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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on September 21st, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
With the battle for Chicago taking place at 4:10pm EST, we won’t have a full 15-game slate on Friday night for DraftKings. However, 14 games is still a full player pool to work with when constructing a lineup.
Three games have an over/under of at least nine total runs, with the SEA/TEX matchup leading the way at 10.5 projected total runs. Also, three teams are heavy favorites (-200 odds, or greater), according to Vegas: Dodgers, Yankees, and Astros.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/21/18. 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.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Rich Hill, LAD (vs. SD) - $9,500
Allowing four earned runs in each of his last three outings isn’t ideal, but it definitely drives the price down. On September 4th, before the three-game slide, Hill was $10,000 against the Mets. Tonight, against the Padres, he’s only $9,500. Hill has faced San Diego twice this season He’s 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA and has tallied 15 strikeouts in 13 innings of work. The Padres are 27th in runs scored (587 runs in 153 games) and second in team strikeouts (1,430) this year.
John Gant, STL (vs. SF) - $6,900
Gant is another pitcher who struggled in his last outing (4.1 IP, 6 ER, and 4 K against the Dodgers) and we can benefit from the price decrease. He was $7,600 on September 15th, now his price is below $7K. Prior to the bad performance, Gant allowed two earned runs, or less, in seven consecutive starts and struck out at least six batters in three of the last four appearances. The Giants are 28th in team wOBA (.295) against right-handed pitchers this season.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Robinson Chirinos, TEX (vs. SEA) - $3,700
In his last four starts, Chirinos has compiled six hits and four RBI. He’s 3-for-10 (.300), with a double, in the past week and has a .296 AVG (8-for-27), with tow doubles (seven walks) against the Mariners this year. Also, Chirinos is third on the Rangers with a .215 ISO against right-handed pitchers since 2017.
1B - Luke Voit, NYY (vs. BAL) - $4,100
While Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton might be the more popular bats in New York’s lineup, Voit is the one who’s the better bargain. In the past week, Voit is 7-for-18 (.389) with one double and three home runs. He also has a .221 ISO against right-handed pitchers. Yefry Ramirez is on the hill for Baltimore. This season, he’s allowed 10 ER in 12 innings (7.50 ERA) against the Yankees.
2B - Gleyber Torres, NYY (vs. BAL) - $4,000
Voit’s teammate is also having a solid week. Torres is 7-for-23 (.304) with two doubles in the past seven days. He’s also terrorized the Orioles this season. Torres is 10-for-29 (.345) with one double and three home runs against Baltimore in 2018.
3B - Justin Turner, LAD (vs. SD) - $4,700
Truth be told, I was torn between Turner and Travis Shaw. If you prefer the cheaper option at third base, then go with Shaw. I’m spending the extra $400 on Turner. In the past week, Turner is 9-for-19 (.474) with one double (five walks). In September, Turner is batting .355 with seven doubles and two home runs (12 walks).
SS - Nick Ahmed, ARI (vs. COL) - $3,300
This is a punt play. If you find a better, or more affordable, option when lineups are released, then make the move. I noticed that Ahmed was batting .315 against the Rockies this year and his salary was the exact amount I had left when I was constructing my DK lineup.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Mitch Haniger, SEA (@ TEX) - $5,300
The most expensive bat in our lineup is going to be worth every penny on Friday night. Haniger is 10-for-24 (.417) with one double and two home runs in the past week. In the month of September, he’s batting .309 with five doubles, two triples, and three home runs. Haniger currently has a nine-game hitting streak and has tallied multiple hits in six games during that span.
Shin-Soo Choo, TEX (vs. SEA) - $4,600
Choo is right on the border when it comes to our ISO requirements. He has a .200 ISO against righties, which is fourth-best on Texas. In the past week, he’s struggled. Choo is 2-for-15 (.133) with six strikeouts in the last seven days. However, in his career, Choo is 5-for-10 (.500) with two extra-base hits (one home run) against Erasmo Ramirez.
Adam Jones, BAL (@ NYY) - $3,900
Speaking of BvP, Jones leads the way with 10 extra-base hits among batters and their Friday opposing pitchers. In his career, Jones is 25-for-87 (.287) with five home runs against CC Sabathia.
