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DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (9/5/18): MLB DFS Lineups

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on September 5th, 2018. Justin Bales' MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

There are a few early games today, but the majority of the games take place after 7 PM. Overall, there are 12 games for the main slate, which is what we will be attacking here.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/5/18. 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 @BalesSJustin.

Black Friday Special! Save 50% on any Big-4 Sports Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Premium Pass, get expert tools and advice for NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL from from proven winners! Dan Palyo leads the team with exclusive picks for DFS picks, Props, betting. Enhance your game with industry-leading tools like our Lineup Optimizers, Team Sync Platform, DFS Cheat Sheets and more. GAIN ACCESS

 

DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers

Hyun-Jin Ryu - P, vs NYM ($9,200)

Ryu has been throwing at an elite level over his last nine starts, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.85 ERA over that span. He's also averaging nearly 20 fantasy points per game, while scoring less than 10 fantasy points in two of the contests. Ryu also gets a great matchup against the New York Mets, and he's a -183 favorite in a game set at 7.5 runs.

Nick Pivetta - P, at MIA ($8,200)

Pivetta is a player that can always be considered in plus matchups because of his strikeout potential. Through 27 starts, he owns a 7-10 record with a 4.66 ERA. He has also posted a 10.7 K/9 through 141 innings. He gets an elite matchup against the Miami Marlins in a pitcher friendly stadium tonight, as well. Pivetta is currently a -156 favorite in a game set at only 7.5 runs.

 

DraftKings DFS Infielders

Justin Smoak - 1B, vs TB ($4,200)

Smoak has been struggling with consistency recently, but four of his last five hits have been home runs. He has also scored 15+ fantasy points in four of his last six games. He gets a tough matchup against Tyler Glasnow, but Smoak owns 0.058 wOBA and 0.103 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching. He's a player that is best suited for tournaments at this point.

Adam Frazier - 2B, vs CIN ($4,700)

Frazier has been playing at a high level over his last 10 games. Over that span, he's hitting .389 with six extra-base hits (three home runs), 10 RBIs, and one steal. He's also hitting over .300 with a slugging percentage north of .500 in Pittsburgh this season. Frazier gets one of the best matchups on the slate against Homer Bailey, making him an elite play tonight.

Kyle Seager - 3B, vs BAL ($3,400)

Seager has been struggling recently, but that has caused his price tag to drop. He still comes with plenty of upside, as he possesses 45% hard-hit and fly ball rates with a 96 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days. He also gets a great matchup against Andrew Cashner, who has struggled on the road this season. Even with his struggles, Seager has found ways to contribute fantasy points, though.

Trevor Story - SS, vs SF ($5,800)

It's tough to pay this much for Story, but any time he is facing off against a left-handed pitching in Colorado, he needs to be considered. Story is hitting .309 with a .654 slugging percentage and a 1.022 OPS in Coors this season. He also owns a .660 slugging percentage and a .333 ISO against left-handed pitching this season. He is not going to come cheap, but he's one of the best options on the slate.

 

DraftKings DFS Outfielders

Mitch Haniger - OF, vs BAL ($4,700)

Haniger continues to play at a high level, as he's hitting .318 with a .659 slugging percentage and a 1.047 OPS over his last 10 games. Over that span, he owns eight extra-base hits (three home runs) and three RBIs. Haniger also gets a great matchup against Andrew Cashner, although he'll be playing in a pitcher friendly stadium tonight.

Billy McKinney - OF, vs TB ($3,600)

McKinney has only played in 16 games this season, but he has looked outstanding during that time. He features a .360 average with a .640 slugging percentage and a 1.081 OPS. He also owns 0.055 wOBA and 0.122 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching. McKinney gets somewhat of a tough matchup against Tyler Glasnow, but he's leading off for an offense that has the potential to score plenty of runs tonight.

 

MLB DFS News and Injury Alerts

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Chris Godwin

Expected to Play in Week 12
Kawhi Leonard

Sidelined for Saturday's Game Against Hornets
Joe Burrow

Won't Be Activated This Week
Tre Mann

Dealing With Ankle Soreness
Jaden Ivey

Could Make Season Debut Soon
Tobias Harris

Listed as Questionable for Saturday
Aaron Gordon

Expected to Miss Time With Hamstring Injury
Matas Buzelis

Leaves Friday's Game Early With Ankle Issue
Gabriel Vilardi

Has Two Goals in Losing Effort
Jordan Staal

Provides Two Goals in Friday's Win
Matt Boldy

Amasses Three Points in Impressive Road Win
Filip Gustavsson

Shuts Out Penguins Friday
Josh Doan

Pots Two Goals Friday Night
Alex Tuch

Tallies Four Assists in Big Win
Vinnie Hinostroza

Suffers Serious Injury Friday
Aaron Gordon

Won't Return to NBA Cup Meeting with Houston
Travis Kelce

Open to Returning in 2026?
Onyeka Okongwu

Could Miss Matchup With Pelicans
Brandon Aiyuk

49ers, Brandon Aiyuk Headed for a Divorce Soon?
D'Angelo Russell

Ruled Out Against Pelicans
Trey Hendrickson

Ruled Out for Week 12
Tre Jones

Cleared to Play Friday with Planned Minutes Limit
Jaden McDaniels

Cleared to Face Phoenix
Coby White

Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Miami
Jarrett Allen

Ruled Out on Friday
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Doubtful as Grizzlies Face Mavericks
Adolis García

Rangers Non-Tender Adolis Garcia on Friday
Jaylon Tyson

Returning Versus Indiana
Darius Garland

Cleared to Play on Friday, Expected to See Limited Action
Marvin Bagley III

to Miss Friday's Game Against Raptors
Auston Matthews

Doubtful for Saturday
Rashod Bateman

Ruled Out for Week 12
Alexandre Sarr

Ruled Out for a Second Straight Game
Roman Josi

Could Return Saturday
Samuel Honzek

Out for Six Months After Surgery
Chris Godwin

Officially Questionable for Week 12
Sion James

Expected to Play Through Groin Issue Saturday
Jalen Chatfield

Available for Friday's Matchup
Andrew Wiggins

Labeled as "Day-to-Day"
Nico Sturm

Activated From Injured Reserve
Jason Zucker

Available Friday
Brandon Miller

Returning To Charlotte's Lineup On Saturday
Connor Hellebuyck

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Jaylen Warren

Cleared From Injury Report Ahead of Week 12
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 12
Kenneth Walker III

Listed as Questionable for Week 12
Trey Benson

Ruled Out For Week 12
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Darius Slayton

Cleared to Return From Hamstring Injury in Week 12
Daniel Jones

"Good to Go" for Week 12
Alvin Kamara

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Xavier Worthy

"Trending in the Right Direction," Officially Questionable
Isiah Pacheco

Out Against Colts
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 12
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Aaron Rodgers

Questionable to Play Against Bears
Rhamondre Stevenson

Expected to Return in Week 12
Jayden Reed

Packers Open Jayden Reed's Practice Window on Friday
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Tagir Ulanbekov

Set To Open Up UFC Qatar Main Card
Sergei Bobrovsky

Frustrates Devils With Shutout
Adam Fantilli

Leads Blue Jackets to Victory in Toronto
Ilya Sorokin

Posts Second Shutout of the Season
Alex Ovechkin

Nets 33rd Career Hat Trick
Andre Burakovsky

Ruled Out for Friday
Gavin Brindley

Hurt Versus Rangers
Jake Evans

Exits With Injury Thursday
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP