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There are several games with early start times on Wednesday. That will leave us with eight games that make up the main evening slates on DraftKings and FanDuel.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/21/2024, with the slate starting at 7:05 p.m. EDT. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential.
Good luck, RotoBallers!
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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Jack Flaherty vs. SEA ($10,500 DraftKings; $10,900 FanDuel)
With Tyler Glasnow (elbow) now on the injured list, the Dodgers trading for Flaherty looks like an even more important move. He has made three starts with his new team, giving up seven runs and recording 24 strikeouts across 16.2 innings. His strikeout rate is up to 32.2% for the season, which makes him a stellar option for a matchup against a Mariners team that has struck out the most times in baseball.
Jameson Taillon vs. DET ($8,400 DraftKings; $8,000 FanDuel)
Taillon has hit a bit of a rough patch, giving up at least four runs in three of his last four starts. All three of those starts were on the road, where he has a 4.42 FIP and a 1.24 WHIP this season. At home, he has a 3.55 FIP and a 1.12 WHIP. There is bounce-back potential for him at home against the Tigers, who have scored the ninth-fewest runs in baseball.
Nick Martinez at TOR ($6,300 DraftKings; $9,000 FanDuel)
With all of the Reds’ pitching injuries, Martinez has been moved into the starting rotation down the stretch. Over his last three starts, he has given up three runs and recorded 16 strikeouts across 18 innings. He has logged at least six innings and thrown at least 80 pitches in both of his last two starts, so he shouldn’t be on a pitch limit moving forward.
That makes him a viable tournament option against the Blue Jays, who are tied for the 10th-fewest runs scored in baseball.
Also consider: Michael Lorenzen vs. LAA, Ryan Pepiot at OAK
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Bobby Witt Jr. – SS, KC vs. Johnny Cueto ($6,600 DK; $4,700 FD)
Witt stands out as a top target whenever the Royals are playing at home. He has a 1.182 OPS at home this year compared to a .855 OPS on the road. Trying to slow him down will be Cueto, who had a 6.02 ERA and a 7.02 FIP for the Marlins last season. Over 52.1 innings with them, he gave up a whopping 17 home runs. With his power, Witt could produce a monster stat line in this matchup.
Bobby Witt Jr., how did you hit this baseball out?!?! pic.twitter.com/BAMJLhiFnl
— MLB (@MLB) August 14, 2024
Michael Busch – 1B, CHC vs. Kenta Maeda ($4,200 DK; $2,800 FD)
Speaking of pitchers who give up a lot of home runs. Maeda has been taken deep 18 times over 90.1 innings this season. That comes on the heels of him giving up 1.5 HR/9 last season. Whether he starts or follows an opener, Maeda is expected to log multiple innings in this game. Busch has slugged 16 home runs this season, 15 of which have come from right-handed pitchers.
Junior Caminero – 3B, TB vs. Mitch Spence ($3,100 DK; $2,400 FD)
Since being called up from the minors, Caminero is 6-for-25 with five walks and five strikeouts over seven games. He also stole two bases. While he hasn’t hit for much power yet, he did have a .221 ISO at Triple-A. With his talent and cheap salary, he’s a viable tournament option to target. Spence hasn’t been anything special, recording a 4.64 ERA and a 4.38 FIP over 108.2 innings.
Also consider: Jose Ramirez, Vinnie Pasquantino, Zach Neto
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Cody Bellinger – OF/1B, CHC vs. Kenta Maeda ($5,400 DK; $3,200 FD)
Bellinger has disappointed in the power department this year with his .154 ISO. However, two of his home runs have come over his last nine games. He has a history of putting up some impressive power numbers, including his .218 ISO last year. For those looking to deploy a Cubs stack against Maeda, Bellinger should be a part of it.
The first HR of #PlayersWeekend courtesy of Cody Bellinger 💪 pic.twitter.com/UFKxETVWfV
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2024
Seiya Suzuki – OF, CHC vs. Kenta Maeda ($4,700 DK; $3,300 FD)
Suzuki doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Maeda, but that shouldn’t scare anyone away from considering him in DFS. He has a .348 wOBA and a .210 ISO against right-handed pitchers, compared to a .325 wOBA and a .170 ISO versus lefties. He has been making quality contact, in general, with his 11.6% barrel rate and 49.1% hard-hit rate this season.
Jhonkensy Noel – OF, CLE vs. Nestor Cortes Jr. ($3,500 DK; $2,700 FD)
Noel has power. After hitting 18 home runs over 65 games at Triple-A this year, Noel has nine home runs over 37 games with the Guardians. Cortes has dominated left-handed hitters this season, but righties are slugging .470 against him. Of the 21 home runs that he has allowed, 19 of them have been hit by righties. Noel comes with plenty of upside at his cheap salary.
Also consider: Aaron Judge, Jackson Chourio, TJ Friedl
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Cubs vs. Kenta Maeda
- Favorite Plays: Cody Bellinger, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch
2. Royals vs. Johnny Cueto
- Favorite Plays: Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino
3. Yankees vs. Joey Cantillo
- Favorite Plays: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres
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