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The top MLB DFS daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on March 18 2025. Andy Smith's MLB DFS sleeper picks for building optimal DFS rosters.
The 2025 regular season is finally here. Before the season "officially" starts, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will play a two-game series in Tokyo, Japan.
We have only one game, so it's just showdown contests on DraftKings for this one, but I know many of you have been itching to get back to MLB DFS so you know we are going to play this slate anyway!
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 3/18/2025. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Alright, let's get to the picks!
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Pitchers - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. CHC ($11K DK; $16.5K DK CPT)
Yoshunobu Yamamoto made his MLB debut overseas last season but struggled as he served up five earned runs to the San Diego Padres. However, fantasy managers should not be concerned as he enters this game with much more MLB experience. After that poor showing, Yamamoto would hold a 2.53 ERA with a strong 1.07 WHIP and a 21:103 BB:K across his final 89 innings in the regular season.
On Tuesday, he will face the Chicago Cubs who generated the 14th-highest wOBA (.312) against right-handed pitching last season. Even though they are welcoming superstar Kyle Tucker to the starting nine, given his elite control and strikeout upside, Yamamoto is worth paying for as a captain on the slate.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto closes out his night by striking out Francisco Lindor 😤 #NLCS pic.twitter.com/SWtecYh1Xh
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2024
Shota Imanaga vs. LAD ($10.8K DK; $16.2K DK CPT)
The other starting pitcher is Shota Imanaga. Imanaga also made his MLB debut last season and was one of the most consistent starting pitchers in the majors. Across 173 1/3 innings, the southpaw held a 2.91 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. He showed elite control with a 4.0 percent walk rate and generated strikeouts at an above-average 25.1 percent rate.
Imanaga will have a tough task ahead of him on Tuesday facing the reigning World Series Champions. Last season, the Dodgers posted the second-highest wOBA against LHP (.341) and launched the most home runs (66). This does not bode well for Imanaga who generated ground balls at a low 37.2 percent rate.
Even though Mookie Betts (illness) may sit out, Imanaga is a high-risk play given his salary facing a potent lineup.
Top Hitters - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Shohei Ohtani – DH, LAD vs. Shota Imanaga ($10K DK; $15.4K DK CPT)
Fading the best player in the world on a single-game slate is a bad decision. Last season, Shohei Ohtani ran away with the NL MVP award as he established the 50/50 club. He held a .310/.399/.646 slash line with an incredible .444 xwOBA. It's a lefty-lefty matchup with Imanaga, but it doesn't matter as Ohtani is good enough to hit anyone.
Ohtani should be the one slugger that you view as a "lock" in your lineup.
"Triple for the cycle, homer for history. On a 1-2, Ohtani... SENDS ONE IN THE AIR, THE OTHER WAY, BACK IT GOES, GOOOOOONNNEEE! ONE OF A KIND PLAYER! ONE OF A KIND SEASON! SHOHEI OHTANI STARTS THE 50/50 CLUB!" - Joe Davis on the historic call⚾️🎙️🦄 pic.twitter.com/JxDyNUfzTD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 19, 2024
Kyle Tucker – OF, CHC vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($9.6K DK; $14.4K DK CPT)
In the offseason, the Cubs made a big splash by acquiring superstar Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros. Even though Tucker missed time last season due to a shin injury, he performed at an elite level when on the field.
He posted a .289/.408/.585 line with 23 home runs across 78 games. Against right-handed pitching, Tucker posted a stellar 1.082 OPS. Facing a right-handed pitcher in Yamamoto should provide him with an excellent matchup in his Cubs debut.
Teoscar Hernandez – OF, LAD vs. Shota Imanaga ($8K DK; $12K DK CPT)
My other top hitter comes at a slight discount in Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez typically bats cleanup in the Dodgers' starting lineup. When facing southpaws last season, Hernandez posted a .290/.357/.574 slash line with nine doubles and 11 long balls.
Given that Imanaga struggles to keep the ball out of the air, expect Hernandez's power to get the better end of this matchup.
Note: Mookie Betts would also be viewed as a top hitter but he is dealing with an illness and is unlikely to play.
Also consider: Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Freddie Freeman
Top Value - MLB DFS Showdown Picks
Michael Busch – 1B, CHC vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($6K DK; $9K DK CPT)
Michael Busch received his first full look at the major leagues last season in Chicago. Across a career-high 152 contests, Busch held a .248/.335/.440 line with 21 long balls.
He hit fastballs very well last summer (.477 xSLG), which should set him up for success. Yamamoto struggled to find consistent results with his heater, which generated an underwhelming (.446 xSLG). While Yamamoto will likely lean on his splitter when facing Busch, if he misplaces his fastball, Busch could take it deep.
Matt Shaw – 3B, CHC vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($3K DK; $4.5K DK CPT)
The 23-year-old is slated to be Chicago's everyday third baseman in 2025. Shaw was one of the most productive hitters in the minor leagues last season. During his first 35 games at Triple-A, Shaw held a .298/.395/.534 line with eight doubles and seven home runs.
While he does come with risk given this is his first MLB start, he carries a very affordable salary that allows you to add another high-upside bat.
No. 1 @Cubs prospect Matt Shaw drives in a pair! 🐻 #TokyoSeries pic.twitter.com/Xzj4eSivEj
— MLB (@MLB) March 16, 2025
Andy Pages – OF, LAD vs. Shota Imanaga ($5K DK; $7.5K DK CPT)
With Hyeseong Kim set to open the season in the minor leagues, Andy Pages is expected to have a starting role in center field. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut last summer and held a solid .248/.305/.407 line with 23 doubles and 15 home runs.
However, when facing left-handed pitchers, Pages performed at an elite level. Against southpaws, Pages posted an eye-catching .357/.396/.520 line with three long balls. If you want cheap exposure to the Dodger lineup, Pages is a must-play.
Michael Conforto - OF, LAD vs. Shota Imanaga ($5.8K DK; $8.7K DK CPT)
In the offseason, the Dodgers signed Michael Conforto to a one-year $17 million contract to play regularly in left field. The 32-year-old struggled at times last season, but most of this was due to his home park not being supportive of left-handed bats.
On the road last season, Conforto held a strong .253/.323/.530 line, which was much higher than the .216/.292/.341 line he posted at Oracle Park.
In addition, Conforto also performed better against left-handed pitching last season (.886 OPS compared to the .724 OPS against RHP), which should provide him with a good opportunity to start his Dodger career on a high note on Tuesday.
Also consider: Dansby Swanson, Tommy Edman
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