MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/20/18

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Monday brings plenty of options in DFS with 10 games on the schedule. It should be an exciting night with games including the Indians against the Red Sox, the Astros versus the Mariners and the Cardinals taking on the Dodgers. 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

Zack Wheeler vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,300

In what has been a lost season for the Mets, Wheeler has made significant improvements. After finishing with a 5.21 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in 2017, he has a 3.75 ERA and a 3.43 FIP this year. Not only has he reduced his WHIP from 1.59 to 1.23, but he’s allowed 0.8 HR/9 compared to 1.6 HR/9 last year. He’s on a hot streak right now, as well, allowing five runs and recording 30 strikeouts over 33 innings in his last five starts. The Giants have the third-lowest OPS on the road (.664) in baseball, potentially setting up Wheeler for a great performance.

Kevin Gausman vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100

Gausman has pitched well since joining the Braves, allowing five runs across 19 innings in three starts. He only had 12 total strikeouts, but it’s encouraging that he also allowed just one home run. Homers have been a problem for him this season since he’s allowed 1.4 HR/9 overall. The move from the American League to the National League can provide a big boost for pitchers, which could be the case even more so for Gausman since he was pitching in the AL East. The Pirates are in the bottom third of baseball in home runs, so Gausman might be worth considering in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

Matt Olson vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

Bartolo Colon was originally scheduled to start Sunday, but he was pushed back a day after dealing with some back stiffness. That’s good news for Olson and the A’s since Colon has a 5.19 ERA and has allowed 1.7 HR/9. Olson only has a .309 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, but he has a .348 wOBA against righties. He’s hit 19 of his 23 homers off of righties as well.

Ji-Man Choi vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rays could prove to be a productive stack Monday. Lopez mostly pitched in relief for the Brewers Triple-A squad this season, posting a 5.65 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. His first start for the Royals did not go well as he allowed six runs over 4.2 innings to the Blue Jays. Choi is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and he has a .349 wOBA against righties, making him a great cheap option with upside.

Others to consider: Jesus Aguilar (first base) and Robinson Chirinos (catcher)

SECOND BASE

Travis Shaw vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

The Brewers will likely be another popular stack with Bailey starting for the Reds. Bailey allowed 10 runs over 8.2 innings in his last two starts and has a 6.33 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP overall. He’s had trouble keeping hitters inside the park, as well, giving up 1.9 HR/9. Shaw has plenty of power and has hit 23 of his 24 home runs against righties this year.

Joey Wendle vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,900

Wendle might not be flashy, but he’s batting .327 with 12 RBI so far in August. He doesn’t hit many home runs, but he’s been a reliable hitter for the Rays with a .291 average this season. He doesn’t have nearly the ceiling that Shaw does, but that doesn’t mean he can’t provide value at this price against the underwhelming Lopez.

Others to consider: Rougned Odor and Brian Dozier

THIRD BASE

Justin Turner vs. Austin Gomber, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Turner is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now as he is 24-for-52 (.462) with three homers and six doubles during his current 13-game hitting streak. Gomber has largely pitched well for the Cardinals, but with the way Turner is hitting and his 175 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers this season, don’t count on his hitting streak ending Monday.

Matt Chapman vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Chapman is not only one of the premier defensive third baseman in baseball, he’s one of the best defenders in general. He seems to make sparkling plays on a nightly basis, but he’s done far more than just excel in the field. He’s made a significant improvement at the plate, batting .276 with a .363 OBP. He’s batting .311 with four homers in August and is another A’s hitter to consider against Colon.

Others to consider: Mike Moustakas and Todd Frazier

SHORTSTOP

Jorge Polanco vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

There is no shortage of bad starting pitchers scheduled to appear Monday. Giolito has managed to stay in the White Sox rotation the entire season, but he’s been awful with a 6.15 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He’s had significant control problems, issuing 72 walks compared to only 91 strikeouts. Polanco might not have a ton of power, but he does have a stellar .395 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Jose Peraza vs. Chase Anderson, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,500

Peraza has been more disciplined at the plate this year, recording only a 10.4% strikeout rate. He still doesn’t walk a lot, but his .292 batting average is a significant improvement from his .259 mark last season. Although he’s not a power hitter, he has slugged a home run in both of his last two games and has at least two hits in four-straight contests. I prefer Polanco out of the two as they both have similar prices, but Peraza could also provide value for your entry.

Others to consider: Amed Rosario and Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

Khris Davis vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $5,000

The A’s have not only played their way into the Wild Card race, but they are also giving the Astros a run for their money in the AL West. Davis has been a huge reason for their success, hitting 36 home runs to go along with 98 RBI. He’s well on his way to his third-straight season with at least 40 homers and 100 RBI. With Colon’s propensity to give up the long ball, Davis could be in for a monster night.

Max Kepler vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,900

Kepler struggles with his batting average, but he’s followed up his 19 home runs in 2017 with 16 homers so far this season. He’s actually having a respectable month, overall, in August, batting .255 with a .367 wOBA. Giolito has allowed a .374 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Kepler a viable option at this cheap price in tournament play.

Mallex Smith vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,600

Although the Rays acquired Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows at the trade deadline, Smith isn’t going anywhere in their outfield. He’s been red-hot since July 1, batting .365 with a .448 OBP. He’s a terror when he’s on the bases, swiping 11 bags during that stretch and 26 for the season overall. With Lopez’s struggles to keep runners off base, Smith carries plenty of upside in this game despite his lack of power.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain