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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 8/31/21. John Brubaker's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Tuesday gang! It's Tuesday, which means we have a 13-game slate ahead of us today. We'll have to keep up with the weather as the morning goes on with Tropical Storm Ida, but as of right now it looks like all games should be in the clear. I'll do my best to update before lock if there are any weather concerns with the guys I have listed below. Let's get right to it!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 8/31/2021. The lineup will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also check out today's DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. It’s also important to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter (@LucidMediaDFS).
FanDuel DFS Starting Pitchers
Brandon Woodruff - MIL @ SF ($10,600)
Brandon Woodruff takes on the Giants just a night removed from Corbin Burnes having a solid outing, going seven innings and allowing just one run. The Giants have the best record in baseball in large part to their offense, so we always want to tread lightly. However, they have been cold of late scoring just one run in their last two games. Woodruff threw against the Giants earlier this month, going six innings allowing just one run while striking out eight. I probably wouldn't play him in cash, but he's definitely a top tournament option.
Lance McCullers Jr. - HOU @ SEA ($9,200)
The most optimal pitching option tonight will come from the west, as Lance McCullers takes on Seattle. McCullers has had a great 2021 thus far, with a 3.32 ERA, 3.67 xFIP, and a 27.8% K-rate. This will be McCullers's third start against Seattle on the year, going 2-0 in the first two starts. The ERA isn't spectacular at 4.50, but he's managed to strike out 16 across 12 innings. Lance will likely be my go-to guy in cash today.
Other Options: Lucas Giolito ($10,200), Hyun-Jin Ryu ($9,000)
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FanDuel DFS Infielders
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B/3B, TOR vs BAL ($4,500)
We know it's unlikely that Vladdy will win the MVP, thanks to Shohei Ohtani, but that doesn't take away the fact that Vladdy has had nothing short of an incredible season and is still fighting for the chance to hit for the triple crown. He gets a solid draw today against Keegan Akin, whom he's 2-6 against with the two hits being long balls.
Luis Arraez - 2B, MIN vs CHC ($2,300)
One of everyone's favorite value guys over the past year has been Luis Arraez, and for good reason. He's hitting the ball hard at a 41% rate against right-handed pitchers this season. He's cheap, he's likely going to leadoff, and he draws a solid matchup with Zach Davies today.
Josh Donaldson - 3B, MIN vs CHC ($3,200)
Josh Donaldson's price has been the most stable of anyone on FanDuel this year it seems. This often makes him a great play when he's hot. He's been on a bit of a roll of late, reaching base in seven straight, while hitting home runs in three of those games. He draws that same matchup against Davies, and is hitting the ball hard at a 47.8% rate against right-handers this season.
Marcus Semien - SS/2B, TOR vs BAL ($4,000)
Back to the Jays, and why not? Keegan Akin and the Orioles pitching staff as a whole have been a dumpster fire over the last month. Semien has seen lefties well this year, hitting the ball hard at a 44.4% rate. He's faced Akin just three times, going 1-3 with a double.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
George Springer - OF, TOR vs BAL ($3,800)
It's a great thing for the Blue Jays to have George Springer back in the lineup, especially as they try to make a late playoff push. Springer has crushed lefties this year, with a hard-contact rate of 43.8% and a wOBA + ISO of .695. He's 0-2 off Akin but likely hitting in the leadoff spot today he seeks revenge.
Victor Robles - OF, WSH vs PHI ($2,600)
When stacking the Jays we always have to look for value, as they come at a cost. Today we look at the Nationals against Matt Moore, who comes into today's start with a 6.11 ERA and a 5.12 xFIP. We start with Victor Robles. Robles has only seen Matt Moore in three at-bats, going 0-2 with a walk. However, he should hit 2nd in the lineup tonight and should be able to hit value.
Lane Thomas - OF, WSH vs PHI ($2,200)
We plan on piggybacking Robles with Lane Thomas. Thomas has somewhat lit up lefties this season, albeit a small sample size of just 34 plate appearances. Nevertheless, he's got a hard-contact rate of 57.9% against southpaws in those 19 plate appearances, partnered with a .739 wOBA + ISO. Thomas feels like a free square at $2,200, likely hitting leadoff, against a bad left-handed pitcher.
FanDuel DFS Stacks
- Toronto Blue Jays vs. Keegan Akin
- Washington Nationals vs. Matt Moore
- Minnesota Twins vs. Zach Davies
- Chicago Cubs vs. John Gant
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