MLB DFS Picks Today: Daily Fantasy Baseball Strategy and Tips For FanDuel, DraftKings (8/19/25)

Jamie's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Tuesday, 8/19/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! The playoff picture is starting to come into clearer focus, and we have some epic matchups on tap for the entire week. Tonight's DFS slate is all about the Dodgers in Coors again, as they already have an IRT approaching an incredible 7.5 runs against Austin Gomber.

We have ten games to tackle on DK tonight, and nine on FD as they've left off the Cubs/Brewers tilt. That's more than enough for us to navigate the slate, and our staff will be in the RotoBaller Discord all day. As the lineups come out, join the discussion, which will surely be focused on the question of how we stack Dodgers.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/15/2025, with the slate starting at 7:10 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

Carlos Rodon, SP - NYY ($10,000 DK/$10,000 FD)

The Yankees head to their home away from home, Steinbrenner Field, for a quick two-game series against the Rays. Technically the Rays are still in the hunt, but this series precedes a critical four-gamer against the Red Sox with whom the Yankees are now tied.

Carlos Rodon will be on the hill for the Yanks, and with Max Fried's recent struggles you could now argue he's been New York's best and most consistent pitcher this year. Rodon's 40.6% GB rate is the highest it's been since 2019, and he also has a 27.6% K rate backed by an elite 30.3% CSW.

Tampa has the fourth-highest K rate against LHP this season, and the last time Rodon faced them in Tampa he threw six shutout innings of two-hit ball with nine strikeouts. His price of $10K on each site fits the cash mold perfectly, and he's also usable in GPP (as long as you're not stacking Dodgers with him).

Hunter Greene, SP - CIN ($9,000 DK/$9,900 FD)

Hunter Greene was electric in his first start back from injury, throwing six shoutout innings on 85 pitches against the mighty Phillies. Today he travels to Los Angeles for a much better matchup against the Angels, and he seems to be facing very small limitations as the Reds battle for the final playoff spot in the NL.

Six scoreless innings for Hunter Greene in his return to the mound! pic.twitter.com/UCBs0RmEt8

— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2025

Greene has had over a 30% K rate in three of his four seasons as a major-leaguer, and the Angels have the highest K rate in the league against RHP. Like the aforementioned Rodon, Greene's 30.4% CSW is something you can really hang your hat on for this slate. If you can swing it, these two make a strong pairing in DK cash.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):

• Joe Ryan, SP - MIN ($9,800 DK/$10,100 FD)
• Nick Pivetta, SP - SD ($9,500 DK/$9,700 FD)
• Jacob Lopez, SP - ATH ($8,200 DK/$9,200 FD)

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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Jose Ramirez, 3B - CLE ($6,300 DK/$4,000 FD)

As per usual, the MVP conversations are centered around Aaron Judge this and Shohei Ohtani that and everyone once again forgets how incredible a player Jose Ramirez is. After just missing a 40-40 season last year, he's got 25 homers and 36 steals again this season to go along with an .872 OPS.

Playing Ramirez on the slate is difficult, because it means one less Dodger you'll be able to afford. However, I'd argue he has as much upside as any of them. Eduardo Rodriguez's 24.7% CSW is a slate-low for all pitchers, and he's allowed 1.64 HR/9 with only a 34.9% GB rate.

Ramirez has battered LHP once again this year, with a .406 wOBA and .268 ISO against them.

Mookie Betts, SS on DK, 2B/SS/OF on FD - LAD ($5,700 DK/$3,700 FD)

Now, the Dodgers. There's no question you'll want to stack them and their 7.4 IRT, but in cash contests you'll have to carefully pick. If not using Shohei Ohtani's high price tag, that means you're picking from the infielders who all have similar upside. The combination of price tag, recent batted ball rate, and positional flexibility on FD has me leaning Mookie Betts' way.

It's been a lost season for Betts statistically, as he only has 13 homers and an abysmal .682 OPS. He's woken up lately for the Dodgers (.920 OPS in his last 12 games), and he'll likely hit second on the road in Coors which gives him a solid chance at five plate appearances.

Mookie Betts is hitting .341 with a .923 OPS over his last 11 games! 📊#MLBCentral | @markdero7 pic.twitter.com/6eOIuBaaBt

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 18, 2025

Betts' splits are predictably below his career rates this year, but it can all be thrown out the window against Austin Gomber. The Rockies' lefty has a 6.15 FIP, 32.8% GB rate, 12.7% K rate, and has allowed 2.30 HR/9. Woof.

David Fry, 1B/C on DK, C/1B/OF on FD - CLE ($2,900 DK/$2,500 FD)

The refusal of both sites to raise David Fry's price tag is music to our ears, and he continues to get a premier spot in the order and also fills a difficult positional need at catcher. Cleveland gets a park boost going to Arizona and Fry should bat cleanup.

