MLB Draftkings Picks for Apr 18, 2026

Daily Player Picks

Updated Throughout the Day

Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.


Pitchers

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Tarik Skubal DET $10,100 26.41 2.62
Brandon Woodruff MIL $8,800 22.88 2.60
Gavin Williams CLE $11,600 22.40 1.93
Cristopher Sanchez PHI $9,800 21.66 2.21

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Tarik Skubal DET $10,100 26.41 2.62
Brandon Woodruff MIL $8,800 22.88 2.60
Jameson Taillon CHC $7,300 18.16 2.49
Luis Severino ATH $6,400 15.21 2.38

Catcher

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Shea Langeliers ATH $5,800 10.52 1.81
Drake Baldwin ATL $5,000 9.92 1.98
Will Smith LAD $5,100 9.52 1.87
Daniel Susac SF $2,900 9.48 3.27

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Daniel Susac SF $2,900 9.48 3.27
Edgar Quero CWS $2,200 5.79 2.63
Brandon Valenzuela TOR $2,100 5.28 2.51
Patrick Bailey SF $2,100 5.21 2.48

First Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Sal Stewart CIN $4,700 11.63 2.47
Nick Kurtz ATH $5,400 10.62 1.97
Shea Langeliers ATH $5,800 10.52 1.81
Ben Rice NYY $5,500 9.94 1.81

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Daniel Susac SF $2,900 9.48 3.27
Nathaniel Lowe CIN $2,400 6.49 2.70
Casey Schmitt SF $3,100 8.28 2.67
Edgar Quero CWS $2,200 5.79 2.63

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Second Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
JJ Wetherholt STL $4,700 10.42 2.22
Nico Hoerner CHC $4,700 9.94 2.11
Brandon Lowe PIT $5,600 9.86 1.76
Ketel Marte ARI $5,200 9.82 1.89

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Chase Meidroth CWS $3,100 7.59 2.45
Jeff McNeil ATH $3,500 8.51 2.43
JJ Wetherholt STL $4,700 10.42 2.22
Matt McLain CIN $3,200 6.93 2.17

Short Stop

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Elly De La Cruz CIN $6,000 10.33 1.72
CJ Abrams WSH $5,700 10.20 1.79
Zach Neto LAA $5,300 10.12 1.91
Corey Seager TEX $5,400 9.76 1.81

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jose Caballero NYY $2,900 8.12 2.80
Taylor Walls TB $2,700 6.86 2.54
Brooks Lee MIN $2,800 6.63 2.37
Andres Gimenez TOR $3,400 7.59 2.23

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Third Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jose Ramirez CLE $9,600 9.73 1.01
Max Muncy LAD $5,200 9.61 1.85
Miguel Vargas CWS $3,500 9.00 2.57
Junior Caminero TB $5,200 8.90 1.71

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Miguel Vargas CWS $3,500 9.00 2.57
Josh Jung TEX $2,800 6.87 2.45
Nolan Arenado ARI $3,200 7.66 2.39
Yoan Moncada LAA $3,500 8.10 2.32

Outfield

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Yordan Alvarez HOU $6,300 11.62 1.84
Aaron Judge NYY $6,700 11.31 1.69
Oneil Cruz PIT $6,200 11.27 1.82
Mike Trout LAA $5,800 10.77 1.86
Corbin Carroll ARI $6,100 10.66 1.75
James Wood WSH $5,900 10.36 1.76
Byron Buxton MIN $5,000 10.25 2.05
Ramon Laureano SD $4,400 9.92 2.26

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Matt Vierling DET $2,000 7.25 3.62
Tyrone Taylor NYM $2,200 6.51 2.96
Derek Hill CWS $2,200 6.32 2.87
Lane Thomas KC $2,300 6.52 2.83
Wenceel Perez DET $2,200 6.12 2.78
Andrew Benintendi CWS $2,600 7.05 2.71
Davis Schneider TOR $2,700 7.15 2.65
Tim Tawa ARI $2,100 5.34 2.54

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Picks are updated regularly, but we advise that you keep up to date on late-day roster moves and injuries – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk. Sample lineups are provided as thought-starters, and are not intended for direct use.