MLB DFS Picks Today: Daily Fantasy Baseball Strategy and Tips For FanDuel, DraftKings (8/17/25)

Andy's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Sunday, 8/17/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! Happy Sunday! We have a jam-packed nine-game slate to break down, which means we will have to do an even deeper dive to make sure we are targeting the best matchups.

On the hitting side, we will be the Cleveland Guardians in a prime spot to light up the scoreboard. On the bump, Boston will send out their ace, who will be popular play this afternoon.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/17/2025, with the slate starting at 1:35 PM EST. The lineup picks will showcase elite players, 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 always essential.

DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Garrett Crochet, SP - BOS ($11.1K DK/$10.8K FD)

Even though Garrett Crochet allowed five runs in his last outing, he remains a prime option to select in this slate. Throughout his standout season in Boston, the southpaw has consistently demonstrated immense strikeout upside, making him a top play in any match. Over his last 50 innings, Crochet has racked up 64 punchouts while holding a 3.06 ERA.

He has a bit of a tougher matchup against a hot Miami team, but don't let his upside steer you away. He is worth the hefty price tag as he can easily stand as the top pitcher.

Will Warren, SP - NYY ($8.2K DK/$8.7K FD)

Since allowing five runs on July 19, Will Warren has found his footing. Over his last four outings, the rookie right-hander has held a strong 1.93 ERA and has struck out 23 hitters through 23 innings of work.

This afternoon, he will face the St. Louis Cardinals, who have generated the fourth-lowest wRC+ since July 1.

Warren is up to nine strikeouts through five which ties his career high pic.twitter.com/F2KluD1vpi

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 21, 2025

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):

• Ryan Bergert, SP - KC ($7.2K DK/$7.5K FD) 
• Cristian Javier, SP - HOU ($9.6K DK/$8.4K FD)

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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Salvador Perez, C on DK, C/1B on FD - KC ($4.2K DK/$3K FD)

All advanced statistics for hitters are from July 1 and on

Leading these off will be the longtime Kansas City backstop. This afternoon, Perez will face four-seamer-heavy Davis Martin. When facing four-seamers from right-handed pitching, Perez has generated a remarkable .741 xSLG and a .473 xwOBA, which are both the highest marks on the team.

He enters the game riding a hot power streak, as he has launched two long balls over his last four games. Ride the hot hand in this game with an elite matchup.

Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B on DK, 2B/3B on FD- NYY ($4.9K DK/$3.8K FD)

The 27-year-old has been filling the statsheet in each of his last five games. During this stretch, Chisholm has held a .294/.429/.763 line with two home runs, six runs, and an impressive four stolen bases.

He should be in an elite spot to stay hot facing the struggling veteran, Miles Mikolas. Mikolas is a kitchen-sink pitcher but leans slightly higher on his four-seamer. When facing fastballs from right-handers, Chisholm has boasted an .804 xSLG with a .503 xwOBA. Start with confidence.

Jazz Chisholm in 136 games with the Yankees:

🔹32 HR
🔹36 SB
🔹129 wRC+
🔹5.5 WAR
🔹.816 OPS pic.twitter.com/J1pUHJDrbj

— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) August 16, 2025

Carlos Santana, 1B - CLE ($2.8K DK/$2.9K FD)

Carlos Santana has not tallied a hit in each of his last four games, but don't let that scare you away from taking a flyer on him. The veteran has a prime matchup, and I suggest trusting the numbers. In this matchup, Santana will face sinker-heavy right-hander Erick Fedde. When facing sinkers from right-handed pitching, Santana has posted a stellar .546 xSLG and a .424 xwOBA, which is only lower than one player on the team (more on him later).

Before this slump, the 39-year-old was rather productive at the plate, holding a .278/.350/.333 line with two doubles, four runs, and eight RBI.

• Ben Rice, 1B/C - NYY ($4.5K DK/$3.1K FD) 
• Bobby Witt Jr., SS - KC ($6.1K DK/$4K FD)
• Luke Keaschall, 2B - MIN ($4.3K DK/$3.3K FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

All advanced statistics for hitters are from July 1 and on

Daniel Schneemann, OF on DK, 2B/3B/SS/OF on FD - CLE ($3.8K DK/$2.7K FD)

As noted above, other than Santana, this is a Guardian that has an even better matchup against the struggling Fedde, and that would be Daniel Schneemann. Since July 1, Schneemann has generated a .569 xSLG and a .526 xSLG when facing sinker from right-handed pitching, which are both the highest marks on the team.

Before his recent three-game hitless skid (entering Saturday), the 28-year-old held a .333/.409/.487 line with an .896 OPS. Expect him to get back on track in this elite match-up.

Giancarlo Stanton, OF - NYY ($4.7K DK/$3.3K FD)

Like his teammate Chisholm, Stanton has a prime matchup against Mikolas, who has struggled to deliver his four-seamer. When facing four-seamers from righties, the 6-foot-6 slugger has posted a strong .646 xSLG with a .414 ISO.

Entering Saturday, Stanton has posted a remarkable 1.529 OPS with three long balls over his last eight contests.

Noelvi Marte, OF on DK, 3B/OF on FD - CIN ($4.9K DK/$3.2K FD)

My final outfielder to target has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport. Over his last six games entering Saturday, Marte has led a stellar .440/.440/.760 line with five doubles and a round-tripper.

Marte is a good spot to stay hot, facing southpaw Jose Quintana, who enters this game with a modest 3.44 ERA.

CIN - Noelvi Marte Solo HR (9)

📏 Distance: 417 ft
💨 EV: 109.9 mph
📐 LA: 25°
⚾️ 87.7 mph slider (MIL - RHP Nick Mears)
🏟️ Would be out in 30/30 MLB parks

MIL (6) @ CIN (5)
🔻 11th#ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/JaACjRpkUa

— MLB Home Runs🚀 (@MLBHRs_) August 17, 2025

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Trent Grisham, OF - NYY ($4.1K DK/$3.1K FD) 
• Mike Yastrzemski, OF - KC ($3.6K DK/$2.8K FD) 
• Matt Wallner, OF - MIN ($3.7K DK/$2.9K FD) 

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Cleveland Guardians vs. Erick Fedde

Over his last 24 innings, the 32-year-old has posted an 8.63 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. During this stretch, he has walked more hitters (four) than he has struck out (13).

His primary pitch, his sinker, has generated a .478 and a .357 xwOBA in each of the last two months. Stack the Guardians with confidence on this slate.

Favorite Combo: Schneemann, Santana, Naylor, Ramirez

2. New York Yankees at Miles Mikolas

Since the start of July, Mikolas has posted a 5.45 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. During these seven outings (36 1/3 innings), the right-hander has struck out just 23 hitters and allowed five walks. The 36-year-old does not carry promising metrics under the hood as well, evidenced by his 15th percentile xERA and a xBA.

In August, Mikolas has relied primarily on two pitches, his slider and four-seamer. While he has begun to rely on his slider slightly more than his four-seamer, his four-seamer has been his overall most-used pitch this season. In August, this pitch generated an alarming .604 xSLG and a .375 xwOBA.

Favorite Combo: Chisholm Jr., Stanton, Grisham, Rice

3. Kansas City Royals vs. Davis Martin

Over his last four starts, Martin has posted a hefty 5.66 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Through these 20 2/3 innings, the right-hander has struck out just 17 hitters and allowed 12 free passes.

As noted above, Martin relies heavily on his four-seamer. In August, this pitch (39.5% deployed) has posted a hefty .700 xSLG with a .492 xwOBA.

Favorite Combo: Perez, Witt, Yastrzemski, Garcia

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