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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.
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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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