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Joel Bartilotta highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 8/28/19, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
There’s a lot to like about this slate and it should be a fun day with games spread all throughout the day. That’s why we’re going to offer up the best pitching option on the board and pair him with a value play. With that in mind, let’s get to Mad Max!
Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @Bartilottajoel
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Max Scherzer, WSH vs. BAL ($11,400)
This is the best play on the day and he's amazingly not the highest-priced pitcher on the board. We’re talking about the best pitcher in the Majors though facing one of the worst offenses imaginable. Let’s start with that offense, with the Orioles ranked 25th in runs scored, 24th in OBP, 25th in OPS, 27th in wOBA and 26th in xwOBA. That’s truly frightening against a guy like Scherzer, who has a 2.41 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35 percent K rate. A 2.11 FIP shows that he may be even better than those ridiculous numbers and Vegas making him a –450 favorite in this game only exemplifies what an elite play Scherzer is.
Aaron Civale, CLE vs. DET ($8,200)
After getting in a stud like Scherzer, let’s choose someone who will be significantly less owned. Civale has been a pleasant surprise for the Indians in his rookie season, pitching to a 1.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 22 percent K rate in his first five starts. Those absurd numbers are no surprise when you see his ERA and WHIP at the minors this season, as he’s likely to remain in this rotation for the rest of the year. The matchup may be the best part of this play though, with the Tigers ranked dead-last in K rate, runs scored, wOBA and xwOBA. That’s why he and the Indians enter this matchup as a –200 favorite.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Matt Adams – 1B, WSH vs. BAL ($2,900)
When is FanDuel going to give this guy the respect he deserves? Adams has done nothing but produce all season long and FD is treating him like a nobody. What makes him an enticing option today is that he gets to face a righty, with Adams generating a .524 SLG and .845 OPS against right-handers dating back to 2017. That’s right on par with his averages this season and he’s actually got a .842 SLG and 1.211 OPS over his last four starts in total. That’s scary for Asher Wojciechowski and his 4.67 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
Derek Dietrich – 2B, CIN at MIA ($2,200)
Dietrich just came off the IL last week and it’s lowered his price to this intriguing number. How often do you see a guy with such dominant splits valued so close to a minimum price? Let’s take a look at those splits, with Dietrich posting a .357 OBP, .534 SLG and .890 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor this season. Those brilliant splits are hard to overlook against a guy like Sandy Alcantara, with the Miami righty pitching to a 5.10 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over his last 10 starts.
Giovanny Urshela – 3B, NYY at SEA ($3,400)
Why is FanDuel keeping Urshela so affordable? This dude has been mashing baseballs for over a month now and he should be about $4,000 with such fantastic averages. A .332 AVG, .557 SLG and .928 OPS for the season show just how good he’s been, with much of that damage coming recently. Over his last 39 games, Urshela is hitting .383 en route to a .705 SLG and 1.111 OPS. If you needed any more incentive, he gets the platoon advantage against rookie Justus Sheffield, who’s got a 6.43 ERA and 2.29 WHIP.
Francisco Lindor – SS, CLE at DET ($4,300)
Picking a shortstop was tough on this slate, so let’s go with a reliable guy like Lindor. Let’s start with his matchup, as he gets to face Jordan Zimmermann’s 6.48 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. That also puts Lindor on the left side, with the switch-hitting shortstop accruing a .316 AVG, .571 SLG and .926 OPS against right-handers so far this year. The man known as Mr. Smiles is absolutely rolling right now too, totaling a .929 OPS over his last 39 games.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz, MIN at CWS ($4,200)
It’s crazy to see a 39-year-old do what Cruz is doing right now, as he’s truly one of the best power hitters in the game. A .297 AVG and 33 home runs tell you everything you need to know and that’s helped him to produce a .381 OBP, .646 SLG and 1.027 OPS for the year. Those over-the-top numbers put him in play against anyone but he finds himself in a supreme matchup here. Cruz gets the platoon advantage against Ross Detwiler, who actually has a 6.29 ERA and 1.72 WHIP dating back to 2015. Facing someone like that is a treat for Cruz, with the powerful DH generating a .773 SLG and 1.1257 OPS against left-handers this season.
Corey Dickerson, PHI vs. PIT ($3,400)
Dickerson has been awesome the last two weeks and he’s always one of my first considerations whenever he faces a righty. For his career, Dickerson has a .534 SLG, .867 OPS and .240 ISO with the platoon advantage in his favor. He’s been even better this season, accumulating a .604 SLG and .969 OPS against right-handers. That pairs beautifully with his recent form, with Dickerson collecting seven doubles, six homers and 27 RBI over his last 24 games en route to a .299 AVG and .951 OPS. We’re definitely not worried about Mitch Keller either, with the rookie pitching to a 7.24 ERA and 1.83 WHIP.
Ian Desmond, COL vs. BOS ($3,200)
Desmond is one of the best value plays on the board. It’s truly bizarre to see a Coors Field bat priced this cheaply, particularly one with such good splits. Against left-handed pitching this season, Desmond has tallied a .303 AVG, .357 OBP, .614 SLG and .970 OPS. He’s also been much better at home, hitting .305 at Coors Field this season on his way to a .369 OBP, .548 SLG and .917 OPS. While Eduardo Rodriguez has been good this year, the Rockies are still projected for about six runs.
