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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on August 25th, 2022. John Brubaker's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Thursday, RotoBallers! This is John Brubaker dropping some of my favorite plays for today's slate. After a five-game slate last week, we get a six-game slate this week. Similar to last week, pitching is rather top-heavy, with guys like Jacob deGrom and Aaron Nola taking the ball for their respective clubs. We might not have such an easy time finding value guys.
We don't have any slate differences today, which is awesome. It's tough for me to express all of my favorite plays in this article, and when some players are on FanDuel but not DraftKings and vice-versa, it makes it even more difficult. Nevertheless, with all of the games being on the same slate, let's giddy up and have some fun tonight.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel at 7:05 pm on 8/25/2022. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options, and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. Now that we got all of that out of the way, it's onto the picks!
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Jacob deGrom, NYM vs COL ($10,800 DK, $12,500 FD)
Like last week, this one should come as no surprise. deGrom is back and seemingly better than ever, shutting lineups down and striking guys out in the meantime. Now, deGrom didn't have his "best" start against Atlanta last Thursday, surrendering three earned runs in 6.2 innings while striking out nine. He should have an easier go of it tonight, though, and is projected to a 0.98 xFIP and 44.73% strike-out rate against a Colorado team that ranks 29th in runs outside of Coors.
DraftKings Projection: 29.1
FanDuel Projection: 47.61
Luis Garcia, HOU vs MIN ($8,800 DK, $9,800 FD)
Another guy I'll be taking a look at tonight is Luis Garcia against the Twins. The Twins have had some trouble scoring against Astros starters so far in this series, with Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez combining for just one earned run in 13 innings. Garcia will look to continue this trend tonight as he's projected for a 3.23 xFIP and 26.8% strikeout rate. I'd personally opt for Aaron Nola or Kevin Gausman on FanDuel, but I'll most likely pair Garcia with deGrom on DraftKings.
DraftKings Projection: 17.2
FanDuel Projection: 34.44
Also consider: Aaron Nola, Kevin Gausman
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, TOR vs. Kutter Crawford ($5,600 DK, $4,000 FD)
As far as hitters go, we'll start the slate off with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. against Boston right-hander Kutter Crawford. While Crawford has an excellent baseball name, I can't pencil him in for excellence tonight. Guerrero is projected for a whopping 42.26% hard-contact rate against Crawford, as well as a .640 wOBA + ISO against his pitch types. Vladdy has had just three at-bats against Crawford, hitting one single.
DraftKings Projection: 12.17
FanDuel Projection: 15.04
Daniel Vogelbach - 1B, NYM vs. Ryan Feltner ($3,800 DK, $2,800 FD)
Doubling up on first basemen here due to the shallow options we have on the slate. Since you can play multiple first basemen on FanDuel, we'll include Vogelbach here. Vogelbach projects a 42.4% hard contact rate against Colorado righty Ryan Feltner, as well as a projected .744 wOBA + ISO against his pitch types. He's yet to face Feltner, but Vogelbach turns out as one of the best values on the slate tonight.
DraftKings Projection: 11.74
FanDuel Projection: 15.68
Nick Maton - 2B/SS, PHI vs. Justin Dunn ($3,100 DK, $2,600 FD)
I'll be taking a look at Nick Maton tonight as a value infielder on both sites. Maton has come out swinging this season while battling an injury stint. Maton projects to a 45.24% hard contact rate and a whopping 1.309 wOBA + ISO against Cincy right-hander Justin Dunn's pitch types. It's important to note that Maton absolutely crushes fastballs, which Dunn has thrown 53.53% of the time to left-handed batters since 2019.
DraftKings Projection: 7.96
FanDuel Projection: 9.21
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Aaron Judge - OF, NYY vs. James Kaprielian ($6,200 DK, $4,800 FD)
I suppose we're getting a bit of a discount of Judge on FanDuel this week, as his price has dropped from $5,000 to $4,800. The fact of the matter is, Judge is the best hitter in the league this season, clubbing 48 homers while hitting .297 to boot. He projects to a 48.33% hard contact rate and 1.093 wOBA + ISO against Oakland righty James Kaprielian. He hasn't had much success in the past against Kaprielian, going just 1-5 with a walk and four strikeouts in six plate appearances against him, but I bet he'll turn the tide tonight.
DraftKings Projection: 14.01
FanDuel Projection: 17.07
Nick Castellanos - OF, PHI vs. Justin Dunn ($4,100 DK, $2,900 FD)
I mentioned this a few weeks ago but Nick Castellanos has quietly been heating up. Castellanos has historically had his best months in August and is at it again this season with a .321 batting average and four home runs in the month. His projected hard contact rate sits at a relatively low 30.78%, but he does have a projected 1.027 wOBA + ISO against Dunn's pitch types. He hasn't faced the righty yet, but I'll have shares of Castellanos and most of the Phillies. More on that in a bit.
DraftKings Projection: 11.46
FanDuel Projection: 13.82
Seth Brown - 1B/OF, OAK vs. Jameson Taillon ($2,900 DK, $2,400 FD)
To finish up our hitters for today, we'll look at a nice value option in Seth Brown against Yankees righty Jameson Taillon. Taillon has pitched well this season but has struggled against lefties, coming into this one with a 4.17 xFIP and a 31.02% hard contact rate against them. I hope that Brown is able to take advantage of this, as he comes in with a projected 36.41% hard contact rate and .769 wOBA + ISO against Taillon's pitch types. Brown's 1-2 with a double against Taillon for his career.
DraftKings Projection: 9.38
FanDuel Projection: 11.2
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Justin Dunn
When they're not playing the Mets, the Phillies have been tearing the cover off the ball. They were the highest-owned stack on the slate last night, and tonight should be no different. The Phillies will take on Justin Dunn, who's allowed nine earned runs including five home runs in 13.1 innings pitched this season. It shouldn't be much of an issue for the Phillies to get to him, as they come in ranked 11th in OPS (.720) and wOBA (.314), but rank just 16th in wRC+ (99) against right-handers. Despite the low wRC+, they're the best stack on the slate by far.
Favorite Plays: Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Jean Segura, Nick Maton
New York Yankees vs. James Kaprielian
In lineups I'll be fading the Phillies, I'll be taking a look at the Yankees as my "expensive" stack. Unlike the Phillies who have a ton of potential stack options tonight, the Yankees are rather consolidated to four of the top five hitters in their lineup, with the exception of Andrew Benintendi. I'm not necessarily against playing Benintendi tonight, he just didn't crack my personal parameters as an option. Nevertheless, the Yanks rank 7th in OPS (.740) and wOBA (.324), and 4th in wRC+ (113).
Favorite Plays: DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton
Also Consider: New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays
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