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DraftKings Lineup Picks & Sleepers (4/18/17): MLB DFS Advice

We have a huge 15 game slate tonight. DraftKings also has the massive $444 Home Run, which features $700,000 in prizes, including $100,000 to first. It's one of the biggest tournaments of the year, and it's always a fun sweat if you're in it. 

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/18/17. The DFS lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays on DraftKings.

You can read our FanDuel and Yahoo DFS lineup picks as well. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @BalesSJustin.

Happy New Year! Save 30% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings

Cleveland Indians vs Phil Hughes

The Indians offense has looked outstanding early this season, and they get another elite matchup tonight. Hughes enters the game with a terrible 1.57 WHIP, 1.746 HR/9, and 4.921 K/9, which means the ball will be in play tonight, and there will almost certainly be home runs in this game. The Indians are -114 favorites in a game set at 9 runs, and they are the best stacking option on the slate.

Baltimore Orioles vs Bronson Arroyo

This is a matchup made in Heaven for the Orioles. Baltimore has the fourth highest slugging percentage in the Majors this season, and Arroyo has given up four home runs in only 10 innings this season. They will also be playing at one of the most hitter friendly stadiums in the MLB. The Orioles are -152 favorites in a game set at 9 runs, and Baltimore can be stacked in all leagues tonight.

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings

Yu Darvish vs Oakland A's

Darvish struggled in his first two starts this season, but he looked elite in his last start. He enters this game with an elite 1.153 WHIP and an even better 11.605 K/9. He gets a great matchup against the A's in a pitcher friendly stadium, and Darvish is a -120 favorite in a game set at only 7 runs. He's the best pitching option on this slate.

Andrew Triggs vs Texas Rangers

Generally I won't use pitchers in the same game, but tonight is the exception. Triggs has yet to give up a run in his first two starts, and while he hasn't displayed great strikeout potential, he has the ability for five or more strikeouts in six innings. He comes with an extremely low price tag, but he's a only a small underdog in a game set at 7 runs. He isn't the safest option on this slate, but he can be used in tournaments.

 

DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings

Catcher (C)

Austin Barnes - vs COL, 3,000

Barnes is an interesting option for the Dodgers. He's expected to draw the start, and he has a rare blend of speed and power for a catcher. He has a home run, triple, and stolen base in limited playing time this season, and he enters the game with a 0.107 ISO differential against left-handed pitching. Barnes can be used in all leagues once he's announced as the starter.

First Base (1B)

Chris Davis - at CIN, $4,700

Davis is hitting for a .317 average on the season, and he also has three home runs. Surprisingly, he only has four RBIs, though. He gets a great matchup against Arroyo, who has struggled to keep the ball in the park this season, and Davis has more than enough power to put on a show tonight. He's an elite option tonight.

Second Base (2B)

Jedd Gyorko - vs PIT, $3,500

Gyorko hasn't been the most consistent player this season, but he has flashed good upside for his price. He enters the game with a 0.034 wOBA and a 0.122 ISO differential against right-handed pitching. Gyorko still comes with a fairly low price tag, and he's a solid tournament option.

Shortstop (SS)

Francisco Lindor - at MIN, $4,700

Lindor has been playing at an unbelievable level this season, as he's hitting over .350 with an elite combination of speed and power. He can string hits together, which adds to his upside. He gets a great matchup against Hughes tonight, and Lindor is an elite option in all leagues.

Third Base (3B)

Nick Castellanos - at TB, $3,500

Castellanos has struggled to hit for a high average this season, but he has displayed great power. 63.6% of his hits have gone for extra-bases this season, including four doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He has been consistent in terms of fantasy to start the season, and he can be used in all leagues.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings

Seth Smith - at CIN, $3,700

Smith leads off for the Orioles against right-handed pitching, and he enters this game with a .280 batting average and five extra-base hits. He also has an elite 0.112 wOBA and 0.12 ISO differential against righties, and Smith is too cheap for his upside on this slate.

Michael Brantley - at MIN, $4,500

Brantley is a must start in an Indians stack. He comes with a good combination of speed and power, and he gets an elite matchup against Hughes, who has struggled quite a bit this season. Brantley is also hitting in the heart of one of the best lineups in the MLB, and he will see plenty of opportunities to hit value.

 

DFS Hitters to Avoid on DraftKings

Joc Pederson - vs COL, $3,700

Pederson has been an all or nothing hitter for the majority of his career, and he's hitting only .231 with one extra-base hit over the last 10 days. He also enters this game with a -0.148 wOBA and -0.189 ISO against left-handed pitching. He gets a terrible matchup against Freeland tonight, and Pederson should be avoided in all leagues.

 

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POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Ben Rice

Could See More Time as Catcher Following Free Agent Addition
Clarke Schmidt

Still Targeting Second Half Return
Anthony Volpe

Unlikely to Return Until May?
Brett Wisely

Designated for Assignment by Rays
Mike Vasil

to Compete for Starting Rotation Spot
San Diego Padres

Padres Seeking Another Hitter, Starting Pitcher
Miguel Mendez

Could be on the Big-League Radar in 2026
Konnor Griffin

Can Konnor Griffin Win Shortstop Job in Pittsburgh?
Brandon Sproat

Should be in Mix for Brewers Rotation Spot
Dylan Ross

Pushing for Bullpen Role at MLB Level
Ben Rice

to Lose Playing Time With Veteran First Baseman Returning?
Paul Goldschmidt

Returning to Yankees on One-Year Deal
OG Anunoby

Won't Play on Friday
Tobias Harris

is Cleared for Friday's Game
Jalen Duren

is Ruled Out for Friday's Game
Gary Harris

is Returning on Friday
Jared McCain

Expected to Make Team Debut on Saturday
Nate Garkow

Receives Invitation to Spring Training
Isaiah Hartenstein

is Ready for Saturday's Game
Chet Holmgren

is Cleared for Saturday's Game
Emiliano Teodo

Could be Bullpen Asset for Rangers
Julius Randle

Cleared to Play Friday
Bobby Portis

is Available for Friday's Game
Josh Hart

Available Against Pistons
Junior Perez

in the Running for Backup Outfield Spot
Karl-Anthony Towns

Ruled Out Friday
Connor Prielipp

has the Arsenal to Start for the Twins
Josh Giddey

Won't Play Saturday
Cameron Johnson

Upgraded to Questionable
Luinder Avila

Seen as Potential Starting Pitcher
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Considered Questionable for Saturday
Stephen Curry

Out Saturday, Doesn't Have Timeline for Return
Cade Winquest

an Option for Yankees Opening Day Roster?
Miles McBride

to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Spencer Miles

Rule 5 Pick Spencer Miles Could Earn Bullpen Spot With Toronto
Kyle Kuzma

Unavailable Against Pacers
Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Still Looking to Make Prospect-Based Trade for a Bat
Domantas Sabonis

Won't Play Friday Against Clippers
Anthony Banda

Dodgers Designate Anthony Banda for Assignment
Peyton Watson

Out at Least Four Weeks
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
Dominick Barlow

Lands Standard Contract With 76ers
Jalen Suggs

Records First Career Triple-Double vs. Nets
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
Wyatt Kaiser

Hurt Against Blue Jackets
Sandis Vilmanis

Injured in Wednesday's Win
Jack Hughes

Out Thursday
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF