3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target for Friday 8/18/23

Hitting on value plays in MLB DFS on FanDuel can make or break a lineup on any given day, but locking in strong performances with some of baseball's star players provides the backbone for any good DFS lineup.

These stars rightly come with high salaries as they usually live up to expectations and have the ability to outclass their peers at their position.

Here are three studs to target for Friday's main slate.

All advanced statistics come from FanGraphs. All projections via numberFire.

Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves ($11,500)

As the current MLB leader in strikeouts, Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves has been on a tear for nearly two straight years now. On Friday, he is in a thriving spot at home against the offensively challenged San Francisco Giants, who are 3-8 in their last 11 contests.

In 2023, Strider is boasting a magnificent K rate of 37.9%. Additionally, the opposing Giants strike out at a high frequency -- 9.4 times per game this season, to be specific. San Francisco has also had a tough time scoring as of late, producing more than three runs in a single contest only once over the past week.

Through 24 starts this year, Strider has notched double-digit punch out totals in 37.5% of his outings. He has logged at least nine Ks in eight other contests, which equates to 70.8% of his appearances resulting in nine or more punchies.

Strider has averaged 42.86 points on FanDuel in the current campaign. For Friday, numberFire projects Strider to produce 38.9 FanDuel points -- feel confident about Strider tonight against struggling San Francisco.

Luis Robert Jr., OF, Chicago White Sox ($4,400)

Luis Robert and the Chicago White Sox are scheduled at the Colorado Rockies today; that means hitters in both lineups will be able to reap the "Mile High" elevation benefits.

For a player like Robert, who already has 32 home runs (trailing only Shohei Ohtani for the American League lead), there is no better place in the United States to take hacks than Coors Field.

Peter Lambert will start on the mound for Colorado. In 2023, Lambert is already allowing 1.82 homers per nine innings, but some of that is likely inflated because of where he plays his home games.

Over his most recent 10-game stretch, Robert has hit safely in 9 contests, producing 6 RBI and 5 runs scored along the way. In Denver's thin air, I don't imagine Robert will slow down. This will be his first time taking at-bats at Coors, and he is the strong candidate to have a multi-HR day -- a feat he last accomplished on June 25th.

Of all 30 teams in action tonight, the Chi-Sox have the highest run total (6.25) on numberFire's game projections. Be sure to get yourself a piece of the pie by rostering Robert at 5,280-feet elevation.

Freddie Freeman, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,200)

The Los Angeles Dodgers are indisputably the hottest team in baseball right now. Currently riding an 11-game winning streak, they have also been victorious in 16 of their last 18 games. Naturally, slugging lefty Freddie Freeman has been leading the way for the Boys in Blue.

Freeman has a .996 OPS through 120 games this season, which leaves him ranked second-best in the Senior Circuit. Additionally, Freeman's .418 wOBA in 2023 is nothing short of prolific.

Tonight, he will be facing the Miami Marlins and 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. The right-handed pitcher has not been nearly as dominant this season, though, as his SIERA is up to 4.08 from 3.42 a year ago.

Head-to-head, Freeman has matched up with Alcantara for 26 lifetime at-bats. In that sample, Freeman is hitting .308. Considering the surrounding talent in Los Angeles' lineup, Freeman should be left in favorable spots to do damage.

With the Dodgers scoring an average of 5.72 runs over their current 18-game tirade, I am confident in Freeman thriving at home with a platoon advantage over Alcantara.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.