3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target for Wednesday 8/16/23

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 Wednesday's main slate.

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

Kevin Gausman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays ($11,100)

Kevin Gausman and the Toronto Blue Jays are set for a midweek bid with the Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately for the Phils, Gausman has been one of the best hurlers in all of baseball this year.

In his 11th MLB season, Gausman is displaying a career-best strikeout rate of 32.5%. He stands a solid chance to eclipse his highest seasonal strikeout total of 227, currently sitting on 183 Ks. Additionally, Gausman's 1.14 WHIP has worked efficiently to keep runners off the basepaths in 2023.

On Wednesday, numberFire's model projects Gausman to produce 37.1 FanDuel points against Philadelphia. Among all eligible players, that is the second-highest of tonight's projections.

Considering that Gausman has averaged 41.0 points on FD through 23 games started this season, I am confident that he stays in rhythm at home against the last team Toronto defeated in a World Series (1993).

Cody Bellinger, OF/1B, Chicago Cubs ($4,200)

After a multi-year rut riddled with injuries, Cody Bellinger appears to be seeing the baseball like he was during his 2019 MVP campaign -- only now as a member of the Chicago Cubs. In tonight's version of the Crosstown Classic, he'll have an opportunity to further remind us of his prowess against the Chicago White Sox.

Versus the Chi-Sox, Bellinger will immediately hold the platoon advantage over right-handed starter Mike Clevinger, who currently shows a 5.13 SIERA. In 2023, Bellinger's OPS is at .898 against righties -- slightly better than his career average (.859) in that split.

Per numberFire, Bellinger's Wednesday evening projection yields 14.4 fantasy points on FanDuel. That lands him within the top-five of tonight's options in the outfield.

Belli has collected 6 homers, 6 doubles and 24 RBI over the Cubs' most recent 25-game stretch. They will be at Wrigley Field tonight against their hated crosstown rival, and the wind will be blowing out. I like Bellinger to answer the call in the midst of heated pennant race.

Shohei Ohtani, OF, Los Angeles Angels ($4,500)

Transparently, Shohei Ohtani is likely worth his salary any night that he takes the field. While currently dealing with arm fatigue, the two-way superstar is still an explosive option in the batter's box. He also has such a stranglehold on the 2023 AL MVP that FanDuel Sportsbook has taken the market off the board.

Ohtani and his fellow Los Angeles Angels are scheduled for a divisional clash with the AL West leading Texas Rangers tonight. Starting on the hill for the Rangers will be righty Jon Gray. In a brief sample, Ohtani has a homer and four RBIs from seven at-bats against Gray.

Despite the Halos' recent struggles (3-11 in the month of August), Ohtani is still in an advantageous spot on Wednesday. At numberFire, his DFS projection shows 14.3 FanDuel points. Given the platoon advantage and head-to-head success versus Gray, Ohtani could blow that figure out of the water.

Additionally, Globe Life Field in Arlington has been a fabulous venue for home run hitters in 2023. Through the current season, MLB's newest stadium has seen 109 homers leave the yard -- tied for seventh-most in the majors. That could translate well for Ohtani, who leads all other American League players with 41 long balls.

Looking to build some MLB DFS lineups? Check out FanDuel’s daily fantasy baseball lobby to see all the offerings for today’s slates.

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.