DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (10/16/23): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

October 16, 2023

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on October 16, 2023. Casey Wilson's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

We're back at it on a Monday for game two of the ALDS and the opening game of the NLDS. We saw game one as a pitcher's duel as Jordan Montgomery beat Justin Verlander. I expect these games to be more common as we have reached the point where it is win or go home in the playoffs. The arms toeing the rubber today are no different, as we have four legitimate aces getting the ball for their prospective teams. 

I will cover the two-game slate starting at 4:37 p.m. in this article. I have covered some premium articles here at RotoBaller in the last week or so for the playoffs and discussed some building strategies. I recommend using smaller stacks than you do in the regular season, as it is far less common for these offenses to break the slate. Focusing on two to three-man stacks is how I will be building and pairing them with mini stacks of other offenses I like. If you are creating 15o, I wouldn't set a rule for stacks and just let the numbers build your lineups with your settings.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 10/16/2023 and the slate locking at 4:37 p.m. ET. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential. Now that we got all that out of the way, it's onto the picks! Follow me on Twitter @CaseyW22 for more free betting and DFS advice.

DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Zack Wheeler, PHI vs. ARZ ($8,700 DK, $10,500 FD)

Zack Wheeler is the clear top option on today's slate. We have reached the point in the postseason where there are no good matchups, but we are looking for pitchers with strikeout upside in good form. We get both of those with Wheeler. In his two postseason starts, Wheeler is 1-0 with a 1.66 SIERA, 0.69 WHIP, 37.5% K%, and a 15.6% SwStr%. Arizona has been scorching hot, but with that comes some more swing and miss this postseason as they are striking out at a 24.1% K%. It’s hard not to play Wheeler at home tonight.

Nathan Eovaldi, TEX at HOU ($7,800 DK, $8,900 FD)

Eovaldi is the cheapest arm of both sites tonight, and I'm not quite sure why. These two arms would be my preferred pairing, but I will be overexposed to Wheeler tonight and mix and match with the Eovaldi and Valdez pretty evenly. I will be fading Gallen. So far in the postseason, Eovaldi is 2-0 with a 2.24 SIERA, 0.80 WHIP, 29.4% K%, and a 15.8% SwStr%. He has been electric for the Rangers in his two starts, and although he is facing the Astros tonight, as I mentioned earlier, there are no good matchups tonight.

Also Consider: Framber Valdez

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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Bryce Harper - 1B, PHI vs. Zac Gallen ($5,200 DK, $4,200 FD)

How can we not love playoff Bryce tonight? This dude has been elite in the postseason in his career and, on paper, gets a favorable matchup against Zac Gallen. Gallen has a 5.10 SIERA, 41.2% FB%, and a 1.32 WHIP in his two postseason starts. Lefties hit him to a .306 wOBA and a .153 ISO this season. In the playoffs, Harper has a 244 wRC+ and a 1.381 OPS. He has been the heart and soul of this team in the postseason for the last two seasons, and it won't stop tonight.

Josh Jung- 3B, TEX vs. Framber Valdez ($4,100 DK, $3,500 FD)

One of my favorite lefty mashers is back in our lives with the Texas Rangers in Josh Jung. Jung has been hitting in the eight hole for this Rangers team, so I expect his ownership to be a bit low tonight, but I love the spot for him. Valdez's biggest strength is keeping the ball on the ground, but Jung has a 30.7% FB% against left-hand pitching this season. In the playoffs, he has 198 wRC+ and a 1.139 OPS. 

Jose Abreu - 1B, HOU vs. Nathan Eovaldi ($4,000 DK, $3,000 FD)

Talk about seeing the ball well. Jose Abreu looks like the 2020 MVP we saw in Chicago. He has been on a tear this postseason, with a 191 wRC+ and a 1.083 OPS. His eight RBIs are the most this postseason, and his three home runs are second behind Royce Lewis, teammate Yordan Alvarez, and the red-hot Nick Castellanos, who we will get to in a bit. I like Abreu for some value tonight, and something I will continue to do this postseason is ride the hot players. 

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Nick Castellanos - OF, PHI vs. Zac Gallen ($4,400 DK, $3,500 FD)

Talk about being on another level this postseason. Nick Castellanos is that dude. He leads the playoffs with four home runs, which he has hit in his last two games, where he went yard twice in both. So far this postseason, he has a 275 wRC+, 1.440 OPS, four home runs, and two doubles. This Philly lineup is clicking at the right time, and I would not want to face this team right now. 

Evan Carter -OF, TEX vs. Framber Valdez ($4,300 DK, $3,900 FD)

I am writing up an expensive Evan Carter facing a tough lefty. If you have watched baseball since his call-up, you know how good this guy is. He has it all. He reminds me of a better Corbin Carrol but is much cheaper in a better lineup. He can run, play defense, make contact, and hit for power. So far in the postseason, he has a 257 wRC+ and a 1.338 OPS. Over his last 30 days, Valdez has been hit by lefties more than righties. He has a .439 wOBA and a .250 ISO against the split. Carter will be low-owned, making him an excellent tournament play. 

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

1. Philadelphia Phillies vs. Zac Gallen

• Favorite Plays: Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Bryson Stott, Nick Castellanos

2. Texas Rangers vs. Framber Valdez

• Favorite Plays: Josh Jung, Corey Seager, Evan Carter, Adolis Garcia, Marcus Semien