RADIO
On Friday, we have a 14-game slate on DraftKings (thanks a lot, SD/CHC). Four games have an over/under of at least nine total runs. However, we’re still waiting for Vegas to make a determination on three matchups: CWS/TB, LAA/CLE, and BAL/TEX. At least two of those games could boost the O/U total for us.
As far as pitching is concerned, no one is a heavy favorite (-200, or greater), but we do have two game with an over/under of seven total runs: ATL/NYM and HOU/LAD. I would expect to see at least one pitcher from those four teams in our suggestions for Friday night.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 8/3/18. 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, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @CharlieSideHstl.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Alex Wood, LAD (vs. HOU) - $8,500
It will be a showdown in Los Angeles on Friday night, as Justin Verlander and Wood toe the rubber in the HOU/LAD matchup. Verlander is the most expensive pitching option on the board ($13,100) on Friday and Wood is only the eighth-most expensive option. The over/under is set at seven total runs and no one is moving the line to become the favorite in this contest. Wood has struck out at least five batters in two of the past three starts and he’s allowed two earned runs, or less, in seven of the last nine appearances. Also, with this game taking place in L.A., Wood will have the benefit of not facing a DH.
Chris Archer, PIT (vs. STL) - $8,200
Archer will make his Pittsburgh Pirates debut on Friday. Prior to the trade, he’s allowed three earned runs, or less, in nine of the last 10 performances and has tallied at least six strikeouts in six games during that same span. Archer’s opponent, the Cardinals, are 24th in team wOBA (.311) against right-handed pitchers this season. Like our other pitcher for Friday, Archer will also benefit from not facing a DH.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Mike Zunino, SEA (vs. TOR) - $3,400
It’s the perfect storm when it comes to using Zunino. He’s 8-for-22 (.364) with two doubles and one home run in the past week. He owns a .239 ISO against left-handed pitchers since 2017. Also, Zunino is easily affordable for our lineup. When you combine those three factors together, you get an easy decision at the catcher spot.
1B - Joey Votto, CIN (@ WSH) - $4,500
In the past week, Votto is batting .368 (7-for-19), with one double and six walks. Also, in his career against Gio Gonzalez, Votto is 9-for-24 (.375) with six extra-base hits (three home runs). The first base position isn’t particularly strong on Friday, so the edge Votto has over Gonzalez is enough for me to give my support to Votto as your DK first baseman.
2B - Daniel Murphy, WSH (vs. CIN) - $4,300
The Nationals are projected to score 5.2 runs on Friday, which is second-most on the slate. Murphy is 9-for-20 (.450), with one double and two home runs in the past seven days. Washington will face Anthony DeSclafani on Friday and he’s allowed at lest three earned runs in five of the last six outings for Cincinnati.
3B - Miguel Sano, MIN (vs. KC) - $4,200
Sano is back with the Twins and is starting to produce for them. He’s compiled two extra-base hits in the past three games. Since 2017, Sano owns a .222 ISO against right-handed pitchers. Currently, his Twins lead the slate with an implied run total of 5.3 runs.
SS - Trea Turner, WSH (vs. CIN) - $5,200
Turner leads the Nationals with 11 hits in the past week (.393 AVG). Turner has also stolen two bases in four of the past five games. His opposing pitcher, DeSclafani, has a 5.06 ERA on the road this season, allowing nine earned runs in 16 innings of work.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Joey Gallo, TEX (vs. BAL) - $4,500
We’re still waiting on the Vegas line for the BAL/TEX matchup, but I’m predicting a high over/under (around 10 total runs), with Texas as the slight favorite. Gallo leads the Rangers with a .307 ISO against right-handed pitchers since 2017. Texas will face David Hess on Friday. He’s allowed 18 runs in 28 innings on the road this season (5.79 ERA).
Teoscar Hernandez, TOR (@ SEA) - $3,600
It was a stellar evening for Hernandez on Thursday as he went 4-for-5 with three doubles against the Mariners. He’ll see Marco Gonzales on Friday. Against lefties, Hernandez has a .304 ISO. The salary is starting to dwindle at this point, so we need to conserve our funds for these last two spots. Hernandez makes sense at this price point.
Hunter Pence, SF (@ ARI) - $3,400
Finally, we’ll save some more money by adding a bat who has success against a tough pitcher on Friday. Pence is 15-for-38 (.395) with nine extra-base hits and four home runs in his career against Patrick Corbin. At $3,400, the risk is worth the possible reward for our final outfield spot.
