We have and eight game slate to kick off our MLB DFS week. Pitching is somewhat thin tonight, so it may be best to spend down a bit, so you can load up on hitters. No real weather concerns as of now, so sit back read up and let's win some contests.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/21/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DFS_Tom.
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DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider
Zach Davies, MIL @ SFG (DK - $8,400, FD - $7,400)
Pitching is quite weak on this slate, as there is no true ace to pay up for, so we'll take a look at a pitcher in a good spot. Davies is up against the Giants who simply don't strikeout that much, only 19.2% vs right-handed pitching. So there isn't a ton of upside via strikeouts, but the Giants have one of the worst offenses in the entire league, they have scored the third fewest runs, and this game is in San Francisco, which is a fantastic pitchers park. Those factors together put Davies in a good spot, and he isn't expensive, so you will be able to fit plenty of big bats in your lineup.
Ubaldo Jimenez, BAL vs OAK (DK - $8,100, FD - $7,300)
Ubaldo is in a good spot tonight against Oakland, who he faced just 10 days ago and racked up 11 strikeouts in 5.1 IP, and 3 ER. Ubaldo isn't a great pitcher, and but he has found some success this season. Not including his most recent start, Jimenez has put up four strong starts for a total of 32 strikeouts and only 7 ER. Being up against the Athletics who strikeout 24.8% of the time vs right-handed pitching puts him in a good spot, but is a GPP play, not for cash games.
DFS Infielders to Consider
Kurt Suzuki - C, ATL vs SEA (DK - $3,200, FD - $3,100)
Suzuki is hot right now and has hits in 10 of his last 12 games, with five home runs over that span. He has a .514 wOBA and a .514 ISO this season vs left-handed pitchers, and only a 7.5% strikeout rate. Suzuki is mashing the ball vs LHP, and he isn't wasting his chances. Good price for him tonight, at home in a hitters park, ride the hot bat in any lineup.
Chris Davis - 1B, BAL vs OAK (DK - $4,500, FD - $3,200)
Davis is the kind of player you should only roster when he is up against right-handed pitcher, as he is tonight, because he has some big splits. Davis has a .325 wOBA and a .243 ISO vs said RHP, and is a guy that brings legit two home run upside. For his price, he is playable in any format tonight, and with three multi-hit games over his last four, in a spot to continue that streak.
Robinson Cano - 2B, SEA @ ATL (DK - $4,400, FD - $4,000)
Always like Cano when he is out of Safeco Field, and gets a nice positive park shift, as he doe tonight. Cano has a 131 wRC+ and a .213 ISO this season vs right-handed pitchers. The Mariners are making a quiet push for a wild card spot, and with Nelson Cruz heating up, you want to get another power bat from their lineup, and Cano is a great fit. Cano has hits in 10 of his last 11 games, viable in all formats.
Rafael Devers - 3B, BOS @ CLE (DK - $4,500, FD - $4,100)
The rookie call up has been off to a blistering start, and has home runs in two of his last three games, along with hits in eight of his last nine. He has made a great first impression in the MLB, and is at a good hitters park tonight. Devers has a .460 wOBA and a .389 ISO this season vs right-handed pitching.
Ketel Marte - SS, ARI @ NYM (DK - $3,200, FD - $2,600)
The Diamondbacks are looking like they will be a popular stacking option tonight, even though they are at a bad hitters park. They are up against Robert Gsellman, who is giving up a .362 wOBA to left-handed hitters, and a .369 wOBA to right handed hitters. He isn't a good pitcher, and we know how powerful the Diamondbacks offense can be, so why not get some cheap exposure to it via Marte. He has a three multi-hit games over his last six, and has a .328 wOBA vs right-handed pitchers.
DFS Outfielders to Consider
Jay Bruce - OF, CLE vs BOS (DK - $4,700, FD - $4,100)
Bruce is on a 10 game hitting streak with three home runs over that span. He has made a great first impression on Indians' fans since being acquired earlier this month. A power hitting lefty gets a nice positive park shift going from Citi Field to now playing home games in Progressive Field. Bruce has a .320 wOBA and a .242 ISO vs left-handed pitchers this season.
Max Kepler - OF, MIN @ CWS (DK - $3,900, FD - $3,500)
Kepler has a .365 wOBA and a .231 ISO this season vs right-handed pitchers, and comes into this game with two home runs in his last four games, and a six game hitting streak. He is a great mid priced option, who has been really consistent of late, and brings the always needed home run upside. Great play in any format tonight.
Nelson Cruz - OF, SEA @ ATL (DK - $5,100, FD - $4,900)
Cruz has 10 home runs this month and has hits in 16 of his last 17 games. The man is on fire right now, and if you want to pay up for any hitter tonight, go with Cruz. He has a .394 wOBA and a .296 ISO this season vs right-handed pitching, and getting a positive park shift, love him in this spot tonight.
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