MLB FanDuel Picks for Aug 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
Foster Griffin CLE $9,400 41.11 4.37
Zack Wheeler PHI $10,000 38.91 3.89
Braxton Ashcraft PIT $9,600 38.42 4.00
Carlos Rodon NYY $9,100 36.98 4.06

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Foster Griffin CLE $9,400 41.11 4.37
Carlos Rodon NYY $9,100 36.98 4.06
Braxton Ashcraft PIT $9,600 38.42 4.00
Zack Wheeler PHI $10,000 38.91 3.89

Catcher/First Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Matt Olson ATL $3,900 15.24 3.91
Pete Alonso BAL $3,700 13.08 3.53
Munetaka Murakami CWS $3,800 12.94 3.41
Gabriel Moreno ARI $3,100 12.21 3.94

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Alejandro Kirk TOR $2,600 10.89 4.19
Brett Sullivan COL $2,700 11.19 4.14
Carter Jensen KC $2,700 10.71 3.97
Gabriel Moreno ARI $3,100 12.21 3.94

Second Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Gleyber Torres DET $3,100 11.53 3.72
Brandon Lowe PIT $3,300 10.86 3.29
Hao-Yu Lee DET $2,400 10.65 4.44
Luke Keaschall MIN $2,900 10.36 3.57

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Hao-Yu Lee DET $2,400 10.65 4.44
Marcus Semien NYM $2,700 10.13 3.75
Gleyber Torres DET $3,100 11.53 3.72
Luke Keaschall MIN $2,900 10.36 3.57

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.


Short Stop

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Bobby Witt Jr. KC $3,800 13.64 3.59
Francisco Lindor NYM $3,300 13.05 3.95
Jeremy Pena HOU $3,500 12.95 3.70
Trea Turner PHI $3,200 11.86 3.71

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Angel Genao CLE $2,500 10.33 4.13
Brock Rodden SEA $2,300 9.27 4.03
Francisco Lindor NYM $3,300 13.05 3.95
George Lombard Jr. NYY $2,700 10.16 3.76

Third Base

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Max Muncy LAD $3,700 13.30 3.59
Junior Caminero TB $3,800 12.22 3.22
Nolan Arenado ARI $2,900 12.14 4.19
Alex Bregman CHC $3,200 11.92 3.73

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Alec Bohm PHI $2,700 11.38 4.22
Nolan Arenado ARI $2,900 12.14 4.19
Pedro Ramirez CHC $2,700 10.14 3.76
Alex Bregman CHC $3,200 11.92 3.73

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.


Outfield

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Shohei Ohtani LAD $4,500 16.85 3.75
Pete Crow-Armstrong CHC $4,200 15.13 3.60
Joshua Baez STL $2,900 14.08 4.86
Wilyer Abreu BOS $3,500 13.85 3.96
Corbin Carroll ARI $3,600 13.42 3.73
Seiya Suzuki CHC $3,600 13.31 3.70
Yordan Alvarez HOU $4,200 13.30 3.17
Jake McCarthy COL $3,700 13.28 3.59

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Joshua Baez STL $2,900 14.08 4.86
Esteury Ruiz MIA $2,800 12.90 4.61
Lawrence Butler ATH $2,600 11.94 4.59
Spencer Jones NYY $2,500 10.46 4.18
Tyler O’Neill BAL $2,700 10.98 4.07
Drew Gilbert SF $2,400 9.68 4.03
Carlos Cortes ATH $2,500 9.96 3.98
Wilyer Abreu BOS $3,500 13.85 3.96

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.