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Dan Marcus highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 8/20/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
We have another nice Monday slate, this time with 10 games on the main slate. There are a number of intriguing pitching options that span from high-end to GPP fliers, including Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Kevin Gausman, and Derek Holland. Some early standout stacks include the Brewers, Astros, and Athletics.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 8/20/18. 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 @DanMarcus3.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Zack Wheeler - SP , vs. SF ($9,100)
Gerrit Cole is the safest cash game pitcher to target on this slate thanks to his prolific strikeout rate and medicore matchup against the Mariners. However, we saw his floor in his last start (two turns ago) against Seattle, in which he allowed four earned runs across 7.1 innings of work. That translated to 25 FD points, a mark that Wheeler has bested in 11 consecutive starts. While it’s possible that Cole rips off a 12 strikeout performance and outshines Wheeler by a wide margin, the strikeout rate, wRC+, and wOBA of the Giants and Mariners suggest that Wheeler has the advantage in matchup. Given the $1,500 price difference, Wheeler becomes a very viable cash game play.
Kevin Gausman - SP, @ PIT ($7,500)
Gausman has been inconsistent in terms of generating strikeouts since becoming an Atlanta Brave, but he has excelled at run prevention. In his past 19 innings pitched, Gausman has allowed only six earned runs and one home run. Meanwhile, he’ll go to a premier pitchers park to face a Pirates’ lineup that isn’t anything formidable in terms of power production. Because he has recorded only two strikeouts in two of his past three starts, it’s hard to rely on Gausman as a cash game option. However, his eight strikeout and 55 FD point performance against Milwaukee highlights the GPP potential that Gausman has at an excellent price.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Tyler Austin - 1B, vs. CWS ($2,900)
Austin is a nice GPP play as he’s flashed plenty of power since joining the Twins, smacking three home runs in seven games and 23 at-bats. On the other hand, he’s struck out eight times in that span, making him a risky cash game option. He’s a player to target based on his matchup against Lucas Giolito, who has shown flashes of improvement of late but is still one of the weaker pitchers on the slate.
Also Consider: Tyler White - 1B, @ SEA ($2,800)
Travis Shaw - 2B, vs. CIN ($3,700)
Shaw is a cash game building block for me on this slate thanks to his matchup and ballpark. Homer Bailey has been touched up for 2.09 HR/9 this season against left-handed hitters. While his K-BB% has jumped from 4.8 to 15.5 in the second-half of the season, he has still allowed 14 earned runs in 23.1 innings across four starts. Adding to Shaw’s appeal is Miller Park, which remains one of the best home run parks for lefties this season.
Matt Chapman - 3B, vs. TEX ($3,000)
Chapman’s raw power has been masked this season by horrific months of May and June. However, in the three other months, he has manage a .260, .244, and .310 ISO respectively and currently has a .337 ISO since the All-Star break. While he doesn’t get the benefit of Texas weather, he still gets an exploitable matchup against Bartolo Colon and comes in at a very reasonable price point as well.
Aledmys Diaz - SS, vs. BAL ($2,800)
Andrew Cashner has actually managed three quality starts in three of his past five starts (a fourth outing he weng 5.2 innings and allowed only one earned run), but he is also liable to blow up in any given start. As a result, I want some exposure to the Jays lineup, even if they aren’t an elite stacking option. Diaz is a strong option with that in mind, as he has managed a .310 ISO, .390 wOBA, and 148 wRC+ across the last 30 days. He’s still priced at just $2,800 so will even provide some salary relief for those who prefer to start Cole at SP.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Phillip Ervin - OF, @ MIL ($2,400)
Ervin is a nice punt play option to consider as he offers a combination of power and speed. In his last nine starts, he has two home runs and two stolen bases. While those are not eye-popping numbers, he makes relatively consistent contact and will face Chase Anderson who has been inconsistent throughout much of the season. There isn’t much downside with Ervin at his price, so use him to fit in high-priced stacks or Cole.
Ryan Braun - OF, vs. CIN ($3,100)
Given that Homer Bailey is already a known pitcher to target on this slate, Braun’s career numbers against him are worth considering. In 50 career at-bats against Bailey, Braun has 17 hits with four home runs and fivedoubles. Given his relatively low price when compared to most of the Brewers, he will be the easiest to fit into cash game builds and there should be no hesitation in rostering him.
Also Consider: George Springer- OF, $3,700 @ SEA
