had an awesome last 30 days, batting .302 with a .861 OPS and six homers. A Phillies stack is a nice idea as they take on Oswalt in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.
Jose Iglesias - SS, at MIN ($3,300)
Iglesias is dirt cheap for a guy batting second, and while he doesn't have a ton of upside, he will get plenty of plate appearances against Ervin Santana. Santana has a disastrous 6.53 ERA, so Iglesias will have the opportunity to score some runs.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Kole Calhoun - OF, at TEX ($4,400)
Few hitters are as hot as Calhoun is right now, as he's batting .327 with a 1.063 OPS in the last 15 days. He's leading off in an extreme hitter's park in Texas against Ariel Jurado, who has a 5.66 ERA.
Jason Heyward - OF, at PIT ($3,900)
Heyward should give you a good performance in the middle of the high-powered Cubs lineup against Ivan Nova, who has a poor 4.58 FIP with just a 16.5% K-rate. Expect Heyward to get the ball in play - good things should happen from there.
