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DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (9/17/23): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

Brandon Woodruff - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel and DraftKings on September 17, 2023. Kevin Hickey's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

Happy Sunday, RotoBallers! I'm excited to be covering another fun DFS slate. I'm aware that NFL season is underway, but I'm looking forward to sifting through another crop of MLB games. Let's break down my favorite plays from today's main slate!

Today's main slate features a robust 10-game matinee mix on DraftKings and an 11-game set on FanDuel. The weather looks like it could get tricky, so it's essential to check in with your preferred meteorologist ahead of lock. I'll point out the standout plays, but there will be plenty of opportunities to get creative with your builds on this slate.

This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 9/17/2023 and the slate locking at 1:35 PM ET. The lineup picks will range from some elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports here. It's also essential to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. Now that we got all that out of the way, it's onto the picks!

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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Brandon Woodruff, MIL vs. WAS ($10,800 DK, $11,500 FD)

His price is steep, but Brandon Woodruff is the top pitching option on this slate. Through nine starts, he boasts a 2.77 xERA and 3.66 xFIP. That includes an outstanding .196 xBA, .259 xwOBA, 6.1% barrel rate, 6.2% walk rate, and a 29.7% strikeout rate. Woodruff has surrendered just three total runs over his last four starts and 28 innings pitched. He threw a complete game shutout against the Marlins last time out and has shed whatever rust he carried from his four-month absence.

The Nationals have maintained their position among the league's most mediocre offenses all season long. They score only 4.3 runs per game for the year. That includes an 88 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, alongside a .695 OPS and .303 wOBA. Washington is one of the more difficult lineups to strike out, but there's not a lot of offensive upside.

Nick Pivetta, BOS vs. TOR ($7,200 DK, $8,100 FD)

I'm not claiming that Nick Pivetta is the second-best pitching option on this slate, but he is the best value. Through 35 appearances this season, Pivetta carries a shaky 4.20 xERA and 3.71 xFIP. That includes a strong .224 xBA and .316 xwOBA. He's certainly capable of getting knocked around, as evidenced by a .421 xSLG and 11.9% barrel rate. That said, Pivetta boasts an elite 31% strikeout rate alongside a 32.5% chase rate and 29.2% whiff rate. If he's going right, Pivetta is more likely to rack up double-digit strikeouts than anybody else in his price range.

The Blue Jays are not a lineup I typically advocate for targeting against. Names like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer are certainly intimidating on paper. However, the Toronto bats have been relatively quiet in the second half. They're scoring only 4.4 runs per game since the All-Star break, including a 100 wRC+, .721 OPS, and .315 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Also consider: Framber Valdez, Sonny Gray, Charlie Morton

Want more MLB DFS tools and content? Our MLB Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Optimizer, and access to our Premium Discord Chatrooms, where members can chat with our MLB analysts. Check out this recent big win from RotoBaller's Jon Anderson on DraftKings - join in on the winning!

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Pete Alonso – 1B, NYM vs. Brandon Williamson ($5,300 DK, $4,200 FD)

Pete Alonso is always primed for a long ball. He carries a phenomenal .561 xSLG, 15.7% barrel rate, and .388 xwOBA. That amounts to a 133 wRC+ and 45 home runs this season, good for the second-most in the majors. Alonso is slugging .566 against left-handed pitchers, part of a .534 career mark.

Brandon Williamson's rookie campaign has been shaky. Across 20 starts, he owns a 4.78 xERA and 4.60 xFIP. Williamson has surrendered a .444 xSLG, .262 xBA, 42.1% hard-hit rate, 90.1 mph average exit velocity, and a .335 xwOBA. Right-handed hitters have been particularly successful against Williamson, slugging .460 with 16 home runs.

Gleyber Torres – 2B, NYY vs. Andre Jackson ($4,400 DK, $3,200 FD)

It feels like it gets lost in the shadow of the Yankees' disappointing campaign, but Gleyber Torres is having a strong season. He's slashing .271/.343/.461 with 25 home runs and a 122 wRC+. That success includes a .478 xSLG, .278 xBA, 37.1% sweet-spot rate, and .361 xwOBA.

