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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 20th, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a 10-game slate on Monday, with the first contest starting at 7:05pm EST (ATL/PIT). Three matchups have an over/under of at least nine total runs. The CWS/MIN matchup leads the docket with 9.5 projected total runs. However, we are still waiting on the lines between KC/TB and TEX/OAK.
As far as favorites go, we have only one heavy favorite (-200 odds, or greater) and it’s the Brewers. On a negative note, that game also has an over/under of nine total runs, so we can’t fully endorse the Milwaukee pitcher (Chase Anderson), but the bats could be nice (too expensive for me).
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/20/18. 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
Jose Berrios, MIN (vs. CWS) - $10,000
When I constructed my DK lineup, Berrios wasn’t listed as the probable pitcher. So, he may get overlooked, especially for those who built their lineup the night before. Berrios has owned the White Sox this season. He’s 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA and compiled 23 strikeouts in 22 innings of work. He’s allowed three earned runs, or less, in four of the past five starts and struck out at least five batters in six of the last seven appearances. The White Sox are first in team strikeouts (1,183) and 24th in runs scored (498 runs in 122 runs) this season.
Editor's note: Berrios was a candidate to start when this article was written. Now that we know that he isn't on the hill, pivot to Zack Wheeler ($9,300) against the Giants. Wheeler has two earned runs, or less, in five consecutive starts and has punched out at least seven batters in three of the last four appearances. The Giants are 25th in runs scored (498 runs in 125 games) and seventh in team strikeouts (1,091) this season.
Chris Archer, PIT (vs. ATL) - $7,800
Those familiar with my DraftKings posts (Monday and Friday), will know that I love a good bargain, especially at the starting pitcher position. I rank the pitchers before I look at the DK player pool. If there is a big discrepancy, I take advantage of it. In my books, Archer is the third-best pitcher in the slate, however he’s the eighth-most expensive on DraftKings. Archer has allowed three earned runs, or less, in 10 of the past 11 outings and punched out at least six batters in seven of the last 10 appearances.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Yan Gomes, CLE (@ BOS) - $3,400
The price is dirt cheap and the bat is solid. I’m buying the Yanimal’s stock. Gomes is 6-for-18 (.333) with two doubles in the past week. In his career, Gomes is 5-for-13 (.385) with two doubles against Rick Porcello. Plus, Gomes has tallied at least one hit in four of the past five contests.
1B - Justin Smoak, TOR (vs. BAL) - $4,000
A sneaky, under-the-radar stack on Monday could be the Blue Jays. Their 5.1 projected run total is the third-highest on the slate and the bats are all affordable. Take Smoak, for instance. His .258 ISO against right-handed pitchers is the highest among his Toronto teammates. However, he’s only $4,000 on DK (tied for the 23rd-most expensive first baseman in the player pool). We’ll see at least one more from this team later on the suggestions list.
2B - Whit Merrifield, KC (@ TB) - $4,000
In the past week, Merrifield is 11-for-27 (.407) with one double, four walks, and two stolen bases. He’s produced multiple hits in three of the past four starts and at least one knock in eight consecutive games.
3B - Justin Turner, LAD (vs. STL) - $4,500
Like Merrifield, Turner has a hot bat. He recorded four hits on Sunday and is now 12-for-26 (.462) with two home runs and a stolen base. In the past six games, Turner has notched multi-hit performances in four contests. He’s also homered in back-to-back games. Turner is the leader in the clubhouse with a .286 ISO against left-handed pitchers.
SS - Carlos Correa, HOU (@ SEA) - $4,300
After a lengthy stint on the DL, Correa returned to action on August 10th. Though he’s only compiled three hits since his return, Correa still leads the Astros with a .229 ISO against right-handed pitchers since 2017. Houston has the fourth-highest implied run total (4.6 runs) on the Monday slate. Also, in his career, Correa is 5-for-11 (.455) with two extra-base hits (one home run) against Felix Hernandez.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Curtis Granderson, TOR (vs. BAL) - $4,300
I told you we’d have another Blue Jay on the list. Granderson is 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles and one home run (four walks) in the past week. He’s tallied an extra-base hit in three straight games and his .230 ISO against righties is the fourth-highest on Toronto.
Michael Conforto, NYM (vs. SF) - $3,900
Even while going hitless in three-straight games, Conforto is still 10-for-37 (.270) with two doubles and three home runs in the past week. When looking at the Mets team ISO against lefties, they are 27th in baseball (.295 ISO). However, Conforto is one of five Mets with an ISO over .200 (.205, to be exact), against southpaws since 2017.
Austin Jackson, NYM (vs. SF) - $3,700
Did you know A-Jax was with the Mets? Well, he is, and he’s producing. Jackson is 11-for-37 (.297) with three doubles and one triple in the past week. When he was with the Indians, I remember he was the bat they used when a left-handed pitcher was on the hill. On Monday, guess who’s pitching for the Giants? Lefty, Derek Holland. Don’t just take my word on Jackson’s success against southpaws. In his career, Jackson is 5-for-21 (.238), which may not seem great, but three of those five hits went for extra-bases (one home run).
