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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.

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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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POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

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24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Likely to Return on Tuesday
Jacob deGrom

to Start on Monday
Kyle Tucker

Homers Twice in Win
Chris Sale

Likely to Return Next Weekend
Brian Robinson Jr.

to be RB2
Najee Harris

to be Ready Week 1?
De'Von Achane

Making Good Progress
Jaylen Wright

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Marcus Semien

Placed on Injured List
Jackson Merrill

Heads to 10-Day Injured List
Jordan Love

Says He'll Play in Week 1
Brice Turang

Absent on Saturday, "Touch-and-Go" With Wrist Injury
Chase Elliott

Despite Being Winless at Daytona, Chase Elliott is Probably the Best DFS Option
Ryan Blaney

Will Likely Lead a Lot at Daytona
Kyle Larson

a Poor DFS Option at Daytona
Christopher Bell

Consistent Enough to Consider for DFS
Chris Buescher

Now Must Win His Way Into Playoffs
Ryan Preece

Being One of the Slowest-Starting Fords Makes Ryan Preece a Strong DFS Option
Ross Chastain

Leads a Lot on Drafting Tracks
Daniel Suarez

Now in Desperation Mode With his Career on the Line
Chase Briscoe

Tendency to Finish Better Than He Runs May Reap Dividends at Daytona
Lamar Jackson

Should Practice on Monday
Carson Hocevar

Hard to Forecast Since He's Rarely Given 100 Percent at Daytona
Michael McDowell

has a Solid Drafting Record
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Arguably Starting Too Well for Place-Differential Points
Austin Dillon

Will Likely Be Too Conservative for DFS Consideration
Noah Gragson

Has Place-Differential Potential as One of the Lowest-Starting Fords
Todd Gilliland

Poor Starting Position and Ford's Drafting Speed Make Todd Gilliland a Viable Option
Zane Smith

Probably Starting Too Well for DFS Play
Justin Haley

has Strong Pass-Differential Potential
Cole Custer

Daytona 500 Speed Makes Him a Solid Play
Austin Hill

Qualifies Poorly Enough for DFS Consideration
Matt Chapman

Activated and Starting on Saturday
Moses Moody

Warriors Not Interested in Trading Moses Moody
Kevin Durant

Rockets Expected to Agree on New Contract
Trey Murphy III

Warriors, Spurs Interested in Trey Murphy III
Zack Wheeler

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Kyle Busch

Facing a Must-Win Situation at Daytona
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Could Be a Risky Pick at Daytona
Yoán Moncada

Yoan Moncada Hits a Pair of Home Runs on Friday
Willy Adames

Belts Two Solo Home Runs on Friday
CAR

Luke Kunin Joins Panthers on One-Year Deal
Auston Matthews

Says His Health is "Good" Before Start of Season
Roope Hintz

"Feeling Good" Ahead of New Season
Matthew Tkachuk

Recovering From Surgery
Marco Rossi

Wild Re-Sign Marco Rossi to Three-Year Deal
Bubba Chandler

Records Four-Inning Save in Debut
Walker Buehler

Officially Moving to Bullpen
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia to be Activated on Saturday
Tanner Scott

Activated on Friday
NBA

Malik Beasley Now Drawing Interest from Teams
Jacob Wilson

Reintated and Starting on Friday
Marcus Semien

Could be Out All Weekend, IL Stint Possible
Evan Carter

Could Miss Rest of Season With Fractured Wrist
Brian Robinson Jr.

Traded to 49ers
Samuel Basallo

Inks an Eight-Year Extension With the Orioles
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Shanghai Main Event
Johnny Walker

In Dire Need Of Victory
Brian Ortega

An Underdog At UFC Shanghai
Aljamain Sterling

Set For UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Shanghai
Kevin Borjas

Set for UFC Shanghai Main-Card Bout
Sumudaerji

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kiefer Crosbie

Set To Open Up UFC Shanghai Main Card
Taiyilake Nueraji

Set For His UFC Debut
Jesús Sánchez

Jesus Sanchez Tallies Five Hits
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Dealing With Low-Grade Hamstring Strain
Connor Ingram

Clears Player Assistance Program
Frank Nazar

Inks Seven-Year Extension With Blackhawks
COL

Victor Olofsson Signs One-Year Deal With Avalanche
Tee Higgins

has Injury Scare on Thursday
Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons Expected to Play in Week 1
Chris Godwin

Expected to be Activated from the PUP List
Dru Smith

Aims to Be Healthy for Training Camp
Jayson Tatum

Provides Injury Update
RJ Barrett

Considered a Trade Candidate
Golden State Warriors

Warriors "Remain Very Confident" About Signing Al Horford
Jahmir Young

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Devaughn Vele

Traded to Saints
Demarcus Robinson

Issued Three-Game Suspension
Lamar Jackson

Dealing With Minor Foot Injury
Lamar Jackson

Suffers Apparent Hand Injury
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Tour Championship
Corey Conners

Looking to Reverse Struggles at East Lake
Joe Mixon

Could Begin Season on PUP List
Cameron Young

Stays Hot Ahead of Tour Championship
Harris English

Aims for Complete Game at East Lake
Sepp Straka

Back in Action at East Lake
Ben Griffin

a Strong Value Play at East Lake
Rory McIlroy

Chasing Another Win at East Lake
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for 30th at BMW Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Finishes Tied For Seventh at BMW Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Keegan Bradley

Finishes Tied for 17th at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at BMW Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at BMW Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Wins BMW Championship
Brian Robinson Jr.

Not Expected to Play for Commanders This Year
Rashee Rice

Could be Facing 4-6 Game Suspension?
Harry Hall

Hot at the Right Time for Tour Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound at Tour Championship
Jacob Bridgeman

has One Weakness Heading to Atlanta
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Not Expecting to Be Moved Before the Season
Nick Taylor

a Long Shot to Win Tour Championship
Josh Giddey

Bulls Not Interested in Sign-and-Trade Deal Involving Josh Giddey
Brian Harman

Trying to Crack Top 20 at Tour Championship
Andrew Novak

Attempts to Bounce Back in Atlanta
Oscar Tshiebwe

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Justin Rose

Seeks Even More Success at Tour Championship
Washington Wizards

Alondes Williams Joins Wizards for Training Camp
Washington Wizards

Wizards Add Skal Labissiere for Training Camp
A.J. Brown

on Track to Play in Week 1
CBJ

Brendan Smith Joins Blue Jackets on Tryout Deal
STL

Milan Lucic Joins Blues for Tryout
DET

Red Wings Pick Up Travis Hamonic
Jalen McMillan

Could be Out Through Week 9 Bye
Indiana Pacers

Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Agrees to a Multiyear Contract Extension on Tuesday
Washington Wizards

John Wall Retires After 11 NBA Seasons
Daniel Jones

Named as Colts Starting Quarterback
Jalen McMillan

Will Not Be Ready for Season Opener
Collin Sexton

Hornets Have High Hopes for Collin Sexton
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Start Season Without Contract Extension
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Hopes to Bounce Back in 2025-26
Stephen Curry

Ready to Go for New Season
Orlando Magic

Lester Quinones Agrees to Deal With Magic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP