DraftKings MLB Picks For July 18
There are 11 games on the docket tonight, and we have a few aces taking the mound. Where can we cut corners to afford one. Should we even bother? Is there a middle tier pitcher who will score like an ace? Let’s check the past stats to see if we can figure it out!
More from DraftKings
- DraftKings Open Championship picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
- Genesis Scottish Open DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
- Rocket Mortgage Classic DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
- US Open DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
- RBC Canadian Open DraftKings picks 2023: Best PGA DFS golf lineup
NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some players have never faced their opponents, or have very little experience against them. I am not saying that none of those are good picks. The highest scorer of the day could be someone with no experience against his opponent. This is based on statistical analysis only. If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players.
Tyler Anderson has never faced the Rays, and you may shy away from him because this game is at Coors Field, but don’t. Anderson carries a 2.63 ERA in four starts at Coors Field in his career. He could be a great bargain.
Steven Matz gave up three runs in 5.1 innings while striking out six in his only other career start against the Cubs on June 30th. I didn’t recommend him then, and I wont now. There are better options.
Matt Wisler had one of his best starts of the season back on June 16th against the Reds, giving up two runs on eight hits while striking out five in 6.2 innings. Still, those numbers aren’t good enough for me to use him in Cincinnati.
Wade LeBlanc has never faced the White Sox, but he has a respectable 3.52 ERA and 0.98 WHIP so far this year. Keep in mind that he doesn’t strike out hardly anyone, and is facing one of the best pitchers in the American League. He is a big risk.
Drew Smyly has never faced the Rockies, and you likely don’t want to use a guy with a 5.47 ERA in Coors Field.
For you first time players, if you would like two free $20 entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $20 into more!
Next: Pitcher Picks
Best Bets:
Jose Fernandez ($13,800): Fernandez has dominated the current Phillies lineup. They are hitting just .162 off of him in 37 at bats with no extra base hits, two runs, and 11 strikeouts. That may not be an elite strikeout total, but this kind of dominance is worth paying for.
Chris Sale ($12,200): Sale has had yet another strong season so far, going 14-3 with a 3.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. The current Mariners are also hitting only .218 off of him in 87 at bats with two homers, five runs, and 27 strikeouts. He has better strikeout potential than Fernandez, and is pitching at Safeco. He is a very good alternative to Fernandez.
Honorable Mention:
Aaron Nola ($8,300): Facing Jose Fernandez is a daunting assignment, but Nola has a puncher’s chance since he has held the Marlins to a .200 average in 45 at bats. He has allowed only three runs, but has only seven strikeouts. He will never rack up the strikeouts, but solid production is not out of the question.
Mike Leake ($8,200): The Padres are hitting a respectable .250 against Mike Leake in 96 at bats, but have only scored seven runs and struck out 21 times. Christian Bethancourt and Travis Jankowski have both taken Leake deep, but it is also their only respective hits off of him. The increased strikeouts against the Padres may make Leake a more attractive option.
Nick Tropeano ($7,900): The Rangers are hitting just .228 against Tropeano in 57 at bats with five runs, but only 12 strikeouts. Tropeano dazzled against the Rangers back on May 23rd, going 6.2 scoreless innings while giving up only four hits and striking out six. He is a very good mid-range option tonight.
Dark Horses:
Brandon Finnegan ($5,400): Finnegan pitched very well against the Braves back on June 14th. He gave up one run on only four hits while striking out five and earning the win in six innings. He likely wont go deep into the game, but he gets the luxury of facing a pretty punchless offense.
Matt Boyd ($4,800): Using a guy with a 5.77 ERA is always a risk, but the current Twins roster is just 1-12(.083) against Boyd with three strikeouts. The bad news is that the only hit was a bases clearing triple by Eddie Rosario. If you feel like pressing your luck, Boyd is largely a powder keg, but the Twins are still the Twins. This could end up being a great payoff, but the risk is high.
Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?
You have heard our FanDuel experts Matt Rogers and Brian Tulloch talk about “stacking” pieces of a lineup against certain pitchers. Here are the stacks that could work well on DraftKings today, based on past statistics.
