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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.

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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

Nick Pivetta

to Start on Opening Day for Padres
Brandon Woodruff

Makes Brewers Opening Day Rotation
Zack Wheeler

to Start Rehab Assignment on Saturday
Carson Benge

Makes Mets Opening Day Roster
D'Andre Swift

Facing Playing-Time Questions Heading into 2026
Travis Kelce

Officially Signs New Contract With the Chiefs
NFL

Can Denzel Boston Overcome Speed and Athleticism Concerns at the NFL Level?
NFL

Jadarian Price's Dynasty Stock is Rising as the 2026 Draft Approaches
NFL

Can Chris Bell Make an Immediate Impact in the NFL?
Seiya Suzuki

to Start the Season on the Injured List
Travis Homer

Signs With Steelers as RB Depth
Lerone Murphy

Suffers His First Loss
Dennis Santana

Won't be Pirates' Primary Closer
Movsar Evloev

Edges Out Lerone Murphy
CFB

Notre Dame Ranks No. 1 in Returning Production for 2026
Michael Aswell

Jr. Drops Decision At UFC London
Michael Aswell

Luke Riley Outclasses Michael Aswell Jr.
DeVonta Smith

Wide Range of Possible Outcomes for DeVonta Smith in 2026
Woody Marks

to Serve as Backup in Sophomore Season?
Puka Nacua

Extension for Puka Nacua isn't Expected Soon
Sam Patterson

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Michael Page

Wins Lackluster Decision
Austen Lane

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Joshua Dobbs

Patriots Planning to Release Joshua Dobbs
Spencer Strider

to Start the Season on Injured List
Iwo Baraniewski

Delivers 28-Second TKO
Lawson Crouse

Picks Up Three Points in Overtime Win
Jahmyr Gibbs

in Line for a Career Workload
Filip Forsberg

Takes Predators Past Blackhawks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Becomes Highest-Paid Wide Receiver in NFL History
Alex Ovechkin

Scores 1,000th Career Goal
NFL

Eli Stowers' Athleticism Should Not be Overshadowed
Nate Schmidt

Exits Early Due to Illness
NFL

Kenyon Sadiq's Low Production at Odds with His Elite Athleticism
Matt Grzelcyk

to Miss Four-Game Road Trip
Mikko Rantanen

to Return to Full Practice
NFL

Carnell Tate Part of a Loaded Ohio State Rookie Class
A.J. Greer

Handed a Three-Game Suspension
Stephon Castle

Iffy for Monday
Bennedict Mathurin

Remains Out Monday
Isaiah Collier

Still Sidelined Monday
Kyle Kuzma

Iffy for Monday Vs. Clippers
Pascal Siakam

May Miss Monday's Game Vs. Orlando
John Collins

Expected to be Available Monday Vs. Bucks
Tristan Vukcevic

Exits Early With Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Still Headlines Colts Backfield
Troy Terry

Wins it for Anahiem
Tyler Reddick

Overcomes Adversity for Fourth Victory of the Season At Darlington
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Darlington Victory Despite Domination
Ryan Blaney

Recovers From Pit-Road Struggles to Score Career-Best Darlington Finish
Carson Hocevar

