Penned By: @Ryan_Humphries on Twitter and LineStar Chat.

• Rate LineStarApp on the App store and get a shoutout on Twitter from @LineStarApp official account!

• Have questions? Check out the LineStar Tutorial Wiki.

Top Daily Sportsbook/DFS Offers 8/29/23 💸

Our editors found the top deals in sports-books so you don’t have to! Tapping below links will help support LineStar through an affiliate referral.

• Bet365 - Bet $1 and get $200 in Bonus Bets ⭐️

• BetMGM Up to $1000 paid back in Bonus Bets if you don't win 
  _{Available in IN, WV, CO, IA, OH, MI, MS, IL, TN, NJ, DC, KS, NY, LA, WY, AZ} ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• BetRivers 2nd Chance Bonus Bet Up to $500 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
  Promo code: SPORTS Available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, NJ, PA

• Caesars Place a first-time wager of up to $1,250, get it back in the form of a Bonus Bet if you lose.

  Promo code: BETFULLYFULL

  _{Available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, NJ, OH, ON, PA, TN, VA, WV, DC}

• Sleeper DFS - Deposit Match up to $100 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Underdog DFS - Deposit Match up to $100 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Thrive DFS - Deposit Match up to $100 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Chalkboard DFS - Deposit Match up to $300 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Must be 18+ (some states may require 21+) and be present in an eligible state; if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

OnDeck MLB DFS & Prop Bet Podcasts 🎙️

Like, Subscribe, and Comment @ LineStar YouTube channel! You never know when we’ll shout you out or give you something cool. New episodes drop Mon-Fri feat. hosts Shannon Sommerville & Tyler Wiemann! Every episode is quick, informative, & easy to watch.

Main Slate Rundown 🏟

Back-to-back 12-game slates? I say, like a fat man standing in the break room over a box of donuts, wiggling his fingers, ”Don’t mind if I dooo!” There are very playable pitchers at every pricing tier, Coors Field is in play once again with a potent (but expensive) Braves offense in town, and there are ample non-Coors stacks to like/love as well. We might have a couple of trouble spots for weather but no washouts/PPDs are to be expected at the moment. Let’s have some fun! Best of luck!

Main slate match-ups with implied run totals and moneyline odds:

Main Slate Weather Outlook 💨🌦️☁️

Check LineStar's MLB Daily Dashboard to see an overview of the most up-to-date game forecasts.

• CWS @ BAL (7:05 ET): Rain will threaten this game but the current forecast indicates that only some lighter rain is expected. Worth doing a pre-game radar check because there is some heavier stuff that could be in the surrounding BAL areas.

• HOU @ BOS (7:10 ET): Might see some middle-inning precipitation but nothing too heavy. Most of the rain should hold off until after the game is over.

• CLE @ MIN (7:40 ET): Winds IN from left around 10 mph.

• MIL @ CHC (8:05 ET): Potential for a late start if some afternoon rain lingers longer than expected but, otherwise, they should be fine. Fairly stiff winds blowing IN from left around 15+ mph. With Wrigley Field being very sensitive to winds, that means pitchers should receive a solid bump. Notice the low 6.5-run over/under here -- I don’t believe we’ve seen a total that low in quite some time.

Pitchers to Consider ⚾

George Kirby (RHP), SEA | DK: $9.7k, FD: $10.8k | vs. OAK

It’s been a while since I’ve spotlighted a pitcher facing the A’s but this feels like a good time to get some shares of George Kirby. Like any pitcher, Kirby can underperform in a plus match-up from time to time but he brings a very strong ceiling to DFS lineups and is only three starts removed from pitching a CGSO against a solid Orioles lineup back on August 12th. Kirby has thrived at home in the confines of T-Mobile Park (#2 most pitcher-friendly ballpark this season). In a dozen home starts (75.1 IP) this season, Kirby owns a 2.87 ERA, 3.35 xFIP, 0.89 WHIP, .214 opp AVG, and 26.8% kRate while averaging +35.8% more FPPG.

The A’s head into this match-up having scored just three runs in their last three games and, against RHPs over the previous two weeks, they’re hitting just .208 with a .285 wOBA, 83 wRC+, and 26.2% kRate. On the season, versus RHPs, Oakland owns an MLB-low .306 xwOBA against Kirby’s primary pitch mix of 4-seamer, sinker, and slider. The A’s are being pinned with a slate-low 2.9 implied run total and the red-hot Mariners are absolute monstrous -320 ML favorites. Kirby is the fourth-most expensive pitcher on both DraftKings and FanDuel today, but he could easily end the evening as the highest-scoring SP on the slate.

Brandon Williamson (LHP), CIN | DK: $6.5k, FD: $7.3k | @ SF

The mid-range has a couple of interesting SP options but it is probably the least enticing price range on this slate, so we’ll spotlight a pair of cheaper pitching plays beginning with Brandon Williamson. Williamson heads into his 19th start of the season riding some nice form -- over his previous four starts (24.0 IP), he has procured a 2.25 ERA, 2.97 xFIP, 1.00 WHIP, and 27.8% kRate while averaging 19.2 DKFP/33.6 FDFP per game.

Williamson draws an interesting match-up against a Giants team that has the lowest batting average, fewest home runs, and third-fewest runs scored since the All-Star Break. They have fared better against lefties recently, hitting .272 (ranks 10th) with a 107 wRC+ (14th) against southpaw pitching over the last month, but they have posted a 27.1% kRate (3rd highest) in that span as well. Against Williamson’s two primary pitches (4-seamer and cutter), the Giants rank 28th in xwOBA and have the fourth-highest kRate. This game is also being played at Oracle Park, the #4 most pitcher-friendly ballpark this season, and the Giants have ranked as the third-worst home offense, averaging just 3.85 runs/gm. So, while Williamson has had his fair share of struggles this season, most of them came in the first half and there are quite a few trends that are breaking in his favor tonight. I expect him to be well under 10% owned and there is some upside for him in this spot, especially if he continues to bolster those strikeout numbers against a very strikeout-prone Giants lineup.

Cole Ragans (LHP), KC | DK: $6k, FD: $6.6k | vs. PIT

We will now arrive at the guy who could very well be the chalkiest pitcher on the slate with many folks looking to go cheap at pitcher so they can jam in Braves/Coors Field bats. Ragans carries a 39% pOwn% on DK and a 38% pOwn% on FD, and that could end up being a slightly conservative ownership projection. It’s hard to hate on the play seeing how dominant Ragans has been since switching over from the bullpen to a starting role. Within his last five starts, he has only had one misstep against the Cardinals and in that five-game span, he has averaged 25.8 DKFP/46.2 FDFP while pitching to a thoroughly impressive 2.12 ERA, 2.28 xFIP, 1.18 WHIP, and a massive 36.4% kRate (13.3 K/9)! The only starting pitcher in the MLB with a higher kRate than Ragans in that span (min. 20.0 IP) is Freddy Peralta (42.9% kRate).

A match-up with the Pirates is certainly not going to be enough to sway folks away from Ragans. Over the last month versus LHPs, Pittsburgh ranks 25th with a .216 AVG to go alongside a lackluster 77 wRC+ (26th) and an above-average 23.3% kRate. With that said, the Pirates offense does have a knack for showing up in unexpected spots and peppering hits and runs against opposing pitchers who have been on a tear. But, at his $6k/$6.6k DFS salaries, Ragans opens up a ton of roster flexibility and is more likely to return value in this spot than not. The Royals are also solid -153 ML favorites at home today and Ragans has posted four quality starts (6.0+ IP & ≤ 3 ER) within his last five outings.

Other Pitchers to Consider

Pablo Lopez (RHP), MIN | DK: $10.8k, FD: $11.3k | vs. CLE

Corbin Burners (RHP), MIL | DK: $10.6k, FD: $10.3k | @ CHC

Charlie Morton (RHP), ATL | DK: $8.5k, FD: $9.8k | @ COL

Seth Lugo (RHP), SD | DK: $7.9k, FD: $9.6k | @ STL

Dean Kremer (RHP), BAL | DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.8k | vs. CWS

Zack Thompson (LHP), STL | DK: $5.6k, FD: $5.9k | vs. SD

Team Stacks to Target 🎯

Disclaimer: Stacking in MLB DFS is not a requirement but it is a very common strategy used to take down GPPs. This strategy is covered in more detail in the MLB DFS strategy guide linked in the header at the top of this newsletter. Check out the MLB StackFinder on LineStar.

