FanDuel MLB Lineup Picks, Advice & Sleepers for 9/26

As we enter the final weekend of the regular season, it is getting increasingly difficult to form a FanDuel lineup. With most of the league eliminated from playoff contention and rosters expanding, teams are plugging in different players, using their benches and bullpens liberally, and basically becoming unpredictable. It is like playing fantasy football in Week 17-- anything can happen. For that reason, I’ve shut down my DFS play for the season. I don’t like leaving that much to chance. But realizing that many FanDuelers will be playing until the final out on Sunday, I offer up some value picks for tonight’s games.

These picks are posted early in the day for your convenience – and without knowledge of the teams’ starting lineups. ALWAYS check the actual starting lineups and weather before finalizing your FanDuel entries. Also, keep in mind that these picks are based upon FanDuel’s dollar values and won’t necessarily be the best plays in other formats.

Editor's Note: be sure to check out RotoBaller's BvP (batter vs. pitcher) analysis tool, which shows you all the daily matchup stats for every single hitter in the MLB.

 

Starting Pitchers DFS Picks for 9/26

EXPENSIVE PICK: COREY KLUBER, CLE ($11,400): He is the only ace on the mound today. He is in the hunt for a Cy Young Award. The Indians MUST win to keep their slim wild card chances alive. And he is facing a flat Tampa offense.

VALUE PICK: RYAN VOGELSONG, SF ($6,500): Vogey gets to face the worst offense in baseball (Padres) in a pitchers’ park (San Fran). For that reason, he will be my non-Kluber pick of the day. For this price, he provides a lot of flexibility with your hitters.

 

Catcher DFS Picks for 9/26

JONATHAN LUCROY, MIL ($2800): At one point this season, Lucroy was going for over $4000, but as he cooled down (and the Brewers cooled down), his price plummeted into the “value range.” There’s a lot to like here today. The Brewers get to face an inexperienced lefty, the Cubs’ Eric Jokisch. Lucroy has been a lefty-killer all season (.361 wOBA), and he has hit the Cubs particularly well. Lucroy comes off a hitless series against the Reds, but things are set up for him to finish strong against Chicago's backups and youngsters.

 

First Base DFS Picks for 9/26

ADAM LIND, TOR ($2800): I’m not one who likes to skimp on a first baseman, but my job is to identify value. Any time the Blue Jays face a moribund right-hander, in this case Chris Tillman, Lind will be a solid inexpensive option. He only hits righty pitching, but he does it to the tune of a .414 wOBA. He has five hits in his last four games and is a decent home run candidate tonight in Toronto.

EXPENSIVE OPTIONS: Steve Pearce ($4100), Anthony Rizzo ($3800), David Ortiz ($4300)

 

Second Base DFS Picks for 9/26

ROBINSON CANO, SEA ($2900): It is really hard to believe that Cano is falling below the $3000 threshold on FanDuel. I saw the price and couldn't help but think it’s a mistake. Yes, Robbie’s power has been absent all season for the Mariners. But he is still a .318 hitter with an .850 OPS. Simply put, even in an off year, he is one of the best hitting second basemen in the game. He has a hit in nine of his last 11 games and faces Jered Weaver today, against whom Cano is 15-for-38 over the course of his career.

EXPENSIVE OPTION: Jose Altuve ($4600), but that’s REALLY expensive. Stick with Cano.

 

Third Base DFS Picks for 9/26

I see three options here at varying price points:

ANTHONY RENDON, WAS ($3800): Rendon loves lefties and faces rookie Andrew Heaney today. He also has six multi-hit games in his last 11 starts. He is the prime rib of third basemen today.

RAFAEL YNOA, COL ($3400): Ynoa is the hangar steak of third basemen today: a little trendy, priced a little high, yet reliable. Since taking over for the injured Nolan Arenado, Ynoa has batted .370 with 8 RBI in 56 plate appearances. Roberto Hernandez hasn’t pitched past the fifth inning in any of his last five starts, so he’s ripe for the taking.

MATT CARPENTER, STL ($3100): Matt Carpenter is a good, old-fashioned hamburger, and with a matchup against the DBack’s Trevor Cahill, he’s looking juicy. Cahill doesn’t fare well against left-handed hitters, who are hitting .348/.413/.529 against him this season. A left-handed Cardinal stack may be in order today.

 

Shortstop DFS Picks for 9/26

ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ, MIA ($2300): Like many days, shortstop is a wasteland today. My recommendation is to go cheap here and spend some money in your outfield. Hernandez is coming in at punt prices and has a decent chance to get on base a few times against Nationals’ Taylor Hill. You’re just looking for 2 or 3 points here, nothing huge. Enrique can do that for you.

GREGORIO PETIT, HOU ($2200): Same rule applies here, except this is a platoon pick. Petit faces lefty Jon Niese at Citi Field tonight. He is 10-for-28 against southpaws this season, with two homers and four doubles. At the FanDuel minimum, he’s worth a shot.

EXPENSIVE OPTIONS (if you must): Ian Desmond ($4000), Hanley Ramirez ($3700).

 

Outfield DFS Picks for 9/26

J.D. MARTINEZ, DET ($3800): Anthony Swarzak is a middle reliever making a major league start. The Tigers are one of the league’s best offenses. This all adds up. Martinez has been on a tear of late, with eight multi-hit games over his last 13 starts. He gets pitches to hit in a lineup with other stars to navigate around. I think the Tigers will score some runs tonight, and J.D. Martinez will be in the middle of it. Victor Martinez and Miggy Cabrera are coming in at $4000+ tonight, so J.D. is a good value at $3800.

JORGE SOLER, CHC ($3400): The last time Soler faced Jimmy Nelson, he hit two doubles. That’s is a terribly tiny sample size, but the point is that the Cuban rookie can take advantage of inexperienced pitching. He has pretty quietly gotten off to a torrid start to his MLB career. In his 21 career games, he’s only taken three 0-fers. I see him as at worst a solid 3-4 point play tonight, with the potential for big numbers in the Miller Park bandbox.

JAYSON WERTH, WAS ($3600): Werth is another hitter who can take advantage of a young lefty pitcher. He is hitting .320/.430/.464 against lefties and, though injuries have sapped his power, has been getting on base a lot lately. His price comes in at a more-than-reasonable level for his production potential. If you have the coin, you might want to consider one of the more pricier options (listed below). If not, Werth is a good choice to fill out your lineup.

EXPENSIVE OPTIONS: Michael Brantley ($4500), Jose Bautista ($5100), Andrew McCutchen ($4100).