Happy Wednesday, RotoBallers! I’m excited to be covering another fun DFS slate. The MLB season has been good to me in the early going, so I’m looking forward to sifting through another crop of games. Let’s break down my favorite plays from today’s main slate!
With several games scattered throughout the day, we’re left with a nine-game evening main slate. Today’s matchups feature no shortage of pitching options, opening up plenty of opportunities to get creative with your lineup builds. I’ll point out the standout plays.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks on 8/9/2023 and the main slate locking at 7:05 pm ET. 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. It’s also essential to monitor injury news and today’s MLB starting lineups. Now that we got all that out of the way, it’s onto the picks!
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers – MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Shohei Ohtani, LAA vs. SF ($11,300 DK, $11,200 FD)
We’ve got a deep pitching slate today, and if you don’t feel inclined to pay all the way up to the top, I can’t blame you. That said, Ohtani brings the highest ceiling of any pitcher and will be my preferred SP1. Through 21 starts, he sports a strong 3.73 xERA and 3.52 xFIP. That includes a .205 xBA, .369 xSLG, 86.5 MPH average exit velocity, and 35.7% hard-hit rate. Ohtani’s weakness is issuing a 10.1% walk rate, but I’m willing to overlook that when he strikes out hitters at a 31.8% rate.
The Giants aren’t an exceptionally weak opponent, but it’s a favorable spot for pitching. San Francisco scores just 4.4 runs per game on the season. That includes a 99 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, alongside similarly middling numbers, like a .726 OPS, .316 wOBA, and a generous 24.8% strikeout rate.
Yu Darvish, SD vs. SEA ($8,800 DK, $9,800 FD)
Moving on to the mid-range of pitching options, Yu Darvish looks to be a strong value. His 4.41 ERA isn’t much to look at. but the underlying numbers are much more encouraging. Darvish carries a respectable 3.65 xERA and 3.87 xFIP. That includes similarly impressive numbers, such as a .298 xwOBA, .372 xSLG, .232 xBA, and a 25.4% strikeout rate. Darvish doesn’t excel in any one category, though he is above average in pretty much every regard.
The Mariners’ offense has turned it up lately, but they still don’t strike fear into anyone. Seattle scores 4.5 runs per game on the season. They boast a middling 103 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, alongside a .716 OPS and .312 wOBA. They also strike out at a bloated 26.2% rate, the second-highest in the majors.
Also consider: Kevin Gausman, Max Fried, Nick Pivetta
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders – MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Matt Olson – 1B, ATL vs. Quinn Priester ($6,300 DK, $4,400 FD)
It’s unoriginal to suggest the National League home run leader, but that doesn’t make it wrong. Matt Olson carries an outstanding 154 OPS+ with 39 home runs this season. That includes a phenomenal .580 xSLG, 95.1 MPH average exit velocity, 19% barrel rate, 58.2% hard-hit rate, and .398 xwOBA.
Quinn Priester’s MLB sample size is small, but it hasn’t been pretty. Through four starts, he sports an 8.69 ERA and 5.26 xFIP. That includes a .443 xSLG, 9.5% barrel rate, and 42.9% hard-hit rate. Priester didn’t give up many home runs in the minor leagues, but he posted a weak 4.31 ERA in Triple-A this season. The future may be bright for the rookie, but he’s unprepared for MLB hitting at this time.
Gunnar Henderson – 3B/SS, BAL vs. Cristian Javier ($4,900 DK, $3,200 FD)
Henderson carries a .243/.330/.475 slash line with a 122 wRC+ and 19 home runs. His underlying metrics are even more impressive, including a 53% hard-hit rate, 92.5 MPH average exit velocity, .453 xSLG, 11.3% barrel rate, and .345 xwOBA.
Cristian Javier may still carry some brand value, but he has regressed significantly in 2023. Through 21 outings, he carries a 4.72 xERA and 5.11 xFIP. That includes a .471 xSLG and a 10.7% barrel rate. Left-handed hitters have been particularly troublesome for Javier, touching him up to the tune of a .496 slugging percentage and .358 wOBA.
Jake Bauers – 1B/OF, NYY vs. Mike Clevinger ($2,800 DK, $2,700 FD)
Bauers has more pop than his price tag gives him credit for. He sports a 114 wRC+ and 11 home runs this season. That consists of a surprising .541 xSLG, 51.3% hard-hit rate, .367 xwOBA, and 20.9% barrel rate. He typically hits atop the Yankees lineup against right-handed pitchers and should be an excellent value today.
Mike Clevinger isn’t what he used to be. He sports a 4.59 xERA and 5.54 xFIP through 14 starts. Clevinger has surrendered a .425 xSLG, .251 xBA, and .331 xwOBA. Left-handed hitters are slugging .451 against him this season.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders – MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Luis Robert Jr. – OF, CWS vs. Luis Severino ($5,500 DK, $4,000 FD)
Due largely to improved health, Robert is having by far the best season of his career. He carries a .269/.323/.562 slash line with 31 home runs and a 136 wRC+. Robert is crushing the ball this season, posting a .523 xSLG and a 15.2% barrel rate. Every game looks good for Robert, but he’s in a particularly great spot today.
Luis Severino looks lost in 2023. He’s surrendered a horrible .522 xSLG, .297 xBA, .385 xwOBA, 45.8% hard-hit rate, and 11.2% barrel rate. That all amounts to a 6.53 xERA and 5.13 xFIP.
Cody Bellinger – 1B/OF, CHC vs. David Peterson ($5,300 DK, $4,200 FD)
Bellinger is on an absolute tear. Since July 1, he sports a 1.163 OPS with 10 home runs. Overall, he’s slashing .331/.382/.557 for the season. Bellinger has been particularly effective against left-handed pitching, slugging .632 against them with a 183 wRC+.
David Peterson doesn’t present a particularly challenging matchup. He sports a 4.75 xERA, including a .267 xBA, .418 xSLG, and 44% hard-hit rate. Like Bellinger, Peterson has some fairly remarkable reverse splits this season, surrendering a .573 slugging percentage to left-handed hitters.
Ryan O’Hearn – 1B/OF, BAL vs. Cristian Javier ($2,900 DK, $2,700 FD)
Harping again on the Orioles, O’Hearn is too good of a value play to ignore. He carries a .307/.344/.508 slash line with nine home runs this season. That includes a .490 xSLG, 10.5% barrel rate, 92.2 MPH average exit velocity, and 54.2% hard-hit rate.
I touched on Cristian Javier’s struggles against left-handed hitters above.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Chicago Cubs vs. David Peterson
Favorite Plays: Cody Bellinger, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Mike Tauchman, Christopher Morel
Atlanta Braves vs. Quinn Priester
Favorite Plays: Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna
Also Consider: Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles
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