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It's a ten-game featured slate on DraftKings today, and with the only true ace taking on the Boston Red Sox there is an interesting pitching slate to attack today.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/26/18. 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 @ElliottBaasBB.
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Kevin Gausman, ATL (@ MIA): $8,100
Gausman has been great since the trade to Atlanta, posting a 2.00 ERA and 3.15 FIP in 27 innings with the Braves. He gets a cupcake matchup today against the punchless Miami Marlins. The Marlins have a .293 wOBA and 83 wRC+ against right-handed pitching this season. They also have a meager .122 ISO, lowest in the majors. The lack of power in the lineup combined with pitcher-friendly Marlins Park should help Gausman keep the ball in the yard and keep Miami in check.
Nathan Eovaldi, BOS (@ TB): $7,800
In the northern part of Florida ex-Marlin and ex-Ray Nathan Eovaldi returns to Tropicana Field to take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Coming off a 1.5 year absence due to Tommy John, Eovaldi’s 3.81 ERA is his lowest since 2013. The 5.75 K/BB ratio rate is also a career high, thanks to the cutter he’s begun throwing this season. The Rays have been a below average team against right-handed pitching this season with a .314 wOBA and 22.1% strikeout rate. Eovaldi also has a 2.17 ERA in three starts in Tropicana Field this season.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C – Omar Narvaez, CWS (@ DET): $3,400
Narvaez has demolished right-handed pitching this season for a .298 AVG and .863 OPS. He also hits relatively high in the order for a catcher, around sixth or seventh on many days. The White Sox take on veteran Jordan Zimmermann, who has been roughed up to the tune of a 5.22 ERA since coming to Detroit in 2016. This season has been a little better, but Zimmermann still has a 4.18 ERA and 1.62 HR/9 allowed in 18 starts. The White Sox aren’t the strongest lineup, but they have some hitters like Narvaez that can handle righties well enough.
1B – Daniel Murphy, CHC (vs. CIN): $4,200
Murphy has been hitting leadoff for the Cubs since the trade last week, and has three-straight multi-hit games going into play Saturday with the Cubs. He has an .868 OPS and .171 ISO versus righties this year, and takes on a bad one today in Homer Bailey. Bailey’s stats are comically bad this season, posting a 1-11 record with a 6.21 ERA and 1.97 HR/9. He hasn’t posted an ERA below six since 2015 and hasn’t had an ERA below five since 2014. All the Cubs are in play against Bailey, but to fit in Coors bats we have to make sacrifices which is why Murphy is the preferred option to Anthony Rizzo at first base. Murphy is also second base eligible so both can be played in a lineup without Coors Field bats.
2B – Yoan Moncada, CWS (@ DET): $3,700
The switch-hitting Moncada performs much better against right-handed pitching, posting a .735 OPS and .193 ISO versus righties this season. Moncada is both a power and speed threat and should have no problem producing against a weak pitcher like Zimmermann at the top of Chicago’s lineup.
3B – Nolan Arenado, COL (vs. STL): $5,800
Whenever the Rockies face a lefty at home every effort should be made to get exposure to Nolan Arenado. He absolutely destroys lefties at Coors Field. This season Arenado has a 1.495 OPS, .522 ISO, and .598 wOBA at home against left-handed pitchers. Austin Gomber may have a 2.98 ERA between the rotation and bullpen, but he also has a 4.96 SIERA and 1.57 K/BB ratio. Arenado is worth the hefty price tag today.
SS – Trevor Story, COL (vs. STL): $5,800
In the same vein as Arenado, Trevor Story is pretty much an automatic play at home against a lefty. This season he has a 1.249 OPS, .425 ISO, and .506 wOBA at home against left-handed pitching. Not quite as good as Arenado, but Hall-of-Fame caliber numbers nonetheless.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
OF – Matt Holliday, COL (vs. STL): $4,100
The Rockies have resurrected Matt Holliday and are platooning him with Gerardo Parra in left field. He may be 38, but Ol’ Grandpa Holliday can still swing it. Last year with the Yankees he had a .843 OPS and .209 ISO against left-handed pitching. He hit fifth for the Rockies in his first start and if he hits that high in the order today Holliday is a tremendous value.
OF – Daniel Palka, CWS (@ DET): $3,800
Palka has pulverized right-handed pitching this season for 16 of his 18 homers and a .257 ISO. He hits cleanup and should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runners against Jordan Zimmermann in this matchup. Zimmermann has allowed 1.85 HR/9 and a .226 ISO to right-handed hitters this season.
OF – Robbie Grossman, MIN (vs. OAK): $3,300
Grossman hits lefties, and only lefties, and he does it well. This season he has a .297 AVG and .794 OPS versus left-handed pitchers. His batting position has been all over the place lately, but hopefully he’s hitting sixth or higher in this one. No one’s buying Brett Anderson’s recent success, as Anderson still has a 4.35 SIERA and measly 13.1% strikeout rate this year.
