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Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (9/17/17): MLB DFS Advice for FanDuel and DraftKings

Good morning, Rotoballers. Today is a joyous Sunday since we have a full slate of MLB and NFL daily fantasy on deck. As for the bases side, all 30 teams are taking part in the Main slate, which begins at 1:05 EDT. We've got a number of aces and second-tier pitchers on the bump and a bevvy of teams still fighting to lock up a playoff spot. With that in mind, there's much to break down and a lot of options to fill your roster with.

Before we get into player analysis, let's see if there are any interesting early Vegas lines that we can use to our benefit, particularly when we're trying to narrow down our stacks and pitching targets. The teams with the most attractive run total projections are the following: Rockies (6.9), Yankees (6.1) and Tigers (5.9). Those are pretty high totals and good places to start when stacking.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 9/17/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Let's dance.

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DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider

Corey Kluber - SP, KC vs CLE (DK - $13,400, FD - $12,000)

Kluber is likely to be the chalk today, and for good reason. Kluber was already an elite (or nearly elite) pitcher in my mind entering the season, and all he's done this year is elevate his status. That's a pretty tall task when you're already near the top. For the season, Kluber owns a 0.9 WHIP to go with a really strong 11.8 K/9. Tonight, he faces an okay Royals team that owns a collective .320 wOBA against righties and right around a 20% K rate. Not the most perfect matchup, but pitcher's of Kluber's caliber are essentially matchup-proof. The only time pitchers of this caliber are to be avoided, particularly in cash games, are when the matchup is terrible and/or there are much safer options on the board. Vegas loves him tonight, as he and the Indians are already -254 on the moneyline and the Royals run projection is a minuscule 2.9. On top of that, his Statcast data is very favorable. In his last three starts, his hard hit rate allowed is just 22% and the average batted ball distance is a low 180 feet. He's viable in both cash and tournaments tonight, though I wouldn't fault you for wanting to fade him in tournaments at this price and ownership.

Justin Verlander - SP, SEA vs HOU (DK - $11,900, FD - $10,400)

Verlander is pitching some of the best baseball he's thrown this season and while the Astros may have the AL West all but officially locked up, they are still fighting to secure home field advantage and trail Cleveland for the best AL record buy just two games. Justin has managed to hit and surpass his price implied value in nine of his last 10 games - by enormous margins, mind you - and it's been weeks since he has failed to record at least seven strikeouts. He has a pretty good matchup against a Mariners team that has a projected lineup that strikes out in 23% of their at-bats against righties this year. Vegas is fairly confident in Mr. Verlander as well, as the Astros are currently -205 on the moneyline and the Mariners run projection is just 3.7. His Statcast data from his last few starts is appealing as well, the hard hit rate at 35% isn't elite, but it's fine when paired with a low fly ball rate of 38% and an average batted ball distance of just 188 feet. Verlander can be deployed in cash games but I prefer him and his upside in tournament formats.

Also Consider: Jon Gray - SP, SDP vs COL (DK - $8,500, FD - $7,500); Eduardo Rodriguez - SP, BOS @ TBR (DK - $7,900, FD - $8,000)

 

DFS Infielders to Consider

Rafael Lopez - C, TOR @ MIN (DK - $2,700, FD - $2,800)

Lopez is a really intriguing tournament option tonight. The lefty is a right-handed pitching hitting specialist, and he's got numbers that you should be seeking when constructing a tournament lineup - a monster ISO split (.313), a recent hard hit rate (33%) and a monstrous fly ball rate (83%). The matchup isn't ideal, so if you're looking for a more reliable option to use for cash, look to the likes of Chris Iannetta first and then Christian Vazquez.

Jose Abreu - 1B, CWS @ DET (DK - $4,500, FD - $3,800)

Abreu is hot right now and he gets to face a pitcher in Matt Boyd who's allowed over a .200 ISO over his last three starts. In addition to that, Abreu has excellent splits against southpaws. For the season, he has a massive .457 wOBA and pairs that with a strong ISO mark of .295.

Cesar Hernandez - 2B, OAK vs PHI (DK - $4,000, FD - $3,200)

Hernandez has a lot of things in his favor tomorrow at a position that is frankly scarce of players in good situations. For starters, he's got a good matchup against Sean Manaea, he who has always familiar with allowing big innings and has an opponent wOBA allowed of .397 over his last three starts. Cesar has good team context, an excellent hitter's stadium and he's a stolen base threat. From a splits perspective, the swith-hitting second baseman does much better against southpaws than he does right-handers. For the season, his wOBA and ISO splits are .365 and .200, respectively.

Matt Chapman - 3B, OAK @ PHI (DK - $3,100, FD - $2,700)

If Rhys Hoskins wasn't breaking records, Chapman would be the belle of the ball right now. He's doing ridiculous things for a rookie and showcases excellent baseball IQ - he's got a bright future. Tonight? He's got a great matchup in a ballpark upgrade situation at a very cheap price. In his 2017 campaign, his splits against right-handed pitching have been very strong - .353 wOBA and a .293 ISO.

Adeiny Hechavarria - SS, BOS vs TBR (DK - $3,200, FD - $3,600)

It may be a little uncharacteristic for Hechavarria, but he's been hitting out of his mind in the past few days. In fact, over his last four games he hasn't recorded less than 12 fantasy points and has twice surpassed twenty. His hard hit rate over the past 13 games is a ridiculous 63% and he pairs that with an impressive 24% line drive rate. He's particular strong against lefties, too, and he'll see one today. For the year, his wOBA and ISO splits against southpaws are .377 and .242.

Also Consider: Francisco Lindor - SS, KC vs CLE (DK - $5,300, FD - $4,700)

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider

Aaron Judge - OF, BAL vs NYY (DK - $5,600, FD - $4,300)

Mr. Judge is showing up just in time for the Yankees as they make a playoff push. More importantly for you and me, he's back to mashing home runs and has a juicy matchup today against Ubaldo Jimenez. Judge's hard hit rate 45% over the past two weeks and the fly ball rate (54%) is very attractive as well. For the season, he's been excellent against right-handed pitching, too, posting a .414 wOBA and .314 ISO.

Rhys Hoskins - OF, OAK vs PHI (DK - $5,400, FD - $4,500)

Normally I try digging for more value -  or ways to at least stay below 4K for cash and tournament viable outfielders, at least - but Judge and Hoskins are in such excellent spots that it would be criminal not to recommend them. Hoskins has essentially produced video game numbers against southpaws this season, sporting a .536 wOBA and .636 ISO.

Also Consider: Clint Frazier - OF, BAL vs NYY (DK - $3,500, FD - $2,400)

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Hampus Lindholm

a Game-Time Call Thursday
Luguentz Dort

Will Be Available Thursday Night
Cason Wallace

Will Not Play Thursday vs. the Pacers
De'Andre Hunter

Moving Well; Remains Uncertain for Friday
Portland Trail Blazers

Tiago Splitter Will be the Interim Head Coach of the Trail Blazers
Al Horford

Will Come Off the Bench on Thursday
Yves Missi

Will Be Questionable Friday vs. the Spurs
Aaron Jones Sr.

Activated, Likely to Play vs. Chargers
Terry Rozier

Chauncey Billups Arrested in Gambling Investigation
Moses Moody

Out on Thursday
Al Horford

to Rest on Friday
T.J. McConnell

Remains Unavailable Thursday
Isaiah Joe

Misses Thursday's Action
Cason Wallace

Questionable for Finals Rematch
Jalen Williams

Remains Out Thursday
Patrick Kane

to Miss Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Nikita Kucherov

Set to Return Against Blackhawks
Brock Boeser

Available Thursday
Dawson Mercer

Records Two Assists Against Wild
Jack Quinn

Tallies Three Points in Wednesday's Win
Jason Zucker

Exits With Injury Wednesday
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Utah QB Devon Dampier Listed as Questionable on Big 12 Injury Report
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Tony Vitello Named New Manager of the Giants
Anthony Edwards

Active Against Trail Blazers
Grayson Allen

Active for Suns’ Opening Night Game
Kevin Porter Jr.

Won't Return on Wednesday Evening
Anthony Edwards

a Game-Time Decision for Wednesday
Daniel Gafford

Ruled Out for Mavericks Season Opener
Alexander Romanov

Expected to Miss Two More Games
Pierre Engvall

Ruled Out for the Season
Luguentz Dort

Questionable for Thursday Versus Pacers
Adin Hill

Out Week-to-Week
Patrik Laine

Sits Out Another Game Wednesday
Caris LeVert

Cleared for Wednesday's Game
Marco Rossi

Available Wednesday Night
Cody Glass

Out on Wednesday
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Starting on Wednesday
Stefan Noesen

Makes Season Debut Wednesday
Jaylen Waddle

Dolphins Don't Have Plans to Trade Jaylen Waddle
Francisco Lindor

has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Aaron Jones Sr.

Considered Questionable to Play on Thursday
PGA

Alex Noren is a Smash Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Mike Evans

Could be Back in Under Eight Weeks
Bucky Irving

Will Not Play in Week 8
Jayden Daniels

Will Not Play on Monday Night Against Chiefs
Darren Waller

Dolphins Place Darren Waller on Injured Reserve
Maverick McNealy

Look Out For Maverick McNealy This Week in Utah
Justin Lower

Unlikely to Flip The Script at Bank of Utah Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Looking for Repeat Performance in Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Will be Listed as Questionable on Wednesday
Max McGreevy

a Longer Shot to Contend in Utah
Jackson Suber

on the Bubble for the PGA in 2026
Greyson Sigg

Improving at the Right Time This Fall
Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

May Struggle Once Again in Utah
Beau Hossler

Up and Down Heading to Bank of Utah Championship
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Brad Marchand

Delivers Two Assists on Special Night
Adrian Kempe

Lifts Kings to Victory Tuesday
Justin Brazeau

Records Three Points Against Canucks
Jack Hughes

Pots Third Career Hat Trick
TOR

Chris Tanev Could Miss Time With Upper-Body Injury
Jack McBain

Evaluated for Upper-Body Injury
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

On the Upswing Heading into Utah
Andrew Putnam

Looks to Find Form in Utah
Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

a Strong Value Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Max Homa

Trending Up Entering the Bank of Utah Championship
Nick Dunlap

Searching for Spark at Bank of Utah Championship
Quade Cummins

Struggling to Find Form Ahead of Bank of Utah Championship
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Won't Trade Maxx Crosby
Jonathan Marchessault

Remains Absent Against Ducks
Jason Day

Making a Spot Start at Bank of Utah Championship
Los Angeles Angels

Kurt Suzuki to be the Angels' Next Manager
Bo Bichette

Plans to be Ready for World Series
Tyrod Taylor

Aaron Glenn "Moving Toward" Naming Tyrod Taylor the Starting QB
Zach Charbonnet

Finds the End Zone Twice on Monday Night
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Continues Elite Production
Chris Godwin

Bucky Irving May Not Play This Week
Michael Penix Jr.

Expected to Be "Good to Go" for Sunday
Nico Collins

Ruled Out Late on Monday Night With Concussion
Nico Collins

Suffers Head Injury on Monday Night
Jahmyr Gibbs

Blows Up For 218 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns in Win
Mike Evans

to Miss Most of the Year With Broken Clavicle
Brandon Woodruff

Expects to Be Ready for Opening Day
Mike Evans

Ruled Out Monday With Concussion, Shoulder Injury
Mike Evans

Making his Return in Primetime Against Detroit
Emeka Egbuka

Officially Active on Monday Night
Michael Penix Jr.

Dealing With Bone Bruise in Foot, Considered Day-to-Day
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Suffers His First UFC Loss
Brendan Allen

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kevin Holland

Drops Decision
Mike Malott

Wins Third Fight In A Row
Marlon Vera

Loses Third Consecutive Fight
Aiemann Zahabi

Gets A Razor-Thin Split Decision Win
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Manon Fiorot

Gets Back In The Win Column
Davey Grant

Suffers Submission Loss
Charles Jourdain

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Frevola

Gets Dominated At UFC Vancouver
Matt Frevola

Kyle Nelson Dominates Matt Frevola
George Springer

Returns to Lineup for Game 6 of ALCS
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Colorado State Fires Head Coach Jay Norvell After Four Seasons
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Florida Fires Head Coach Billy Napier After Four Years
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Chase Briscoe

Likely to Finish Worse Than he Starts
Kyle Larson

Despite No Wins on Drafting Tracks, Kyle Larson is Improving
Tyler Reddick

Despite Winning at Talladega, Tyler Reddick's Drafting Record Is Not So Hot
Ross Chastain

Poor Qualifying Makes him a Strong DFS Option at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Excellent Crash Avoidance Could Reap Dividends at Talladega
Ty Gibbs

If Ty Gibbs' Team Executes a Better Strategy, he Could Win at Talladega
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Josh Berry

Might Contend at Talladega
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George Springer

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Back in Game 4 Lineup Against Dodgers

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP