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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on September 25th, 2019. Austyn Varney's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a nice 12-gamer on our hands tonight with plenty to look at. Without a game in Coors Field, we at least have some balance to things. There are four or five pitchers worth targeting and we'll have to narrow them down. There are another four or five offenses that are in great spots, and we'll have to disect those as we move along.
Let's dive in to some of the top plays on this slate!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/25/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Be sure to also check out all the MLB Rosters for today's slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Jacob deGrom - NYM vs. MIA - $12,000
This is pretty easy. Jacob deGrom has been right up there with Gerrit Cole in the second half as the best pitcher in all of baseball. You can almost pencil in seven innings and as many strikeouts. He's striking out 11 batters per nine on the season and is walking just 1.96. He now draws the Marlins, who rank dead last in baseball against right-handed pitching with a .277 team wOBA. They got to Matz and Syndergaard a bit the last two nights, but the fun ends tonight when deGrom slams the door.
Frankie Montas - OAK @ LAA - $10,100
Frankie Montas is returning from suspension today, and is supposedly all the way stretched out. Montas was dominant prior to being suspended, and he wasn't on an HGH that would have lead to much performance enhancement. He draws the Angels today, who rank in the bottom five of baseball against righties without Mike Trout in the lineup. Montas has struck out 9.70 batters per nine and has posted a sub .2885 wOBA against both lefties and righties. The upside is huge and I doubt many will be on him in his first game back. He's certainly a bit risky, but the upside is huge if I'm right and there is no pitch count.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Roberto Perez - CLE @ CWS (Detwiler) - $3,900
Perez is a guy I’ve rostered a ton this year, as he’s an excellent source of power at an affordable tag. He’s now up to 23 home runs on the season and his price is still solid. He’s better against lefties, and has more power against them. The Indians are facing off with Ross Detwiler tonight, who’s legitimately been one of the worst pitchers in all of baseball. A 5.57 xFIP and 18 home runs allowed in 55 innings of work tells you all you need to know. Perez is affordable on DK and will come up at least once with some RISP.
Anthony Rizzo - CHC @ PIT (Agrazal) - $5,100
This Cubs team is all but out of the playoff race, but the offense won't stop producing. They're facing off with Dario Agrazal tonight, who's an absolutely terrible pitcher all season long. Against lefties, he’s posted a 6.26 xFIP and strikes out just five batters per nine innings. Rizzo is as good as it gets against righties, sporting a .408 wOBA and blasting 21 homers on the season. PNC Park is better for lefties and Rizzo is a great play in all formats.
Ozzie Albies - ATL @ KC (Montgomery) - $4,900
Rinse and repeat with Ozzie Albies and lefties. The .396 batting average is crazy in itself, but the .455 wOBA is even more impressive. The Braves struggled last night, but Mike Montgomery should help get them going. He’s given up a .358 wOBA to righties and 14 home runs in just 68 innings of work. Albies will be in the two-hole and makes for the top play at second base, regardless of price.
Anthony Rendon - WSH vs. PHI (Smyly) - $5,400
Rendon is expensive here, but this is one of my favorite spots for him on the entire season. Drew Smyly has been a bit better recently, but he’s had a brutal year in every measure. The most glaring and telling stat is 31 home runs allowed in just over 100 innings pitched. It’s fair to expect at least one or two of these Nats to go deep. Rendon has held a .410 wOBA against southpaws and has as much upside as anyone on the slate. In cash games, he’s my bat of choice.
Kevin Newman - PIT vs. CHC (Lester) - $4,200
I’ve been recommending some pricey options, so let’s look at a bit of a salary saver in Kevin Newman. The Pirates are facing off with Jon Lester, who’s a shell of himself at this point and he’s struggled with righties (.342 wOBA). The Pirates will throw seven or eight righties his way and they should be able to connect on a few homers. Newman has posted a .327 wOBA against lefties on the season and will be leading off. He’s solid in all formats. If you’re looking to pay up, the hot bat of Trea Turner is hard to get away from against Drew Smyly.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
J.D. Martinez - BOS @ TEX (Allard) - $5,000
I don’t know if it’s just me, but J.D. Martinez still flies under the radar against left-handed pitching. The .536 wOBA in over 140 plate appearances is completely unheard of. He now goes to hitter-friendly Arlington and faces off with a guy in Kolby Allard that’s struggled with right-handed power. There are a lot of bats to pay up for tonight, but it’s hard to see anyone outside of Rendon with the upside Martinez has.
Yasiel Puig - CLE @ CWS (Detwiler) - $4,500
We’ll bookend the outfield with another Cleveland Indians bat that has a ton of upside. We looked at Roberto Perez at C, and now Yasiel Puig in the outfield. Puig has been swinging a hot bat lately and that matters more than it does for most. Ross Detwiler is putrid against righties, and he has a huge issue with giving up hard contact. That’s where Puig excels. He won’t be over 10% owned and is my pick for home run of the night. Good luck and feel free to reach out on Twitter with any questions!
Things change quickly as lineups come out. If you have any questions, hit me up on Twitter @VarneyDFS and I'd be more than happy to help.
