DraftKings FanDuel MLB Lineup Picks for August 4, 2017
*Chris Durell*
DraftKings / FanDuel MLB Lineup Picks for August 3, 2017
Welcome back for another TGIF edition of our daily fantasy baseball picks. We have a two-game afternoon slate today but I will be looking at my top pitchers and stacks for the main slate starting at 7:05 p.m. ET tonight. Let’s jump right in.
Starting Pitchers
James Paxton
Opponent – @ KC
Park – Kauffman Stadium
Vegas Favorite (SEA -160)
Vegas Total (8.5)
There are a ton of options at the top tonight including Darvish in his start as a Dodger going up against deGrom of the Mets. I think both are nice tournament options with the Vegas line so close but for my main pitcher I will turn to James Paxton who may even come low owned due to the high price. The Royals are in the bottom third of the league when looking at runs scored and are a tick worse against left-handed pitching with a .307 wOBA and 87 wRC+. Paxton has been one of the best pitchers in the league since the All Star break with a 4-0 record, 1.04 ERA and 11.8 K/9 rate. The Royals only K about league average vs. lefties but the overall floor and win potential are enough for me to rank Paxton #1 tonight in the top tier.
Eduardo Rodriguez
Opponent – vs. CWS
Park – Fenway Park
Vegas Favorite (BOS -190)
Vegas Total (9.5)
With a sub $7K price tag on DraftKings and a moneyline of -190, Eduardo Rodriguez is my top SP2 tonight. His control issues are well documented(3.6 BB/9) but he has also shown some big upside with a 9.99 K/9 rate through 13 starts. Most of the struggles have come on the road this season where he holds an ERA over a run higher and K/9 rate that is 2.3 strikeouts per nine less. There is definitely some risk but the matchup vs. the White Sox is too much to pass up. Despite ranking much higher against left-handed pitching this season, they have struggled a ton lately with a .294 wOBA, 80 wRC+, and 25.4% K rate over the last 14 days.
Top Stacks
Boston Red Sox vs. Carlos Rodon (CWS)
Not only are the Red Sox the highest projected scoring team tonight outside of the Rockies, they have also been red hot lately. Over the last seven days they lead all teams with a .389 wOBA, 140 wRC+, and are one of four teams with an ISO over .200 in that time. Yes, it’s a small sample size but they also rank inside the Top 10 in overall runs scored this season despite seeing a down trend in the power with Big Papi retired. The hit lefties well and show great patience which is perfect facing Carlos Rodon who is borderline wild walking just under six per nine. He does have huge K upside(11.61 K/9) but also gives up the long ball with 23.3% HR/FB rate. I look for the Red Sox to stay hot tonight making them my top stack.
Top Hitters to Target: Mookie Betts, Eduardo Nunez, Hanley Ramirez, Rafael Devers
Houston Astros vs. Cesar Valdez (TOR)
The Astros have slipped a bit offensively lately with the loss of Carlos Correa and George Springer to the DL but the good news is Springer may be back tonight. Despite the fact the Astros hit in the best pitchers park in the league, they have an elite matchup vs. Cesar Valdez. The Jays moved him from the bullpen to the rotation and he looked good in his first start(6 IP, 1 ER, 4 K’s) but got beat up in his second start(2 IP, 6 ER, 2 K’s). Overall this season, he sits with a 6.59 ERA, 4.67 xFIP, and best of all, he gives up nearly 50% hard contact. If Springer is out of the lineup, the value goes up as Derek Fisher should slide back to the leadoff spot.
Top Hitters to Stack: Jose Altuve, Josh Reddick, Derek Fisher, Yulieski Gurriel, George Springer(if back in lineup)