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Happy Thursday, RotoBallers! As we head into the weekend, a three-game slate is on the cards. DFS managers would like more games than it is, but there's still an edge to be gained on smaller slates. Feel free to ride the chalk; only be different in one or two spots.
The slate kicks off in Detroit and Tampa at 1:10 p.m. EDT as the Tigers face the Rangers, and the Rays battle the Angels. Twenty-five minutes later is the third and final game of the featured contest as Boston wraps up its series against Cleveland. It's shaping up to be a mild and dry slate, so let's keep our fingers crossed that the weather gods play nice.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 4/18/2024. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential. Follow me on X @EuanFPL for more DFS advice.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Jack Leiter at Tigers ($9.0K DraftKings; $8.7K FanDuel)
After three games of Triple-A seasoning, Texas is calling up Jack Leiter for Thursday's game against Detroit. The second pick in the 2021 draft has strong strikeout potential on today's three-game slate and shouldn't be ignored against Detroit. Leiter posted a 43.9 percent strikeout rate in Triple-A this year and gets a chance to start his major-league career in solid fashion against the Tigers. Through three weeks, Detroit owns the seventh-highest strikeout rate to RHPs and is in the bottom five in average, wOBA, and wRC+.
Happy Jack Leiter Day to all who celebrate! #MLB #sportsbetting pic.twitter.com/DdzIdshqG0
— "Thunder Dan" Palyo (@ThunderDanDFS) April 18, 2024
Ryan Pepiot vs. Angels ($8.1K DK; $9.9K FD)
With a three-game slate on the menu, Ryan Pepiot and his 5.40 ERA winds up as the second-most expensive pitcher on DraftKings and most expensive arm on FanDuel. Fortunately, the Rays right-handed hurler suffers from bad luck as his 3.11 xERA is much better than his surface ERA. Plus, a 30.8 percent strikeout rate will be helpful against a free-swinging Angels lineup. Los Angeles has the fourth-most plate appearances versus RHPs this season, so the 10th-highest strikeout rate (23.8 percent) carries a little more weight.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Triston Casas - 1B, BOS vs. Carlos Carrasco ($4.8K DK; $3.1K FD)
Tristan Casas was a trendy breakout pick in the preseason and didn't wait long to reward the faith. He's got a .849 OPS this year, but he's put it together recently. Over the last 10 games, the Red Sox first baseman slashes .278/.366/.667 with seven runs, two doubles, four home runs, and six RBI while averaging 9.8 DK PPG. Four of those six extra-base hits have come in the last five games, all at Fenway so that DFS managers can expect more damage from the 24-year-old this afternoon.
Crushed.
Destroyed.
Demolished. pic.twitter.com/nImFOWDKd8— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 13, 2024
Tyler Freeman - 2B/3B/OF, CLE at Brennan Bernardino ($2.9K DK; $2.6K FD)
To avoid confusion, let's clarify that Tyler Freeman is outfield eligible on DraftKings and second and third base eligible on FanDuel. He's started four of the last six games for a better-than-we-thought Guardians lineup and comes in at a very affordable price on both sites. In the previous five games, he has the third-most FD PPG at second base and sixth-highest mark at third. He went 2-for-5 in his last start with a double and a home run and batted second, fifth, sixth, and ninth. So keep an eye on Cleveland's lineup card.
Josh Smith - 3B/SS/OF, TEX at Kenta Maeda ($3.1K DK; $2.7K FD)
On a slate with such few premium options, Josh Smith enables you to grab as many as you would like at his Thursday price point. Considering he's on a six-game hitting streak and bats in the heart of Texas' lineup, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better bargain among the three games. His positional flexibility means he can fit in many places for your DFS lineup. He and the Rangers face a pitcher in Kenta Maeda, who's rocking a 6.00 ERA with a lowly 15.9 percent strikeout rate.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Adolis Garcia - OF, TEX at Kenta Maeda ($5.7K DK; $4.3K FD)
Let's bet on a home-run hitter breaking a slump if we are shooting for the moon on today's slate. Adolis Garcia last launched a long ball on April 5. Twelve games without a home run is far too long for a player of Garcia's power potential. Kenta Maeda sports a 20 percent HR/FB rate this season and is the perfect matchup for Texas' outfielder to snap the slump.
Taylor Ward - OF, LAA at Ryan Pepiot ($4.6K DK; $3.8K FD)
It's hard to avoid hitter-on-pitcher conflicts on such a small slate, but if you're not a Pepiot fan, loading up on the Angels is a strong strategy. Taylor Ward is batting right behind Mike Trout and is benefitting in a big way. Over the last 10 games, the right-handed-hitting outfielder has a .893 OPS with four extra-base hits (three home runs), five runs, 13 RBI, and two steals. Ward's ability to produce DFS points through multiple avenues makes him desirable to add to your lineup.
Guys who hit home runs? Green flag 🟩#RepTheHalo pic.twitter.com/kCMmBkTn5h
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 16, 2024
Richie Palacios - OF, TBR vs. Griffin Canning ($4.1K DK; $2.5K FD) - Better on FanDuel
While Richie Palacios' price is acceptable on both sites, FanDuel has more room for profit. With a right-handed hurler like Griffin Canning on the mound for Los Angeles, Palacios should slot in as the third-hitter on Tampa Bay's lineup card. He's been there in the previous three games against righties. In his last two starts, the outfielder went 5-for-10 with two runs, a double, and an RBI, averaging 14.05 FD PPG.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Texas Rangers at Kenta Maeda
- Favorite Plays: Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, Jonah Heim
2. Cleveland Guardians at Brennan Bernardino
- Favorite Plays: Josh Naylor, Tyler Freeman, David Fry
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