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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on September 3rd, 2019. Joel Bartilotta's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
With games spread all throughout the day, we’re going to offer up some plays from both slates. That way, anyone who plays will have something to look forward to. With that in mind, let’s get into our pitchers...
There should we a way to gain some edge in cheaper contests, and I would endorse joining as many $1 and $2 contests as you can today. There will be some dead money for sure. Let's jump in and find a top play at each position.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 9/3/19. 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 Vegas Odds for today's slate. 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 @Bartilottajoel
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
James Paxton, NYY vs. TEX ($11,200)
This has double-digit strikeouts written all over it. Let’s start with this matchup, as Texas 9.9 strikeouts per game are the second-worst mark in baseball. That doesn’t even take into consideration their struggles against lefties, sitting 27th in OBP against them this season and bottom-10 in xwOBA. That’s a recipe for success for a guy like Paxton, with the Yankees lefty posting an xFIP barely above 3.00 since 2017 en route to a 31 percent K rate. That’s why he and the Bronx Bombers enter this matchup as a –325 favorite.
Trevor Richards, TB vs. BAL ($N/A)
Richards is probably the sneakiest pitcher on the board. While he’s expected to have an opener, it’s hard to fade a guy with this much potential. Over his last six appearances, Richards is pitching to a 1.84 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 rate. That’s all you can ask for from a player this cheap, particularly in such a tasty matchup. Richards plays host to the Baltimore Orioles, who currently rank 19th in K rate, 24th in runs scored, 23rd in OBP, 25th in OPS and 26th in xwOBA. The potential for a win with an opener is huge too, with Richards and the Rays entering this game as a –200 favorite. If you're playing in the showdown slate, Richards is impossible to fade as your star player.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Yadier Molina – C, STL vs. SF ($4,400)
I truly thought that Molina was done being a fantasy producer but last week he proved me wrong. Over his last six games played, Yadi has a .579 AVG, .636 OBP, 1.368 SLG and 2.005 OPS. That’s obviously a small sample size but it’s absurd nonetheless. His .563 OBP over his last 12 games shows that it’s really no fluke and it’s hard to fade such a hot hitter in such a good matchup. Molina gets to oppose Dereck Rodriguez, who’s pitching to a 5.49 ERA and 1.44 WHIP this season.
Rhys Hoskins – 1B, PHI at CIN ($4,500)
If you don’t already know, Hoskins has been obliterating left-handers all season long. Despite his recent struggles, the mashing first baseman has a .452 OBP and .983 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor this season. That’s really scary for a pitcher like Alex Wood, who’s 5.80 ERA and 1.40 WHIP had him in the midst of the worst season of his career. There's been discussion that Lucas Sims will start for Wood (injury) but that wouldn't stray us off of Hoskins with the slugger mashing two homers on Sunday and Sims pitching to a 4.99 ERA and 4.78 FIP.
Josh VanMeter – 2B, CIN vs. PHI ($4,100)
VanMeter continues to be disrespected on these DFS sites and it’s about time that he gets above $4,500. Let’s start with the obvious, as JVM has been batting leadoff against right-handers since his call-up. That alone makes him a great value with his .357 OBP and .830 OPS against righties this season, as he’s been even better since his most recent call-up. Over his last 42 fixtures, VanMeter is hitting .280 while providing a .350 OBP, .504 SLG and .854 OPS. Vince Velasquez is not a guy we need to fade either, pitching to a 4.86 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.
Alex Bregman – 3B, HOU at MIL ($5,500)
Bregman is truly developing into one of the best hitters in baseball and we have to love him anytime he faces a weak pitcher. Jordan Lyles is just that, with the right-hander pitching to a 4.55 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. That’s really frightening in a hitter’s haven like Miller Park, particularly against a scorching-hot bat like Bregman. The stud third baseman is hitting .402 over his last 27 games while attaining a .488 OBP, .745 SLG and 1.233 OPS in that span.
Corey Seager – SS, LAD vs. COL ($4,000)
Seager has been very disappointing for season-long fantasy owners but recent results are extremely encouraging. The 14 doubles he’s hit over his last 24 games tells you just how well he’s seeing the ball right now, posting a .527 SLG and .837 OPS in that span. What’s most intriguing about Seager are his splits, with the shortstop totaling a .347 OBP, .521 SLG and .868 OPS against righties this season. The best part about this play is facing Chi Chi Gonzalez though, with the Rockies righty pitching to an 8.07 ERA and 1.82 WHIP
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Whit Merrifield, KC vs. DET ($4,500)
It’s weird to see such a talented hitter priced so affordably. This has been the Royals best hitter for three years now, which is evident when you see that he’s averaging about a .300 AVG, .800 OPS and 30 steals per year in that span. That’s monster production from a player in this price range and he’s been even better against left-handers. In fact, Merrifield has .352 OBP, .508 SLG, and .860 OPS a with the platoon advantage in his favor dating back to 2017, which is nightmarish for Daniel Norris and his 4.66 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.
Khris Davis , OAK vs. LAA ($3,500)
This price is just ridiculous. While he’s earned every bit of it with his terrible slump, Davis has way too much potential to be priced around a bunch of minor leaguers. We’re still talking about a guy who leads the league in home runs dating back to 2015, generating an ISO in the .250-range in that span. That’s elite power potential, especially from a player well below $4,000. We’re definitely not scared of Jaime Barria either, with the Angels righty pitching to a 6.10 ERA and 1.44 WHIP this season. Davis is showing signs of life recently too, accruing a .385 OBP, .609 SLG and .993 OPS over his last seven outings.
Things change quickly as lineups come out. If you have any questions, hit me up on Twitter @Bartilottajoel and I'd be more than happy to help.
