MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/2019

Thursday’s eight-game slate marks the start of a few exciting series, including the Reds hosting the Cubs and the Indians facing the Twins. We also have another opportunity for some DFS fun, so let’s discuss the matchups and which players to target. 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 Nola vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $10,800
DraftKings = $10,600

The Giants are a lineup to exploit. They struggle to score runs, in general, but they have been really bad with a 72 wRC+ at home. That sets up Nola as a great option even though he hasn’t been as impressive as he was last season. The good news is that he’s really been productive in the strikeout department, racking up 73 punchouts over his last 61.1 innings. While he’ll eat up a significant portion of your budget, the returns here could be tremendous.

Dallas Keuchel vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,000

While targeting pitchers going against the Giants has usually been a sound strategy, so has those facing the Marlins. They’ve been even more futile, scoring the fewest runs and hitting the fewest home runs in baseball. Kuechel doesn’t carry nearly the strikeout upside that Nola does, but he’s done a fine job since signing with the Braves, allowing three runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts. Expect him to be a popular option given his reasonable price.

CATCHER

Austin Romine vs. Thomas Pannone, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100

After destroying the Orioles, the Yankees will continue to their road trip against another bad team in their division. While the Blue Jays haven’t been as putrid as the Orioles, this is a great opportunity for the Yankees’ lineup to keep things rolling against Pannone, who has a 4.76 FIP and a 1.37 WHIP. Romine has done a fantastic job of filling in for Gary Sanchez (groin), hitting 14-for-36 (.389) with four home runs and four doubles over his last 12 games.

Others to consider: Christian Vazquez

FIRST BASE

Gio Urshela vs. Thomas Pannone, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,600

Urshela missed the first two games against the Orioles while nursing a leg injury, but he came back in style Wednesday by hitting two home runs. He’s currently on a nine-game hitting streak that has seen him hit 17-for-34 with four home runs and six doubles. Of note, he is only eligible at first base on FanDuel since he is listed at third base on DraftKings.

Others to consider: Freddie Freeman and Sam Travis

SECOND BASE

Michael Chavis vs. Dillon Peters, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,600

The Red Sox are going to be a popular option here against Peters. The Angels don’t have much choice but to keep throwing him out there, but he’s been bad with a 5.23 FIP and a 1.42 WHIP. He’s also allowed five home runs over 25.1 innings, which is a stat that makes Chavis an intriguing option. He’s shown plenty of power during his first stint in the majors, slugging 18 home runs over 91 games. As far as the more cost-effective options on the Red Sox go, he stands out as someone to consider.

Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Jason Kipnis

THIRD BASE

Jose Ramirez vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings =$4,300

A lot of the Indians’ early struggles to score runs can be attributed to Ramirez’s poor play. However, he’s completely turned the corner with a 1.000 OPS across his last 40 games, which is one of the main reasons why they are right back in the thick of things in the AL Central. He had a wRC+ of at least 147 against right-handed pitchers in both of the prior two seasons, so there is a favorable chance that he keeps things rolling here versus Gibson.

Others to consider: DJ LeMahieu and Hunter Dozier

SHORTSTOP

Xander Bogaerts vs. Dillon Peters, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Bogaerts has become one of the most prolific offensive shortstops in baseball. He’s already reached a career-high with 25 home runs and being part of the Red Sox potent lineup has helped him accumulate 87 RBI and 90 runs scored. There are several good shortstops on the board for this slate with Bogaerts having as high of an upside as any of them.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Johan Camargo

OUTFIELD

J.D. Martinez vs. Dillon Peters, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300

Before Wednesday’s game against the Royals was suspended due to rain, Martinez had slugged yet another home run, giving him five over his last 12 games. He has an outstanding 243 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this year, so it’s not difficult to make a case for him being one of the most appealing options at any position Thursday.

Cameron Maybin vs. Thomas Pannone, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,600

The acquisition of Maybin seemed minor at the time, but he’s proven to be one of the key players who has helped the Yankees remain successful despite a litany of injuries. His 150 wRC+ is by far the highest mark of his career and he’s scored 35 runs in just 51 games. He’s dealt with his own injury issues, but he’s healthy now and hitting 12-for-32 (.375) with two home runs and four doubles over his last nine games.

Ender Inciarte vs. Elieser Hernandez, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4.000

With Nick Markakis (wrist) and Austin Riley (knee) on the IL, Inciarte is going to receive plenty of playing time. He’s been limited to only 57 games due to injury, but he’s hitting 14-for-42 (.333) with two home runs, three doubles and two steals over his last 11 games. Hernandez has allowed a .393 wOBA to left-handed hitters during his career, making Inciarte an intriguing cheap option for tournament play.

Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Jorge Soler

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.