MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 4/18/2019
Thursday brings another limited evening slate that is thin on quality starting pitching options. Hitting might not be hard to come by, so selecting the correct pitchers could be the key to ending the night in the money. Let’s breakdown the matchups to see where an advantage can be gained. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our MLB Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
STARTING PITCHERS
Chris Paddack vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $9,100
With how sparse the starting pitching options are for this slate, Paddack stands out as the best option. The highly-touted prospect has started off his major league career on a high note, allowing three runs (two earned) across his first 14 innings. He’s also recorded 16 strikeouts and figures to be a difference maker in that category. The Reds have scored the third-fewest runs (58) in the league, making Paddack even more appealing.
Tanner Roark vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,200
After Paddack, the rest of the pitching options all have their flaws. The problem with Roark is that he only has a 19 percent strikeout rate for his career. However, he does do a good job of limiting home runs and he has just a 1.22 WHIP for his career. The Padres are tied for the eighth-fewest runs scored (68) in the early going, so Roark might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.
CATCHER
J.T. Realmuto vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,000
This game immediately sticks out as one to target since it’s being played at Coors Field. Freeland recorded an impressive 2.85 ERA last year, but his 4.22 xFIP indicates he wasn’t exactly dominant. After getting off to a slow start with his new team, Realmuto has rebounded to hit 11-for-31 (.355) with a home run and two doubles across his last eight games.
Others to consider: Omar Narvaez
FIRST BASE
Ji-Man Choi vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,700
Choi recorded two hits and a home run Wednesday while extending his current hitting streak to six games. Even though left-handed pitchers have given him a problem, he’s someone to seek out whenever a righty is on the mound considering his career .350 wOBA against them. It also helps his cause in this game that Cashner allowed a .361 wOBA to left-handed hitters last year.
Others to consider: Rhys Hoskins and Daniel Vogelbach
SECOND BASE
Brandon Lowe vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,400
After having his nine-game hitting streak snapped Tuesday, Lowe rebounded to hit 2-for-4 with a home run and a double Wednesday. He’s off to a spectacular start with a 164 wRC+ and normally finds himself batting fifth in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. With Cashner’s struggles against lefties already detailed, Lowe is another Ray to target for your lineup.
Others to consider: Cesar Hernandez and Garrett Hampson
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado vs. Zach Eflin, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,400
The Rockies playing the majority of their games on the road this year has put a damper on Arenado’s numbers. Over the only five games in which they’ve played at Coors Field, Arenado is 6-for-19 (.316) with four RBI. He’ll look to get things rolling during the Rockies seven-game homestand, which kicks off with a favorable matchup against Eflin. Despite getting off to a strong start with a 3.47 xFIP, he’s allowed four home runs across 16 innings. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering he’s allowed 1.6 HR/9 for his career.
Others to consider: Maikel Franco and Yandy Diaz
SHORTSTOP
Scott Kingery vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,000
The Phillies have high hopes for Kingery, but he struggled last season with a .263 wOBA. After acquiring Jean Segura during the offseason, playing time was going to be hard for Kingery to find this year. However, with Segura currently dealing with a hamstring injury, Kingery has been forced into a starting role. He’s proven to be a much more dangerous offensive force so far, hitting 9-for-17 with two home runs and four doubles across his last five games. Of note, Kingery is only listed at shortstop on FanDuel as he is eligible at second base and third base on DraftKings.
Others to consider: Trevor Story and Andrelton Simmons
OUTFIELD
Austin Meadows vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,000
The last left-handed hitter facing Cashner that I’ll focus on is Meadows, who is off to a great start with his 200 wRC+. The highly-touted prospect is locked into the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching, which leaves him with added opportunities to accumulate plate appearances. With the potential for the Rays to put up a crooked number in this contest, Meadows could once again thrive.
Domingo Santana vs. Chris Stratton, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,900
After two tough series against the Astros and Indians, the Mariners will look to catch their breath against a bad Angels starting rotation. Stratton hasn’t been fooling anyone this year, allowing 26 baserunners across 13 innings. He’s recorded a 1.48 WHIP for his career, so this isn’t exactly anything new for him. Santana has posted a 167 wRC+ now that he’s playing every day again, so he has plenty of upside despite his expensive price.
Jay Bruce vs. Chris Stratton, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,500
Continuing to pile on against Stratton, Bruce checks in as a more cost-effective option to consider. He has a staggering 32.9 percent strikeout rate so far, but he’s still provided power with eight home runs. He has a career .231 ISO versus righties, so taking a chance on him going deep Thursday could pay off.
Others to consider: Kevin Kiermaier and Brian Goodwin