The Orioles have crushed 15 homers off of Ivan Nova already. You know there is stack material here! Chris Davis ($4,300) is 9-32(.281) with three walks, two doubles, three homers, and ten RBI against Nova. Adam Jones ($4,500) is only 8-43(.186), but he has a homer and five RBI. See if Ryan Flaherty ($3,000) makes the starting lineup. He is 5-13 with two walks, a homer and two RBI off of Nova. Mark Trumbo ($5,000) is 10-19(.526) with a walk, a double, three homers, and five RBI. Matt Wieters ($3,800) is 13-37(.351) with seven walks, three doubles, four homers, and seven RBI against Nova. J.J. Hardy ($3,200) is 11-37(.297) with three walks, two doubles, a homer, and three RBI against Nova. Ride the Orioles to victory!
Another good stack is the Tigers against Ricky Nolasco. Nolasco has given up nine runs to the Tigers in two starts this year. The Tigers are now hitting a robust .368 with three homers and a whopping 25 RBI against Nolasco in 144 at bats. Who has the history against him? We can’t play the whole Detroit starting nine, after all. If Mike Aviles ($2,900) plays, he should play for you as well. Aviles is 8-14(.571) with a double, a homer, and four RBI against Nolasco. Nick Castellanos ($4,700) is 4-14(.286) with two doubles, two homers, and eight RBI. Jose Iglesias ($2,400) is 4-7 with a walk, a double, and a RBI. Ian Kinsler ($4,700) is 9-23(.391) with three doubles and five RBI off Nolasco. Victor Martinez ($3,700) is 7-14 with three walks, two doubles, and a RBI. Cameron Maybin ($3,700) is 5-7 with a walk and a RBI against Nolasco.
Luckily for Edison Volquez, Michael Brantley is still hurt. Brantley is 7-11 in his career against Volquez. There are a few other Indians that could make noise though. Lonnie Chisenhall ($3,400) is 6-14(.429) with a walk, a double, a triple, and three RBI against Volquez. Jason Kipnis ($4,900) is 7-19(.368) with three walks, three doubles, and a solo homer. Carlos Santana is only 3-18, but two of those hits are home runs.
The Rays have had some success against Kevin Gausman. Logan Forsythe ($3,400) is 4-10 with a walk, two doubles, a home run, and three RBI against Gausman. Evan Longoria ($3,300) is 7-24 with three walks, a double, a homer, and four RBI against Gausman. Curt Casali ($4,100) is 3-8 with a double and a RBI.
Next: More Notes For 7-18
Coco Crisp ($3,300) is 3-6 with a homer and two RBI against Mike Fiers. Danny Valencia ($4,000) is 4-6 with three walks and two solo homers off Fiers. Jed Lowrie and Josh Reddick have also taken Fiers deep, but they are a combined 3-18 off of him.
Corey Kluber is glad that Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain on the DL. They have a homer and seven RBI off of him. Eric Hosmer ($2,900) is 13-45(.289) with three walks, six doubles, three homers, and 13 RBI against Kluber. He can still do some damage. Alex Gordon ($3,500) is only 6-32(.188), but he has two walks, a double, two homers, and six RBI against Kluber.
Jose Altuve ($5,200) is 3-12 with a homer and three RBI against Kendall Graveman. Evan Gattis ($2,900) is 2-8 with a homer and two RBI. Colby Rasmus ($4,700) is 4-6 with a walk, two doubles, and a RBI off Graveman.
Mike Trout ($5,400) is only 4-17(.235) off of A.J. Griffin, but he has three walks, two homers, and three RBI off of him.
Curtis Granderson ($4,000) is 14-46(.304) with three walks, two doubles, a triple, three homers, and six RBI against Jon Lester. Wilmer Flores ($4,400) is worth using if he gets the start. Flores is 3-7 with a walk, two homers, and three RBI against Lester.
Nelson Cruz ($4,400) is 7-16(.438) with two walks, two homers, and four RBI against Chris Sale. Robinson Cano ($3,900) is 6-19(.316) against Sale with a walk and three doubles, but he hasn’t driven in a run against him. He is not an elite option, but for the price, he could produce nicely.
Brett Gardner ($4,700) may be worth using tonight against Kevin Gausman. Gardner is 6-16(.375) with two doubles, a homer and two RBI off of the Orioles youngster. Alex Rodriguez ($2,600) is 5-11 with a double, two homers, and three RBI against Gausman.
Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from out experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks, while Matt Rogers tells you where to save in his FanDuel Economics articles. Don’t play FanDuel without them!
Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level
Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball!