MLB DFS Playbook: August 21

MLB DFS Playbook: August 21

Published: Aug 21, 2021

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DK
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SPMax Scherzer (R)-DET @ TOR Sat 3:07Wily Peralta1090010500

Scherzer is having another great year, pitching to a 2.69 ERA, an MLB-best 0.90 WHIP, and he has struck out 170 batters across 127.1 innings pitched. He faced the Mets in his last start and was strong, firing six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts while picking up the win. The Mets rank 28th in runs per game this season and they have the seventh highest strikeout rate in the league over the last 14 days at a 25.6-percent clip. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
SPGerrit Cole (R)-MIN @ NYY Sat 1:05Kenta Maeda1060011000

Cole comes into this game with 11 wins, a 3.04 ERA, and leading the AL in both FIP (2.83) and WHIP (0.97). He also leads the AL in strikeouts with 185 across 136 innings pitched. He faced the Twins earlier this season and delivered a great outing, firing six innings of two-run ball with nine strikeouts while picking up the win. I don’t like him as much as Scherzer, but he’s a bit cheaper and his ceiling is just as high obviously. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
SPTriston McKenzie (R)-LAA @ CLE Sat 4:10Reid Detmers81008900

McKenzie is coming off an incredible outing in which he gave up just one hit over eight shutout innings with 11 strikeouts in a win over the Tigers. He has pitched great in August with a 2.14 ERA and .139 BAA across three starts. His high strikeout rates always give him some nice upside. The Angels have the sixth highest strikeout rate over the last 14 days at a 25.6-percent clip and they are 23rd in runs scored in that span. 

Game Type: GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
SPReid Detmers (L)-LAA @ CLE Sat 4:10Triston McKenzie58006200

Detmers was electric in his last outing against a very strong Houston lineup, firing six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts while picking up the win. Today he gets a much easier test against Cleveland. He is incredibly cheap and if you pair him with Scherzer or Cole you still have over $4100 remaining per bat, which leaves your options wide open. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
CBuster Posey (R)-41003400

Posey is having a great year, hitting .323 with 15 home runs. He is slashing a silly .385/.461/.603 against lefties this year, compared to .299/.400/.507 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
CMike Zunino (R)-37003400

Zunino has a five-game home run streak snapped last night, but he’s been very hot lately obviously. He has also crushed lefties this year. His 1.258 OPS against lefties is the BEST in the entire league. On top of that, he is 7-27 (.259) with two home runs in his career against Keuchel. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
CReese McGuire (L)-KC @ CHI Sat 2:20Kris Bubic26002100

McGuire likely draws the start today as it’s a day game after night game and Kirk started last night. McGuire has been strong against righties, slashing .284/.351/.388, compared to .156/.206/.250 against lefties. He is probably the best punt option at the position. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Intermittent clouds
1BVladimir Guerrero (R)3DET @ TOR Sat 3:07Wily Peralta62004400

Vlad is having an MVP-caliber season (though he has no shot at actually winning MVP), hitting .312 with 36 home runs, 89 RBI, and 92 runs scored. He has massive reverse splits, slashing .323/.406/.650 against righties with 30 home runs, compared to .275/.413/.471 against lefties with six home runs. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
1BRowdy Tellez (L)-TEX @ BOS Sat 7:10Eduardo Rodriguez35002500

Tellez has been great with the Brewers, hitting .310 with six home runs and 20 RBI across 34 games and  17 of his 19 extra base hits this season have been against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Intermittent clouds
1BFrank Schwindel (R)-26003300

Schwindel, prior to yesterday’s game, had seven straight double-digit DFS point games on DK. He is hitting .365 with four home runs, eight doubles, and 15 RBI across 18 games with Chicago. He is slashing an absurd .333/.394/.800 against lefties through 33 PA. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
1BAlbert Pujols (R)-25002200

Pujols is hitting .265 with nine home runs and 32 RBI since signing with the Dodgers. He is slashing a very strong .304/.344/.591 against lefties this season and on top of that, he is 2-6 with a dinger against Hill in his career. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
2BTrea Turner (R)-PHI @ SD Sat 8:40Joe Musgrove56004400

Turner is having a fantastic season, hitting .322 (NL leading), with 18 home runs, 78 runs, and 24 steals (NL leading). He has been insane against lefties this year, slashing .402/.443/.661 against them, compared to .294/.343/.460 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
2BKolten Wong (L)-ATL @ BAL Sat 7:05Drew Smyly45003300

Wong is having a nice season, hitting .282 with nine home runs and nine steals across 82 games. The Brewers make for a pretty strong stack option against Espino today, who has given up 12 runs in his last 10 innings pitched. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Intermittent clouds
2BJonathan Schoop (R)-41003400

