DFS MLB DraftKings/FanDuel Lineup Advice and Pitcher Chart 4/18/2018
Pitcher Chart
To see my favorite pitchers and hitters for today’s slate, click NEXT!
The pitching chart will be updated often. Make sure to check back for the newest information, especially if a column is currently incomplete!
Last Updated: 4/18/2018 – 7:07 AM CT
| Pitcher | Team | L/R | $Line | OTT | K | +/- | K% | IP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Freeland | COL | L | +112 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 21.7 | 6 |
| C. Kuhl | PIT | R | -121 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 17.8 | 6 |
| T. Mahle | CIN | R | +137 | 4.5 | 4 | -0.5 | 20.6 | 5 |
| Z. Davies | MIL | R | -149 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 1 | 26.1 | 6 |
| L. Weaver | STL | R | +107 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 25.4 | 6 | |
| J. Lester | CHC | L | -116 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 16.7 | 6 2/3 | |
| T. Roark | WAS | R | -106 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 2 | 16.9 | 6 2/3 |
| S. Matz | NYM | L | -102 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 28.3 | 6 1/3 |
| V. Velasquez | PHI | R | -100 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 25 | 5 2/3 |
| B. McCarthy | ATL | R | -108 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 17.9 | 5 |
| C. Stratton | SFG | R | +143 | 4.5 | 4 | -0.5 | 10.6 | 5 |
| R. Ray | ARI | L | -155 | 3.5 | 7 | 3.5 | 32.4 | 6 1/3 |
| K. Maeda | LAD | R | 6.5 | 6.5 | 34.2 | 6 | ||
| L. Perdomo | SDP | R | 4.5 | 4.5 | 23.2 | 6 | ||
| C. Hamels | TEX | L | +110 | 4 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 30.6 | 5 2/3 |
| J. Faria | TBR | R | -119 | 3.5 | 6 | 2.5 | 16.4 | 6 |
| C. Fulmer | CHW | R | +182 | 5 | 3 | -2 | 18.8 | 4 |
| A. Triggs | OAK | L | -199 | 3.5 | 6 | 2.5 | 25.8 | 6 1/3 |
| I. Kennedy | KCR | R | +165 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0 | 22.2 | 5 |
| J. Happ | TOR | L | -180 | 3.5 | 6.5 | 3 | 32.9 | 6 2/3 |
| K. Gausman | BAL | R | -122 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 21.4 | 6 2/3 |
| M. Boyd | DET | L | +113 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0 | 10.6 | 5 2/3 |
| C. Carrasco | CLE | R | -130 | 3.5 | 7 | 3.5 | 18.2 | 6 |
| J. Berrios | MIN | R | +120 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 32 | 6 |
| R. Porcello | BOS | R | +118 | 4 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 22.7 | 6 2/3 |
| T. Skaggs | LAA | L | -128 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 25 | 5 2/3 |
| G. Cole | HOU | R | -165 | 3 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 46.8 | 6 2/3 |
| M. Leake | SEA | R | +152 | 4.5 | 3.5 | -1 | 10.4 | 6 1/3 |
Key
L/R = Lefty or Righty
$Line = Money Line
OTT = Opposing team’s run total
K = Projected Strikeouts
+/- = K-OTT
K% = Strikeout Percentage
IP = Innings Projection
Many factors can change between the time I write this article and the time lineups lock. I’ll do my best to update the article, so checking back frequently is encouraged. You can also ask questions on Twitter or Facebook. I’ll do my best to get to all of them!
To see my favorite pitchers and hitters for today’s slate, click NEXT!
Pitchers
For my Hitter picks and analysis, click NEXT!
Gerrit Cole
Do I think Cole is as good of a pitcher as he’s shown this season? No. Do I think Cole will continue his 46.8% strikeout rate instead of his 23.3% career average? No. Do I think Cole is worth playing in DFS on Wednesday? Yes.
Cole will face the Mariners in Safeco Field. He has the lowest OTT on the slate, and is one of the bigger favorites. He’s definitely found a groove this season, striking out 36 batters in just three starts this year. I’m fairly positive Cole will regress this season, but even as the highest priced pitcher, he’s in play for cash games and tournaments.
Andrew Triggs
Triggs is on the early slate and will face the White Sox in the Coliseum. It’s not a great park for strikeouts, but the White Sox seem to provide those on their own. They can put a lot of righties in the lineup, so watching the White Sox batting order will be crucial in determining whether Triggs is a cash play or a tournament play. The A’s are significant favorites in this game, and Triggs has a low OTT (see pitcher chart). He’s priced a bit higher than I’d like, but is worth a look on Wednesday.
Jake Faria
Faria struggled mightily to start the year, but bounced back his last time out against the Phillies. He’ll face the Rangers in Tropicana Field and is priced at $6,200. The Rangers have a 25.1% strikeout rate, and have the 8th worst wRC+. Faria may be risky, but Vegas has him as a favorite with an OTT of just 3.5, so he is in consideration for both cash and tournaments.
Steven Matz
Matz will face the Nationals in Citi Field. He’s extremely cheap, putting him in play for both cash games and tournaments. The Nationals are a formidable offense, but for the price, Matz may be worth starting anyways. Even if he gives up a couple runs, he projects for a relatively high strikeout total (see pitcher chart), giving him some safety.
For my Hitter picks and analysis, click NEXT!
Hitters
Brewers Bats
The Brewers have been a frustrating offense to watch, but they project for the highest run total on the early slate. They’ll face Tyler Mahle and should be able to put some lefties in the lineup at the top of the order. Christian Yelich was activated from the DL, and may be available for this game. I don’t usually like using players immediately activated from the DL, but the Brewers said they were being overly cautions with Yelich, and he should be fine. Eric Thames and Travis Shaw are also in play as power bats who will hold the platoon advantage. For fantasy purposes, I always want to see Jonathan Villar lead off because it gives him a better chance at a stolen base. If Villar is leading off today, he’s almost a lock at second base. Finally, Ryan Braun is in play as well. He’s not a lefty, but he’s a good hitter and is affordable on the early slate.
Freddie Freeman
Freeman faces Vince Velasquez in SunTrust Park. Velasquez is known for his strikeouts, but it seems like some DFS players overrate his talent. Velasquez projects for an ERA around 4.50 this year, and Freeman is one of the best hitters in baseball. Freeman will have the platoon advantage, and if you play Matz on the main slate, you’ll have plenty of salary for Freeman.
Mike Trout
Trout is the best hitter in baseball. He’ll face Rick Porcello, who doesn’t strike out many hitters, letting Trout put the ball in play 3-4 times tonight. Again, if you play Matz, you’ll have the salary to fit Trout into your lineups. Trout has the second highest home run projection on the main slate, only behind Freeman. Anytime I can fit Trout into my lineups, I usually do, so he will be locked into my lineups tonight.
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
