MLB DFS Playbook August 21: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Published: Aug 21, 2023
We have a seven-game MLB DFS main slate on Monday, August 21st, on DraftKings and FanDuel, kicking off at 7:05 pm ET. It was once eight games but because of the storms that took place in Los Angeles, the Reds and Angels game has been PPD. We have some interesting names atop the daily fantasy baseball pitching position as Luis Castillo, Jordan Montgomery, and Michael Wacha all top the list. We have elite stacks, too, such as the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Texas Rangers. Be sure to check out all of our tools including the MLB Lineups page, MLB DFS Projections – powered by FanJections –, MLB DFS Ownership, and all of the rest of our tools HERE! Let's dive into today's playbook, core plays, and top stacks of the day!
MLB DFS Weather Center
Cincinnati Reds @ Los Angeles Angels
This game has been POSTPONED.
Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers
Top Options for Strikeouts
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox: 6.5 Ks (-110)
Cristian Javier, Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox: 5.5 Ks (+100)
Best Odds for a Win
Allan Winans, Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets: -217
Michael Wacha, San Diego Padres vs. Miami Marlins: -204
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners vs. Chicago White Sox: -188
Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups
Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners
It’s been a brutal season for the White Sox and things haven’t changed since the All-Star break. Since the break, the White Sox rank 27th in OPS, wOBA, and ISO along with a 23.6% K-rate against right-handed pitching. Castillo himself has been up and down lately, but he’s been very good when he’s avoiding the home run ball. He has 20+ DKP in four of his last six starts and has averaged 20 DKP/game over his last 10 starts and for the entire campaign. Castillo is going to be very popular and for good reason.
Allan Winans, Atlanta Braves
Winans making his third start this year is going to be very popular, especially considering he dominated the Mets on August 12th, firing seven scoreless innings while striking out nine. The Mets' offense *has* looked better lately, but they’re still middle of the pack since the All-Star break against right-handed pitching. Winans has been really good in the minors and has shown some solid stuff at the major league level too.
Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
We’re starting to get a really good version of Paul Blackburn, the one that made the All-Star game for Oakland just last year. He’s firing two scoreless outings over his last three and has put up 7+ Ks and 22+ DKP in three of four as well. The Royals have obviously been an improved offense since the break, but they’re still 25th in the league in OPS and wOBA. If Blackburn can keep the ball on the ground, in a great pitching environment, he could be one of the slate’s better values.
Recommended DFS Hitters
Highest Expected Run Totals
St. Louis Cardinals: 5.67 implied runs
Atlanta Braves: 5.51 implied runs
Seattle Mariners: 4.99 implied runs
Texas Rangers: 4.95 implied runs
Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups
Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
The Rangers offense is in a great spot on Monday with Joe Mantiply and Slade Cecconi serving as the Diamondbacks' primary pitchers. Cecconi was awful the last two years allowing home runs and has gotten by with some pretty LUCKY numbers at the major league level this season. Seager has been one of the league’s best players this year and has massive numbers against RHP notching a .332 ISO and .466 wOBA.
Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
Over his last 101 at-bats against right-handed pitching, Julio Rodriguez is absolutely mashing everything in sight. He has a .320 ISO and .449 wOBA over that span and that’s helped him raise his overall numbers to a .196 ISO and .348 wOBA against RHP on the campaign. In August, he’s hitting .412 with a 1.103 OPS, .247 ISO, and .463 wOBA. Nobody can stop JRod right now.
Ha-Seong Kim, San Diego Padres
Now that the Marlins are starting Ryan Weathers, former Padre, I love the Padres in this spot. Kim has been fantastic against left-handed pitching all year posting a .235 ISO and .410 wOBA. Those are elite numbers and considering he hits atop the order, he’ll maximize his at-bats here. Righties have a .221 ISO and a .398 wOBA against Weathers on the year and nobody knows Weathers like the Padres do. Kim’s .957 OPS against southpaws is over .200 points higher than it is against righties.
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves
I know this comes as a complete surprise, but the Atlanta Braves lead the slate with 6.3 implied runs. Ozuna has been really good against left-handed pitching this year notching a .303 ISO, second on the team behind Orlando Arcia, and a .379 wOBA to boot. Over the last 10 games, Ozuna is hitting .378 and just had his 17-game hitting streak snapped. The start of a new one starts here. RHH have a .372 wOBA against David Peterson this season.
Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Dating back to June 1st, Ke’Bryan Hayes is hitting .309 for a .832 OPS, .195 ISO, and .353 wOBA. Hayes has been very solid against southpaws this season notching a .486 SLG%, .200 ISO, and .333 wOBA. On the year, righties are hitting .286 against Drew Rom this year at the Triple-A level. Righties also hit .294 against him last season at the minor league level as well. Hayes has had his best power surge in August and this is a good spot for Hayes.
Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals
I love this spot for Winn and think this could be his breakout performance. Bailey Falter is likely the long man for Pittsburgh here and Winn dominated against southpaws this season at the Triple-A level. He slashed .353/.423/.631 with nine home runs across 62 games against LHP. Winn’s incredibly cheap across the industry and fits in every lineup you build.
Come watch Jon Impemba & James Grande go LIVE on the Bettor Sports Network & Fantasy Alarm YouTube channels breaking down today's 12-game MLB DFS main slate at 5:00 pm ET! Give the video a thumbs up & subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Player Pool
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