MLB DFS Picks Today: Daily Fantasy Baseball Strategy and Tips For FanDuel, DraftKings (8/21/25)

Jamie's top DraftKings and FanDuel MLB DFS picks for today, Thursday, 8/21/25. His favorite daily fantasy baseball lineup sleepers and value picks for DFS on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Thursday is usually a slow day for MLB, but I, for one, am pumped for this weekend. My Yankees start a crucial four-game series against the Red Sox, and this looks like just the series to reignite the rivalry. Hopefully, you got some pieces of the Yankee HR onslaught for DFS, as they hit 13 homers against the Rays in two days.

Today's slate is broken up all over the place. Keep in mind, as you're reading, that DK's early slate has six games and FD's only has three. They also have different start times, so if you're playing both, make sure you don't lose track of the time and the lineups. I'll be in the RotoBaller Discord this afternoon with my colleagues, helping you navigate the Dodger-filled waters.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/21/2025, with the slate starting at 1:10 PM EST on DK and 2:10 PM EST on FD. 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.

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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Shota Imanaga, SP - CHC ($9,500 DK/$9,900 FD)

After a slow start to the season, Shota Imanaga has been ripping off one gem after another for the Cubs. Other than a blowup against Washington in July, Imagana has allowed a total of only 16 earned runs in his last ten starts. He's lowered his ERA to 3.06, and his walk rate is a sparkling 4.7%.

There are still factors that are worrisome with Imanaga (his K rate and GB rate are far too low), but wind is a major factor in Wrigley Field. Last night it was ripping in at 20+ MPH, and while it's slowed tonight, it's still coming in at 10-15. The friendly confines of Wrigley Field are the most wind-aided park in the league.

The matchup obviously isn't great, as the Brewers have the best record in baseball, but this is a huge one, and I expect Imanaga to show up for it. His recent play, plus the Brewers having an above-average K rate against LHP, makes this matchup one to target on a short slate.

SHOTA. IMANAGA. pic.twitter.com/aKtiq0VQOi

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 16, 2025

MacKenzie Gore, SP - WAS ($9,000 DK/not on FD)

The matchup between the Mets and Nationals features two intriguing lefties squaring off against one another. Right now, the masses are flocking to Sean Manaea, but I'm far more intrigued by MacKenzie Gore. The 5-12 record isn't fun, but Gore has a 3.50 FIP and is seventh in the NL in strikeouts with 165.

Starting Pitchers with multiple offerings with a 40+% whiff rate (Min 100 thrown) pic.twitter.com/g1vnjdQhm5

— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) August 19, 2025

Gore's 28.6% K rate and 26.7% CSW play extremely well on a short slate, and he has the upside to be the top-scoring pitcher at less ownership. The Mets have the eighth-lowest K rate against LHP this season, but a number of their players have struggled against Gore in his career (including notable names as Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso).

The wind is also blowing in for this game, which should help suppress power. Gore is an elite GPP pivot off his much chalkier opponent.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):

• Dylan Cease, SP - SD ($9,200 DK/not on FD)
• Quinn Priester, SP - MIL ($8,700 DK/$8,700 FD)
• Sean Manaea, SP - NYM ($8,100 DK/not on FD)

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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Freddie Freeman, 1B - LAD ($6,200 DK/$4,100 FD)

Shohei Ohtani injured his leg yesterday. While manager Dave Roberts says he's "confident" Ohtani will play on Friday, he already has a scheduled day off today. This bumps everyone else in the Dodgers' order up a spot, and they still have an IRT of 7.4 runs against Chase Dollander despite the knowledge Ohtani will not be in the lineup.

The Rockies are even more vital on this shorter slate, as their team IRT is a whopping 2.5 runs higher than any other squad. Dollander has potential, but he's been batting practice this year with a 6.43 ERA, 5.43 FIP, 17.7% K rate, and 1.76 HR/9 allowed.

Freddie Freeman has been hot for the Dodgers lately, and he should bat either second or third tonight. His power numbers against righties are down this season, but this is Coors Field we're talking about, and he's still posted a solid .380 wOBA and 37% HHR against RHP.

Mookie Betts, SS on DK, 2B/SS/OF on FD - LAD ($5,900 DK/$3,700 FD)

Mookie Betts SHOULD be the leadoff hitter in the absence of Ohtani, which puts him squarely on the top of the priority list for cash and GPP. Betts is having a down year, but he has an .865 OPS over his last 12 games, and has five multi-hit contests in that span.

All Dodgers are in play against Dollander, but Betts is special with a potential five plate appearances. In addition to Dollander's struggles, the Rockies' pen is also last in FIP and ISO allowed. Betts' multi-positional eligibility on FD is important with their slate even smaller.

Jonathan India, 2B on DK, 2B/3B/OF on FD - KC ($3,400 DK/$2,600 FD)

With the Dodgers' bats such an elevated priority, it's vital to find cheap plays to complement the rest of your lineups. The Royals are in a fun spot against Patrick Corbin, who is someone I've never been shy about attacking in DFS. Corbin has a long career of giving up production to righty bats, with under a 20% K rate and 1.37 HR/9 allowed.

Jonathan India should lead off for Kansas City, and his prices are cheap around the industry. India offers run-scoring ability and speed that play perfectly for cash games, and we've even got a little BvP action going here as India is 6-for-16 in his career against Corbin.

• Nick Kurtz, 1B - ATH ($6,000 DK/not on FD)
• Will Smith, C - LAD ($6,100 DK/$4,000 FD)
• Corey Seager, SS - TEX ($4,700 DK/$3,300 FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Teoscar Hernandez, OF - LAD ($5,600 DK/$3,600 FD)

Our Dodgers onslaught continues with Teoscar Hernandez, who should hit no lower than cleanup with Ohtani sitting. Hernandez has homered in three of his last six games and has an OPS north of .900 over his last 10. Hernandez offers the same upside as his Dodger teammates and is slightly cheaper. On a slate like this, every dollar counts.

Dollander is worse against lefties, but every righty is in play as well, as he's allowed a .341 wOBA and 1.53 HR/9 to same-handed hitters. Hernandez has a .203 ISO against RHP, and the brutal Colorado pen looms behind.

Randal Grichuk, OF - KC ($3,100 DK/$2,400 FD)

Now, the cheapies. For almost as long as Corbin has been attackable by righties, Randal Grichuk has been mashing lefty pitching. The Royals are still in the playoff hunt, and Grichuk should be a super important play in this one as a known lefty-killer.

Grichuk has to be considered a pinch-hit risk in the later innings, but at these prices, we're just hoping he gets his upside taken care of early. He continues to mash LHP even in the later part of his career, with a .361 wOBA, .213 ISO, and 43.3% HHR.

Joc Pederson, OF on DK, 1B/OF on FD - TEX ($2,200 DK/$2,600 FD)

Despite his .150 batting average and .559 OPS, Joc Pederson continues to get premier spots in the Rangers' lineup. While this may seem inexplicable to us as fans, his $2,200 price tag on DK is music to our ears. Joc still offers pop in the right matchup, and more importantly, his price tag allows for stacking multiple Dodgers.

Despite his meager numbers at face value, Joc Pederson has still hit righties well with a .349 wOBA and .213 ISO against them. Michael Lorenzen has a 4.53 FIP and is allowing a career-worst 1.48 HR/9. Again, Pederson is a means to an end with upside of his own.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Juan Soto, OF - NYM ($5,800 DK/not on FD)
• Tyler Soderstrom, OF - ATH ($4,500 DK/not on FD)
• Michael Conforto, OF - LAD ($4,200 DK/$3,000 FD)

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chase Dollander

It'll be popular, but you've got to do it on a six-game slate. The Dodgers' 7.4 IRT is by far the highest on the slate (no other team has over five), and they're actually easier to stack without Ohtani in the lineup. If you're making multiple iterations, consider some bottom-of-the-order Dodgers stacks, but the meat is where you want to begin.

Besties that homer together. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/J7hL22rXRN

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 18, 2025

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

2. Kansas City Royals vs Patrick Corbin

Corbin has a long career of being hit by righties, and his peripherals are turning him back into a pumpkin this year after he trolled us a ton early on. Corbin's 37% GB rate this season is actually the lowest of his career, and he's walked over three batters per nine for the first time since 2021.

Favorite Combo: India, Witt Jr., Garcia, Grichuk

3. Athletics vs Jose Urena (DK only)

They weren't written up in the article, but the Athletics actually have the second-highest IRT on the slate behind the Dodgers, with a 4.9 mark. They'd be much more popular if they were playing at home, but I've often considered Jose Urena the "righty Patrick Corbin" of the last decade. He's allowed a ton of power, particularly to lefties, and he struggles to miss bats. This year is even worse, as Urena has a meager 12.8% K rate to go along with a 5.60 FIP and 1.74 HR/9 allowed. The A's are the clear pivot stack off the Dodgers if you believe Dollander can catch lightning in a bottle.

Favorite Combo: Kurtz, Langeliers, Rooker, Soderstrom

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