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Happy Sunday, RotoBallers! I'm excited to be covering another fun DFS slate. The MLB season has been a good one so far, and I'm looking forward to sifting through another crop of games. Let's break down my favorite plays from today's main slate!
Today's main slate features an enticing 11-game matinee mix on DraftKings and a 13-game set on FanDuel. The weather looks mostly clear, but it's essential to check in with your preferred meteorologist ahead of lock. I'll point out the standout plays, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get creative with your builds on this slate.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/27/2023 and the slate locking at 1:35 PM ET. 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 that out of the way, it's onto the picks!
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Yusei Kikuchi, TOR vs. CLE ($8,900 DK, $9,400 FD)
2023 has been by far Yusei Kikuchi's best season in the major leagues. Through 25 starts, he sports a 3.52 ERA, including a 3.92 xFIP, 6.5% walk rate, and 25% strikeout rate. He doesn't feature incredibly flashy numbers, but Kikuchi has been dominant since the All-Star break. Over seven second-half starts, Kikuchi has posted a 1.82 ERA, surrendering zero home runs during that span. For a much lower price, I believe he offers a similar upside to the premium arms on this slate.
The Cleveland Guardians are among the weakest lineups out there these days. They're scoring below 3.9 runs per game across 40 contests since the All-Star break. That includes an MLB-worst 60 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, alongside a .579 OPS and .255 wOBA.
Jose Ramirez is always an obstacle, but he's significantly worse against southpaws. The rest of this lineup is exceptionally manageable. Kikuchi limited the Guardians to one run over seven innings two weeks ago, and I anticipate a similar outcome today.
Paul Blackburn, OAK vs. CHW ($8,300 DK, $8,200 FD)
I'm comfortable sticking to the midrange of pitching options today. This is the most expensive price we've seen on Paul Blackburn all season. But it's deserved, and he's still a worthwhile value.
Blackburn is having an underrated campaign. He sports a decent 3.93 xERA through 15 outings, but the underlying numbers are more encouraging. Blackburn is limiting hard contact at an impressive rate, allowing a 31.2% hard-hit rate, 86.8 mph average exit velocity, 5.1% barrel rate, and .381 xSLG. Blackburn's 23.2% strikeout rate is middling, but I'll take the affordable quality start.
The White Sox have been a disappointment all season, and nothing about that has changed recently. In 38 games since the All-Star break, they're scoring an underwhelming 4.1 runs per game. Chicago has been awful against right-handed pitching, carrying a weak 82 wRC+ against righties, including a .671 OPS, .292 wOBA, and 24.2% strikeout rate.
Also consider: Justin Verlander, Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Luis Castillo (FD only)
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Freddie Freeman – 1B, LAD vs. Tanner Houck ($6,400 DK, $4,100 FD)
Depending on who you ask, Freddie Freeman might be the National League MVP frontrunner. He's having an unbelievable season, featuring a .339/.415/.577 slash line with 23 home runs and a 168 wRC+. That includes a blistering .574 xSLG, .323 xBA, and .413 xwOBA. Freeman is a great play anytime he's in the lineup, but today looks like a promising spot.
Tanner Houck has pitched better than his 5.08 ERA lets on, but he has a serious problem with left-handed hitters. Lefties are slugging .515 against Houck with a .348 wOBA this season.
Bo Bichette – SS, TOR vs. Noah Syndergaard ($5,500 DK, $3,300 FD)
Bo Bichette hasn't missed a stride since returning from the injured list a week ago, hitting safely in six of seven games. He's in the midst of another outstanding campaign, slashing .316/.346/.491 with 18 home runs and a 130 wRC+. That includes an elite .502 xSLG, .315 xBA, and .365 xwOBA.
Noah Syndergaard is looking pretty much cooked at this point in his career. He's posted a 6.51 xERA and 5.11 xFIP through 17 starts this year. That includes surrendering a horrible .532 xSLG, .306 xBA, 10.8% barrel rate, and .384 xwOBA. Right-handed hitters have lit up Syndergaard to the tune of a .573 slugging percentage.
Alec Bohm – 3B, PHI vs. Drew Rom ($4,400 DK, $3,300 FD)
Alec Bohm has developed into a very reliable bat. He's slashing .283/.337/.432 with 14 home runs this year. That consists of a fantastic .291 xBA, .457 xSLG, and a .348 xwOBA. Bohm is also crushing southpaw pitching, slugging .570 with a .384 wOBA against lefties.
Drew Rom is fresh off his MLB debut, which didn't go very well. He surrendered eight runs (six earned) across 3 2/3 innings against the Pirates earlier this week. Based on the 4.82 ERA Rom posted in Triple-A this season, he's probably not ready for major-league hitting. That makes him a good spot to exploit today.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Aaron Judge – OF, NYY vs. Zack Littell ($6,500 DK, $4,400 FD)
Does an Aaron Judge recommendation need justification? His 28 home runs rank fifth in the National League, despite playing only 75 games so far this season. He boasts a 183 OPS+, alongside predictably absurd numbers like a .756 xSLG, 64.5% hard-hit rate, 97.6 mph average exit velocity, .300 xBA, and 28.5% barrel rate.
Zack Littell doesn't match up well here. He sports an overall 4.57 xERA, including an awful .453 xSLG, .291 xBA, 47% hard-hit rate, 91.5 mph average exit velocity, and 9.5% barrel rate. Right-handed hitters are slugging .468 against Littell in 2023, and .463 against him for his career.
Austin Hays – OF, BAL vs. Ty Blach ($4,000 DK, $2,900 FD)
Austin Hays boasts a respectable .282/.331/.460 slash line with 13 home runs. He handles left-handed pitching particularly well, posting a .472 slugging percentage against southpaws this season, part of a .463 career mark.
Ty Blach is one of my favorite pitchers to exploit on this slate. He owns a horrible 6.68 xERA and 5.18 xFIP through 13 outings. That includes a .514 xSLG, .332 xBA, 46.7% hard-hit rate, 90.8 mph average exit velocity, and .387 xwOBA. Right-handed hitters are slugging .469 against Blach for his career.
Seiya Suzuki – OF, CHC vs. Bailey Falter ($3,500 DK, $2,900 FD)
Seiya Suzuki has evidently put his slump behind him. He owns a 1.058 OPS and 179 wRC+ since the beginning of August, including five home runs and a .333 ISO. He's hit safely in 14 of his past 15 contests and should be an excellent value play in this spot.
Bailey Falter isn't the worst pitcher on this slate, but he's worth attacking. He holds a weak 4.39 xERA and 4.48 xFIP, including a .444 xSLG, 9.1% barrel rate, and .265 xBA. Falter is vulnerable to hitters of all handedness, but right-handed hitters are slugging .466 against him for his career.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Baltimore Orioles vs. Ty Blach
Favorite Plays: Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Austin Hays, Anthony Santander
Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite Plays: Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber
Also Consider: Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays
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