Schoop is having another great season, but it’s being overlooked due to the Tigers being so bad. He is hitting .289 with 18 home runs, 66 runs, and 68 RBI. He is slashing an incredible .359/.414/.603 against lefties, compared to .262/.299/.397 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
3BKris Bryant (R)-ARI @ COL Sat 8:10Zac Gallen51004200

Bryant is hitting .277 with three home runs and two steals across 17 games with the Giants. He is slashing a strong .306/.387/.612 against lefties this year and he is a perfect 2-2 with a home run against Manaea in a couple at-bats against him in his career. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Showers
3BKyle Seager (L)-44003500

Seager has 10 home runs in his past 23 games. He is currently riding a five-game hitting streak, hitting .316 with three home runs, two doubles, and seven RBI in that span. He is slashing .264/.331/.549 on the road this year, compared to .170/.254/.349 at home. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
3BWilmer Flores (R)6SF @ OAK Sat 4:07Sean Manaea38002900

Flores is having a pretty nice season, hitting .250 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI. He is hitting .300 with a home run and five RBI over his last six games. Righties are slashing .277.325/.428 against Manaea this season, compared to the .176/.221/.321 mark lefties have produced. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
SSWilly Adames (R)-SF @ OAK Sat 4:07Sean Manaea59003500

Adames is hitting .296 with 17 home runs, four steals, 23 doubles, 50 RBI, and 50 runs scored across 78 games with the Brewers. He is slashing .283/.356/.510 against righties this year, compared to .220/.304/.455 against southpaws. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
SSAmed Rosario (R)-WSH @ MIL Sat 4:05Eric Lauer42002700

Rosario is hitting .367 with a home run, three  steals, nine doubles, 13 RBI, and 13 runs scored over his last 18 games, averaging a strong 10.9 points per game on DK in that span. He is slashing .315/.359/.490 against lefties this year, compared to .263/.302/.358 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
SSJ.P. Crawford (L)1SEA @ HOU Sat 4:10Jake Odorizzi30002900

Crawford has three multi-hit games over his last five games, hitting .316 in that span. He is hitting a strong .291 with a home run and 13 runs scored over his last 22 games. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly sunny
LFYordan Alvarez (L)4SEA @ HOU Sat 4:10Logan Gilbert52003900

Alvarez is having another great year, hitting .289 with 23 home runs and 81 RBI. He is hot right now, hitting .339 with four home runs, seven doubles, and 14 RBI through 16 games in August. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly sunny
LFEloy Jiménez (R)-CWS @ TB Sat 1:10Dallas Keuchel47004200

Eloy is hitting .304 with six home runs and 22 RBI through his first 20 games this season. He is slashing .345/.339/.709 with five home runs and five doubles against righties, compared to .208/.296/.375 with one home run and one double against lefties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Showers
RFMichael Conforto (L)-NYM @ LA Sat 4:05Rich Hill30002600

Conforto is hot at the dish right now, hitting .333 with two home runs, four doubles, and nine runs scored over his last 14 games. He has had Mad Max’s number in their careers too, as he is 12-37 (.324) against him with four home runs. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
LFCorey Dickerson (L)-30002600

Dickerson has been strong with the Jays, hitting .282 with two home runs, a steal, and eight RBI across 14 games with them. On top of that, he is an impressive 6-10 (.600) with two home runs against Peralta in his career. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
CFMyles Straw (R)-DET @ TOR Sat 3:07Wily Peralta29003100

Straw is coming off back-to-back 20+ point games on DK. He is hitting .313 with a home run, four steals, and 17 runs scored across 20 games with the Indians. He has played 12 games in his home ballpark in Cleveland and been incredible in them, slashing .354/.446/.479. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
LFAndrew Benintendi (L)-CWS @ TB Sat 1:10Luis Patiño26002900

Benintendi is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, hitting .391 with a home run, two doubles, and five runs scored in that span. He has been a much better player on the road this year, slashing .280/.338/.483, compared to .239/.282/.355 at home. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Showers
CFBrandon Marsh (L)-PHI @ SD Sat 8:40Joe Musgrove25002400

Marsh, the highly touted prospect, seems to be putting it together as he is hitting .382 with two triples, two doubles, a steal, and four RBI over his last nine games. He is slashing .247/.345/.384 against righties, compared to .188/.212/.188 against lefties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
CFJake Meyers (R)8SEA @ HOU Sat 4:10Logan Gilbert21002700

Meyers is basically the minimum price, despite great production lately. He is hitting .333 with three home runs, a steal, seven RBI, and seven runs scored since taking over Tucker’s spot in the starting lineup (while he deals with covid). 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly sunny
SP
-
DET @ TOR Sat 3:07
Wily Peralta
10900
10500