Obligatory Coors Field Stacks

Atlanta Braves vs. Peter Lambert (RHP), COL

Colorado Rockies vs. Charlie Morton (RHP), ATL

Non-Coors Stacks

Seattle Mariners vs. Ken Waldichuk (LHP), OAK

+ Mariners: 4.6 implied runs (ranks T-4th among non-Coors teams and, like yesterday, feels too low once again).

+ Waldichuk has shown significantly worse splits when pitching on the road (-49.5% less FPPG) where he has posted a 7.43 ERA, 5.33 xFIP, 1.82 WHIP, .303 opp AVG, .404 opp wOBA, and 1.97 HR/9.

+ Seattle continues to punish lefties -- against LHPs over the last two weeks (147 PA), they lead the MLB in AVG (.394), OPS (1.126), wOBA (.476), and wRC+ (216).

+ The A’s bullpen is a major weakness -- over the last month, they own a 4.82 ERA, 5.14 xFIP, and 1.53 WHIP.

- T-Mobile Park has ranked as the #2 least hitter-friendly ballpark this season.

Favorite SEA Bats: Julio Rodriguez, Teoscar Hernandez, JP Crawford

Bargain Bat: Dylan Moore

Houston Astros vs. Brayan Bello (RHP), BOS

+ Astros: 4.9 implied runs (ranks 3rd among non-Coors teams).

+ Bello has been a solid starter for much of the season but he is surrendering plenty of hits/walks as of late with a 1.52 WHIP over his previous five starts.

+ Bello L30Days: 91.1 mph average exit velocity (bottom 15th percentile).

+ Bello just faced the Astros five days ago and, while he did hold them to just one run, there was plenty of traffic on the base paths as Houston racked up nine hits and three walks against him -- teams facing the same pitcher twice within the span of a week tends to favor a better offensive output the second time around.

+ The Astros have been hitting RHPs very well over the last two weeks (367 PA): .306 AVG, .819 OPS, .355 wOBA, 127 wRC+, and an MLB-low 15.0% kRate.

+ Fenway Park has been the #2 most hitter-friendly ballpark this season and the Astros excel on the road where they rank 3rd in the MLB averaging 5.48 runs/gm -- nearly a run more per game than their home average of 4.59 runs/gm.

+ The Red Sox bullpen has been slumping recently -- over the last month, they have posted a 6.19 ERA, 4.68 xFIP, 1.66 WHIP, and .298 opp AVG.

- As mentioned, Bello has been solid on the season, owning a respectable 3.56 ERA, 4.06 xFIP, and 1.28 WHIP and, while he did give up quite a few hits/walks, he held the Astros to just one run across seven innings last Thursday.

Favorite HOU Bats: Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker

Bargain Bat: Michael Brantley

Low-Owned Stack That Just Might Work Out 🤔

Toronto Blue Jays vs. MacKenzie Gore (LHP), WAS

+ 8-of-9 Blue Jays hitters have a < 8% pOwn%.

+ Gore owns a lackluster 5.08 ERA in road games this season and opposing batters have been consistently barreling him up -- Gore’s 10 barreled balls allowed in the last 30 days ranks him in the bottom 5th percentile.

+ The Blue Jays have been a top-10 offense vs. LHPs over the last month (266 PA): .290 AVG, .817 OPS, .349 wOBA, .188 ISO, and 124 wRC+.

+ The entire Blue Jays lineup is reasonably priced so it won’t be difficult to fit in a stack of their best hitters.

-/+ Blue Jays: 4.5 implied runs (ranks T-8th among non-Coors teams).

-/+ Based on their 3.87 xFIP over the last month, the Nationals have had a top-10 bullpen as of late… however, they’ve also given up plenty of home runs with a 1.81 HR/9 Rate in that same span (highest in MLB).

Favorite TOR Bats: Davis Schneider, George Springer, Vlad Guerrerp Jr.

Bargain Bat: Danny Jansen

One-Off Bats ☝️

A maximum of one hitter per team will be listed below. Feel free to use these players as one-off options, one-half of a two-man mini-stack, or a core piece to a full team stack.

