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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 22nd, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Thursday sees a reasonably busy day with 10 games taking place. Just one of those games is in the afternoon, between the Giants and Cubs, leaving nine of the games in the evening to make up the main slate. That slate will make up the featured one on DraftKings and is where our attentions on this slate lie.
There are some monster favorites on this slate, especially the Houston Astros who are better than -500 in many places. Other teams at -200 or better are the Tampa Bay Rays, the Atlanta Braves, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. There are not expected to be many runs scored on this slate, with just two games having a projected double-digit total right now. Those games are in Baltimore and in Chicago.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/22/19. 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
Gerrit Cole, HOU (vs. DET) - $12,000
Cole is in great form right now. His 2.08 ERA in August is his highest monthly ERA since May, having sat below two in each of the last two months. In that time he has struck out 114 hitters in 85 innings, allowing a total of just 18 runs. Now he faces one of the worst hitting sides in the majors in the form of the Detroit Tigers. Having only scored less than 20 fantasy points just once since June 7th, he has both the floor and ceiling to make his salary look to be potentially still a value. Last night Justin Verlander managed to go the full nine innings and struck out 11 against this lineup, showing the level Cole could reach in this outing.
Mike Soroka, ATL (vs. MIA) - $10,000
Soroka has been up and down this season but does come into this game having averaged over 27 fantasy point sin his last two starts against the Marlins. Soroka has actually struggled this season at home, but against the Marlins he has the potential to put that to bed. In the last two games, the VBraves starters have allowed just one earned run and have struck out 16 Marlins, showing you both the floor and ceiling that Soroka has in this one. Given the opponent, it really does feel like Soroka might have a floor of two points per $1K salary nd a ceiling of three points.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Pedro Severino, BAL (vs. TB) - $3,300
Severino has lovely numbers against left-handed pitchers this season, with a .275 batting average and seven of his 10 home runs. His ISO of .248 and .352 wOBA are far above his numbers against right-handed pitchers, making this is an interesting play against the Rays.
1B - Matt Olson, OAK (vs. NYY) - $4,700
Olson has been solid against right-handed hitters this season, with 17 home runs, a .269 batting average, a .261 ISO and a .371 wOBA. He has struggled a little at home this season, but with the wind expected to be blowing out and an inconsistent pitcher in Masahiro Tanaka on the mound, he could have a strong day in Oakland.
2B - Rougned Odor, TEX (@ CWS) - $4,200
Odor has been massively frustrating this season, but his splits against left-handed pitchers have been pretty strong, hitting .252 with six home runs, a .244 ISO and a .349 wOBA. This time of year is always more hitter-friendly and Odor's terrible numbers this season makes him a solid value in these situations.
3B - Giovanny Urshela, NYY (@ OAK) - $4,200
Urshela is having a really strong season, but his numbers against right-handed hitters are very impressive. He has a .351 batting average, 12 home runs, a .227 ISO and a .404 wOBA. He has actually been better away from New York, with a .268 ISO and a .402 wOBA on the road, so with the weather suiting hitting he makes for an interesting value today.
SS - Corey Seager, LAD (vs TOR) - $4,500
Seager has massive splits against right and left-handed pitchers. When he faces right-handed pitchers he has 10 home runs, a .292 batting average, .246 ISO and a .370 wOBA, so against a pitcher in Jacob Waguespack who has been up and down this season.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Michael Conforto, NYM (vs. CLE) - $4,600
Conforto has hit 21 of his 27 home runs against right-handed pitchers this season, as well as hitting .264. His ISO when righties are on the mound is .279 and a wOBA of .388. He has also been better at home this season, with a .294 ISO and a .390 wOBA. With the weather in this one also suiting hitting he could be in line for a strong outing against the Indians today.
Eloy Jimenez, CWS (@ TEX) - $4,300
Jimenez is having a good time of it in August so far. He is hitting .267 with five home runs and eight extra-base hits. He has been stronger against right-handed hitters this season, with a .247 batting average, 16 home runs, a .230 ISO and a .316 wOBA.
Mark Canha, OAK (vs. NYY) - $4,300
This feels like a perfect storm for Canha. Against right-handed pitchers, he is hitting .277 with 14 home runs, a 262 ISO and a .389 wOBA. Additionally, he is also hitting .291 at home with 10 home runs and a .404 wOBA. Combine all of that with Tanaka's recent inconsistencies and hitter-friendly conditions in Oakland and Canha could be in line for a good day in this one.
