👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (7/18/17): MLB DFS Advice for FanDuel and DraftKings

Tonight we have a full 15-game slate on deck and pitching options in all tiers that are enormous upgrades from what we had to work with last night. Lineup lock is at 7:05 with every team playing under the lights. As a result of every team participating in the Main contest, there are some monster GPP pools to dip into. Monster GPP pools are what makes Tuesdays half tolerable.

Now, I have to preface this by saying the lines are sure to move before first pitch, but I'd be remiss and totally out of character if I didn't call out a few of these that look interesting as of Monday night. The biggest favorites of the night are the Dodgers at -295, which is none too surprising when you see Clayton Kershaw listed as the starting pitcher. After a steep drop off, we then have the Astros (-195), the Pirates (-155), and the Rockies (-142) to round out the large and/or notable favorites. For run total projections - especially helpful when deciding which stacks to deploy in cash games and tournaments - the Rockies rule the roost at 6.3, followed by the Yankees (5.6), Astros (5.6), Dodgers (5.5), Orioles (5.5), Diamondbacks (5.4), Royals (5.4) and the Padres (5.3). Those are some pretty high totals, but the rest of the teams aren't too far behind. Keep an eye on the late movement on these figures.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 7/18/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Let's get to it, shall we?

Featured Promo! Save 50% on any PGA Premium Pass using discount code MASTERS, this week only! Win more with our DFS and Betting Packages, get expert tools and advice from proven winners including the Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, betting/props cheat sheet and more. GAIN FULL ACCESS HERE

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider

Clayton Kershaw - P, @ CWS (DK - $14,000, FD - $12,700)

He's the greatest pitcher on the board almost every night but the gap between he and the next best pitcher tonight is quite large. In other words, you need to be prepared to pay up for him as your cash game pitcher. The matchup tonight isn't perfect but it does have upside as well. Kershaw is taking the bump in Chicago which is a downgrade for a pitcher but he does a good job of keeping the ball in the yard (1.1 HR/9) and an excellent job of limiting hard contact, with a 27% mark this season (a number that is just 21% over the past 15 days). The upside I mentioned? It's in the form of strikeouts, of course. Kershaw has a 10.5 K/9 mark over the past 12 months and the White Sox are no opponent to striking out - their projected lineup for tonight owns a collective 25.6% K rate. On top of all that, the Dodgers are the biggest favorites tonight and the White Sox have the lowest run projection of the night by nearly a run at 3.1. I think he's got a great start for a Quality Start in addition to enough run support for the win to go with his 7+ strikeouts.

Brad Peacock - P, vs SEA (DK - $10,300, FD - $9,200)

Peacock's consistent brilliance finally caught the attention of DraftKings and FanDuel because we're seeing five digit price tags for the first time. He's not the value he once was due to that, but he's still a much cheaper option than Kershaw (and a relative value today) and the price increase is a little easier to stomach in guys like Peacock thanks to his strikeout artistry. Speaking of that, he owns an excellent mark in that respect this season with his 11.2 K/9 and he's paired that with a 0.7 HR/9, which has helped him to be so effective. His StatCast data is favorable as well, as it showcases the fact that he's been able to limit hard hit balls (27% hard hit rate allowed, 87 mph exit velocity). He takes on a Seattle opponent tonight that isn't the ideal matchup but it's not one to avoid in tournament formats and if the Vegas data is something you trust, at -195 favorites, he might be viable as a SP2 in cash games as well.

Also Consider: Blake Snell - P, at OAK (DK $6,600, FD - $6,400)

 

DFS Infielders to Consider

Catcher (C)

Evan Gattis (DK - $4,200, FD - $2,700)

There is a lot to love about this matchup, starting with the Astros entirely. They're currently pegged with the second highest run projection, and I think Gattis and his teammates will benefit from plenty of RBI/run scoring opportunities. Gattis is facing Sam Giviglio, who has turned in a few respectable performances this season but it's been quite some time since that happened. Lately, he's been getting shelled and his wOBA and ISO allowed over his last three starts are both over .400. And of course there are Gattis' marks, starting with his splits over the last year that are quite attractive - .381 wOBA and a .267 ISO.

First Base (1B)

Cody Bellinger (DK - $4,900, FD - $3,800)

Good news, guys - the Home Run Derby didn't ruin Bellinger's swing. Since the return from the break, Cody has already left the yard a few times and collected a handful of doubles. In this inter-league matchup, he's getting a park upgrade and the matchup itself is one that is very favorable for left-handed hitters - something the Dodgers have in large quantities. Miguel Gonzalez has allowed a slugging percentage to lefties this season over .500 and Bellinger and his .421 wOBA and .400 ISO splits are sure to take advantage.

Second Base (2B)

Matt Carpenter (DK - $4,000, FD - $3,900)

Carpenter is really heating up and he's always someone I'd suggest riding until that wave crashes. He enters this game with a very impressive 50% hard hit rate over the past two weeks and pairs that with a 41% fly ball rate which gives him a bit more home run upside. He's going into Citi Field which is a pitcher's park but the heat and humidity in New York in July is certainly helping the ball carry. His opponent, Rafael Montero, is one of the reasons that the ball has been carrying so well in Queens. He's been lit up over his past three starts, allowing a .483 wOBA and .333 ISO in that stretch. As for Carpenter, he can do damage against right-handed pitching which is showcased in his .357 wOBA and .224 ISO split.

Shortstop (SS)

Stephen Drew (DK - $3,600, FD - $2,200)

On a night where getting Kershaw in your roster is essential, it's important to find upside in cheap places. Drew is one of my favorite options that fit that description for tonight. He's been doing a fine job getting run as an every day guy and owns a 40% hard hit rate on the year. His splits against right-handed pitching are favorable (.348 wOBA) - especially for this price tier - and he generally finds himself in a favorable position near the top or middle of this Washington order. His opponent, Jesse Chavez, has been pretty kind to opposing hitters lately as well, allowing a wOBA and ISO split over .340 and .220, respectively.

Third Base (3B)

Freddie Freeman (DK - $5,000, FD - $3,800)

It still feels odd writing him in under third base but I suppose I'll get used to it at some point. Anyway, Freddie has been on a tear and I think we can safely say he's now matchup proof. Whether or not you believe that he's reached that status yet is no matter today, as the matchup is a favorable one with John Lackey opposing him. Lackey's struggles are well documented this season and I like Freeman and his .488 wOBA and .389 ISO to take advantage. Freeman's StatCast data gives me more confidence in the selection as well, seeing as he's posted a 41 % hard hit rate with a 237 foot average batted ball distance over the past two weeks.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider

Charlie Blackmon - OF, vs SDP (DK - $5,600, FD - $4,900)

Yes, the price is steep, but consider the whole situation. We have one of the games premiere hitters in the most ideal hitters park, leading off against a pitcher that has allowed the highest wOBA and ISO (over his last three starts) of any pitcher taking the mound tonight. That's the description of a player you just have to get a few shares of. In addition to the fact that Dinelson Lamet should be picked on, there's also the convincing angle of Blackmon's splits, which, at a .406 wOBA and .300 ISO, are truly elite figures.

Clint Frazier - OF, at MIN (DK - $4,000, FD - $2,500)

I think the guys at DraftKing's have the same opinion as I about Frazier's upside in this matchup. The recent call-up has had his strikeout issues - which will persist - but he's shown he can shatter his price implied value when he pops a home run. He's starting to do that in bunches as well, and I think this spot tonight is as strong a matchup for him as he's had yet this year. Bartolo Colon will be taking the bump, and we're all aware just how poorly his starts have gone this season. Frazier and his strong righty-righty splits (.335 wOBA, .364 ISO) can produce here.

 

 

DFS Premium Tools & Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Win more. Try the most advanced lineup optimizer in daily fantasy baseball.

Sign Up Now!

