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FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (4/5/18): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

Tom Vecchio highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 4/5/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.

We have a split slate of games, with the early slate being the bigger one, but I will have players from both slates. Plenty of good options across the board, and whether you are looking for cash game players, or some that are more GPP focused, you will find them on this slate.

I will be referring to stats and notes from last season a bit since we have nothing to work with as of yet. As the season goes on, we'll get into all of the good stats and info, to bring the best quality I can.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/5/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @DFS_Tom.

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FanDuel DFS Pitchers

Masahiro Tanaka - P, NYY vs BAL (FDS - $9,300)

Tanaka is up against the Orioles, who have a 26% strikeout rate vs right-handed pitchers to start the season, which is a small sample size but if they are struggling right now, we want to take advantage of it. This is a hitters park, but Baltimore has only scored 14 runs in their first six games, which, as you guessed it, isn't good. Last season Tanaka had a 49% groundball rate with only a 5% walk rate, so able to limit the damage of opposing offenses. We have a number of high priced pitching options on this slate, and he is just slightly cheaper than some, and still brings good strikeout upside.

Nick Pivetta - P, PHI vs MIA (FD - $6,300)

Pivetta is a cheaper option at pitcher today, but also comes with a bit of risk, so let's take a look at things. Last season he had a 24% strikeout rate, which sixth highest on the slate today, along with a solid 43% groundball rate. He is up against the Marlins, who are one of the weaker offensive teams in the league and come in with a 21% strikeout rate vs right-handed pitchers this season. He gave up three runs in four innings in his first start of the season, along with striking out three batters. We would like to see the strikeouts come up, which they should in this matchup, and with a full slate of games, he likely won't be too highly owned.

 

FanDuel DFS Infielders

Welington Castillo - C, CWS vs DET (FD - $2,700)

Castillo and the White Sox are up against Jordan Zimmerman, who is a bad pitcher. He is bad any way you put, and you want to attack him when he is only the slate. Last season Zimmerman gave up over 1.50 HR/9 to both lefties and righties, while giving up a .368 wOBA to right-handed hitters. Castillo is a righty but still had a .325 wOBA and a .202 ISO last season vs RHP.

Miguel Cabrera - 1B, DET @ CWS (FD - $3,900)

Cabrera is off to a strong start this season and is now in a spot to continue that today. He is up against James Shields, who gave up 1.44 HR/9 to right-handed hitters last season and had a 17% HR/FB overall. Cabrera might not be the same hitter he once was, but this is a very favorable matchup for him vs a very bad pitcher. Should be good for cash games today, with some nice home run upside.

Neil Walker - 2B, NYY vs BAL (FD - $2,900)

Walker was out of the lineup yesterday, so he should be set to return for tonight's game. He is also a cheap option who can get you some nice exposure to the Yankees powerful offense, which is never a bad thing. Last season vs right-handed pitchers, he had a .366 wOBA, along with a .199 ISO, which should play well in this great hitters park. He is up against Andrew Casher, who gives up 1.17 HR/9 to left-handed hitters for his career.

Nolan Arenado - 3B, COL @ SDP (FD - $4,500)

Arenado is on the slate, check. He is facing a left-handed pitcher, check. Lock him into all of your rosters. Simply put, Arenado is a beast when facing a left-handed pitcher, and you should be looking to roster him anytime in this spot. Last season he had a .534 wOBA and a .420 ISO vs LHP. Those numbers are flat out silly, and as if you created a player in MLB the Show and just jacked up all his stats. He is on the early slate of games, and there is plenty of value out there for you to get up to his price.

Addison Russell - SS, CHC @ MIL (FD - $3,200)

Russell is up against Suter tonight, who gave up a .324 wOBA to right-handed hitters, which should put him in a good spot. This is a great hitters park, and with the upside the Cubs offense has, this should put them in a good spot. Last season he had a 111 wRC+ and a .184 ISO vs left-handed pitchers.

 

FanDuel DFS Outfielders

Andrew Benintendi - OF, BOS vs TAM (FD - $2,800)

Benintendi got off to a bit of a slower start this season, but is at home for the first time in a great hitters park, and will have the platoon advantage today. Last season he had a .344 wOBA and a .178 ISO vs right-handed pitchers. He isn't that expensive because of the slower start but is in a spot to get things going in the right direction up against a very unproven and young pitcher.

Gregory Polanco - OF, PIT vs CIN (FD - $3,700)

Polanco is up against Homer Baileywho isn't a good pitcher. I don't care what kind of start he had in his first game, he isn't good. Last year, Bailey gave up a .356 wOBA to left-handed hitters and had a 5.19 SIERA. Polanco is on the night slate, which is only four games, so he could come in at higher ownership in tournaments since the spot is so good.

 

MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
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Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
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Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
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Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

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Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

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RANKINGS
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