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We have an 8-game main slate on tap tonight, and it's a wild one. First off, it starts at 12:10 pmEST. So, it is an early one. Second, one of the games is a doubleheader. Third, pitching is limited while bats are ok, but not great. So, it's a weird slate for sure. Quick note, there are other games later in the day that is scattered around some weird slates. RotoBaller will have you covered in other articles as well as their premium slack chat.
The slate starts with which pitchers to build around. It is simple today as I am focusing on three pitchers that are all listed below. You can make arguments for going with Kyle Hendricks, Eli Morgan, and Tanner Houck, but they all bring concerns. When it comes to bats, I am focusing on later in the slate with the Orioles, Red Sox, and Mariners as my main looks, but there are viable options earlier. It is going to be a fun slate with some exciting lineup builds. Listen in to MLB DFS Quick Hits to get a full slate run down.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/12/2021. The lineup will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also check out today's FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. It’s also important to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter @bdentrek.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Brandon Woodruff - P, MIL at CHC ($10,200)
This one is pretty simple. Woodruff has been as consistent as almost any pitcher in baseball, and the Cubs have been atrocious since the trade deadline. Over his last eight starts, since his rough outing in Coors, Woodruff has thrown at least six innings in six starts, allowed three earned runs or less in seven starts, and struck out six or more in seven starts. Woodruff has been amazing all year, and that should not change today against the Cubs. A Cubs team that let Burnes throw eight amazing innings last night where he struck out 15 without allowing a run. Since the trade deadline, the Cubs are striking out 32.1% of the time versus RHP while hitting .227 with a 64 wRC+. Woodruff will be chalky, and it is chalk that I am more than happy to roster today.
Marco Gonzales - P, SEA vs. TEX ($6,700)
Marco comes into today's game throwing well and has been quite consistent at not getting blown up. Over his last five starts, he has thrown at least five innings, allowing three earned runs or less in each start and striking out four or more in his last three starts. He will not strike out many, but he will not get beat up, bringing a solid floor into today's matchup versus the Rangers. He faced a Rangers team two starts ago and threw six innings while allowing one run and striking out four. This Rangers team has not been good versus LHP of late, striking out 22% of the time since the trade deadline with a .212 average and 53 wRC+. Gonzales likely doe not lite the world on fire, but 15+ points are very much in the range, which will work just fine today.
Other Options: Chris Bassitt (OAK at CLE) $10,000
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DraftKings DFS Infielders
Cal Raleigh - C, SEA vs. Mike Foltynewicz ($2,400)
Raleigh has not been lighting the world on fire as many had hoped since joining the team, but he brings massive tournament upside for any game. He has hit safely in three of his last five games and, most importantly, is very cheap. His switch-hitting skills do not stink either, as he won't be forced into a platoon or pinch hit for most of the time. He faces Folty today, and we love to target Folty with left-handed hitters, giving another bonus to Raleigh. There are likely better catcher targets that will cost more money or get a start with usual starters getting a get-away day off. Raleigh is my value or punt catcher for now, but keep a close eye on lineups this morning.
Miguel Cabrera - 1B, DET at John Means ($3,400)
Miggy has been having a solid season and is now approaching a career milestone. Last night Miggy hit home run number 499, and tonight is a great chance for 500. He comes in swinging it well, hitting .320 over his last seven games with hits in five of those games. He has two home runs with a .240 ISO and .960 OPS over the past seven games. As usual, Miggy's plate discipline has been great as he is walking 13.3% of the time while striking out 13.3% of the time. He faces Means today, who has made four starts since returning from the IL and has allowed 12 runs over 22.2 innings, including four home runs. On the season, he is allowing nearly 2 HR/9 to RHH, setting up for a great day to see Miggy hit number 500.
Abraham Toro - 2B, SEA vs. Mike Foltynewicz ($3,800)
Toro has been outstanding since getting traded to the Mariners on July 26. He is hitting .373 with the Mariners with a .275 ISO and a 1.105 OPS. The switch-hitting Toro either leads off or hits fifth in the Mariners' lineup, allowing for excellent fantasy production. He has been cash viable and a nice piece of Mariners' stacks daily. Today he faces Folty, who has allowed LHH to hit .289 with a .593 SLG and 2.6 HR/9. Stack up the Mariners once again and start with Toro, Kyle Seager, and Jarred Kelenic.
