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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on August 8th, 2019. Ben Rolfe's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
A quiet Thursday this week with just eight games and one slate for our entertainment. With most teams traveling Wednesday, there is no afternoon slate, and instead, all attentions will be focused on the evening.
The Red Sox, Braves and Yankees are the biggest favorites on this slate, but their pitchers do not inspire confidence from a DFS point of view, especially given the way Chris Sale is pitching this season. There are some big totals on this slate with four of the eight games currently sitting at 9.5 or higher. Later in the afternoon things are expected to get a little bit tighter, although the game in San Francisco may lead to higher scoring than the total expects with the wind expected to blow out strongly from the plate.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/8/19. 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
Mike Clevinger, CLE (@ MIN) - $10,800
Clevinger has been incredible recently, with an ERA under two since the beginning of July and 49 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings. In that time frame, he has scored over 20 fantasy points on five occasions and over 30 fantasy points twice. Clevinger is the best chance on this slate of returning three fantasy points per $1,000 and for me, that is worth the gamble even at the $10,000-plus price.
Eric Lauer, SD (vs. COL) - $6,700
I have gone for upside with Clevinger and therefore, I am looking for a floor performance from my second pitcher. Lauer's 2.60 ERA at home this season is too hard to pass up at this price. He only averages 13.7 points at home this season, but the Rockies can be prone to strikeout and there is some ceiling here. With many questionable options on this slate pitching-wise, the relative safety offered by Lauer is welcome.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - J.T. Realmuto, PHI (@ SF) - $4,200
I did not expect to be picking against Madison Bumgarner in this one, especially pitching in San Francisco. However, with the weather in San Francisco favoring the long ball, and some of the Phillies hitters having nice splits against left-handed pitchers it is a perfect opportunity. Realmuto is one of those with a .305 batting average, .267 ISO and .368 wOBA against lefties this season.
1B - Albert Pujols, LAA (@ BOS) - $3,900
Picking against both Bumgarner and Chris Sale on the same slate? Now that just seems weird. However, Sale has not been himself this season, and he has been hit especially hard recently. Against left-handed pitchers this season Pujols has a .267 batting average, eight of his 17 home runs, a .242 ISO and a .338 wOBA.
2B - Ryan McMahon, COL (@ SD) - $4,400
I am not keen to go against Lauer in San Diego but finding any kind of value at second base is extremely messy. However, McMahon has solid numbers against left-handed hitters, including six of his 12 home runs, a .283 batting average, .208 ISO and .336 wOBA.
3B - Hunter Dozier, KC (@ DET) - $4,000
It has been a mixed season for Dozier against left-handed hitters this season, as he has hit just .250 with lefties on the mound. However, he is averaging a home run in just under every 20 PA against left-handed pitchers, with a .202 ISO and a .336 wOBA. The numbers are not great but finding any kind of value at third base is tough on this slate.
SS - Jean Segura, PHI (@ SF) - $3,900
Once again we are back targetting Bumgarner, especially with a hitter who has over half of his home runs this season against left-handed pitchers. His .299 ISO and a .372 wOBA should play nicely with the wind blowing hard out from the plate in this game.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Kris Bryant, CHC (vs. CIN) - $4,500
Bryant against a left-handed pitcher, at home in hitter-friendly conditions, should make for interesting value on this slate. Bryant is hitting .333 with lefties on the mound and averages a home run every 12.6 PA with a .369 ISO and a .463 wOBA.
Bryce Harper, PHI (@ SF) - $4,200
This comes back to the weather conditions in San Francisco on this slate, and Harper's slightly better numbers against left-handed pitchers this season. With lefties on the mound, Harper is hitting .260, with a .244 ISO and a .357 wOBA.
Curtis Granderson, MIA (vs. ATL) - $3,300
This is a search for value to try and fit n the higher-priced hitters on this slate. Granderson has been far superior in terms of consistency against left-handed pitchers this season, hitting .256 with a .256 ISO, a .351 wOBA and a 121 wRC+.
