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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 5th, 2018. Elliott Baas' MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We've got a ten game featured slate on DraftKings this Sunday. With one clear top pitching option in Aaron Nola ($12,400 vs. MIA) we're going to have to get creative in order to differentiate ourselves in tournaments on this slate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/5/18. 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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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Danny Duffy, KC (@ MIN): $8,000
Duffy has been quite volatile this season, but the Twins present a good matchup for him today. On the year Minnesota has a .296 wOBA and 24% strikeout rate against left-handed pitching, and that was before they traded Brian Dozier and Eduardo Escobar. Duffy has been pitching much better lately, with a 2.74 ERA and 9.3 K/9 over his past eight starts. The price has begun to creep up on Duffy, but he’s still a good value in a favorable pitching environment against a weak lineup.
Yefry Ramirez, BAL (@TEX): $5,000
This one isn’t for the risk averse, but there are a few reasons to be bullish on Ramirez in this matchup. One, he already dominated the Texas lineup earlier in the year at home, blanking them over five innings with seven strikeouts for 22.3 DK points. Two, the Rangers strike out a ton against righties with a 25.6% K rate, third highest in the majors. Third, a 13.6% SwStr rate suggest that Ramirez’s 9.18 K/9 isn’t only legitimate, but has room for growth. This is a GPP only play, but ownership should be low and there is strikeout upside here.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C – Willson Contreras, CHC (vs. SD): $4,300
Padres’ lefty Joey Lucchesi has struggled since returning from the disabled list, posting a 5.06 FIP and 1.5 HR/9 in 29.2 innings since he came back from a glute injury. Contreras has hit for much more power against lefties this season with a .200 ISO and .853 OPS versus southpaws on the year.
1B – Carlos Santana, PHI (vs. MIA): $4,200
Marlins’ starter Wei-Yin Chen has gotten absolutely obliterated in road starts this season. In 37.2 innings on the road Chen has a 10.27 ERA and 2.63 HR/9. Outside of Marlins Park Chen is a gas can, which is good news for the Phillies in this matchup. Citizen’s Bank Park has graded as the third most favorable ballpark for home runs (per ESPN park factors). Santana should be able to take advantage, as he has a .207 ISO against left-handed pitching this season.
2B – Asdrubal Cabrera, PHI (vs. MIA): $4,200
The switch-hitting Cabrera has been hitting fifth for the Phillies since coming over in a deadline deal, and with a .790 OPS and .201 ISO on the year Cabrera gives us decent pop at the keystone in a favorable matchup.
3B – Maikel Franco, PHI (vs. MIA): $4,200
Franco is coming off a hot July where he hit seven home runs with a .330 batting average and is a good bet to keep it going against a weak lefty like Chen. His lineup position has been fluctuating a lot lately, and Franco has been hitting between fifth and seventh. If he is fifth or sixth he’s fine at this price, but seventh or lower and he is less valuable.
SS – Javier Baez, CHC (vs. SD): $5,900
Baez is finally experiencing the breakout we’ve been expecting for the past few seasons, and he’ll get a better chance to shoot for a 30-30 season against Lucchesi today. Baez has an .889 OPS and .258 ISO against left-handed pitchers this season, while Lucchesi has surrendered all 13 of his home runs allowed to right-handed batters.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
OF – Rhys Hoskins, PHI (vs. MIA): $5,400
The final piece to a Phillies’ stack, Hoskins is a must have as the Phillies best overall hitter. His .903 OPS and .258 ISO are All-Star level, and he’ll get plenty of chances against Chen and the Marlins weak bullpen. Miami’s bullpen has a 5.13 ERA as a unit this season, third worst in the majors, meaning it’ll be bad pitching for Phillies’ hitters all day today.
OF – Adam Jones, BAL (@ TEX): $4,100
OF – Mark Trumbo, BAL (@ TEX): $4,000
Even though Ramirez is a good pitching option, we still want a little Arlington exposure on this slate. Jones and Trumbo are the Orioles’ three and four hitters and get an easy matchup against Martin Perez. Perez has gotten hammered in nine starts this season, posting a 6.50 ERA, 6.21 FIP, and 1.97 HR/9 in 45.2 innings. The Orioles lineup isn’t good enough to go all-in on with a stack, but this is a great pairing against Perez.
