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Free daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings, FanDuel. Use Kevin's MLB DFS expert picks to build winning DFS lineups on August 18, 2024.
Happy Sunday, RotoBallers! I'm excited to be covering another fantastic MLB DFS slate. We're into the final two months of the regular season now, so let's secure a tournament takedown before we move on to football. I'm locking in on this 10-game slate!
We have some excellent matchups today. The pitching mix is relatively thin today, featuring few aces alongside uncertain midrange and punt plays, undoubtedly leading to interesting lineup decisions. I'll point out the standout plays, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get creative today.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/18/2024 and the slate locking at 1:35 p.m. EDT. 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.
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Framber Valdez vs. Chicago White Sox ($8.9K DK, $10.6K FD)
After a pedestrian start to the 2024 season, Framber Valdez has started to resemble the top-tier pitcher we have become accustomed to. He has generated at least nine strikeouts in three of his last four appearances and generated at least 25 DK points in five of his last six outings.
Overall, Valdez sports a respectable 3.58 xERA and a 3.27 xFIP across 21 starts. His success is largely tied to a 5% barrel rate and a 50.1% groundball rate. The strikeout rate is somewhat variable, but Valdez checks in as this slate's most reliable arm.
Additionally, Valdez benefits from a very favorable matchup today. The White Sox are baseball's worst offense, scoring just 3.1 runs per game on the season. Their struggles include a 76 wRC+ against left-handed pitching alongside a .119 ISO and a 24.2% strikeout rate.
Pablo Lopez vs. Texas Rangers ($8.7K DK, $9.6K FD)
Pablo Lopez has embodied one of the more dramatic differences between expectation and reality. His 4.67 ERA doesn't inspire confidence on the surface, but a 3.43 xERA and a 3.32 xFIP underscore how well he has actually pitched. Further, Lopez has a legitimately elite fantasy ceiling thanks to a 26.7% strikeout rate and a 27.5% whiff rate.
Despite a lineup that looks loaded on paper, the Texas Rangers have operated one of baseball's most disappointing offenses in 2024. They are scoring just 4.2 runs per game. Their struggles can be attributed to a weak 92 wRC+ against right-handed pitching alongside a .299 wOBA and a .142 ISO.
Also Consider: Shota Imanaga, Merrill Kelly, Tyler Mahle
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Elly De La Cruz - SS, CIN vs. Brady Singer ($6.1K DK, $4K FD)
Elly De La Cruz can deliver a slate-breaking performance through many different avenues. He sports a .833 OPS with 21 home runs and a league-leading 59 stolen bases. While his speed speaks for itself, De La Cruz has displayed excellent batted-ball metrics, including a 13.2% barrel rate, 45% hard-hit rate, and a 91.7 MPH average exit velocity.
Brady Singer's 3.32 ERA is deceptive. Beneath the surface, he sports a much more uncertain 4.54 xERA. His struggles include surrendering a .434 xSLG, 40% hard-hit rate, and a .266 xBA. Left-handed hitters are slugging .495 against Singer.
Josh Naylor - 1B, CLE vs. Colin Rea ($4.5K DK, $3.5K FD)
Josh Naylor looks to be in a great spot today. For the season, he sports a strong .804 OPS with 26 home runs and a 123 wRC+. His success includes a .457 xSLG, 43.6% hard-hit rate, 90.4 MPH average exit velocity, and a 9% barrel rate.
Colin Rea is another pitcher whose results have defied his performance. Despite a decent 3.72 ERA on the surface, Rea owns a horrible 5.05 xERA. He has been tuned up by opposing hitters, who have generated a .470 xSLG, 9.7% barrel rate, 90.5 MPH average exit velocity, and a 42% hard-hit rate.
Shay Whitcomb - SS/2B, HOU vs. Ky Bush ($2K DK, $2.3K FD)
Shay Whitcomb is the best way to chase a discount today. The 25-year-old is fresh off his major league debut, where he collected two hits and reached base three times. Whitcomb is an exciting prospect in the Houston Astros farm system who displayed his offensive prowess in Triple-A, posting a .909 OPS with 25 home runs and 26 stolen bases this season.
Shay Whitcomb whistles his first MLB hit, a double, 393 feet -- which would have been a homer in 14 big league parks!
The @astros prospect is the only player to compile 25 homers and 25 steals in the Minors this year. pic.twitter.com/o9u8YzO2yB
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 18, 2024
Ky Bush will be a preferred pitcher to target against today. His major league career is only two starts deep, but the 5.19 ERA and 8.97 xFIP do not inspire much confidence. The 24-year-old posted a 6.16 ERA and a 5.06 xFIP in Triple-A this season and is unlikely to emerge as an impact arm for the Chicago White Sox.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Yordan Alvarez - OF, HOU vs. Ky Bush ($6K DK, $4K FD)
If you can afford to roster him, Yordan Alvarez will be the best way to attack Ky Bush. He sports a spectacular .304/.394/.552 slash line with 25 home runs and a 163 wRC+. Alvarez's batted-ball metrics are nothing short of elite, featuring a .592 xSLG, 14% barrel rate, 47.4% hard-hit rate, and a 92.8 MPH average exit velocity.
Ian Happ - OF, CHC vs. Bowden Francis ($4.4K DK, $3.4K FD)
Ian Happ is currently swinging one of the hottest bats in baseball. He's hit safely in eight consecutive games entering Sunday, homering five times during that span. For the season, Happ is up to a .791 OPS with 22 home runs and a 125 wRC+ and a 12.8% barrel rate.
Ian Happ laces his 7th career leadoff home run! pic.twitter.com/KqKDmkKWdi
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 17, 2024
Bowden Francis ranks among the most vulnerable pitchers on this slate. Through 20 appearances, he sports a weak 4.36 xERA and a 4.26 xFIP. Francis has been crushed by opposing hitters, surrendering a .448 xSLG, 10.7% barrel rate, and a 90 MPH average exit velocity.
Jhonkensy Noel - 1B/OF, CLE vs. Colin Rea ($3.3K DK, $2.7K FD)
Jhonkensy Noel is an affordable means of chasing a home run. The 22-year-old's major league career is just 35 games deep so far, but he has already made an impression, posting a .864 OPS with nine home runs and a 140 wRC+. Noel's power has been on full display with a .479 xSLG and a 16.7% barrel rate.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Houston Astros vs. Ky Bush
- Favorite Plays: Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Yainer Diaz
2. Cleveland Guardians vs. Colin Rea
- Favorite Plays: Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, Steven Kwan, Lane Thomas
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