3 MLB Studs to Target for Friday 8/11/23

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 today's main slate.

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

Corbin Burnes, P, Milwaukee Brewers ($10,800)

After an up-and-down first half to the season, Corbin Burnes looks to be back in Cy Young form and should be once again today.

Overall on the season, Burnes has been good but not the ace level we've become accustomed to over the last few seasons. He's got a 4.12 SIERA and 25.0% strikeout rate which are both respectable marks but not to his usual levels. In the second half though? That's more like it.

Through 32 innings in the second half, Burnes has a 1.69 ERA, 2.54 FIP, and 31.7% strikeout rate as he's firing on all cylinders. Don't expect that to stop against the Chicago White Sox either.

It's pretty well-documented how much of a disaster this season has been for the White Sox but it's only getting worse. In the second half, Chicago ranks second to last in wOBA at a .291 clip. They're also striking out at a 25.0% rate. Hard to not be beyond excited about Burnes' prospects with those numbers.

numberFire's model has Burnes projected for a good one with 34.5 FanDuel points.

Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves ($4,900)

Ronald Acuna is never a bad option. Today, he may be the best.

The Atlanta Braves superstar has done it all this season, whether you're looking for the power, speed, or simply getting on base. With 26 home runs, Acuna now has the second-most long balls in a single season in his career. He's also added the career-highs with 53 stolen bases, .427 wOBA, .245 ISO, 170 wRC+, and a minimal 12.5% strikeout rate.

Only Shohei Ohtani has been a better player than Acuna this season, putting him in elite company.

Taking on the New York Mets and their starter Tylor Megill, it should be another great offensive outing for Acuna and the rest of the Braves -- so think about stacking this offense. Megill has made 16 starts on the season and in those starts, he's put together a 5.30 SIERA and a 5.24 FIP. Both of these marks go with a nothing 17.4% strikeout rate.

Acuna is the highest projected batter on the day via numberFire's model with 17.3 FanDuel points.

Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers ($3,800)

It's nice to have Christian Yelich back in the studs category, isn't it?

The former MVP has been as closer to that form in 2023 than he has been in a long time and it's made the Milwaukee Brewers better for it. On the season, Yelich is hitting .290 with 16 home runs and 64 RBIs -- all his best since the 2019 season. His advanced statistics are just as good with a .365 wOBA and 130 wRC+ to show for it.

Since the start of the second half, all of his numbers have only elevated -- .389 wOBA and .221 ISO in 25 games.

The matchup against Michael Kopech and the Chicago White Sox makes Yelich the stud among many worth throwing into your lineup.

Kopech has a hideous 5.10 SIERA and 6.20 FIP -- not numbers you'd necessarily be afraid of. This is a good day to fire up others in the Brewers' lineup including Willy Adames and Willson Contreras with a stack.

Yelich is projected for 14.6 FanDuel points per numberFire's model.

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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.