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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (8/18/18): MLB DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 18th, 2018. Troy Klauder's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

We've got five different slates on this busy Saturday, with the featured slate starting at 7:05 pm and covering 11 games.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/18/18. 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.

Black Friday Special! Save 50% on any Big-4 Sports Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL from 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 DFS Starting Pitchers

Jacob deGrom, NYM (@ PHI) - $13,000

deGrom is easily the top starter on today's slate, so if you can make room in your payroll for him, it will be worth your time. He's got an absurd 2.26 Deserved Run Average with a 2.14 FIP and a dominant 31.3% K-rate. The Phillies have a 25.4% K-rate against righties, which is the third-highest mark in the league. deGrom has a rare high floor and high ceiling combo that makes him the best investment available.

Zack Godley, ARI (@ SD) - $8,700

Godley has been on a tear over the last month, striking out 35 batters in 31 2/3 innings with a 2.84 ERA. His hot streak should continue against the Padres, who are the worst lineup in the league versus right-handers according to their .288 wOBA. They've also got the second-highest K-rate, at 25.7%, and play in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in baseball. Godley is a steal at this price.

 

DraftKings DFS Infielders

C - Yasmani Grandal, LAD (@ SEA) - $4,200

Grandal is one of the only catchers worth spending on. He's been demolishing right-handed pitching this year with a 140 wRC+ and gets to face Erasmo Ramirez, who has a 6.75 ERA through three starts. Grandal has 21 homers and can do some work in the loaded Dodgers lineup.

1B - Jose Abreu, CWS (vs. KC) - $4,200

Abreu is on fire right now, with homers in back-to-back games and a .950 OPS over the last 15 days. While opposing starter Brad Keller has a 3.40 ERA, his 4.77 SIERA and 5.53 DRA suggest that he's been overperforming. Indeed, Keller has just a 15.7% K-rate with a 10.1% walk-rate. Take Abreu and some of his White Sox teammates for an effective stack.

2B/OF - Whit Merrifield, KC (@ CWS) - $4,000

Merrifield is batting .345 over the last 15 days and leading off for the Royals, so he should rack up some hits against Dylan Covey, owner of a 6.06 ERA. Merrifield will maximize his plate appearances out of the leadoff spot, giving him better odds at racking up runs and steals.

3B - Evan Longoria, SF (@ CIN) - $3,900

Longoria can take advantage of an extreme hitter's park in Cincinnati against Matt Harvey, who has a 5.19 ERA and an insane 2.28 HR/9 at home. Even a hitter like Longo can easily go deep with this matchup.

SS - Trea Turner, LAD (vs. MIA) - $4,400

Turner may only be a league-average hitter, but his spot batting second for the Nationals gives him a ton of value. Wei-Yin Chen has a 5.32 ERA, so Turner should be involved in some run-scoring. Of course, Turner also has 32 steals this year, so he can easily get you some points on the basepaths.

 

DraftKings DFS Outfielders

Starling Marte, PIT (vs. CHC) - $4,300

Any time you can get Marte for this cheap, you should take advantage. He's been an elite fantasy player with 17 homers and 28 steals. Tyler Chatwood has been absolutely horrible this year, with more walks than strikeouts.

Lorenzo Cain, MIL (@ STL) - $4,100

Cain's batting .409 in the last week and will get lots of plate appearances batting second for the Brewers. He's another speed option, with 22 steals this year.

 

MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alexander Romanov

Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
Nic Dowd

Out on Thursday
Adam Lowry

Inks Extension With Jets
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Paolo Banchero

Misses Fourth Straight Game
Kawhi Leonard

Remains Out Against Magic
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Ruled Out for Two Weeks
Tyler Herro

Targeting Return on Monday
Brian Thomas Jr.

Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Jerami Grant

Available Wednesday Night
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Returns From Two-Game Absence
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Available to Play Wednesday
Tre Jones

Downgraded to Out
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Dereck Lively II

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Caleb Martin

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Raisel Iglesias

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Charlie McAvoy

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Joe Burrow

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Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Not Seen at Wednesday's Practice
Dak Prescott

Lands on Injury Report Ahead of Week 12 With Hip Injury
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Jayden Daniels

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Tom Hoge

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Joe Highsmith

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Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out Again in Week 12
Drake London

Falcons Hoping That Drake London Will Return in Week 13
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Penix Jr.

Needs Reconstructive Surgery on Torn ACL
Jaxson Dart

Expected to Return to Practice on Wednesday
Shedeur Sanders

Will Start Against Raiders
Dalton Kincaid

Ruled Out Against Texans
Connor Bedard

Continues Tear With Hat Trick
Macklin Celebrini

Pots Hat Trick in Tuesday's Win
Jake Guentzel

Records Eighth Career Hat Trick
Sammy Blais

Injured Versus Blues
Alexander Romanov

Injured in Tuesday's Win
Ryan Hartman

Considered Week-to-Week
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
Odell Beckham Jr.

Officially Reinstated by NFL Commissioner
Matt Murray

to Miss Six Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Ilya Lyubushkin

Out on Tuesday
Jamie Benn

Makes Season Debut Tuesday
Evgenii Dadonov

on Track to Return Tuesday
C.J. Stroud

Expected to Return in Week 13 Against Colts
C.J. Stroud

to Miss Another Game
Joe Mixon

Uncertainty Remains Around Joe Mixon's Return Timeline
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday

RANKINGS

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