Rallies to Finish Fourth at Darlington
Kyle Larson

Decent Performance Ends with Technical Issues At Darlington
Ilya Sorokin

Earns Shutout Over Columbus
Jalen Coker

Clock Ticking on Jalen Coker's Buy-Low Window?
DJ Moore

an Appealing Dynasty Target After Trade to Bills?
Keon Coleman

Falling Out of Favor Despite Head-Coaching Change?
George Pickens

Is George Pickens' Rumored Holdout a Concern for Dynasty Managers?
Derrick Henry

Continues to Face Minimal Competition
Bobby Portis

is Cleared for Monday's Game
Kawhi Leonard

Holds Questionable Tag for Monday
Danny Wolf

Suffers Ankle Injury on Sunday
Killian Hayes

Exits in First Half
Nique Clifford

Exits Early on Sunday
Royce O'Neale

is Ruled Out on Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

to Miss Third Straight Game
Collin Murray-Boyles

Remains Out Sunday
Jalen Johnson

Could Miss Second Straight Game
Joel Embiid

Remains Sidelined Monday
Grayson Allen

to Miss Fourth Straight Game
Naz Reid

Back in Action Sunday
Josh Hart

Good to Go Sunday
Jaylen Brown

Available Sunday Against Timberwolves
Ethen Frank

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Sunday
Grayson Rodriguez

to Open Season on Injured List
Brett Pesce

Questionable to Return This Season
Stefan Noesen

Done for the Season
Yan Kuznetsov

Misses Fourth Consecutive Game Sunday
Connor Zary

Out Sunday
Mike Trout

Returns on Sunday
Anthony Duclair

Misses Sunday's Game
Ryan Pulock

Unavailable Sunday
Nick Lodolo

Exits Early With a Blister
Jeremy Peña

Astros Not Ruling Out Jeremy Pena for Opening Day
Cristopher Sánchez

Phillies Sign Cristopher Sanchez to a Six-Year Extension
Tyler Reddick

the Clear Favorite at Darlington
Kyle Stowers

Placed on Injured List with Hamstring Strain
Kyle Larson

a High-Risk, High-Reward Driver at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Is Getting Better at Darlington
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not Slowing Down at Darlington
Chris Buescher

Should be a Top-10 Contender at Darlington
Austin Cindric

a Sleeper at Darlington
Erik Jones

Quickest in Practice at Darlington
Morgan Geekie

Records Three Assists Against Red Wings
Steven Stamkos

Notches Three Points in Win Over Golden Knights
Cole Caufield

Records Career-High Five Points in Saturday's Win
Denny Hamlin

Qualifies Ninth for this Week's Cup Race at Darlington
Chase Briscoe

Is One of the Top DFS Options of the Week for Darlington
Nikita Kucherov

Takes Over Scoring Lead With Four-Point Effort
Tyler Tucker

Out Week-to-Week
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Darlington Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Could Christopher Bell be Considered A Decent DFS Option for Darlington?
Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Darlington This Week For DFS?
Joey Logano

May Not Have the Speed to Warrant A Darlington DFS Lineup Spot
Ross Chastain

Should DFS Players Trust Ross Chastain at Darlington?
Kyle Busch

Could Kyle Busch Be A Worthy DFS Option for Darlington?
Brad Keselowski

May be A Contriarian DFS Tournament Option At Darlington
Seiya Suzuki

Won't be Ready for Opening Day
Gleyber Torres

Clear to Return on Monday
Konnor Griffin

Assigned to Minor-League Camp
Gleyber Torres

Scratched From Lineup on Saturday With Lower-Back Tightness
Tanner Bibee

to Take the Ball on Opening Day
Logan Webb

to Start on Opening Day for Giants
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez to Start on Opening Day for Phillies
Chris Sale

Braves Name Chris Sale as Their Opening Day Starter
Lerone Murphy

Set For UFC London Main Event
Movsar Evloev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Michael Aswell

Jr. An Underdog At UFC London
Luke Riley

Set For UFC London Co-Main Event
Sam Patterson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Michael Page

Set For Welterweight Bout
Austen Lane

In Dire Need Of Victory
Iwo Baraniewski

A Favorite At UFC London
Akshay Bhatia

Withdraws From Valspar Championship
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Drawing Positive Reviews at Georgia Tech
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Anthony Colandrea Impressing in Nebraska's Spring Practices
J.J. Spaun

Offers Upside Despite Poor Course History at Innisbrook
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Johnny Keefer

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Valspar Championship
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Play at Valspar Championship
Ben Griffin

Looks to Rebound at the Valspar Championship
Corey Conners

Brings Elite Ball-Striking to Valspar Championship
Xander Schauffele

Trending In The Right Direction For Valspar Championship
Sahith Theegala

Has Shot to Challenge at Valspar Championship
Mackenzie Hughes

Looking to Bounce Back at Valspar Championship
Nicolai Hojgaard

Finding Rhythm For Valspar Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Continues Hot Start to 2026 Heading to Valspar Championship
Pierceson Coody

Heads to Valspar Championship Following Two Missed Cuts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF