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Happy Thursday, RotoBallers! Yes, another sport is kicking off tonight, but that doesn't mean our love for baseball DFS fades away. The league has provided a five-game slate for Thursday evening, and there are plenty of spots to build your lineups.
San Diego welcomed Fernando Tatis Jr. back to its lineup this week but didn't need the help. Over the last month, the Padres are in the top seven for OPS (.785) and wOBA (.340) and also have the second-highest batting average (.274) versus right-handed pitching.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 9/5/2024 and the slate locking at 6:40 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.
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Reynaldo Lopez - RHP, ATL vs. Rockies ($9.9K DraftKings; $10.9K FanDuel)
Attacking Colorado outside of Coors Field is always a good DFS strategy. Reynaldo Lopez faces them on Thursday as the most expensive pitcher on the slate. His 28 percent strikeout rate since the All-Star break aligns well with the Rockies' 27.9 percent K rate versus RHPs over the last month.
Reynaldo Lopez's 9th and 10th Ks. 😯 pic.twitter.com/jbFqtWeKR2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 21, 2024
Cody Bradford - RHP, TEX vs. Angels ($7.9K DK; $9.7K FD)
On FanDuel, DFS managers should find the extra $1,200 or $800 to upgrade Cody Bradford to Reynaldo Lopez or Ranger Suarez. However, he's a fantastic SP2 option on DraftKings versus the struggling Angels.
The Rangers righty has at least eight strikeouts in two of his previous three outings and hasn't allowed more than three earned runs since July 30. The Angels own the fourth-highest strikeout rate to RHPs since August 6, along with the lowest OPS (.600) and wOBA (.267)
Also consider: Ranger Suarez at MIA, Jake Irvin at PIT
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Matt Olson - 1B, ATL vs. Austin Gomber ($5.0K DK; $3.2K FD)
Bryce Harper was originally in this spot, but the two-time MVP was hit on the elbow in Wednesday's game and is day-to-day. As a result, Matt Olson steps into the first base slot. He's cheaper than Harper and in better form over the last 10 games.
Olson's FanDuel PPG average is 18.27, while his fellow NL East first baseman looks at 10.12 FD PPG. Combine Olson's form with Austin Gomber's 11.3 percent barrel rate and 48.2 percent hard-hit rate, and it's easy to envision the Braves slugger launching balls over the wall on Thursday evening.
Matt Olson hits one OVER the batter's eye 🚀 pic.twitter.com/PuUQ2PnOMi
— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2024
Andy Ibanez - 2B/1B/3B/OF, DET at Martin Perez ($2.6K DK; $2.7K FD)
In an odd scheduling quirk, Detroit has only faced four Southpaws over the last month. However, whenever the Tigers face an LHP, Andy Ibanez is in the squad and at the top of the lineup. The 31-year-old has hit first or second in the last 22 games against Southpaws for Detroit.
Josh Jung - 3B, TEX vs. Jack Kochanowicz ($4.0K DK; $2.9K FD)
Over the last week, Josh Jung has hit anywhere from third to sixth in the Rangers lineup but still has a 1.048 OPS in that stretch. Despite sporting the second-highest FD PPG (12.41) over the last 10 games at third base, Jung is a significant value as the seventh-most expensive option.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Kyle Schwarber - OF, PHI at Adam Oller ($5.7K DK; $3.7K FD)
Even if Bryce Harper (elbow) misses Thursday's game, Kyle Schwarber can get it done. Over the last week, the Philly slugger has an absurd 1.309 OPS. During the previous two games, he's gone 5-for-9 with five runs, seven RBI, and four home runs. Sign him up!
There have been 2 games in MLB history where a player had:
6+ RBI
5+ times on base
4+ XBH
3+ HR
a leadoff HR
a HR in the 9th or laterBoth were by Kyle Schwarber within the last 30 days. pic.twitter.com/GtkkfKdkHy
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 4, 2024
Jackson Merrill - OF, SD vs. Casey Mize ($4.8K DK; $3.4K FD)
It looked like Paul Skenes was running away with the NL Rookie of the Year award, but Jackson Merrill had other ideas. Over the last month, the Padres outfielder sports a 1.071 OPS with 20 runs, 26 RBI, and 17 extra-base hits.
It speaks to San Diego's depth that Merrill can't even crack the top half of the batting card. Regardless, he's getting the job done in DFS, as his 13.38 FD PPG is the fifth-highest mark among outfielders and the 10th-highest among Thursday's hitters.
Andrew McCutchen - OF, PIT vs. Jake Irvin ($4.1K DK; $3.1K FD)
It's been a comeback year for Andrew McCutchen. The veteran outfielder is on pace to crack 20 home runs for the first time since 2021 with Philadelphia. A knee issue is something to watch in Thursday's lineups, but McCutchen hitting in the heart of the Pirates order is one to watch.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Atlanta Braves vs. Austin Gomber - LHP, COL
Favorite Plays: Michael Harris II, Matt Olson, Sean Murphy
2. Philadelphia Phillies at Adam Oller - RHP, MIA
Favorite Plays: Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber,
3. San Diego Padres vs. Casey Mize - RHP, DET
Favorite Plays: Luis Arraez, Manny Machado, Jake Cronenworth
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