MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/14/2019

The majority of Wednesday’s slate consists of early start times, so we don’t have as many options to choose from as usual for the main evening slate in DFS. There are still some appealing pitchers, but finding viable hitters might be a bit more difficult. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 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

Clayton Kershaw vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $11,800

Kershaw stands out as the top pitcher to target. It doesn’t get much better than a matchup against the Marlins. While they have some promising young pitchers, their lineup is still very much in the early stages of the rebuilding process. The last time we saw Kershaw take on the Marlins, he recorded 10 strikeouts over six shutout innings. He’ll certainly do a number on your budget, but he has the potential to be a difference-maker during such a small slate.

Marco Gonzales vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $7,700
DratfKings = $8,700

The Tigers have been neck and neck with the Marlins this season in terms of offensive futility. Not only do they struggle to score runs, but they’ve struck out the fourth-most times in baseball. In Gonzales’ previous matchup against them, he allowed one run and recorded eight strikeouts over seven impressive innings. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 11 starts, overall, making him arguably the top pitching target if you want to fade Kershaw.

CATCHER

Will Smith vs. Elieser Hernandez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Smith has made his mark with the Dodgers, recording an incredible .493 ISO through his first 23 games. While Marlins Park is a more pitcher-friendly environment, that didn’t stop Smith from going deep twice Tuesday. Hernandez has struggled with his 5.67 FIP, leaving Smith with the potential for another impressive day at the plate.

Others to consider: Omar Narvaez

FIRST BASE

Pete Alonso vs. Dallas Keuchel, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,500

Alonso has not disappointed in his first season in the big leagues, posting a .331 ISO. He’s also torched left-handed pitchers to the tune of a 154 wRC+, making him an intriguing option against Keuchel. After allowing three home runs in his last outing against the Marlins, Keuchel has now given up 11 long balls across 59.2 innings.

Others to consider: Daniel Vogelbach and Josh Bell

SECOND BASE

Ozzie Albies vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,200

Matz has some pretty extreme splits. While he has a 2.98 FIP and a 1.12 WHIP at Citi Field, he has a 6.43 FIP and a 1.67 WHIP on the road. He’ll certainly face a tough foe in the Braves, who have scored the sixth-most runs in baseball. Albies has a 190 wRC+ against southpaws, making him one of the top players on the Braves to target.

Others to consider: Max Muncy and Niko Goodrum

THIRD BASE

Jose Osuna vs. Dillon Peters, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,600

On the surface, Peters looks like he has pitched well with his 3.45 ERA. However, he has a 5.26 FIP and a 1.34 WHIP, so his supporting numbers tell a very different story. The Pirates are still a viable stack to pursue with Osuna presenting an intriguing option, especially at his price on FanDuel. He’s on a hot streak right now, hitting 17-for-44 (.386) with three home runs and seven doubles over his last 15 games. He also has a .348 wOBA against lefties for the season, overall.

Others to consider: Kyle Seager and Todd Frazier

SHORTSTOP

Kevin Newman vs. Dillon Peters, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

Continuing to attack this matchup against Peters brings us to Newman. Generally speaking, his .325 wOBA and 100 wRC+ are nothing to write home about. Still, he’s a tough out based on his 12.3 percent strikeout rate. He won’t cost much on either site, making him someone to at least consider in tournament play.

Others to consider: Corey Seager and J.P. Crawford

OUTFIELD

Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Steven Matz, New York Mets
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,700

There are few players in baseball with the type of upside that Acuna has. He’s a terror both at the plate and on the base paths, hitting 36-for-109 (.330) with 11 home runs and 12 stolen bases across his last 25 games. With Matz’s struggles on the road already detailed, Acuna is someone to build your entry around.

Domingo Santana vs. Edwin Jackson, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400

Santana is slumping hard right now, hitting 3-for-30 (.100) over his last 10 games. Even with that poor stretch, he still has shown plenty of power with 21 home runs. Jackson has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball and has allowed 3.4 HR/9, so this could be just the matchup that Santana needs to get back on track.

J.D. Davis vs. Dallas Keuchel, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,900

With Dominic Smith (foot) on the IL, Davis has a clear path to playing time. He hasn’t let the opportunity go to waste, hitting 29-for-73 (.397) with five home runs and seven doubles over his last 23 games. Add in his .378 wOBA against lefties and he stands out as one of the best players to consider for a Mets stack, especially at his reasonable price on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Cody Bellinger and Alex Gordon

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.