MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Although 10 games make up the main slate Wednesday in DFS, the night is generally short on elite starting pitching options. It could lead to several high-scoring games. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

Shane Bieber vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $8,300

Bieber’s ERA doesn’t stand out at 4.24, but his 3.02 FIP indicates he has pitched well in his first stint in the majors. Opponents have a .368 BABIP against him, so expect his ERA to improve as that number starts to normalize. He’s only allowed six home runs across 63.2 innings and has provided value in the strikeout department with a 9.3 K/9. The Reds have only averaged 2.8 runs over their last 10 games and have struggled more against right-handed pitching this season, leaving Bieber with significant upside Wednesday.

Tyler Anderson vs. Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $8,400

Anderson was great in his last start against a potent Dodgers lineup, giving up only one run and recording six strikeouts over six innings. He’s now allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts, helping lower his ERA to 3.94 overall. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with an 8.3 K/9, but his 1.20 WHIP would be the best mark of his career. Although Carlos Correa is back, the Astros are still missing two key bats from their lineup in Jose Altuve and George Springer. The Astros have only averaged 3.7 runs across their last 10 games and that includes one contest where they scored 14 runs. Anderson might be worth the risk in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

Freddie Freeman vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100

Although his performance has been overshadowed by the red-hot Ronald Acuna Jr., Freeman has two hits and a home run in both of the last two games against the Marlins. He’s batting .373 over his last 15 contests, recording eight RBI and 11 runs scored during that stretch. Look for another big game from him Wednesday as he is also 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles in his career against Urena.

Danny Jansen vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,100
DraftKings = $3,600

The Blue Jays still haven’t called up Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Jansen is getting his first crack at the majors. He was hitting well in Triple-A, posting a .275 average, .390 OBP and 12 home runs. He’s wasted no time since being recalled, going 3-for-7 with a homer in two games. Lopez has pitched out of the bullpen for the Brewers and their Triple-A affiliate this year and didn’t pitch well at either level, making Jansen a cheap option to target.

Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Ji-Man Choi (first base)

SECOND BASE

Jason Kipnis vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,200

Kipnis’ multi-hit streak ended at three games Tuesday, but he salvaged the evening by walking and stealing a base. He gets to face another subpar pitcher in Stephenson, who has a 5.16 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his major league career. Kipnis’ price is climbing, but he’s still a viable option to consider.

Neil Walker vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

Faria has made two appearances out of the bullpen after a lengthy stint on the DL, allowing one run over 6.2 innings. He’ll return to the rotation Wednesday, a role he struggled in before getting hurt. Walker has had a renaissance at the plate, batting .310 with three home runs in his last 18 games. He’s been a much better hitter against righties this year, as well, making him someone to consider at his cheap price in tournament play.

Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Joey Wendle

THIRD BASE

Jose Ramirez vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,000

Ramirez has destroyed the Reds in the first two games of this series, going 6-for-10 with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored. He now has three straight multi-hit performances, boosting his average up to .305 for the season to go along with 36 homers and 27 steals. With his 195 wRC+ against righties this year, this could be another long night for the Stephenson and the Reds.

Justin Turner vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200

Turner went 3-for-4 with three doubles Tuesday, marking the fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests. He’s still trying to get things going in the home run department, but he’s batting .293 with a .384 OBP and has almost as many walks (24) as he does strikeouts (27). He also has a 191 wRC+ against lefties, giving him an excellent opportunity to shine against Holland.

Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

Didi Gregorius vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,900

Gregorius is in the midst of another productive homestand, going 8-for-23 (.348) over the last six games. It should come as no surprise because although he’s batting just .236 with seven homers on the road, he is batting .302 with 14 home runs at Yankee Stadium. Adding to his appeal against Faria is that Gregorius has a .348 wOBA against right-handers this year.

Willy Adames vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100

Adames has cemented himself as the everyday shortstop for the rest of the season with Adeiny Hechavarria now with the Pirates. He’s taken full advantage of his opportunity, batting .410 with three home runs and four steals in August. Cessa doesn’t have an overwhelming arsenal with a career 6.4 K/9 in the majors, so don’t be surprised if Adames continues to swing a hot bat in this contest.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Freddy Galvis

OUTFIELD

Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,700

At this point, you almost have to play Acuna no matter his price. He’s hitting insanely well, going 16-for-34 (.471) with eight home runs in his last eight games. Add in 15 RBI and 13 runs scored during that stretch and he’s provided tremendous value in DFS. Urena has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts and only has a 7.3 K/9 this year, which could prove troublesome against Acuna.

Mallex Smith vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,800

Smith if 0-for-7 in his last two games, but he’s still batting .364 over his last 24 contests. He’s not a home run hitter, but he did chip in six doubles and four triples during that stretch. He’s a terror on the base paths, too, recording nine steals over that time frame. Smith isn’t cheap on DraftKings, but the price might be right to take a chance on him if you are playing on FanDuel.

Melky Cabrera vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900

Cabrera only has 142 plate appearances this season and he hasn’t exactly thrived with a .266 average and two home runs. He’s not much more than a journeyman outfielder at this stage of his career, but he’s still someone who can provide value in the right matchup. He’s 7-for-12 over his last three games and could be one of the cheaper players to target for an Indians stack.

Others to consider: Justin Upton and Michael Brantley