MLB DFS Expert Survey: Tuesday, August 18th

by Justin Bailey (Jbails26)

Created Aug 18, 2026

Last Updated 2026-08-18 21:20:56 Premium Content Part of the product MLB DFS

Our panel of experts is here to give you their insights on MLB DFS today for the 8/18 main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. They’re here to answer key questions that will assist you in making those crucial lineup-building decisions. Curious who our experts have as their favorite sneaky stack? Or perhaps you’re wondering who they have as their top overall pitcher? Read their thoughts below!

MLB DFS Picks: DraftKings & FanDuel Expert Survey for Tuesday, August 18

Who is your favorite hitter to spend up for in cash games?

CheeseIsGood: Max Muncy
headChopper: Max Muncy
stevietpfl: Max Muncy
Dean78904: Shohei Ohtani

What is your preferred tournament format (e.g. large-field, single-entry) to play on this slate? How do you plan to beat that field of opponents? What tactic or strategy will set you apart?

CheeseIsGood: I prefer smaller-field tournaments tonight where I can keep a very small pitching pool and just focus on a few offenses as pivots off of the expensive Dodgers. I don’t think there’s any need to overthink the Dodgers, but I also don’t think full-stacking them is all that realistic at their salaries. I will just put 1-2 Dodgers bats in most lineups and focus more on the large group of stacks that have similar best-case-scenario upside. The Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, and Royals seem like the most likely to be somewhat popular pivots, and I also like the Astros, White Sox, and Angels just as much.

headChopper: I am playing one hand-built lineup on each site, mainly in small-field tournaments that have limited entries and slightly higher buy-ins, so I don’t have to compete against too many lineups. I have a strategy similar to last night’s: jam as many Dodgers into my lineups as possible. I didn’t cash on DK last night because I didn’t have Shohei Ohtani, and he ended up being the key Dodgers hitter because of his ownership and production. At his price on DK, though, I’ll probably fade him again and instead build around 5 other Dodgers. It’s much easier to fit Ohtani on FD. I typically wait to choose my pitchers until MLB lineups are released so I can see if any offenses are weakened by regulars getting the day off.

stevietpfl: I’m going to focus on 3-5 lineups in small-field tournaments. The Dodgers are by far the best offense on the slate, but they’re also the most expensive stack. I’m going to be underweight on the Dodgers, but I’m not going to fade them entirely. My top offenses are the Royals, Astros, Red Sox, and Braves. At pitcher, I want to be underweight on Kevin Gausman. As of late morning, he’s projected to be the highest-owned pitcher, and I think the White Sox are above average against RHP. Kyle Harrison, Bryce Miller, and Jackson Kent will be my highest-owned pitchers.

Dean78904: I mostly focus on single-entry and smaller-field contests. Woof, this pitching slate is bowling-shoe ugly. If Kyle Harrison were in better form, I’d just lock him in and move on, but he has mostly been a mess since returning from the IL. Harrison is still in my pool and will be joined by Tyler Mahle and Kevin Gausman, but I genuinely don’t want to play any of these SPs. I will absolutely get to the Dodgers, but I don’t expect to use a full Dodgers stack. Instead, I’m more likely to work them into a 3-3-2 type of stack. The Royals, Astros, Braves, and Cubs are my favorite stacks after the obvious Dodgers.

Who is your favorite pitcher (when considering price, matchup, projected ownership, etc.) on the board and why?

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