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We've turned the page to August and we're still rolling along with MLB DFS, despite a mounting array of scheduling/coronavirus-related issues piling up. There are 11 games to choose from on the Saturday main slate. Be sure to double-check the weather, starting lineups, and postponements before finalizing your roster.
I'll be going through some of the best plays at each position on DraftKings with a GPP/tournament lineup build in mind. That's not to say that these players won't work in cash-game lineups, but we're looking to provide high-upside plays for the most part (it's more fun that way, anyway). As a reminder, it is best practice to stack 3-5 hitters from the same team for DFS purposes, so try to envision how the games will play out and build your lineups from there. Utilizing unique lineup combinations (i.e the nine, one, two, and three hitters) is another great way to differentiate.
In this article, I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the DraftKings main slate on 8/1/2020. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter @kringstad19
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Tyler Glasnow - P, TB vs. BAL ($9,300)
Glasnow is arguably the top arm on the slate from a fantasy standpoint, and yet he comes in as just the fourth most expensive pitcher. He only costs $100 more than Carlos Carrasco (@ MIN) and $300 more than Kenta Maeda (vs CLE), who have much tougher matchups. We're going to keep targeting the Orioles even though they somehow currently rank third in team OPS (.776) and have struck out at the third-lowest rate in the league so far. Their best hitters are right-handed, which gives Glasnow the platoon advantage. The southpaw struck out nine Braves over four innings in his debut, and he should be able to work past the 72 pitches he reached in that one. There are only about a dozen pitchers in the MLB with the strikeout potential that Glasnow posseses (33% K% in 2019), and there definitely aren't any that have this kind of matchup on this slate. Don't overthink this one.
Tyler Chatwood - P, CHC vs. PIT ($8,200)
Chatwoood had a great opening start as he had eight strikeouts and limited the Brewers to one run and three hits over six innings. His matchup on Saturday is less imposing, to say the least. The Pirates have been anemic to start the year as they rank dead last in wOBA (.235) and team OPS (.508), second-to-last in team batting average (.179), and they've struck out at the fifth-highest rate. They're team OPS actually drops when you look at how they've done against right-handers (.497). Chatwood didn't have amazing swing-and-miss stuff in 2019 (22.8% K% and a 9.3% SwStr%), but he had a 13.1% SwStr% to open the year as his sinker and cutter were markedly improved. He has great win-equity in this matchup and as long as he can hold some form from his first start, he should approach or exceed the 28.5 DK points he put up against the Brew Crew.
Other options: Jordan Lyles (TEX vs SF) $7,900, Zack Greinke (HOU vs LAA) $10,800, Kenta Maeda (MIN vs CLE) $9,000
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Manny Machado - 3B, SDP vs COL ($5,200)
Machado definitely received the Coors Field bump, but he still looks like a tremendous play facing off against Kyle Freeland. Freeland was in the Cy Young race in 2018 but was one of the worst pitchers in the majors last season, compiling a 3-11 record to go along with an egregious 6.73 ERA, 5.99 FIP, and a 21.7% HR/FB ratio. That.....won't get it done where they're playing this game. Freeland had a nice first start against Texas to open his campaign, but this is an entirely different beast. Machado has the platoon advantage and he hit for a 1.089 OPS against LHP in 2019.
Yuli Gurriel - 1B, HOU vs LAA ($3,100)
Gurriel has got off to a nice start in 2020, despite the power not quite being there as he has just one home run and a .120 ISO. He's hitting .280/.387/.400, though, and he provides great value at the 1B position going up against Canning. Though Gurriel doesn't get the handedness advantage, his OPS was actually .113 higher against RHP in 2019 and it's .154 higher against RHP in 2020. Canning's best asset is his swing-and-miss stuff (13.8% SwStr% in 2019), but Gurriel's skill set should offset that. He hasn't had a strikeout rate over 11% his whole career and he literally hasn't swung and missed at a breaking ball or offspeed pitch yet this season.
Other options: Yasmani Grandal (CHW vs KC) $4,400, Edwin Encarnacion (CHW vs KC) $4,400, Nolan Arenado (COL vs SDP) $5,500,
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Max Kepler - OF, MIN vs CLE ($3,900)
Kepler has been the epitome of a hit-or-miss option as he has just five hits on the season for a .200 average. However, three of those hits were homers, and two of those homers were to lead off the game. Kepler holds the platoon advantage over Carrasco and as is customary in these situations, he'll hit leadoff again for the stacked Twins lineup. Carrasco was spectacular in his first start against the Royals, but those are the Royals. He actually ranks fourth-to-last on the slate with his 2.03 HR/9 in 2019, though it was on a limited sample size (60 IP). Kepler is hitting .226/.294/.355 with one home run and four RBI over 31 career at-bats against Carrasco. The Twins have proven they can put up runs on anyone (last night against Mike Clevinger), and I expect them to continue to have success tonight.
Michael Brantley - OF, HOU vs LAA ($2,900)
We're going to need value to fit in the Coors Field bats, and Brantley has been one of the best DraftKings values for what seems like forever now. He's hitting .407/.484/.630 (.220 ISO) with a homer and a steal in the early going, yet his price has stayed below $3,000. He hits cleanup in the Astros loaded lineup and though Angels starter Griffin Canning has great swing-and-miss stuff, he ranks second-lowest on the slate in groundball rate (37.6%) and doesn't keep the ball in the yard well (1.39 HR/9). Brantley also has the platoon advantage.
Matt Kemp - OF, COL vs SDP ($3,400)
Matt Kemp isn't the most exciting name in DFS, but in case you weren't aware, he's playing for the Rockies now. He projects to hit in the four or five slot, giving him instant value as a cheap option on a slate where the Coors Field stack could/should be popular. He gets the platoon advantage facing southpaw Joey Lucchessi, and though he may not have the 20-30-40 homer power that he possessed in his prime, this is still Coors Field we're talking about here. Lucchessi's a decent pitcher but he will give up the long ball as he held a 1.26 HR/9 in 2019.
Other options: Josh Reddick (HOU vs LAA) $2,100, Ryan McBroom (KC vs CHW) $2,300, Aaron Judge (NYY vs BOS) $4,600
DraftKings DFS Stacks
Rockies, Padres. Padres, Rockies. These teams are playing at Coors Field and this game has the highest projected total by a full two runs. Lucchessi (1.26 HR/9) and Freeland (2.16 HR/9) both give up bombs - load up your Coors game stacks. The A's, Braves, White Sox, and Rays are also intriguing for stacks, mini-stacks, or one-off's.
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