Scherzer is having another great year, pitching to a 2.69 ERA, an MLB-best 0.90 WHIP, and he has struck out 170 batters across 127.1 innings pitched. He faced the Mets in his last start and was strong, firing six innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts while picking up the win. The Mets rank 28th in runs per game this season and they have the seventh highest strikeout rate in the league over the last 14 days at a 25.6-percent clip. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
SP
-
MIN @ NYY Sat 1:05
Kenta Maeda
10600
11000

Cole comes into this game with 11 wins, a 3.04 ERA, and leading the AL in both FIP (2.83) and WHIP (0.97). He also leads the AL in strikeouts with 185 across 136 innings pitched. He faced the Twins earlier this season and delivered a great outing, firing six innings of two-run ball with nine strikeouts while picking up the win. I don’t like him as much as Scherzer, but he’s a bit cheaper and his ceiling is just as high obviously. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
SP
-
LAA @ CLE Sat 4:10
Reid Detmers
8100
8900

McKenzie is coming off an incredible outing in which he gave up just one hit over eight shutout innings with 11 strikeouts in a win over the Tigers. He has pitched great in August with a 2.14 ERA and .139 BAA across three starts. His high strikeout rates always give him some nice upside. The Angels have the sixth highest strikeout rate over the last 14 days at a 25.6-percent clip and they are 23rd in runs scored in that span. 

Game Type: GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
SP
-
LAA @ CLE Sat 4:10
Triston McKenzie
5800
6200

Detmers was electric in his last outing against a very strong Houston lineup, firing six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts while picking up the win. Today he gets a much easier test against Cleveland. He is incredibly cheap and if you pair him with Scherzer or Cole you still have over $4100 remaining per bat, which leaves your options wide open. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
C
-
4100
3400

Posey is having a great year, hitting .323 with 15 home runs. He is slashing a silly .385/.461/.603 against lefties this year, compared to .299/.400/.507 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
C
-
3700
3400

Zunino has a five-game home run streak snapped last night, but he’s been very hot lately obviously. He has also crushed lefties this year. His 1.258 OPS against lefties is the BEST in the entire league. On top of that, he is 7-27 (.259) with two home runs in his career against Keuchel. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
C
-
KC @ CHI Sat 2:20
Kris Bubic
2600
2100

McGuire likely draws the start today as it’s a day game after night game and Kirk started last night. McGuire has been strong against righties, slashing .284/.351/.388, compared to .156/.206/.250 against lefties. He is probably the best punt option at the position. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Intermittent clouds
1B
3
DET @ TOR Sat 3:07
Wily Peralta
6200
4400

Vlad is having an MVP-caliber season (though he has no shot at actually winning MVP), hitting .312 with 36 home runs, 89 RBI, and 92 runs scored. He has massive reverse splits, slashing .323/.406/.650 against righties with 30 home runs, compared to .275/.413/.471 against lefties with six home runs. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
1B
-
TEX @ BOS Sat 7:10
Eduardo Rodriguez
3500
2500

Tellez has been great with the Brewers, hitting .310 with six home runs and 20 RBI across 34 games and  17 of his 19 extra base hits this season have been against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Intermittent clouds
1B
-
2600
3300

Schwindel, prior to yesterday’s game, had seven straight double-digit DFS point games on DK. He is hitting .365 with four home runs, eight doubles, and 15 RBI across 18 games with Chicago. He is slashing an absurd .333/.394/.800 against lefties through 33 PA. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
1B
-
2500
2200

Pujols is hitting .265 with nine home runs and 32 RBI since signing with the Dodgers. He is slashing a very strong .304/.344/.591 against lefties this season and on top of that, he is 2-6 with a dinger against Hill in his career. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
2B
-
PHI @ SD Sat 8:40
Joe Musgrove
5600
4400

Turner is having a fantastic season, hitting .322 (NL leading), with 18 home runs, 78 runs, and 24 steals (NL leading). He has been insane against lefties this year, slashing .402/.443/.661 against them, compared to .294/.343/.460 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
2B
-
ATL @ BAL Sat 7:05
Drew Smyly
4500
3300

Wong is having a nice season, hitting .282 with nine home runs and nine steals across 82 games. The Brewers make for a pretty strong stack option against Espino today, who has given up 12 runs in his last 10 innings pitched. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Intermittent clouds
2B
-
4100
3400

Schoop is having another great season, but it’s being overlooked due to the Tigers being so bad. He is hitting .289 with 18 home runs, 66 runs, and 68 RBI. He is slashing an incredible .359/.414/.603 against lefties, compared to .262/.299/.397 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
3B
-
ARI @ COL Sat 8:10
Zac Gallen
5100
4200