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jackson Merrill

Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
New York Giants

Giants Offense to be a Run-First Unit?
Joshua Palmer

Working Out on the Side at OTAs
Maxx Crosby

Raiders "Counting" on Maxx Crosby Being Ready for Training Camp
Kirk Cousins

the First Up in OTA Practice on Wednesday
Chicago Bulls

Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Bulls Head-Coach Candidate
Cooper Flagg

Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Jiri Kulich

Aims to Return Next Season
Jeremy Lauzon

Not Expected to Play Wednesday
Brock Bowers

Klint Kubiak Calls Brock Bowers a "Football Robot From Heaven"
Mark Stone

Likely to Remain Out Wednesday
Scott Wedgewood

Starting Western Conference Finals for Avalanche
Sam Malinski

Set to Return Wednesday
Artturi Lehkonen

Expected to Play Wednesday Night
Cale Makar

Will Miss Game 1 Against Golden Knights
Malachi Fields

Appears Well-Positioned for Rookie Year Breakout in New York
Aaron Rodgers

Plans to Retire Following 2026 Season
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Is Anthony Richardson Sr. Worth Buying Low on in Deeper Dynasty Formats?
DJ Giddens

Does DJ Giddens Carry Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal into 2026?
AJ Barner

Enters 2026 as a Dynasty Sell-High Candidate
Josh Jacobs

Is Josh Jacobs at the Peak of His Dynasty Value?
CFB

Lincoln Riley Believes USC is Ready for Playoff Run
CFB

Notre Dame-Stanford Rivalry Renewed Through 2028
CFB

Ahmad Hardy Says He's "Back to the Road to Success"
CFB

Texas Tech Graduate Judge Recuses Himself from Brendan Sorsby Case
CFB

UCLA Tackle Jordan Davis Officially Eligible for 2026 Season
CFB

Bret Bielema Supports Significant College Football Playoff Expansion
Michael Wilson

Cardinals Interested in Inking Michael Wilson to a Long-Term Extension
Kyle Williams

Bulks Up, Ready to Make Year 2 Leap
Deshaun Watson

the First QB Up During OTA Drills on Wednesday
Quinshon Judkins

Taking Part in 11-on-11 Drills
Xavier Legette

Fighting for His Future in Carolina?
Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Not Expected to Trade Brian Thomas Jr.
Rashod Bateman

Future in Baltimore is Bleak
Mark Andrews

Poised to Bounce Back in 2026?
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Is Tyrone Tracy Jr. a Sneaky Dynasty Buy?
Chimere Dike

Dynasty Managers Compelled to Hold Chimere Dike?
Michael Thorbjornsen

Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke List

Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Tom Kim

Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
PGA

Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
Billy Horschel

Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Adam Hadwin

Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau

Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Luke Clanton

Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Aaron Rai

Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Wyndham Clark

Can Wyndham Clark Find Form at CJ Cup?
Si Woo Kim

Looks To Stay Hot at CJ Cup
James Harden

Struggles in Eastern Conference Finals Opener
Evan Mobley

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double
Donovan Mitchell

Produces Top Two-Way Performance in Game 1 Loss
OG Anunoby

Plays Key Role in Comeback Win
Mikal Bridges

Remains Efficient in Game 1 Against Cavaliers
Karl-Anthony Towns

Extends Double-Double Streak to Four Games
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks to Historic Comeback Win
Scottie Scheffler

to Defend CJ Cup Byron Nelson Title This Week
Jordan Spieth

Looking For Victory at TPC Craig Ranch
PGA

Matti Schmid Looks to Keep Recent Momentum Going at TPC Craig Ranch
Brooks Koepka

a High-Upside Play at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Yandy Díaz

Yandy Diaz Exits Early on Tuesday After Being Hit By Pitch
Dean Wade

Returns to Starting Unit Tuesday
OG Anunoby

Starting on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

May Remain in Motown
Jalen Duren

Pistons Eager to Keep Jalen Duren
Chris Kirk

Continues Search For Putting Form at TPC Craig Ranch
Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

Officially Listed as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking to Shake Off Poor Major Showing at TPC Craig Ranch
Joel Dahmen

is of No DFS Consideration This Week in Dallas
Pierceson Coody

is Not The Fun DFS Play He Used to Be
Gerrit Cole

to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
Drake Baldwin

Braves Place Drake Baldwin on Injured List With Oblique Strain
CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
Alex Caruso

Erupts for 31 Points in Game 1 Loss to Spurs
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
Jalen Williams

Productive in Comeback Game
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Records First Double-Double of Postseason
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Stephon Castle

Opens Conference Finals With Double-Double
Dylan Harper

Makes Outstanding Two-Way Impact in Game 1 Win
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series-Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Tage Thompson

Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Nick Suzuki

Seeks More Road Success Monday
Lane Hutson

Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Filip Gustavsson

Needs Offseason Surgery
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Quinn Hughes

Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Jonas Brodin

Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF