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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on September 17th, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
It’s a 12-game slate on Monday night, as all matchups start at 7:05pm EST, or later. Three of those games have an over/under of at least nine total runs, with the TB/TEX game leading the way at 10.5 total runs.
As for the pitching on the docket, no team is a heavy favorite (-200 odds, or greater). However, we do have five games with an over/under below eight total runs. Their won’t be an overwhelming chalk play, as far as pitching is concerned, which could make for a fun and entertaining night of DFS baseball.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/17/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @CharlieSideHstl.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Jon Gray, COL (@ LAD) - $8,000
In the pitcher playing pool, Gray has the second best SIERA of the group (3.65). However, according to DraftKings, he’s the ninth-most expensive option. I’ll take those savings. Gray has allowed two earned runs in three of the last five appearances. He’s also tallied a total of 10 strikeouts in the past two outings. Gray just faced the Dodgers on September 7th. While he only pitched four innings, Gray struck out four batters and allowed only two earned runs. Also, the Dodgers are eighth in team strikeouts this season.
Kyle Hendricks, CHC (@ ARI) - $7,700
Speaking of saving money at the pitcher position, Hendricks is also in the same boat, and possibly safer, than Gray. Henricks held his opponents to two earned runs, or less, in five consecutive starts. He’s also punched out at least five batters in three of the last four performances. Hendricks was on the hill against the Diamondbacks on July 24th: 5 IP, 3 ER, and 8 K. I’d take those stats on Monday night.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Mike Zunino, SEA (@ HOU) - $3,300
Left-handed pitcher, Framber Valdez, is on the mound for the Astros. When looking at batters who perform well against lefties for Seattle, Zunino is towards the top of that list. Since 2017, he’s posted a .227 ISO against southpaws. Also, in the past week, Zunino is 5-for-17 (.294) with one double (two walks). His price is right, too.
1B - Ji-Man Choi, TB (@ TEX) - $4,600
In Gray’s write-up, I mentioned the SIERA leaderboard. Well, Adrian Sampson, the Rangers starter, is on the opposite end of the spectrum (5.34 SIERA). Choi is doing well in September, too. He has a .293 AVG with four doubles and four home runs (five walks) in 41 at-bats.
2B - Jeff McNeil, NYM (@ PHI) - $4,200
McNeil is crushing in September. He’s batting .373 with two doubles, two triples, and a home run. In the past week, he’s 10-for-27 (.370) with a triple and a homer. Jake Arrieta is pitching for the Phillies. He’s allowed at least four earned runs in three of the past four outings.
3B - Nolan Arenado, COL (@ LAD) - $4,900
My favorite play on Monday comes from the third base spot. Arenado is an outstanding 10-for-16 (.625) with six extra-base hits and three home runs against Hyun-Jin Ryu. Also, in the past week, Arenado is 9-for-28 (.321) with five doubles and three home runs during that span.
SS - Marwin Gonzalez, HOU (vs. SEA) - $3,600
In an attempt to save some DK cash, we’re going with Gonzalez at the shortstop position. He’s notched at least one hit in five of the past six contests. Since 2017, he’s posted a .184 ISO against left-handed pitchers. Also, in his career against Mike Leake, Gonzalez is 6-for-11 (.545).
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Nelson Cruz, SEA (@ HOU) - $4,900
On Sunday, Cruz was scratched from Seattle’s lineup with an illness, so you’ll need to make sure he’s starting on Monday. If he gets the nod, you need to add this bat. Cruz has compiled at least two hits in three of his last four games and is batting .316 (6-for-19) with one double and two home runs in the past week. As a final note, Cruz leads the Mariners with a .252 ISO against left-handed pitchers since 2017.
Lorenzo Cain, MIL (vs. CIN) - $4,600
In the past seven days, Cain has compiled 10 hits (.400 AVG). At home, he has a .300 AVG in 237 at-bats. Against Cincinnati, in 2018, he is batting .357 in 42 ABs. Bottom line is Cain can produce and his Brewers are projected to score the second-most runs in the slate on Monday night (5.2 runs).
Jake Bauers, TB (@ TEX) - $4,200
I don’t think I’ve seen the Rays lead a slate in projected runs in 2018, but they do on Monday (5.7 implied runs against the Rangers). Bauers is third on the team with a .203 ISO against right-handed pitchers. In his last two games, Bauers is 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, and a stolen base.
