DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (8/27/23): MLB DFS lineups
Happy Sun, my RotoBallers! I’m excited to cover another fun DFS list. It’s been a good MLB season so far, and I’m looking forward to sifting through another batch of games. Let’s break down my favorite plays from today’s main list!
Today’s main roster features an enticing mix of 11 morning games on DraftKings and a 13-game selection on FanDuel. The weather looks mostly clear, but it’s important to check with your favorite meteorologist before lockdown. I’ll point out the featured plays, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get creative with your designs on this list.
This article will save me DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 8/27/2023 and lock the slate in 1:35 p.m. ET. Lineup selections will range from some elite players to mid-priced options with value plays. You can also read more DFS tips and lineup selections for other sports here. It’s also essential to keep an eye on injury news and the MLB starting lineup today. Now that we’ve got all that out of the way, it’s up to the pick!
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers – MLB DFS lineup picks
Yosei Kikuchi, TOR vs. CLE (8,900 DnD, $9,400 USD)
2023 was Yosei Kikuchi’s best season in the major leagues. Through 25 starts, he’s had 3.52 ERAs, including a 3.92 xFIP, a walk rate of 6.5%, and a strikeout rate of 25%. He doesn’t turn up incredibly flashy numbers, but Kikuchi has been in control since the All-Star break. Over seven starts in the second half, Kikuchi posted a 1.82 ERA, giving up zero home runs during that span. For a much lower price, I think it offers similar upside to the featured arms on this list.
The Cleveland Guardians are among the weakest lineups around these days. They’ve scored less than 3.9 points per game across 40 contests since the All-Star break. That includes MLB’s worst 60 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, along with .579 OPS and .255 wOBA.
Jose Ramirez is always a blocker, but he’s much worse against the southern paws. The rest of this lineup is exceptionally manageable. Kikuchi tied the Guardians to one over seven rounds two weeks ago, and I expect a similar result today.
Paul Blackburn, OAK vs. CHW (8,300 Dn$, 8,200 USD)
I’m comfortable sticking to the medium range of promotion options today. This is the most expensive price we’ve seen on Paul Blackburn all season. But it’s worth it, and it’s still worthwhile.
Blackburn is facing an undervalued campaign. He has a decent 3.93 xERA over 15 outings, but the on-base numbers are more encouraging. Blackburn fires hard contact at an impressive rate, allowing for a solid hit rate of 31.2%, average exit velocity of 86.8 mph, barrel rate of 5.1%, and a .381 xSLG. Blackburn’s strike rate of 23.2% is average, but I’ll start with reasonable quality.
The White Sox have been disappointing all season, and nothing about that has changed lately. In the 38 games since the All-Star break, they’ve scored 4.1 points per game. Chicago has been terrible against right-handed pitching, racking up a poor 82 wRC+ against right-handers, including .671 OPS, .292 wOBA, and a 24.2% strikeout rate.
Also consider: Justin Verlander, Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Louis Castillo (FD only)
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders – MLB DFS lineup picks
Freddie Freeman – 1B, LAD vs. Tanner Hawk ($6,400 DnK, $4,100 USD)
Depending on who you ask, Freddie Freeman may be a frontrunner for MVP in the National League. He’s having an incredible season, boasting a .339/.415/.577 slant with 23 home runs and 168 wRC+. This includes the .574 xSLG, .323 xBA, and .413 xwOBA. Freeman is a great player any time he’s in the squad, but today he looks like a promising place.
Tanner Houck has pitched better than he allows with a 5.08 ERA, but he has a serious problem with left-handed hitters. Lefties are going .515 against the Hawk with a .348 wOBA this season.
Beau Bechet – SS, TOR v. Noah Syndergaard (Dn$5,500, US$3,300)
Beau Bechet hasn’t missed a move since returning from the injured list a week ago, scoring safely in six of his seven matches. He’s in the midst of another stellar campaign, slashing 0.316/.346/.491 with 18 home runs and 130 wRC+. This includes the elite .502 xSLG, .315 xBA, and .365 xwOBA.
Noah Syndergaard looks pretty cooked at this point in his career. He has posted 6.51 xERA and 5.11 xFIP over 17 starts this year. That includes conceding the terrible .532 xSLG, .306 xBA, 10.8% barrel rate and .384 xwOBA. Right-handed batters have lightened Syndergaard’s . 573 hit percentage.
Alec Boom – 3B, PHI vs. Drew Room ($4,400 DnK, $3,300 USD)
Alec Boom has developed into a very reliable bat. 283/.337/.432 with 14 home runs this year. That consisted of the .291 xBA, .457 xSLG and the awesome .348 xwOBA. Bohm also crushes the Southpaw’s pitching, slugging .570 with a .384 wOBA against lefties.
Drew Rom made his MLB debut, which didn’t go well. He surrendered eight runs (six earned) over 3 2/3 innings against the Pirates earlier this week. Based on the 4.82 ERA Rom posted at Triple-A this season, he probably isn’t ready to hit the major league. That makes it a good place to take advantage of it today.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders – MLB DFS lineup picks
Aaron Judge – Of, New York vs. Zack Little ($6,500 LaMark, $4,400 USD)
Does Aaron Judge’s recommendation need to be justified? His 28 home runs rank fifth in the National League, despite only 75 games played so far this season. It boasts 183 OPS+, along with ridiculously predictable numbers like the .756 xSLG, 64.5% swipe rate, 97.6mph average exit speed, .300 xBA, and 28.5% barrel rate.
Zack Little doesn’t fit in well here. He has a 4.57 xERA overall, including the outrageous .453 xSLG, .291 xBA, a 47% swipe rate, an average exit speed of 91.5mph, and a barrel rate of 9.5%. Right-handed hitters are batting 0.468 against Littell in 2023, and 0.463 against him in his career.
Austin Hayes – OF, BAL vs. Ty Blatch ($4,000 DnK, $2,900 USD)
Austin Hayes boasts a respectable .282/.331/.460 slash streak with 13 home runs. He handles left-handed throwing especially well, posting a . 472 slugging percentage against the Southpaws this season, part of a career mark of . 463.
Ty Blach is one of my favorite shooters to use on this list. He has a terrific 6.68 xERA and 5.18 xFIP over 13 outings. This includes the .514 xSLG, the .332 xBA, which has a swipe rate of 46.7%, an average exit speed of 90.8 mph, and the .387 xwOBA. Right-handed batters slugging . 469 against Blach in his career.
Seiya Suzuki – OF, CHC v Billy Walther (3,500 DnK, $2,900 USD)
Seiya Suzuki has clearly put its slump behind him. He has 1.058 OPS and 179 wRC+ since the start of August, including five home runs and a .333 ISO. He’s scored a safe goal in 14 of his past 15 matches and should be an excellent value play in this position.
Billy Walther isn’t the worst pitcher on this list, but he’s worth the offense. It loads 4.39 xERA and 4.48 xFIP underpowered, including 0.444 xSLG, a barrel rate of 9.1%, and 0.265 xBA. Falter is vulnerable to hitting of any kind, but right-handed batters have slugged against him with . 466 over his career.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Baltimore Orioles vs Ty Blatch
Favorite Plays: Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, Adele Rochman, Austin Hayes, Anthony Santander
Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite Plays: Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, Alec Baum, Tria Turner, Kyle Schwarber
Also consider: Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Toronto Blue Jays
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