MLB DFS Playbook August 9: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Published: Aug 09, 2023
We got nine games on today's MLB DFS main slate featuring top starter Shohei Ohtani and great hitting matchups like the Red Sox against the Royals and the Braves against the Pirates. Be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the daily MLB projections, MLB DFS rostership projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator when building those lineups today to help you decide which players you should be targeting!
MLB DFS Playbook: August 9
MLB Weather Updates
No weather issues are expected to impact today's slate.
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
The pitching on this slate leaves a lot to be desired so spending up on Shohei Ohtani or Kevin Gausman will likely be the chalk play while your SP2 on DraftKings today could be a bunch of landmines. There are a lot of favorable hitting spots today so I expect offense to rule the day.
Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers
Top Options for Strikeouts
- Shohei Ohtani vs San Francisco Giants
- Kevin Gausman vs Cleveland Guardians
- Yu Darvish vs Seattle Mariners
- Max Fried vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Best Odds for a Win
- Shohei Ohtani vs San Francisco Giants
- Kevin Gausman vs Cleveland Guardians
- Yu Darvish vs Seattle Mariners
- Max Fried vs Pittsburgh Pirates
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Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups
Note - These are my favorite SP2's for DraftKings tonight to pair with Ohtani, Gausman and Fried.
Yu Darvish, San Diego Padres
I feel like I get punked by Darvish every time I am ready to play him again. The last time he made my lineups way against the Pirates and he get shelled but the two starts previous to that and the two starts after that he was dominant. So, maybe we have a shot at redemption? The Mariners are a strikeout heavy team so a ceiling strikeout game could be in the cards tonight for Darvish. Or he gets shelled again because that has been my luck with playing him this season.
Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox
The Royals offense has actually been pretty good of late with Bobby Witt Jr. taking off and Michael Massey starting to do damage from the middle of the lineup. That said, they are also playing at their absolute ceiling right now so I'm willing to take the bet on an off night coming sooner or later and Pivetta has pitched pretty well for the Red Sox of late which included a double-digit strikeout game against the A's and Mariners over his last five outings.
Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs
Just close your eyes and click the button, ok? We are 100% only considering this play due to the home/road splits where Hendricks has posted a 2.98 ERA on the road this season compared to a 5.50 ERA in his home ballpark. Sure, the Mets have some guys that can do damage but we know their struggles against righties and we just saw Jameson Taillon have himself a great start last night.
Recommended DFS Hitters
Highest Expected Run Totals
- Atlanta Braves vs Quinn Priester
- Boston Red Sox vs Jordan Lyles
- Houston Astros vs Jack Flaherty
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Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups
Jeimer Candelario, 1B/3B Chicago Cubs
It's no secret that I've been one of the biggest Candelario champions when it comes to DFS this season and his move to the Cubs has only made him that much more appealing. Over the last 10 games the man is hitting .486 with an OPS of 1.314. Historically, Candelario has hit lefties well and while his overall numbers this year leave much to be desired it is worth noting that over the past 30 days he is much improved, owning a .398 wOBA with a .222 ISO vs southpaws. I am buying into the recent sample size here when it comes to production.
Luis Robert Jr., OF Chicago White Sox
The Yankees are using an opener tonight before going with Severino which is unfortunate because it means one less AB for Robert against one of the worst pitchers in baseball this season but I still think he ultimately will get the job done for us tonight. The White Sox are one of my favorite plays here this evening as a team stack and it's not too often we say that these days.
Triston Casas, 1B Boston Red Sox
The Rookie of the Month for July is in a little bit of a tough stretch, hitting just .212 over his last 10 games. That said, he did have two hits on Tuesday and homered on Sunday. We love attacking Jordan Lyles with left-handed power hitters and Casas continues to hit in the middle of the Red Sox lineup.
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