He's a pinch-hit risk later in the game for a righty reliever, but Fry's power (.237 ISO against LHP) certainly plays at his near-minimum price tag. The Guardians have an IRT of 4.7 runs which pales in comparison to the Dodgers, but is strong in its own right. Fry is a means to an end to get premier pitching or Dodger bats.

• Will Smith, C - LAD ($5,900 DK/$4,000 FD)
• Corey Seager, SS - TEX ($4,500 DK/$3,200 FD)
• Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B - KC ($4,300 DK/$3,100 FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Shohei Ohtani, 1B/OF on DK, OF on FD - LAD ($7,200 DK/$5,100 FD)

Shohei Ohtani at elevation is the top overall play, no question. His price tag is the problem, as you're investing over 14% of your salary into one player. I imagine this isn't going to bother the masses, and his current projected ownership backs up this claim.

Austin Gomber is completely overmatched by Ohtani, and the lefty-lefty matchup shouldn't deter you in any way either. Ohtani has a .376 wOBA and .243 ISO against LHP, along with a 37% HHR. He's also already homered twice against Gomber in his career. In cash, I think you have to force Ohtani in, and he's obviously a cornerstone GPP play in stacks.

Jarren Duran, OF - BOS ($5,000 DK/$3,300 FD)

Boston also cannot afford to look past this series to the Yankees, and they're coming off a loss last night to the Orioles. Tonight they do battle again, and the Red Sox have the second-highest IRT on the slate with a 5.2. They'll face Tomoyuki Sugano who has not figured it out in his rookie season, with a 4.91 FIP and 15.2% K rate.

Jarren Duran hits third for the new-look Red Sox, and his second half has been reminiscent of his 2024 season. Duran has 69 RBI and 20 steals, and his OPS is rapidly approaching .800. He's also been a menace to RHP, posting a .383 wOBA and .245 ISO against them, and his price is not prohibitive (it's downright too cheap on FD).

Mike Yastrzemski, OF - KC ($3,900 DK/$2,900 FD)

Mike Yastrzemski (we'll call him Yaz so I don't have to write his name again) seems quite content in his new Royals digs. He's homered four teams with his new team, and he has two in his last three games. Yaz has a career-high .203 ISO against RHP this season, and the weather is expected to be warm with the wind blowing out in KC.

Merrill Kelly was one of Texas' big deadline acquisitions, but he hasn't exactly lit the world on fire for the Rangers. Kelly has allowed eight earned runs in 16 IP for Texas, and he's also walked six batters. The Royals have an IRT of 4.6 runs, and Yaz is a nice price in the leadoff spot.

Mike Yastrzemski hit his 3rd leadoff home run in his 15th game played with the Royals.

The only player in the modern era (since 1901) to hit 3 leadoff home runs in fewer career games with any team is Rickey Henderson who did so in his first 7 games with the Mariners. pic.twitter.com/jNN35fzB6R

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 19, 2025

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Aaron Judge, OF - NYY ($6,500 DK/$4,700 FD)
• Angel Martinez, OF on DK, 2B/OF on FD - CLE ($3,500 DK/$2,700 FD)
• Joc Pederson, OF on DK, 1B/OF on FD - TEX ($2,300 DK/$2,500 FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Los Angeles Dodgers vs Austin Gomber

The Dodgers have an IRT of 7.4 runs, over two full runs higher than the next-highest squad. Austin Gomber has a 6.15 FIP, 32.8% GB rate, 12.7% K rate, and has allowed 2.30 HR/9, and the Dodgers' offense has started to turn it back on. You have to get super creative with the rest of your lineup if you're going to stack 4-5 Dodgers, but it's doable.

Favorite Combo: Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Smith, Hernandez

2. Cleveland Guardians vs Eduardo Rodriguez

The Guardians are the best spot for cheap upside to utilize alongside Dodgers. You can't use Jose Ramirez if you also have Dodgers, but he should still be considered the centerpiece behind standalone Guardians stacks. Eduardo Rodriguez's metrics suggest he can be fully attacked, and the Guardians get a park boost going to Arizona.

Favorite Combo: Martinez, Ramirez, Fry, Santana

3. Boston Red Sox vs Tomoyuki Sugano

The Red Sox have fallen into a tie with their archrival Yankees with their loss to the Orioles last night, and are badly in need of a win tonight. They get to face Tomoyuki Sugano, whose 15.2% K rate suggests he cannot miss bats at this level just yet. Sugano has given up 1.76 HR/9 to LHB, so they're a good place to start.

Favorite Combo: Anthony, Bregman, Duran, Yoshida

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