September 3, 2016

Barry Leonard Jr. highlights the top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 9/3/16. These are the top value and sleeper plays for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups.

Saturday baseball means some afternoon games to get your DraftKings action started a bit earlier than normal. With a full schedule of 15 games there will be plenty of targets to look at.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/3/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings. The following targets have been selected for all day contests on DraftKings.

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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings

Colorado Rockies vs. Braden Shipley (RHP)

The Rockies get a very favorable matchup with Braden Shipley today, oh, and the game is also at Coors Field. Shipley has allowed 14 runs in his last three starts, making him a good option to stack against today. Although he's a righty, right-handers have hit .328 against him this season. This will be a bit of a difficult stack to do since many of the  Colorado hitters will carry high price tags. Still, if you can fit it in, a stack with the Rockies is the way to go today.

Minnesota Twins vs. James Shields (RHP)

This option is a good stack for tournaments, as Minnesota doesn't stand out as a team to target for several great hitters and therefore can get overlooked. However, opposing starter James Shields has been downright awful, allowing 33 earned runs over his last six starts. Shields has been hit equally hard by both righties and lefties, putting several Twins in play today. Current Minnesota hitters have a lifetime .292 average versus Shields. Brian Dozier and Joe Mauer have both taken Shields deep and are hitting over .300 off him.

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings

Michael Fulmer, DET at KC - $9,600

Fulmer is having a solid season for the Tigers, recording a 2.69 ERA with a record of 10-5. His ownership today could be a bit low thanks to the fact that he has lost two of his last three starts and has allowed nine runs in the last two. Still, don't shy away from his as one of your starters. He's been good against the Royals this year, allowing just three runs in 13.2 innings versus the defending champs. Current Kansas City hitters have a combined average of 2.20 against him.

Ivan Nova, PIT vs. MIL - $8,900

Nova has been fantastic since coming over from New York. He's 4-0 with the Pirates and has allowed just two runs in his last two starts. A favorable matchup with the Brewers awaits today, as current Milwaukee hitters have a combined lifetime average of just .167 against him. Nova's last start was against this same Milwaukee team, and he came out with the victory. Nova doesn't overpower hitters and won't rack up the strikeouts, but the low ERA and chance for a victory adds to his value.

DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings

Catcher (C)

Welington Castillo, ARI at COL - $4,500

Castillo is playing at Coors Field today, a place where he's hit over .400 at this season. Although he hasn't gone yard in Colorado this year, he hits well at Coors and has a good history against Tyler Chatwood  (3-for-7, .429 average). Castillo is a solid catcher option for daily lineups, averaging seven fantasy points a game. He did start on Friday, so just make sure he's in the lineup before officially deploying him as your catcher.

First Base (1B)

Joe Mauer, MIN vs. CHW - $4,300

As mentioned above, Mauer is a solid play today thanks to his history against opposing starter James Shields. The veteran first-baseman has a .326 average with a home run off of him. Lately Mauer has heated up and enters today on a five-game hit streak. For DraftKings contests he's averaging 7.2 fantasy points a game.

Second Base (2B)

Steve Pearce, NYY at BAL - $4,000

Pearce is a good pick who can he used at either first or second base. He's averaging nearly seven fantasy points a game with a price tag right at $4,000. He's been hitting well lately with an average of .385 in the last week. Adding to Pearce's value is the fact that he's got a lifetime .286 average with a home run against opposing starter C.C. Sabathia.

Shortstop (SS)

Andrelton Simmons, LAA at SEA - $2,900

With a price under $3,00 and an average over five fantasy points a game, Adrelton Simmons makes a ton of sense today for a daily fantasy lineup. He's got two games in his last three with at least 11 fantasy points and is hitting .318 over the last seven days. If he come anywhere close to his season average of fantasy points you'll more than take it.

Third Base (3B)

Jefry Marte, LAA at SEA - $3,700

Although his season numbers don't jump out at you (.258, 12 HR), Jefry Marte can be valuable when it comes to daily fantasy lineups. He's got an average price and is averaging six fantasy points a game. He's upped that average to 14 fantasy points per game over the last five games. Throw in a five-game hit streak and a home run Friday night, and Marte is an excellent option at either first or third.

DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings

Jackie Bradley Jr., BOS at OAK - $4,600

Bradley Jr. gets a good matchup tonight with southpaw Zach Neal on the mound. He's only faced him twice, but managed a two-run homer. For the season Bradley is hitting .284 off of righties this season. The Boston outfielder is hitting .350 over the last week and makes for a sneaky play today.

Ian Desmond, TEX vs. HOU- $4,300

A popular fantasy commodity earlier in the year, Desmond seems to get overlooked a bit at times now. However, he's got a .375 average with two home runs against opposing starter Dallas Keuchel. Desmond is having a career year in batting average and is just three homers away from setting a new career high in home runs.

Franklin Gutierrez, SEA vs. LAA - $3,100

Gutierrez is batting .357 in the last week and is riding a four-game hit streak. Despite an average below .250, Gutierrez has shown value in daily leagues, averaging five points per game. In five at-bats against Tyler Skaggs Gutierrez has three hits, including a home run and 2 RBI. Just be sure to check his status, as he isn't an everyday player.

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