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Zitong's analysis and advice for the top MLB DFS lineup picks on DraftKings for 8/18/15, as well as a couple of sleepers to keep in mind while building your daily fantasy baseball rosters.
As always, my goal with this article is to help you identify viable options to insert into your DraftKings lineups, based on pricing and matchups data. Here's a compilation of players I like when choosing a lineup for Tuesday, August 18th.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Seattle Mariners LHB + Nelson Cruz vs Chi Chi Gonzalez
The left-handed bats in the Seattle Mariners lineup hold a top ten offense against right-handed pitching, with a wRC+ of 110. Be sure to have a look at Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager as solid infield picks. Of course, while you are at it, look at Nelson Cruz too. Even though he is not left-handed, Cruz has been smashing the ball as of late, and Chi Chi Gonzalez has lacked any kind of control in his past few starts.
Los Angeles Dodgers RHB vs Felix Doubront
As right-handed batters, the Los Angeles Dodgers hold the third best offense in the league against left-handed pitching, with a wRC+ of 128. Definitely look to add Yasiel Puig and Jimmy Rollins to your lineup as very cheap options with high upside against Felix Doubront. Doubront remains a mediocre arm, and opposing righties are batting .333 against him on the year.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD) - $15000
Clayton Kershaw’s price tag is through the roof at this point. However, we are just going to have to swallow the pill and roster him somehow. Kershaw has been pitching amazingly as of late. After one rough start against Pittsburgh, Kershaw went right back to his dominating ways against a tough Washington offense. Kershaw will face the Oakland Athletics, who hold a below average offense against left-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 92.
Kevin Gausman (SP, BAL) - $5100
Kevin Gausman looks to be an excellent value pick as your secondary pitcher. Gausman has shown some promise in his past few starts as a consistent starting pitcher. Gausman looks to have a nice matchup on Tuesday against the New York Mets, who hold a bottom-ten offense against right-handed pitching with a wRC+ of 90.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Brian McCann (C, NYY) - $4700
Brian McCann’s price tag is getting a little too high for a catcher, but his matchup against opposing pitcher Mike Pelfrey at home is too good to turn down. McCann heads into Tuesday with three home runs in his last five starts and holds a wOBA of .339 against right-handed pitching this year. McCann has also dominated Pelfrey in his career, going 19 for 40 with two home runs.
Pedro Alvarez (1B, PIT) - $3300
Pedro Alvarez has been on a very nice hot streak as of late, and you can’t really find a cheaper option at first base that should be rostered on Tuesday. Alvarez is 13 for his last 27 with four home runs. He will face opposing pitcher Chase Anderson at home on Tuesday. Alvarez holds a .334 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year, while Anderson has really struggled on the mound this summer.
Kolten Wong (2B, STL) - $3700
Wong has had an up and down season. However, he has been able to hit opposing right-handed pitching well this year with a wOBA of .341. Wong will face Mike Leake at home. This may be a good day to pick on Leake, as he is making his return from the disabled list. Wong has hit Leake well in his career, going 7 for 22 with a home run.
Editor's Note: Ryan Vogelsong will pitch instead of Mike Leake, who is being pushed back another start. Vogelsong is right-handed and lets up a lot of hard contact. Wong is still a fine play on Tuesday.
Adrian Beltre (3B, TEX) - $3600
Adrian Beltre is a must-start against opposing pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma at home. Iwakuma is coming off his no-hitter, but Beltre will have other plans in mind. Beltre holds a .305 wOBA against right-handed pitching on the year and is 11 for his last 23 with two home runs. Beltre has also hit very well against Iwakuma in his career, going 11 for 33 with three home runs.
Asdrubal Cabrera (SS, TB) - $3600
Asdrubal Cabrera continues to be a top performer as a shortstop. While he may not have as much power potential as the most expensive shortstop options, Cabrera’s consistency at this price tag should also be highly valued. Cabrera will face opposing pitcher Scott Feldman on the road. Cabrera holds a wRC+ of 101 against right-handed pitching on the year, while Feldman holds a 5.56 ERA when he pitches at home.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
Mookie Betts (OF, BOS) - $4500
Mookie Betts has returned to the lineup and looks to be picking up right where he left off. Betts is 10 for 30 since returning last week. On the year, Betts holds a .322 wOBA against right-handed pitching. Betts should have a good matchup at home against opposing pitcher Trever Bauer, who has been wildly inconsistent and prone to the long ball in his past few outings.
Yasiel Puig (OF, LAD) - $3400
As mentioned earlier, Yasiel Puig looks like a solid pick as your secondary or tertiary outfielder against opposing pitcher Felix Doubront on the road. Puig has hit left-handed pitching extremely well this year, holding a wRC+ of 153. Puig has also shown some consistency and power over the past week, and looks to be a fine value pick given Doubront’s struggles.
Chris Coghlan (OF, CHC) - $3100
Chris Coghlan looks to be a great sleeper pick on Tuesday against opposing pitcher Anibal Sanchez at home. As with all platoon players, make sure Coghlan is in the starting lineup before the game. Coghlan should likely get the starting nod against a struggling right-handed pitcher in Sanchez. Coghlan holds a wOBA of .342 against right-handed pitching on the year, while Sanchez has really struggled and has given up nine home runs in his last five outings. Given Coghlan’s sneaky power potential on a day-to-day basis, he could definitely be a risk worth taking.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6 PM on 8/18
Leave your question here and then come back at 6 PM when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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