Paul DeJong- SS, STL at JT Brubaker ($3,700)
It has been a rough year for DeJong, but he may be hitting himself into one of his patented hot streaks. He enters today's game hitting safely in four of his last five games with three extra-base hits, including a home run. His .278 ISO, 1.104 OPS, and 160 wRC+ are all quite solid. Strikeouts have been a season-long issue for DeJong, and that has been improved in the small five-game sample as he is striking out only 14.3% of the time. DeJong is barreling the ball 13.3% of the time with a 40% hard-hit rate as well. All signs pointing to a nice hot streak on our hands. We like to target Brubaker with LHH, but RHH is still slugging .450 this season with nearly 2 HR/9. The Cardinals' offense has been a pain this season, but there is some nice value today with DeJong, Dylan Carlson, and Tommy Edman.
Yonny Hernandez - 3B, TEX at Marco Gonzales ($2,200)
I would have felt bad writing up another Mariner bat in Seager, so I am throwing out this mega-tournament value in Hernandez. Yonny was called up on August 5 and has now hit safely in three of six games. That's great, but nothing special. When he does get on base, then we get the special as he runs wild. In his short stint with the Rangers, he was a major stolen base asset in the minors and already had two stolen bases. Another positive is the fact he has not struck out in his six games. Putting a lot of balls in play and letting his speed impact the game. If looking to punt today, Hernandez makes a good one as he is a major boom or bust, but we've seen the boom go for nice double-digit production.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Bryce Harper - OF, PHI vs. Mitch White ($5,400)
Sure Harper has gone hitless in three of his last four games but is still swinging it quite well of late as he pursues a potential NL MVP. He is hitting .308 over his last 11 games with nine extra-base hits, including four home runs. His .436 ISO, 1.170 OPS, and 196 wRC+ are outstanding over the 11 game stretch. He is even walking 15% of the time while only striking out 17% of the time. Harper's production was even more impressive during this stretch as Andrew McCutchen (now back), and Rhys Hoskins missed most of these games. He gets a solid matchup tonight with White and a lot of the Dodgers' bullpen. I do not usually write up the pricey, "obvious" plays, so take this as you will as I REALLY like Harper today.
Anthony Santander- OF, BAL vs. Matt Manning ($2,600)
Santander has been on absolute fire of late. I wrote about him in yesterday's value article and sent out a glowing tweet with a ton of stats, and then he goes onto hit another home run. Santander has not hit safely in all eight August games, with multiple hits in five games. He has six extra-base hits, including four home runs over the eight games. He only strikes out 9.1% of the time while barreling the ball 17.2% with a 48.3% hard-hit rate. To put it bluntly, the Orioles' cleanup hitter is mashing and is still way too cheap. Today, he will face Manning, who has allowed 15 runs over his last three starts (14.2 IP). Santander will look to stay hot, and I know I will have him rostered everywhere, including some Orioles' stacks.
Yadiel Hernandez - OF, WAS vs. Trevor Williams ($2,100)
I realize the Nats are only playing seven innings in this game, but the price tag for a middle-of-the-order bat for the Nats is just silly. Since August 1, Hernandez has hits in seven of nine games, hitting .382 with two extra-base hits and a stolen base. He is walking 12.8% of the time while only striking out 10.3%. He is playing way too well and in too good of a matchup to nearly be the minimum. He will take on Williams today, who will be making his Mets debut. On the season, Williams is allowing LHH to his .293 with a .500 SLG and 1.2 HR/9. Usually, I wouldn't say I like playing batters in seven-inning games, but Hernandez, Juan Soto, and other Nats may be in play today.
DraftKings DFS Stacks
- Baltimore Orioles (Matt Manning, RHP)
- Seattle Mariners (Mike Foltynewicz, RHP)
- Boston Red Sox (Drew Rasmussen, RHP)
- Philadelphia Phillies (Mitch White, RHP)
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