MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/2019

All 30 teams will be in action Tuesday, leaving us with plenty of players to pick from in DFS. From top-tier pitchers to lineups with tremendous upside, there are a few different routes to consider when constructing your entry.  Let’s break down some of the better players to pursue. 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

Aaron Sanchez vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $6,800

We have two very contrasting prices for Sanchez here. He’s likely going to be very popular at his price in DraftKings, but he also makes sense on FanDuel considering his favorable matchup against the Tigers. While he was hit hard in his last outing, it came against an A’s team that has significantly more talent. Before that, he had allowed one run across 11 innings versus two bad lineups in the Orioles and Mariners. Look for him to exploit another weak opponent.

Cole Hamels vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Wrigley Field
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $7,800

If you’re playing in tournament play on FanDuel, Hamels makes for a great option. He’s been hit hard in his last two starts, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) over five innings. However, he has a 3.69 ERA and a 3.72 WHIP for the season despite those poor outings. Facing the Giants is almost as enticing as going up against the Tigers, especially since the Giants have an 82 wRC+ against lefties. Even though his strikeout upside isn’t great, Hamels still has an excellent chance to provide value.

CATCHER

Carson Kelly vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,100

The Diamondbacks figure to be one of the most popular stacks of the night with Freeland on the mound. He has ugly stats pretty much across the board, including a 6.13 FIP and a 1.61 WHIP. Kelly has shown plenty of power with his .283 ISO and has crushed lefties to the tune of a 192 wRC+.

Others to consider: Will Smith

FIRST BASE

Matt Adams vs. Chris Archer, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,000

The Nationals are as hot as it gets right now, scoring at least 13 runs in four of their last five games. Adams has been right in the thick of the production, compiling six hits and two home runs over their last two contests. With Archer posting a 5.07 FIP and a 1.41 WHIP, Adams is a cost-effective option to target who also provides power upside.

Others to consider: Freddie Freeman and Yuli Gurriel

SECOND BASE

Ketel Marte vs. Kyle Freeland, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,400

After sitting out three of the four previous games, Marte returned in style Monday with a home run. He’s been one of the more pleasant offensive surprises this season, recording a .394 wOBA and a 141 wRC+. He’s been even better with a 154 wRC+ against southpaws, leaving him as one of the best options on the slate against the underwhelming Freeland.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and Austin Nola

THIRD BASE

David Fletcher vs. Brock Burke, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,100

With the Rangers short on quality arms, they’ll take a chance on Burke in this outing against the Angels. He’s only made two appearances in his career above Double-A, so this is a big jump for the young lefty. Facing a dangerous Angels’ lineup at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park won’t make his job any easier. Fletcher can be had at a reasonable price on both sites and enters this contest having gone 14-for-39 (.359) with four doubles over his last nine games.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Anthony Rendon

SHORTSTOP

Trea Turner vs. Chris Archer, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,100

Turner has been a monster for the Nationals down the stretch, hitting 22-for-63 (.349) with four home runs and four steals over his last 15 games. When healthy, his upside is off the charts. Given how poorly Archer has pitched and how hot the Nationals’ lineup is, Turner is in a prime spot for another productive stat line.

Others to consider: Jean Segura and Corey Seager

OUTFIELD

Juan Soto vs. Chris Archer, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,100

Soto makes this list for the second straight day after coming through yesterday, hitting 4-for-4 with two doubles and four runs scored. While he might not grab as many headlines as some of the other up and coming young players in the league, he’s as talented as any of them with his ability to hit for power and a high average. If you are rolling with the Nationals once again, he should be at the center of the stack.

Brain Anderson vs. Dallas Keuchel, Atlanta Braves
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300

The last time we saw Keuchel take the mound against the Marlins, he was torched for eight runs over 3.2 innings. Anderson hit two home runs off of him in that contest and has a career-high 20 for the season, overall. Considering Keuchel has allowed 1.5 HR/9 since joining the Braves, taking a chance on Anderson getting to him again could prove to be profitable.

Scott Heineman vs. Jaime Barria, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $3,300

The Rangers are running out of healthy players. Joey Gallo (wrist) is still on the IL and both Danny Santana and Nomar Mazara left Monday’s contest with injuries. That should open up more playing time for Heineman, who had racked up a .407 wOBA at Triple-A. With how little he costs on both sites, he makes for a great tournament play option if you need to save some money in your outfield.

Others to consider: Adam Eaton and Justin Upton

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.