TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

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?

Happy New Year! Save 30% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

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!

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Deandre Ayton

Enters Day-To-Day Status with Knee Soreness
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Deemed Day-To-Day with Hamstring Injury
Kristaps Porzingis

Targeting Post-All-Star Break Debut
Stephen Curry

May Remain Out Until After All-Star Break
Grayson Allen

to Be Re-Evaluated After All-Star Break
Keyonte George

Night Cut Short by Ankle Injury
Jamal Murray

Forced Out Late Saturday vs. Chicago
Xavier Edwards

Due for Another Big Season on the Basepaths?
Andy Pages

Still an Everyday Contributor Despite Dodgers' Big Signing
Noelvi Marte

Projected for Larger Role in 2026
Addison Barger

Coming Off a Busy Season in the Majors
Isaac Paredes

Trade Talks for Isaac Paredes Reportedly Intensifying
Christian Braun

is Upgraded to Available
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic is Ready to Play on Saturday
Cameron Johnson

is Available to Play on Saturday
Buddy Hield

to Make Team Debut on Saturday
Keyonte George

is Cleared to Play on Saturday
Onyeka Okongwu

is Available to Play on Saturday
Malik Monk

Won't Suit up on Saturday
Jalen Smith

is Ruled Out for Saturday's Game
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
Domantas Sabonis

Out Again on Saturday Night
Zach LaVine

Won't Play on Saturday
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Saturday
Amen Thompson

Available Versus OKC, Will Come Off the Bench
Jakob Poeltl

Questionable for Sunday Afternoon
Drew Rasmussen

: High-Upside Starting Pitcher Option with Health Concerns
Gavin Williams

Looking to Build on 2025 Emergence in 2026
Jo Adell

Can Jo Adell Repeat 2025 Power Breakout?
Brandon Woodruff

Looking to Put Injury Woes Behind Him in 2026
Lawrence Butler

Can Lawrence Butler Bounce Back from Underwhelming 2025 Campaign?
Yasiel Puig

Found Guilty of Obstruction of Justice, Lying to Officials
Travis Kelce

Undecided on Playing Future, Leaning Towards Returning in 2026?
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out Saturday Against Lakers
Brandon Nimmo

Carries High-Floor Profile into 2026
Trevor Story

Can Trevor Story Remain a Consistent Fantasy Option?
Spencer Strider

Carries High Risk Entering 2026
Drake Baldwin

Poised for More Productive Year 2?
Ben Rice

Could See More Time as Catcher Following Free-Agent Addition
Clarke Schmidt

Still Targeting Second-Half Return
Anthony Volpe

Unlikely to Return Until May?
Brett Wisely

Designated for Assignment by Rays
Mike Vasil

to Compete for Starting Rotation Spot
San Diego Padres

Padres Seeking Another Hitter, Starting Pitcher
CFB

Rutgers Hiring South Dakota Head Coach Travis Johansen as Defensive Coordinator
Vinicius Oliveira

Looks For His Seventh Consecutive Win
Mario Bautista

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 113
Kyoji Horiguchi

Set For UFC Vegas 113 Co-Main Event
Amir Albazi

Looks To Bounce Back
Rizvan Kuniev

Looks For His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marc-Andre Barriault

In Dire Need Of Victory
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Michael Penix Jr.

Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery
Cleveland Browns

Jim Schwartz Resigns as Browns Defensive Coordinator
Malik Nabers

Says his Rehab has Been "Phenomenal"
CFB

Oklahoma Hiring Former NFL Defensive Lineman DeShawn Williams to Analyst Role
CFB

Jahmal Edrine Charged with Sexual Assault, No Longer Enrolled at Virginia
Jakob Chychrun

Makes Big Impact in Thursday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Shuts Out Rangers With 16 Saves
Anze Kopitar

Reaches 1,300 Career Points
Mark Stone

Becomes First Vegas Player With 100 Multi-Point Games
Daniil Tarasov

Injured in Battle of Florida
Andrei Kuzmenko

Hurt Versus Vegas
John Carlson

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Matthew Stafford

Named 2025 NFL MVP, Will Return in 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Takes Home Offensive Player of the Year Honors
Christian McCaffrey

Named Comeback Player of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan

Named Offensive Rookie of the Year
Myles Garrett

Unanimously Wins Defensive Player of the Year Award
Brad Marchand

Evan Rodrigues Among Panthers Absentees Thursday
Calum Ritchie

Rejoins Islanders Lineup as Second-Line Center
Zach Benson

Sits Out Second Straight Game
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Available Against Predators
Rickard Rakell

Out Thursday
Brayden Point

Won't Play in Olympics
Jonathan Huberdeau

to Have Season-Ending Hip Surgery
CFB

Houston, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Land Top-Three QBs in 2026 Class
Joe Mixon

Committed to Playing in 2026
CFB

Michigan Signs Top-15 Recruiting Class Despite Coaching Change
CFB

USC Finishes with No. 1 Signing Class in 2026
Valeri Nichushkin

Sets Up Three Goals Wednesday
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Denied Medical Redshirt Waiver By NCAA
Ryan O'Reilly

Delivers Three Assists in Overtime Loss
Matt Boldy

Records Historically Fast Hat Trick Wednesday
Jet Greaves

Gives Blue Jackets Second Straight Shutout
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF