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Kevin Luchansky highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 8/17/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
After last night's disgusting pitching options, we're rightfully treated with a mess of strong options and elite arms this evening. We've got an attractive 14 game Main slate, too, with just the Mets and Phillies being left out of the group with their 6:05 start time.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 8/17/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @kpLuch.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Carlos Carrasco - SP, vs BAL ($11,000)
Carrasco will toe the bump tonight looking to keep his hot streak going. He's beaten value in five straight games and in dominating fashion in three of those five. He draws a really good matchup at home against a weak Orioles offense. Baltimore's projected lineup tonight has an implied run total of only 3 runs (second lowest on the slate) and splits of 29% for K rate and .257 in the wOBA department against right-handed pitching this season. Cleveland also happens to be an enormous -357 favorite on the moneyline, by far the most lopsided matchup of the day. Carrasco owns a 1.1 WHIP, 0.9 HR/9 and a strong 10.7 K/9 in 2018. He can be used in all formats tonight.
Also Consider: Max Scherzer - SP, vs MIA ($12,200) - CASH/GPP; Robbie Ray - SP, at SDP ($8,300) - GPP
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Omar Narvaez - C, vs KCR ($2,400)
As far as "punt" options go, Narvaez looks like one of the strongest options in that category today - especially helpful when there are elite pitching options we need to/should be paying up for. The lefty boasts a .370 wOBA split against righties this season and we know Junis is a pitcher we can pick on - the White Sox also have a healthy implied run total at 4.6 so Narvaez should have some opportunities with ducks on the pond. Narvaez also has a really strong 40% line drive rate over the past two weeks.
Lucas Duda - 1B, at CWS ($2,700)
Duda makes for an incredible value play tonight. The price is surpisngly low considering he gets a park upgrade and gets to face the likes of James Shields. Even has Shields has beaten his price implied total in his past three starts, he has still allowed a good deal of hard contact and five home runs in that stretch. Duda enters with a 48% hard hit rate in the past 12 games and owns a .220 ISO split against right-handed pitching this season.
Daniel Murphy - 2B, vs MIA ($3,300)
Though he's moved down in the order a little, Murphy has an elevated floor today in that the Dan Straily is one of the worst pitchers on the slate and the Nationals have a lofty run projection (the second highest on the slate) at 5.1. Murphy has a strong .381 wOBA split against righties this season and also boasts a 40% hard hit rate in his last 13 games.
Francisco Lindor - SS, vs BAL ($4,500)
Lindor can pretty much be played in any matchup at this point, but this one happens to be great. He's a must play for me today going up against David Hess and leading off for the offense with the highest implied run total at 6.1 runs. Lindor also has the platoon advantage here, and will be digging in from the left side where his 389 wOBA and .293 ISO (the ISO is a +0.093 differential from his righty splits) are really strong numbers.
Jurickson Profar - 3B, vs LAA ($3,400)
Just as I am trying to get as much exposure as possible to the Indians lineup based on their lofty run projection, the Rangers offense is in a prime spot (5.8 implied run total, second highest on the slate) as well, and I'd suggest grabbing a few pieces from the Texas offense. Profar stands out to me as he's right in the heart of this order, won't break the bank with his salary price and has been performing well over the past week. The switch-hitting Profar owns a .200 ISO split against righties this season and draws a good matchup against Odrisamer Despaigne. Profar's got a 44% hard hit rate in the past two weeks.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Michael Brantley - OF, vs BAL ($4,300)
The only player in my model on the Indians grading out even higher than Lindor's lofty number is Brantley. (I slightly prefer Lindor, but can't ignore the numbers and plan on having both anchoring my lineups). He brings a strong .370 wOBA split to the dish and he's beaten value in four of his last five games. He's also got an impressive batted ball profile of late, with a 44% hard hit rate and a 32% line drive rate in the last 13 games.
Tyler O'Neill - OF, vs MIL ($2,500)
O'Neill isn't cash game safe in this matchup, but I like the savings and upside combination here for tournaments. He's also a reverse splits guy with really strong numbers this season (especially for a player in this price tier), highlighted by a .379 wOBA and a .216 ISO mark.
Bryce Harper - OF, vs MIA ($4,500)
Bryce is running really hot right now and he's actually a bargain at this price when you consider the upside of being in the top third of an order projected for a lot of runs in a matchup against the lowly Dan Straily. Harper's batted ball profile is really impressive over the past two weeks (52% hard hit rate, 28% line drive rate) and also boasts a .382 wOBA split against righties this season.
