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Jesse Borek highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 8/4/20, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Just one night after a slate chock full of aces, the MLB DFS slate finds its balance Tuesday with a dash of some big names on the mound, at bat, and most importantly a game at Coors Field -- all of the ingredients that make for a delectable slate.
With the Yankees and Phillies already wiped out due to weather concerns, and the league constantly evolving due to testing protocols, it’s as imperative as ever to make sure all players in lineups are actually getting out on the diamond. Let’s take a look at some high-upside names to keep your eyes on Tuesday.
In this article, I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 8/4/2020. Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like DraftKings, and other sports too.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Kyle Hendricks - P, CHC v. KC ($8,300)
Hendricks’ two starts in 2020 have had a Jekyll and Hyde nature to them -- his first was a complete game shutout at home; the second, a rough outing at Cincinnati’s hitter’s haven. His third sets up in his advantage, with the wind expected to be blowing in significantly at Wrigley Field, while facing a Royals offense that is in the bottom five in the league in on-base percentage entering play Tuesday. Through their first 11 games, Kansas City has averaged more than nine strikeouts per contest, and while the K isn’t Hendricks’ nature, he has shown a propensity for racking them up in bunches with nine starts of at least seven strikeouts in 2019.
Jesus Luzardo - P, OAK v. TEX ($6,100)
Entering the rotation for the first time in his young big league career, one of the game’s premier pitching prospects gets to face off with a Rangers squad that has hit just .196 through its first eight contests. Luzardo was expected to open the initial 2020 campaign in the rotation, but in an attempt to further stretch out the southpaw, he open the shortened season in relief, where he has honed his pitch mix; all four of his pitches have ranked early on among tops in the league in either vertical (slider) or horizontal (fastball, sinker, changeup) break. His bargain basement price tag allows for owners to get their desired offensive stack while also giving them an upside arm who has struck out 23 batters in his first 18 2/3 regular-season innings.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Yasmani Grandal - C, CHW v. Brandon Woodruff ($2,500)
Having compiled six hits in his last three games, Grandal appears on the precipice of breaking out. Facing the hard-throwing Woodruff should be up the switch-hitting catcher’s alley as he tagged fastballs to the tune of a .516 xSLG last season. With many high-priced catcher/first base options tied up in unfavorable matchups, saving capital by banking on Grandal’s upside in his former yard is worth a look.
Ketel Marte, 2B, ARI v. Cristian Javier ($3,200)
Marte delivered DFS owners points in each of his first nine games, four of which were multi-hit efforts. In that stretch, he played at two pitcher’s parks (Pecto and Globe Life) and battled some of the stoutest arms in the game. Now, he continues his homestand by facing a rookie right-hander. Having Marte entrenched as the team’s leadoff hitter also bodes well for owners as the D-backs’ MVP candidate hit .347 with a 1.128 OPS from the top spot in the order last year.
Carter Kieboom - 3B, WSH v. Steven Matz ($2,200)
With Kieboom back to full strength and manning the hot corner for Washington, his current price point is a massive bargain. Having reached base in seven of his first 12 plate appearances, the club’s former top prospect is showing no signs of rust from his brief 11-game stint in 2019. Kieboom compiled a .902 OPS at Triple-A last season as a 21-year-old, proving that there is plenty of extra-base power (43 in 109 games) in his bat, he just needs the right matchup to unlock it.
Trea Turner - SS, WSH v. Matz ($3,500)
Owners won’t have to go far to find one of the most lethal options at shortstop on the slate, they’ll merely have to look at the top of the Nationals’ order. Mets starter Steven Matz scuffled massively on the road last season (6.62 ERA, vs. a 2.31 mark at home) and Turner has accrued eight hits against the southpaw in their career head-to-head meetings -- his three doubles are tied for the most Turner has against any pitcher. Additionally, Mets primary catcher Wilson Ramos threw out just 15 percent of opposing basestealers last season, leaving the door open for Turner to pile up points in a hurry should he reach base.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Mike Yastrzemski - OF, SF v. German Marquez ($3,800)
Putting one of the hottest hitters in the sport in the friendly elements of Coors Field should yield positive results. After socking a home run in Game 1 of the series Monday, Yastrzemski has now collected at least 15 FanDuel points in five of his last six games. The matchup against Rockies right-hander German Marquez isn’t ideal, but his torrid pace (1.183 OPS this season) and spot in the lineup (leadoff) are worth considering when looking at high-priced bats Tuesday.
Kyle Lewis - OF, SEA v. Andrew Heaney ($3,300)
Keeping with the theme of outfielders swinging hot sticks, we land on Lewis, whose price is a fair middle ground from the top end stars. Few hitters across the league have gotten off to the start that Lewis has, and there are worse strategies available than riding the Majors’ hit leader. While he has struck out in 43.2% of his at-bats thus far in 2020, that’s no concern for DFS owners who will be banking on a continuation of the .386 average that he has amassed while hitting in the prime No. 3 slot in the Seattle order.
Nomar Mazara - OF, CHW v. Woodruff ($2,500)
Yep, he’s back. Mazara had been away at the team’s alternate training site ramping up for in-game action, but after going 1-for-2 after Monday’s contest as a pinch-hitter, there’s little reason to believe that he won’t be in the lineup Tuesday. In addition to his severely lowered price tag, Mazara has appeal after producing a career-high 10.7% barrels in 2019. His spot in the batting order might scare some owners off, but for those eyeing a potential White Sox stack, he’ll be a critical cog.
