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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on August 12, 2023. Josh Costello's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Yesterday was another full slate of games for Friday. We have a lot of Saturday games to get to for today's main slate, so let's go!
This article contains my picks for the main slate on Saturday, August 12, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 7:05 PM ET.
The lineup picks will range from some elite high-priced players to mid-priced options and value plays. I'll give you a few of my top pitching options and then some infielders, outfielders, and teams to stack. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups.
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Brandon Woodruff, MIL at CWS ($10,800 DK, $11,100 FD)
On August 6, Brandon Woodruff made his long-awaited return from the injured list against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Woodruff allowed two runs on four hits and no walks while racking up nine strikeouts. The 30-year-old received no run support, so he was saddled with the loss, but it was a dominant effort.
On Saturday, Woodruff is facing the Chicago White Sox, who have the second-lowest OPS and wOBA against right-handed pitching since the start of July. I see no reason to doubt Woodruff in his second start, especially with a presumably higher pitch limit.
Cole Ragans, KC vs STL ($5,500 DK, $6,000 FD)
Before being acquired by the Kansas City Royals, Cole Ragans had been relegated to the Rangers bullpen, but he has been impressive since his return to a big league rotation. In his three starts with Kansas City, Ragans has allowed two earned runs in 17 2/3 innings with four walks and 22 strikeouts, including an 11-strikeout performance his last time on the mound.
Ragans is facing the St Louis Cardinals on Saturday, and they have been tougher on lefties. That being said, Ragans minced up the Red Sox in his last start, and they are also tough on lefties. Some changes to his pitch mix and velocities have boosted his swinging strike rate, and Ragans looks like a new pitcher. It may be a riskier play, but the Royals starter can be a difference-maker in your lineups on Saturday.
Others to consider: Tony Gonsolin ($8,200 DK, $7,200 FD) vs. COL
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Ha-Seong Kim - 2B, SD at ARI ($5,000 DK, $3,400 FD)
Ha-Seong Kim has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball for over a month now and is currently on a 15-game hit streak. Since the All-Star break, Kim is slashing .353/.463/.515 with three home runs, two doubles, and 19 singles against right-handed pitching. The Padres infielder also has identical strikeout and walk rates in that span (15.7%). In his career against Zac Gallen, Kim is 3-for-11 (.273) with an RBI.
Ryan Mountcastle - 1B, BAL at SEA ($4,200 DK, $2,900 FD)
Ryan Mountcastle has been locked in against right-handed pitchers since the All-Star break, slashing .385/.469/.641 with two home runs, four doubles, and nine singles. Mountcastle's plate discipline has also been impressive, with a 16.3% walk rate and an 18.4% strikeout rate. The Oriole's first baseman is facing Mariners starter George Kirby on Saturday. Against Kirby, Mountcastle is 1-for-4 (.250) with a solo home run. Mountcastle should remain locked in for this matchup.
Ke'Bryan Hayes - 3B, CIN at PIT ($3,300 DK, $2,800 FD)
Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes was recently activated from the injured list and has already made his presence felt. It took Hayes about four games to get back into the swing of things, and now he seems fully back. The 26-year-old is on a four-game hit streak with three home runs and three multi-hit performances. Hayes is facing Reds lefty Brandon Williamson on Saturday, and the Pirates' third baseman is a career .288 hitter against southpaws.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Kyle Tucker - OF, HOU vs. LAA ($6,000 DK, $4,100 FD)
Kyle Tucker, or King Tuck as the Astros announcers affectionately refer to him, has once again been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball. On the season, Tucker is batting .293 with 21 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 115 games. Since the All-Star break, Tucker is slashing .310/.375/.667 with four home runs and 13 RBI against left-handed pitching. The Astros outfielder faces Angels lefty Tyler Anderson on Saturday, against whom Tucker is 5-for-6 (.833) with two RBI.
Bryan Reynolds - OF, PIT vs. CIN ($4,400 DK, $3,400 FD)
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds is amid another solid season, batting .271 with 15 home runs, 23 doubles, and 54 RBI in 2023. The 28-year-old switch hitter has been better against lefties this season, slashing .286/.325/.395 with two home runs and seven doubles. Reynolds is batting .417 in his 36 plate appearances against lefties since the All-Star break. On Saturday, Reynolds is facing Cincinnati Reds lefty Brandon Williamson. Reynolds should be able to find success in the matchup.
James Outman - OF, LAD vs. COL ($3,400 DK, $2,900 FD)
James Outman has a strikeout rate of over 31% on the season, but his plate discipline has been much better lately. Since the All-Star break, the Dodgers outfielder has a 22.9% walk rate and a 21.9% strikeout rate. Outman has slashed .333/.500/.472 in that span, with two home runs and 15 RBI. On Saturday, Outman is facing Rockies right-handed starter Peter Lambert. Outman has hit 12 of his 13 home runs against right-handed pitching this season.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Peter Lambert
The Dodgers are always a team with the potential to stack, and Saturday is no exception. The Los Angeles team is facing Colorado Rockies starter Peter Lambert, who owns a 5.57 ERA in 53 1/3 innings this season. The Dodgers have been excellent against right-handed pitching this year. They own the second-highest walk rate, OBP, and ISO, along with the third-highest SLG, OPS, and wOBA. The Dodgers have won six games in a row, and I don't think Lambert will be the pitcher to slow them down.
Also consider: San Diego Padres vs. Zac Gallen
The San Diego Padres have been middle-of-the-pack in batting average, OPS, and wOBA against right-handed pitching since the All-Star break, but they have an abundance of hitters with a home run against Zac Gallen in their career. Xander Bogaerts, Luis Campusano, Jake Cronenworth, Trent Grisham, Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and Fernando Tatis Jr. have all gone yard against Gallen.
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