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Kevin Luchansky highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 9/5/18, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.
We've got two matinee games and a nice looking 12-game Main slate beginning at 7:05 Eastern. The pitching options are no doubt a downgrade from yesterday's smorgasboard, but there's still a nice mix of cash and tournament options.
I'm going to call out a few Vegas lines that are worth a look as of this writing. We'll start with implied run totals, where the Rockies at home in Coors are up at the top at the list at 5.9, followed by the Astros (5.2), Mariners (5.2), and Pirates at 5.0. As for moneyline favorites, the Mariners are the biggest with a lofty -220 lines, followed closely by the Astros (-215), Pirates (-190), Dodgers (-183), and Rockies at (-153). There's sure to be a little fluctuation before first pitch, but the rest of the lines are pretty close with no dominant/clear favorites.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 9/5/18. 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
Hyun-Jin Ryu - SP, vs NYM ($8,500)
Ryu looks like a real strong cash game option and solid tournament play as well today as he faces a weak Mets lineup with a lot of wholes in it in one of the best pitchers parks in the majors. Ryu has the best season SIERA of any pitcher on the slate, posting a 3.14 mark in that category and also possessing a strong 28% K rate while generating a lot of soft and medium contact. I think we can trust Vegas here, who pegged the Mets with a the lowest implied run total at 3.2. Ryu has good run prevention stats, and with the super favorable matchup, his upside is really only capped by the fact he doesn't normally go very deep into games. That said, this is a price he can return strong value on facing a lineup with a 24% K rate split and a lowly .290 wOBA.
Tyler Glasnow - SP, at TOR ($6,700)
Despite the somewhat tough matchup against the Jays (.21 % K rate, .335 wOBA - splits for projected lineup) who have an implied run total of 4, I think we need to take a look as Glasnow in tournaments. The price is really favorable and the most appealing thing here is that Glasnow - one we've always known had the talent - seems to have had some of that potential unlocked in his time working with the Rays pitching staff. He brings a really strong 11.1 K/9 to the bump and he went out in his last performance and pretty much dominated the Indians on the road. He also has a really strong 3.49 SIERA this season and he's been great at generating ground balls and keeping the ball in the yard.
Also Consider: Jameson Taillon - SP, vs CIN ($9,300)
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Brandon Belt - 1B, at COL ($3,300)
Even in this slump he's mired in, it would be tough to overlook the value and upside in play for Belt tonight at Coors Field. He gets about as drastic a park upgrade as you can get, faces a pitcher who struggles with lefties and has had disapointing second half results, and holds the platoon advantage. His season-long splits against righties are pretty good as well, highlighted by a .363 wOBA and a .206 ISO.
Robinson Cano - 2B, vs BAL ($3,700)
Cano has one of the softest matchups on the table tonight, one he and his teammates should take advantage of early and often. It's not too surprising the Mariners have a top-five run projection (4.9) going up against Andrew Cashner and his repetoire of flat fastballs. Cano too has the platoon advantage, and boasts a .381 wOBA split and brings good lineup context.
Adrian Beltre - 3B, vs LAA ($3,100)
Beltre's splits aren't going to blow anyone away (.319 wOBA, .137 ISO), but I have big tournament interest here because of the low price and mainly, the fact that opposing starter Jamie Barria's struggled in righty-righty matchups this season. Thus far, in over 50 innings of work, he's allowed a .375 wOBA and a .512 slugging percentage, as well as surrendering 1.9 HR/9 to that group.
Trevor Story - SS, vs SFG ($4,700)
Story has absolutely massive power upside in this matchup against southpaw Andrew Suarez. Story has developed into a lefty crusher or sorts in the past two years, and in 2018 the trend has continued as he's posted a .423 wOBA and a .324 ISO split. Getting Story in your lineup also gives you key exposure to the offense with the top implied run total of the night.
Also Consider: Nolan Arenado - 3B, vs SFG ($4,800); Elvis Andrus - SS, vs LAA ($3,400)
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Shohei Ohtani - OF, at TEX ($3,500)
A big park upgrade, the platoon advantage and a date against Bartolo Colon is a recipe for success for Ohtani and his Angels outfield mates tonight (I'm a fan of all of them). This is essentially a bargain bin price for a player with Ohtani's talents, and he's been strong against right-handed pitching all year, showcased by a .425 wOBA and a .331 ISO split.
Gregory Polanco - OF, vs CIN ($3,900)
Polanco has been running hot for a minute now, beating out his price implied value impressively in seven of his last 10 starts. He gets a gem of a matchup tonight against the appropriately named Homer Bailey - a pitcher that struggles with hitters from both sides of the plate, but most especially lefties. Polanco owns a .352 wOBA and a .242 ISO split this season against northpaws.