OF Ronald Acuña Jr., ATL | DK: $7k, FD: $5.2k | vs. Peter Lambert (RHP), COL

2B/OF Mookie Betts, LAD | DK: $6.8k, FD: $4.4k | vs. Merrill Kelly (RHP), ARI

SS Corey Seager, TEX | DK: $6.7k, FD: $4.1k | vs. Jose Quintana (LHP), NYM

OF Julio Rodriguez, SEA | DK: $6.2k, FD: $4.5k | vs. Ken Waldichuk (LHP), OAK

OF Yordan Alvarez, HOU | DK: $6.1k, FD: $3.9k | vs. Brayan Bello (RHP), BOS

2B/3B Ha-Seong Kim, SD | DK: $5k, FD: $3.2k | vs. Zack Thompson (LHP), STL

SS CJ Abrams, WAS | DK: $4.9k, FD: $3.1k | vs. Jose Berrios (RHP), TOR

OF Adam Duvall, BOS | DK: $4.8k, FD: $3k | vs. JP France (RHP), HOU

3B Ryan McMahon, COL | DK: $4.8k, FD: $3.7k | vs. Charlie Morton (RHP), ATL

C William Contreras, MIL | DK: $4.6k, FD: $2.9k | vs. Justin Steele (LHP), CHC

OF Anthony Santander, BAL | DK: $4.5k, FD: $3.4k | vs. Jesse Scholtens (RHP), CWS

2B/OF Davis Schneider, TOR | DK: $4.3k, FD: $2.8k | vs. MacKenzie Gore (LHP), WAS

3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, PIT | DK: $4.3k, FD: $3k | vs. Cole Ragans (LHP), KC

3B Royce Lewis, MIN | DK: $4.1k, FD: $3k | vs. Gavin Williams (RHP), CLE

Bargain Batters 💸

Note: Additional hitting value may open up once all official starting lineups are released. For now, here are some cheap hitters who are already confirmed or currently expected to be on the field tonight and find themselves in a good spot to pay off their modest DFS salaries.

Default cut-off to qualify as a “Bargain Batter” is <$4,100 on DraftKings

1B/3B Wilmer Flores, SF | DK: $4k, FD: $3k | vs. Brandon Williamson (LHP), CIN

OF Michael Brantley, HOU | DK: $3.7k, FD: $2.5k | vs. Brayan Bello (RHP), BOS

OF Max Kepler, MIN | DK: $3.7k, FD: $2.7k | vs. Gavin Williams (RHP), CLE

OF MJ Melendez, KC | DK: $3.6k, FD: $2.7k | vs. TBA, PIT

C Danny Jansen, TOR | DK: $3.5k, FD: $2.7k | vs. MacKenzie Gore (LHP), WAS

2B Edouard Julien, MIN | DK: $3.5k, FD: $2.8k | vs. Gavin Williams (RHP), CLE

1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn, BAL | DK: $3.3k, FD: $2.6k | vs. Jesse Scholtens (RHP), CWS

OF Nick Martini, CIN | DK: $3.1k, FD: $2.3k | vs. Alex Wood (RHP), SF

1B Hunter Goodman, COL | DK: $3k, FD: $2.5k | vs. Charlie Morton (RHP), ATL

OF/SS Dylan Moore, SEA | DK: $3.2k, FD: $2.4k | vs. Ken Waldichuk (LHP), OAK

1B Garrett Cooper, SD | DK: $2.8k, FD: $2.4k | vs. Zack Thompson (LHP), STL

C Gabriel Moreno, ARI | DK: $2.6k, FD: $2.1k | vs. Clayton Kershaw (LHP), LAD

Home Run Calls of the Day 💣

Ryan’s PrizePicks Power Play of the Day⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's MLB action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these picks so I don't just lightly throw them out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

Eddie Rosario MORE than 1.5 Total Bases

Julio Rodirguez MORE than 0.5 Runs

🆕 Props AI 🆕

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props AI for MLB! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks and UnderDog Fantasy!

Speaking of props, put the Props AI tool to use by signing-up for UnderDog Fantasy for 2-months of LineStar Premium (Promo code: LINESTAR). Plus $100 deposit match for new customers. What many people may not realize is that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em and it’s insanely easy.

Best of luck out there today, everyone!