Andre Jackson presents an enticing matchup. Through 50 2/3 innings pitched, he sports a 5.75 xERA and 4.48 xFIP. He's surrendered a generous .501 xSLG, .280 xBA, 90.8 mph average exit velocity, 12% barrel rate, and 46% hard-hit rate. Right-handed hitters are slugging .490 against Jackson, compared to just a .378 mark from left-handed hitters.

Ceddanne Rafaela – OF/SS, BOS vs. Hyun Jin Ryu ($3,400 DK, $2,800 FD)

Ceddanne Rafaela's fantasy appeal has taken a boost recently with his promotion to Boston's leadoff spot against southpaws. Through 17 career games, he's slashing .333/.362/.566 with a pair of home runs. Rafaela is the third-ranked prospect in Boston's farm system and posted a .869 OPS with 20 home runs and 36 stolen bases across 108 games in the minors this year.

Hyun Jin Ryu has been surprisingly effective in 2023. He sports a 3.32 xERA and 3.87 xFIP; however, the sample size is just eight outings. Ryu has looked closer to cooked the last two seasons, posting a 5.21 xERA and 4.42 xERA in 2022 and 2021, respectively. While I'm not eager to stack against Ryu, I'm also not convinced that the 36-year-old is back. Right-handed hitters own a .415 slugging percentage against him this season, down from a .587 mark last year and .447 the season before that.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Yordan Alvarez  – OF, HOU vs. Jordan Lyles ($6,200 DK, $4,100 FD)

I have a feeling Yordan Alvarez will be a popular play today, and that's completely justifiable. He's slashing .299/.411/.585 with 27 home runs and a 171 wRC+. That includes an unbelievable .611 xSLG, 17.4% barrel rate, 52.1% hard-hit rate, 93.3 mph average exit velocity, and a .296 xBA. Don't overthink this, Alvarez is worth the steep price of admission.

Jordan Lyles has surrendered 36 home runs in 2023, which is tied for the second-most in the majors. He's allowed a .484 xSLG, 10.1% barrel rate, .267 xBA, and .344 xwOBA. That amounts to a 5.08 xERA and 5.35 xFIP. Hitters of all-handedness are slugging north of .500 against Lyles this season.

Kyle Schwarber – OF, PHI vs. Dakota Hudson ($5,700 DK, $3,800 FD)

Despite an ugly .197 batting average, Schwarber remains one of the league's most deadly bats. He's launched 44 home runs, including a .483 xSLG, 16.1% barrel rate, 49.4% hard-hit rate, 92.3 mph average exit velocity, and .367 xwOBA. Schwarber strikes out at a gratuitous 29.5% rate. Fortunately, his opponent today does not miss bats.

Dakota Hudson is a groundball-inducing pitcher, which limits home runs, but he gets hit hard. Hudson has surrendered a .471 xSLG, 45.8% hard-hit rate, 90.7 mph average exit velocity, .283 xBA, and .363 xwOBA. That amounts to a 5.75 xERA and 5.10 xFIP. Crucially for Schwarber, Hudson generates just a 13% strikeout rate and an 18.7% whiff rate.

Mark Canha – OF, MIL vs. Patrick Corbin ($3,100 DK, $2,700 FD)

Perhaps it was the change of scenery after being traded, but Mark Canha has looked like a different hitter in the second half. In nearly 20 fewer games, he's matched his first-half home run total while producing a 118 wRC+. Canha has emerged as one of Milwaukee's key hitters against left-handed pitching, slugging .484 against southpaws this season.

Through 29 outings, Patrick Corbin owns an ugly 6.10 xERA and 4.65 xFIP. That includes a horrible .511 xSLG, .301 xBA, 43.9% hard-hit rate, 90.8 mph average exit velocity, and 9.2% barrel rate. Right-handed hitters are slugging .498 against Corbin this season, down from .526 a year ago and .562 the season before that.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

Houston Astros vs. Jordan Lyles

Favorite Plays: Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, Alex Bregman

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Dakota Hudson 

Favorite Plays: Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott

Also Consider: New York Yankees, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
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Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
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One to Watch Going into Training Camp
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Appears Re-Energized
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Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
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Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
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Derrick Lewis

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Looks For His Third UFC Win
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Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

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Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

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Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
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Jack McBain

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Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
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Austin Hill

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Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

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Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
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WR
TE
K
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