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We have a 14-game slate on Friday, as the NYM/PHI game has a 6:05pm EST start time and will not be included. We still have three games with an over/under of at least nine total runs. The TB/BOS matchup leads the way with 9.5 projected total runs.
As for favorites, two clubs are massive ones on Friday night. The Nationals and Indians are both over -300, according to Vegas. Their pitchers will be wildly popular, and expensive, so I’ll look towards more affordable options.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/17/18. 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 @CharlieSideHstl.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Walker Buehler, LAD (@ SEA) - $9,200
I love when the second-highest pitcher in my personal rankings is lower than the DraftKings ranking. Buehler is #2 on my list and he’s the fifth-most expensive pitcher in the player pool. In the past three outings, Buehler has struck out at least six batters and allowed two earned runs, or less. On the down side, he’ll face an AL team in an AL park. However, the Mariners are 21st in runs scored (509 runs in 122 games) this season.
Robbie Ray, ARI (@ SD) - $7,600
If Buehler is a bargain, then Ray is a steal. List as my fifth favorite pitcher for Friday, Ray is the 13th-most expensive option on the board on DraftKings. Plus, Ray gets the benefit of facing San Diego. This season, the Padres are 27th in runs scored (472 runs in 123 games) and third in team strikeouts (1,154). Ray has punched out at least six batters in eight of the last nine outings and allowed two earned runs, or less, in four of the past six appearances.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Matt Wieters, WSH (vs. MIA) - $3,300
A practical way to save money in DK lineups at the catcher position is to peruse the BvP history page. Wieters is 6-for-10 (.600) with two home runs against Dan Straily. It helps to know that Wieters is also 6-for-18 (.333) with one double (three walks) in the past week, too. As for Straily, he’s allowed at least three earned runs in three of the past four outings and has walked at least four batters in back-to-back starts.
1B - Max Muncy, LAD (@ SEA) - $4,500
In August, Wade LeBlanc is 1-1 with a 5.74 ERA in three starts (15.2 innings). Most of that high ERA can be attributed to the Astros (seven earned runs). Like Houston, the Dodgers are successful against left-handed pitchers, too. Especially, after they added Manny Machado and Brian Dozier. Muncy is also one of the best against southpaws for the Dodgers. His .259 ISO is second-best on the team.
2B - Ozzie Albies, ATL (vs. COL) - $4,300
The Braves also dominate left-handed pitching. This season, Atlanta has a team .347 wOBA (second-best) against lefties. One of their batters who crush lefties is Albies. In 2018, Albies has a .331 AVG (.253 AVG against righties) against left-handed pitchers. Kyle Freeland is a strange case where his ERA splits are better at Coors Field (2.22 ERA) as opposed to on the road (3.74 ERA).
3B - Justin Turner, LAD (@ SEA) - $4,400
I mentioned that Muncy had the second-highest ISO against lefties, Turner is first (.292 ISO). Also, in the past week, Turner is 11-for-22 (.500) with five doubles, one triple, and one home run. He currently owns a 10-game hitting streak, too.
SS - Kike Hernandez, LAD (@ SEA) - $3,900
You can’t mention left-handed pitcher success on the Dodgers without bringing up Hernandez. His .247 ISO is third-best on the club. He also has the price tag ($3,900) and positional (SS/OF) flexibility you look for in a DK player.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Charlie Blackmon, COL (@ ATL) - $4,400
The Rockies are away from home, but I’m still rolling the dice on Blackmon on Friday. He has a .192 ISO against left-handed pitchers and his opponent, Sean Newcomb, is coming off of a rough outing (4 IP, 5 ER, and 2 K against the Brewers).
Nicholas Castellanos, DET (@ MIN) - $4,300
Castellanos could be a bargain on Friday, as he tends to bring multi-hit performances to the table. He’s tallied at least two hits in three of the past four contests. In the past week, Castellanos is 10-for-25 (.400) with three doubles and two home runs. His opponent, Kyle Gibson, has allowed at least three earned runs in three of the past five outings.
David Palka, CWS (vs. KC) - $4,100
Any batter from the White Sox could be a sneaky play. Their 4.7 implied run total is sixth-best on the slate. Palka leads the team with a .263 ISO against right-handed pitchers. He’s recorded a hit in three straight games, too.
