MLB DFS PICKS FOR DRAFTKINGS 8/12/2020

Yesterday was a good day for our picks with 7 out of 20 hitters hitting the long ball and some productive games from a few other guys. Unfortunately, my lineup came up short due to a terrible outing from Marco Gonzales but it was nice to see other people having success because of these picks. I had several DM's from you guys showing your successful nights.

Tonight is looking pretty clean with minor weather issues and no Coors to worry about. We have eight games to look at here with plenty of different ways to attack. Let's get to it!

Weather watch: Keep an eye on PHI as they have storms in the area. Risk is low however.

Pitcher

Zack Greinke $10.3k

In three starts so far, Zack is still without a decision. He looks to change that tonight with a win in a very favorable matchup with the AAA Giants. There is nothing to fear with this lineup and we're hoping manager Dusty Baker will let him loose here after keeping him below seven innings in his first three starts. We know Greinke is capable of racking up strikeouts and the Giants are no stranger to the K. They've struck out at a 25% rate against RH pitching so far. We're hoping that we get the good version of Greinke here and this is definitely the spot for him to show that he's still a top tier pitcher. His upside here is well over 30 points. Fade at your own risk.

Kenta Maeda $9.1k

I honestly didn't think I'd be consistently targeting the Brewers this season but that's just how much they've struggled so far. Pair their struggles with the fact that Maeda has been consistently good and you get a pretty solid play here. Milwaukee ranks below league average in BA, OBP, SLG, OPS and the list keeps going. This offense poses no threat, especially if Yelich stays hitting below .200. I honestly think you can plug Maeda in your lineup and feel pretty good about it. I'm expecting him to score around 20 points tonight and I'd be happy with that, especially with how low pitchers have been scoring so far this season.

Masahiro Tanaka $7.6k

He has been on a pitch count which is why his price is at this point. Keep an eye out for any news. If they release something that indicates 70+ pitches then he's in play. This is mostly due to the lack of options we have tonight. The Braves have struck out more than any team this season and it's not really close. It's hard for me to write about Tanaka just because my luck with him has been terrible over the last few years but if the Yankees take the leash off, he's in play. I'll label this one as risky due to the possible pitch count.

Jordan Lyles $7.3k/Taijuan Walker $6.8k

I would like to start by saying that Bill Miller will be behind the plate in this game (very pitcher-friendly umpire). I don't feel great about either of these guys but we really don't have a ton to choose from here. They face off against each other in Texas tonight and I'm only considering it if the roof is closed and yes, it does make a big difference. These two offense are actually very similar in many ways. To sum it up, they're both bad. Between these two pitchers, I'm leaning towards Lyles because of the Mariners high K rate against RHP so far. Lyles really screwed me two starts ago but I'm willing to forgive him if he puts up around 20 DK points here.

Zach Eflin $6.4k

The price is good and the matchup is decent. It wouldn't surprise me if we see some ownership here with the lack of arms on the slate. I mentioned yesterday how I just haven't been attacking the Orioles this year because they just keep putting up runs. Eflin looked great in his first start of the year against the Yankees, holding them to just four hits and one walk while striking out five. So I guess common sense here would tell us that of he did that against the Yankees, he can do it against the Orioles. Unfortunately, that's not how baseball works but I will say that at this price, you're hoping for around 15 points. I'd like to believe he can do that against Baltimore.

Catcher

Mitch Garver $4.9k

Let's forget the .111 average for a minute and remember that he's one of the best hitting catchers in baseball. He's great against lefties and although it's a bit of a price tag, you're getting a guy hitting lead off for a top tier offense in a good spot tonight.

Gary Sanchez $4.6k

Just a brutal start to the year for Gary but he has slate breaking power and I wouldn't be writing about a guy hitting .093 if I didn't think he was in a good spot. It's a lot to pay for a guy who's doing this bad but you're paying for dingers here. If you happen to have this kind of salary left then take the chance on him.

Chance Sisco $3.6k

I originally had Severino here but it looks like Sisco will be getting the start. He's batting 9th but I like this spot for him against Eflin who gives up a lot of bombs to lefties. The risk is that eventually he might get pinch hit for.

Wilson Ramos $3.1k

Simply just looking for that cheap catcher bomb here and I'll continue to mention Ramos if he stays this cheap with a good matchup. 8 for 22 against Sanchez with only one strikeout. Feel good about this one and even if it doesn't pay off, you didn't pay anything for him.

First Base

Pete Alonso $4.8k

This is a good spot for him to get going. The guy is strong and it's amazing what he's capable of when he's on. Include him in your Mets stack if that's the route you're going tonight.

Yuli Gurriel $4.6k

The Stros are another team that I like tonight and Yuli has owned Cahill. 8 for 16 with three home runs and no strike outs is pretty impressive. Not sure if the trash can banging had anything to do with that but either way, Houston in play.

Eric Thames $4.1k

The Nats let me down last night but they're in an even better spot tonight. Thames is still looking for his first tater of the year but we know he's certainly capable of it. He's batting 7th which sucks but that doesn't change the fact that he has double dong power.

Rhys Hoskins $3.8k

Great hitting weather in Philly and Hoskins is still looking for his first bomb of 2020. It's unlikely that his bat will remain this quiet and I really like that he's in the 2 spot tonight. Good matchup and price. I could see the first dinger happening tonight.

Second Base

DJ LeMahieu $5.1k

He's just one of those guys who you know you're going to get something out of. If you have the salary then you can never go wrong with DJ and I like NYY overall.

Brandon Lowe $4.4k

I'm a big fan of him and this is an ideal spot for him in Fenway against Godley. The price is good and obviously he has a nice ballpark upgrade here.

Hanser Alberto $4k

I know I mentioned Eflin earlier but I still like the O's bats and I fully expect a lot of runs in this game.

Third Base

Alex Bregman $5.7k

Astros should be pretty popular today and Bregman has been heating up lately. If there's an Astros stack then he needs to be included.

Jeff McNeil $4.6k

You're paying only $4,600 for (in my opinion) one of the best hitters in baseball. He's another guy looking for his first dinger and I could see it happening tonight. Also available in OF.

JD Davis $4.4k

Similar to McNeil, it's not that heavy of a price for someone who's been great and can hit for power. Available in the OF as well.

Renato Nunez $4.3k

I seem to always nail him so hopefully tonight is no different. Way too cheap in my opinion and can hit some tanks.

Shortstop

Trea Turner $4.8k

He is officially hot and it won't be too long before he is over $5k. He can hit you a home run and if he doesn't then he'll swipe some bags. A must play IF you are in on the Nats tonight.

Carlos Correa $4.5k

Not sure why they continue to underprice him but I'll take it. He should be decently high owned and the Astros stack is in play here.

Outfield

Nelson Cruz $5.4k

Nelly against a lefty is usually a lock and the Twins are looking nice so if you can get to him, do it.

Bryce Harper $5.3k

Great pivot off of Cruz and if the Phillies stack goes off, he'll be a big part of it.

George Springer $4.6k

Leading off in that Stros stack and even if you don't stack them, he's a great piece to have.

Eddie Rosario $4.2k

This is a good matchup despite it being lefty/lefty. Eddie is hot right now and this is too cheap for him.

Anthony Santander $4k

He'll make my lineup tonight and I'm sure plenty of others. Great spot and the switch hitting helps late in the game.

Michael Conforto $3.8k

Another guy that is just way too cheap. Matchup is cake and has great history vs Sanchez.

Josh Reddick $3.4k

Hitting 2nd and dirt cheap! Pair with Springer for the 1-2 combo.