Bryant is hitting .277 with three home runs and two steals across 17 games with the Giants. He is slashing a strong .306/.387/.612 against lefties this year and he is a perfect 2-2 with a home run against Manaea in a couple at-bats against him in his career. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Showers
3B
-
4400
3500

Seager has 10 home runs in his past 23 games. He is currently riding a five-game hitting streak, hitting .316 with three home runs, two doubles, and seven RBI in that span. He is slashing .264/.331/.549 on the road this year, compared to .170/.254/.349 at home. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
3B
6
SF @ OAK Sat 4:07
Sean Manaea
3800
2900

Flores is having a pretty nice season, hitting .250 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI. He is hitting .300 with a home run and five RBI over his last six games. Righties are slashing .277.325/.428 against Manaea this season, compared to the .176/.221/.321 mark lefties have produced. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
SS
-
SF @ OAK Sat 4:07
Sean Manaea
5900
3500

Adames is hitting .296 with 17 home runs, four steals, 23 doubles, 50 RBI, and 50 runs scored across 78 games with the Brewers. He is slashing .283/.356/.510 against righties this year, compared to .220/.304/.455 against southpaws. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Partly sunny
SS
-
WSH @ MIL Sat 4:05
Eric Lauer
4200
2700

Rosario is hitting .367 with a home run, three  steals, nine doubles, 13 RBI, and 13 runs scored over his last 18 games, averaging a strong 10.9 points per game on DK in that span. He is slashing .315/.359/.490 against lefties this year, compared to .263/.302/.358 against righties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
SS
1
SEA @ HOU Sat 4:10
Jake Odorizzi
3000
2900

Crawford has three multi-hit games over his last five games, hitting .316 in that span. He is hitting a strong .291 with a home run and 13 runs scored over his last 22 games. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly sunny
LF
4
SEA @ HOU Sat 4:10
Logan Gilbert
5200
3900

Alvarez is having another great year, hitting .289 with 23 home runs and 81 RBI. He is hot right now, hitting .339 with four home runs, seven doubles, and 14 RBI through 16 games in August. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly sunny
LF
-
CWS @ TB Sat 1:10
Dallas Keuchel
4700
4200

Eloy is hitting .304 with six home runs and 22 RBI through his first 20 games this season. He is slashing .345/.339/.709 with five home runs and five doubles against righties, compared to .208/.296/.375 with one home run and one double against lefties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Showers
RF
-
NYM @ LA Sat 4:05
Rich Hill
3000
2600

Conforto is hot at the dish right now, hitting .333 with two home runs, four doubles, and nine runs scored over his last 14 games. He has had Mad Max’s number in their careers too, as he is 12-37 (.324) against him with four home runs. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
LF
-
3000
2600

Dickerson has been strong with the Jays, hitting .282 with two home runs, a steal, and eight RBI across 14 games with them. On top of that, he is an impressive 6-10 (.600) with two home runs against Peralta in his career. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
CF
-
DET @ TOR Sat 3:07
Wily Peralta
2900
3100

Straw is coming off back-to-back 20+ point games on DK. He is hitting .313 with a home run, four steals, and 17 runs scored across 20 games with the Indians. He has played 12 games in his home ballpark in Cleveland and been incredible in them, slashing .354/.446/.479. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Cloudy
LF
-
CWS @ TB Sat 1:10
Luis Patiño
2600
2900

Benintendi is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, hitting .391 with a home run, two doubles, and five runs scored in that span. He has been a much better player on the road this year, slashing .280/.338/.483, compared to .239/.282/.355 at home. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Showers
CF
-
PHI @ SD Sat 8:40
Joe Musgrove
2500
2400

Marsh, the highly touted prospect, seems to be putting it together as he is hitting .382 with two triples, two doubles, a steal, and four RBI over his last nine games. He is slashing .247/.345/.384 against righties, compared to .188/.212/.188 against lefties. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly cloudy
CF
8
SEA @ HOU Sat 4:10
Logan Gilbert
2100
2700

Meyers is basically the minimum price, despite great production lately. He is hitting .333 with three home runs, a steal, seven RBI, and seven runs scored since taking over Tucker’s spot in the starting lineup (while he deals with covid). 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
Weather: Mostly sunny

Stacks

Blue Jays Teoscar HernándezCorey DickersonReese McGuireVladimir Guerrero
DraftKings 5100300026006200
Fanduel 3900260021004400
Brewers Kolten WongRowdy TellezWilly Adames
DraftKings 450035005900
Fanduel 330025003500
Giants Wilmer FloresBuster PoseyKris Bryant
DraftKings 380041005100
Fanduel 290034004200