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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 31st 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a loaded Saturday with 16 games in total thanks to a double-header in St. Louis. Those 16 games are split into seven afternoon and nine evening games. However, the way the afternoon slate falls means there are only five games on the afternoon slate, but nine in the evening, and therefore, that is this article to focus.
We have two big favorites on this slate tonight in the form of the Nationals and Braves. Outside of that a lot of these games are essentially toss-ups. It could be a very mixed slate in terms of runs today, with the total in Colorado as high as 13.5, but also four of the other five lines currently available sitting in single-digits.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/31/19. 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
Robbie Ray, ARI (vs. LAD) - $8,900
I nearly went for Clayton Kershaw here and then I saw how good the Diamondbacks are against left-handed pitchers. In contrast, the Dodgers are distinctly average against lefties and Ray has the upside to offer great a great return on investment in this start. He averages 19.7 fantasy points in his last 10 starts and 21.2 points at home this season.
Tommy Milone, SEA (@ TEX) - $7,400
I never usually like to use pitchers in these opener/reliever situations but Milone is an upside gamble for me here. The Rangers have been terrible recently offensive, and their hitting against left-handed pitchers are frankly dreadful. On a slate with a lot of uncertainty, this feels like a gamble worth taking, especially with the two best hitters in this Rangers lineup still missing.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Carson Kelly, ARI (vs. LAD) - $3,700
Never pick against Clayton Kershaw is usually my motto, but for someone this good against left-handed pitching I will break that. The Diamondbacks as a group are good against lefties and Kelly leads that, with a .382 batting average, six home runs, a .342 ISO and a .480 wOBA in 91 PA against lefties.
1B - Jose Abreu, CWS (@ ATL) - $4,600
Abreu is another hitter who crushes against left-handed pitchers, hitting .355 with eight home runs, a .241 ISO and a .411 wOBA in 151 PA. Dallas Keuchel has been up and down this season and Abreu might be able to take advantage in this one.
2B - Nick Solak, TEX (vs. SEA) - $3,900
This just remains about riding a hot hand while he offers value. Solak is hitting over .300 against both right and left-handed pitchers. So far he has a .361 batting average and a .419 wOBA this season, and his form makes him a solid pick at this price. Nothing sexy, but solid and does not cost much at a terrible position.
3B - Hunter Dozier, KC (vs. BAL) - $4,300
Dozier is having a nice season, hitting .279 with 23 home runs, with a .258 ISO and a .368 wOBA. 15 of those home runs have come against right-handed pitchers, and he is hitting .295 at home this season. This could be a game with plenty of runs and Dozier could provide a few of them for you.
SS - Paul DeJong, STL (vs. CIN) - $4,200
After second base this is the second-worst position on this slate by a considerable margin. There is not much value at the position, so instead, I am looking towards DeJong, who has 22-of-24 home runs against right-handed pitchers this season.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Trey Mancini, BAL (@ KC) - $4,500
Mancini is having a breakout season and is succeeding against both right and left-handed pitchers. He has 19 of his 29 home runs this season against right-handed hitters and has close to even home run splits on the road and at home.
Jorge Soler, KC (vs. BAL) - $4,300
Soler is mashing against right-handed pitchers this season, having hit 31 of his 38 home runs against them, giving him a .307 ISO to go with a .375 wOBA. He has been slightly worse at home this season but still has a 125 wRC+ in Kansas City this season.
A.J. Pollock, LAD (@ ARI) - $4,100
Pollock is our third hitter with supreme numbers against left-handed pitchers. He is hitting .356 with a .379 wOBA. With Pederson and Beaty likely sitting Pollock should get the chance to lead off against Ray in this one.
