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It's Lenny Harris day again! I am your late-inning pinch hitter for DFS plays tonight. We have a large 12-gamer on tap and most of them are expected to play. It looks messy for Boston and the Dodgers, but the rest should end up playing.
Now that is out of the way, let's turn the focus to the evening. This article contains my picks for the 12-game main slate on Friday, August 25, 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
Spencer Strider, ATL at SF ($12,800 DK, $12,000 FD)
Strider's numbers against the Giants in two career starts are just goofy. This is video-game stuff right here.
Four hits and 15 strikeouts in 35 at bats. You don't need in-depth analysis here. Strider is a must in cash games and has by far the highest ceiling on the slate. Fade at your own risk.
Cole Irvin, BAL vs. COL ($5,000 DK, $6,200 FD)
Irvin's numbers don't inspire a lot of confidence, but he has a 2.56 ERA over his last 10 appearances (four starts). Irvin hasn't gone deep in those starts and doesn't rack up a ton of strikeouts, but he held the Dodgers to two runs and the Twins to one. The Yankees gave him some trouble, but that was in Yankee Stadium.
This park quashes right-handed power now and Irvin still hasn't allowed a homer to a left-handed hitter on the season. He does a solid job of limiting walks. Irvin is nothing special, but if you're paying for Strider and some bats, Irvin at this price is an absolute gift on DraftKings.
Others to consider: Dylan Cease ($8,900 DK, $9,400 FD) vs. OAK; Brady Singer (DK only; $6,900) at SEA; Bryce Miller (FD only $8,800) vs. KC
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Bryce Harper - 1B/OF, PHI vs. STL ($5,900 DK, $3,800 FD)
I really hate that Harper clogs up our 1B slot on DK since he isn't OF-eligible there anymore. Still, his 5-for-12 mark against Miles Mikolas speaks for itself. Three of those five hits are for extra bases (a double and two homers). Harper is running hot anyway with a .351 average, five homers, nine RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal for the cherry on top over the last ten games. He has homered in each of the last three games. Don't be shocked if this is the fourth.
Pablo Reyes - 2B/SS, BOS vs. LAD ($3,200 DK, $2,300 FD)
I really want to play Zack Gelof again, but I can't afford him with the other bats that I'm spending up for. Reyes is a much better bargain on FD, but I'll use him on either site. Reyes has three multi-hit games already this week with three RBI, three steals, and seven runs scored. If this game avoids the rain, Reyes is the bargain we need.
Ke'Bryan Hayes - 3B, PIT vs. CHC ($4,400 DK, $3,100 FD)
Hayes picked up where he left off in June. Hayes hit a robust .337 in 21 June games before missing most of July with a back injury. He has come back with a .285 average in August with four of his nine homers this month and 14 RBI in 18 games. Hayes always seems to get the better of Kyle Hendricks. He is 6-for-15 against him in his career with a double and a pair of homers.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Ian Happ - OF, CHC at PIT ($4,400 DK, $3,200 FD)
I'm not enamored with any of the top OF options, so if I'm taking a risk anyway, I'll always side with the guy that has history. Happ has hit Mitch Keller well in his career, going 7-for-16 (.438) with five walks, a double, and a pair of homers while only striking out four times. I'll pay up for Kyle Schwarber if I can get there, but if not, Happ looks good in a mini stack in case Keller goes off the rails again.
Anthony Santander - OF, BAL vs. COL ($4,000 DK, $3,200 FD)
Kyle Freeland is one of those freaks of nature that has actually been better at Coors Field than on the road this season. Santander homered three times in the last two games against the Jays, so the new dimensions aren't bothering him much. He still has as many home runs in Baltimore as on the road this season (12).
Tommy Pham - OF, ARI vs. CIN ($3,800 DK, $2,900 FD)
Pham extended his hitting streak to 14 games last night. He has five doubles, a triple, three homers, and 14 RBI in those 14 games. I have no idea how he is still this cheap, but I'm going to keep running him. Getting guaranteed points at any slot in your lineup is very nice.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Miles Mikolas
Mikolas has allowed 11 runs in 11 innings over his last two starts against the Mets and A's. Yikes.
Favorite pieces: Harper, Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm
Also consider: Baltimore Orioles vs. Kyle Freeland
Freeland has a 5.40 ERA in 11 road starts and 4.68 ERA in 13 starts as Coors Field. Make it make sense...but not before I stack Orioles against him!
Favorite pieces: Santander, Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson
Sneaky Stack: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Yu Darvish
Darvish is winless in August and has allowed eight runs over his last two starts. This isn't a full-stack situation, but a couple of Brewers have hit him hard in the past. I will have a Brewers mini in one lineup tonight.
Favorite pieces: Christian Yelich, William Contreras, Carlos Santana
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