Everyone knows a winning daily fantasy baseball strategy starts with picking the right pitcher, which is why we start off Tuesday's DFS advice with our pitcher rankings. Unfortunately, on this full day of action, there are only two "true aces" on the mound (Max Scherzer and Yu Darvish), and they're likely to be in a lot of lineups, especially in cash games.
Of course, the way to win big in GPPs is to differentiate a bit. That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't have Scherzer or Darvish (you can differentiate with your hitters), but there are other hurlers out there who can help win you money. Michael Fulmer and Marcus Stroman are easily the next-best pitchers on the slate, and guys like Mike Leake, Jimmy Nelson, and Andrew Triggs have come out of the gates on fire. Talent-wise, we're big fans of Luis Severino and Zack Wheeler (though the latter is still working his way back from injury).
Shelby Miller might be the biggest boom-or-bust guy, as he's had a better-than-they-appear first two starts, racking up 12 Ks in 10.1 innings. Pitching in San Diego tonight should help him keep the ball in the park.
MORE DFS: Lineup Builder
If you're mainly chasing a win, you always have to like a Cubs pitcher (they're bound to break the losing streak soon, right?), even if it's Brett Anderson facing the red-hot Nelson. Houston's Joe Musgrove also looks good opposite the Angels' Ricky Nolasco.
Daily Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Pitchers
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Scherzer, RHP | WAS | at ATL |
| 2 | Yu Darvish, RHP | TEX | at OAK |
| 3 | Michael Fulmer, RHP | DET | at TB |
| 4 | Marcus Stroman, RHP | TOR | vs. BOS |
| 5 | Mike Leake, RHP | STL | vs. PIT |
| 6 | Luis Severino, RHP | NYY | vs. CWS |
| 7 | Zack Wheeler, RHP | NYM | vs. PHI |
| 8 | Jimmy Nelson, RHP | MIL | at CHC |
| 9 | Andrew Triggs, RHP | OAK | vs. TEX |
| 10 | Shelby Miller, RHP | ARI | at SD |
| 11 | Phil Hughes, RHP | MIN | vs. CLE |
| 12 | Brett Anderson, LHP | CHC | vs. MIL |
| 13 | Miguel Gonzalez, RHP | CWS | at NYY |
| 14 | Jason Hammel, RHP | KC | vs. SF |
| 15 | Joe Musgrove, RHP | HOU | vs. LAA |
| 16 | Kyle Freeland, LHP | COL | at LAD |
| 17 | Jarred Cosart, RHP | SD | vs. ARI |
| 18 | Josh Tomlin, RHP | CLE | at MIN |
| 19 | Mike Foltynewicz, RHP | ATL | vs. WAS |
| 20 | Wei-Yin Chen, LHP | MIA | at SEA |
| 21 | Yovani Gallardo, RHP | SEA | vs. MIA |
| 22 | Hyun-jin Ryu, LHP | LAD | vs. COL |
| 23 | Matt Andriese, RHP | TB | vs. DET |
| 24 | Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP | BAL | at CIN |
| 25 | Matt Cain, RHP | SF | at KC |
| 26 | Ricky Nolasco, RHP | LAA | at HOU |
| 27 | Chad Kuhl, RHP | PIT | at STL |
| 28 | Zach Eflin, RHP | PHI | at NYM |
| 29 | Bronson Arroyo, RHP | CIN | vs. BAL |
| 30 | Brian Johnson, LHP | BOS | at TOR |
Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks: Tuesday, April 18
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It's a full slate on a Tuesday, with every game getting underway in the evening. That's a first this season, and it means there are a lot of players to choose from. We’re here to help you separate the real from the fake and set those winning lineups. Let’s get to it.
Weather wise, there's nothing major to report in terms of a postponement threat. The wind is supposed to be blowing out to left field at Wrigley, which is you’ll see Ryan Braun and Domingo Santana below. -- Nick Berns
| Pos | Player | Team | Opp. | FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo | Analysis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP | Max Scherzer (R) | Nationals | @Braves | $11400 | $12800 | $58 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| SP | Shelby Miller (R) | D-backs | @Padres | $7400 | $7500 | $31 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | Kevin Gausman (R) | Orioles | @Reds | $7600 | $7100 | $43 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | Luis Severino (R) | Yankees | White Sox | $7700 | $6500 | $32 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | Marcus Stroman (R) | Blue Jays | Red Sox | $8800 | $8300 | $41 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | Michael Fulmer (R) | Tigers | @Rays | $9100 | $8900 | $44 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| SP | Matt Andriese (R) | Rays | Tigers | $7100 | $6100 | $32 | GO PRO ! | |
| SP | Mike Leake (R) | Cardinals | Pirates | $7900 | $7600 | $36 | GO PRO ! | |
| C | Brian McCann (L) | Astros | Angels | $3000 | $3300 | $14 | GO PRO ! | |
| C | Salvador Pérez (R) | Royals | Giants | $2900 | $3400 | $15 | GO PRO ! | |
| C | Welington Castillo (R) | Orioles | @Reds | $2800 | $3800 | $14 | GO PRO ! | |
| C | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| C | Roberto Pérez (R) | Indians | @Twins | $2000 | $2600 | $7 | GO PRO ! | |
| 1B | Edwin Encarnación (R) | Indians | @Twins | $3400 | $4500 | $16 | GO PRO ! | |
| 1B | Joe Mauer (L) | Twins | Indians | $2900 | $3700 | $9 | GO PRO ! | |
| 1B | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| 1B | C.J. Cron (R) | Angels | @Astros | $2500 | $3500 | $13 | GO PRO ! | |
| 2B | Daniel Murphy (L) | Nationals | @Braves | $3600 | $4400 | $22 | GO PRO ! | |
| 2B | Dee Gordon (L) | Marlins | @Mariners | $3500 | $3800 | $18 | GO PRO ! | |
| 2B | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| 3B | Ryan Schimpf (L) | Padres | D-backs | $3100 | $3600 | $13 | GO PRO ! | |
| 2B | César Hernández (B) | Phillies | @Mets | $3500 | $3000 | $20 | GO PRO ! | |
| 3B | David Freese (R) | Pirates | @Cardinals | $2600 | $3000 | $15 | GO PRO ! | |
| 3B | Manny Machado (R) | Orioles | @Reds | $3900 | $4900 | $17 | GO PRO ! | |
| 3B | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| 3B | Justin Turner (R) | Dodgers | Rockies | $3900 | $3600 | $18 | GO PRO ! | |
| 3B | Miguel Sano (R) | Twins | Indians | $3400 | $4100 | $25 | GO PRO ! | |
| SS | J.J. Hardy (R) | Orioles | @Reds | $2600 | $3300 | $13 | GO PRO ! | |
| SS | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| SS | Trevor Story (R) | Rockies | @Dodgers | $3200 | $4100 | $15 | GO PRO ! | |
| SS | Asdrubal Cabrera (B) | Mets | Phillies | $3500 | $3700 | $18 | GO PRO ! | |
| SS | Corey Seager (L) | Dodgers | Rockies | $3600 | $4400 | $21 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | Nelson Cruz (R) | Mariners | Marlins | $3700 | $4300 | $20 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! | ||||||
| OF | Domingo Santana (R) | Brewers | @Cubs | $3200 | $3600 | $15 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | Lorenzo Cain (R) | Royals | Giants | $3700 | $4000 | $19 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | Jay Bruce (L) | Mets | Phillies | $3500 | $3600 | $17 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | Yoenis Céspedes (R) | Mets | Phillies | $4200 | $4600 | $21 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | Adam Jones (R) | Orioles | @Reds | $3600 | $4500 | $16 | GO PRO ! | |
| OF | GO PRO ! | GO PRO ! |
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Daily Fantasy Baseball Value Picks: Tuesday, April 18
Because we can't do a full write-up on every player, here are some value plays we like who might make it into our Optimal Lineups.
C - Nick Hundley (SF) - DK / FD
C - Jason Castro (MIN) - DK
1B - Kendrys Morales (TOR) - FD
1B - Justin Smoak (TOR) - Across-the-board value
2B - Raul Mondesi (KC) - ATB Value
2B - Brad Miller (TB) - FD
2B - Kolten Wong (STL) - FD / Y!
3B - Yangervis Solarte (SD) - FD
3B - Eduardo Nunez (SF) - FD
3B - Anthony Rendon (WSH) - Y!
SS - Alcides Escobar (KC) - FD / Y!
SS - Brandon Crawford (SF) - FD
SS - Wilmer Difo (WSH) - DK / FD
OF - Steve Pearce (TOR) - FD
OF - Travis Jankowski (SD) - DK / Y!
OF - Kevin Pillar (TOR) - FD