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Dave SWan highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 8/9/20, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
Sunday winds down another excellent weekend of FanDuel action, and today's slated will consist of an eight-game afternoon. The pitching side is well-stocked with an abundance of quality arms, leading to many different lineup constructions. The goal is to find the correct combination of talent by exploiting the weaker matchups.
Much like yesterday, the expectation is an explosive game in Boston. Both starting pitchers allow too many batters to reach base and have a problem keeping the ball in the yard. We will focus on that game, fill in the voids around them, and, as we say at RotoBaller, "Win Big in 2020."
In this article, I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 8/9/2020. 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
Sonny Gray - CIN @ MIL ($10,800)
If the season were to end now right now, Sonny Gray would be one of the front-runners for the Cy Young award. He has been nothing short of spectacular so far. Gray is a perfect 3-0 with an ERA under 1.00, and 28 strikeouts in only 18.2 innings pitched. A great deal of his success comes from increasing his sinker usage, which has quickly become his top put strikeout pitch. He pairs that with the high whiff rate breaking balls to keep hitters off balance. Speaking of high whiff rates, Gray faces off against the Milwaukee Brewers, who have the highest strikeout rate in the MLB. Don't overthink the pitching and put Gray on your roster.
Spencer Turnbull - DET @ PIT ($8,100)
Spencer Turnbull has the skill set to be a front of the rotation type of pitcher. His slider has a 63.2 whiff% and is striking out more batters than being put in play. He tunnels the slider nicely with a blazing 94-mph four-seam fastball and an electric 95-mph sinker. This pitch mix has helped yield a 1-0 record with a 2.45 ERA, and 14 strikeouts in only 11 innings pitched. Turnbull gets one of the most favorable matchups on the slate. In the last seven games, the Pirates have a 38 wRC+ and 23.6 K%. Paying down for Turnbull will open up allow for more significant bats if you see fit.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Mitch Moreland - 1B, BOS vs. TOR ($3,100)
Moreland is a right-hand pitching masher that has already put up four home runs. In his limited platoon role, he's been incredibly productive with a .292/.320/.833 slash line. Mitch will look to continue his RHP dominance against Matt Shoemaker, who is struggling immensely and getting knocked all over the yard by everyone. Moreland is an extra-base machine that excels in Fenway Park. He is a sneaky value play that goes under-owned in most contests.
Cavan Biggio - 2B, TOR @ BOS ($3,400)
Biggio was moved into the leadoff spot recently to jump-start his season. His batting average is not ideal but has started to show signs of improvement as he went deep with two hits on Friday. Biggio faces off against right-handed pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi, who has a track record for walking batters and giving up hard contact. A heavy pull hitter like Biggio will look put one out of the short right field in Fenway. Biggio's surface stats will have him under-owned as well and make him a great GPP play.
Jeimer Candelario - 3B, DET @ PIT ($2,100)
Detroit has been destroying Pirate's pitching all series. Candelario has enjoyed back-to-back three-hit games in Pittsburg. His hot streak extends to three of his last four games scoring double-digit points. Sunday's getaway game puts Steven Brault up against him. Brault struggled badly and failed to record an out while walking three last time out. Candelario is a perfect play for the lineups that feature a high priced arm.
Xander Bogaerts- SS, BOS vs. TOR ($3,600)
Bogaerts is one of the hottest bats in the MLB, and it shows up in his high price. His .333/.404/.619 in the 13 games of the season makes that price tag easier to swallow. In only 44 at-bats, he has put up three home runs, nine runs, and nine RBI with two stolen bases. There are so many ways Bogaerts can put up points. Xander is another suggested stack against Matt Shoemaker.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Alex Verdugo - OF, BOS vs. TOR ($2,600)
Verdugo was the critical piece of the Mookie Betts swap and is starting to show why Boston made the trade. Verdugo has one of the best hit tools in the MLB and makes lots of quality contact. He is batting .289 with three home runs and a .884 OPS. It was a bit of a slow start for Verdugo, but he is fresh off a two HR night and looks to continue his hot stretch against Matt Shoemaker. In Fenway Park, there is the famous Pesky Pole that is only 302 feet from home plate and may explain why Verdugo is pulling the ball more. Keep stacking Red Sox!
JaCoby Jones - OF, DET vs. PIT ($3,000)
Jacoby Jones has exploded on the scene in 2020. He has produced double-digit points in six of the 11 games he has started. His stat sheet continues to fill up in many categories as he has already put up four home runs, ten RBI, and nine runs in only 38 at-bats. Jones is an unlikely candidate to produce such gaudy numbers, but his Statcast data backs it up. He boasts the 92nd percentile in barrel% and 90th percentile in xwOBA. Continue to play Jones in your lineups until he cools off.
Juan Soto - OF, WAS vs. BAL ($3,800)
One of the best young hitters in the MLB is Juan Soto. He struggled to get back on the field due to a string of COVID protocol issues. Soto showed no signs of rust as he already put up two multi-hit games and one home run in 11 at-bats. Soto is matchup-proof, but the good news is he squares off against right-hander Asher Wojciechowski. Woj has a 5.40 ERA on the season and struggles to get left-hand batters out. You've saved up plenty of cash to spend it on a player like Soto.
Byron Buxton - OF, MIN vs. KAN ($2,500)
He's back! Buxton went yard for his third straight game and rides a five-game hitting streak. In that time frame, Buxton piled up 88.5 total points. Buxton isn't known for his power, as he has always been a burner. He sports the 99th percentile in speed. The Twins lineup is one of the most dangerous in the MLB and is going to make things very difficult for Brady Singer. When a player is this dialed in, you have to put them into your lineup, and it always helps when the price is so low.
