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DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (9/21/23): Today's Top MLB DFS Lineups

Max Fried - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on September 21, 2023. Mike's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.

There are nine games today, but only two in the matinee, giving us a juicy seven-game main slate. There is some rain in the forecast for Chicago right now, so keep an eye on that game. The other seven look like great early-Fall baseball weather. Let's enjoy it while we still have it!

This article contains my picks for the five-game main slate on Thursday, September 21, 2023, for both DraftKings and FanDuel, which locks at 7:05 PM ET. We finally have a uniform slate on both sites, which makes my job infinitely easier.

The lineup picks will range from some elite high-priced players to mid-priced options and value plays. I'll give you a few of my top pitching options and then some infielders, outfielders, and teams to stack. 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.

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DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Max Fried, ATL at WAS ($10,000 DK, $10,600 FD)

Fried hasn't pitched since last Tuesday because of a small finger blister, but he's not the second coming of Rich Hill just yet. The Braves were just being cautious since they have the division wrapped up. That is a bit concerning since I don't think they'll let Fried go longer than five innings. That said, the Nationals just haven't been able to hit this guy.

They aren't getting loft on the ball and aren't making hard contact. The K rate is a bit lower, but I can live with that since the Nationals aren't really getting on base anyway. Fried might be the safest option out there tonight.

Ranger Suarez, PHI vs. NYM ($7,900 DK, $9,300 FD)

Suarez has dominated the Mets in his career. The current lineup is just 8-for-49 (.163) against him with only one extra-base hit (a Francisco Lindor home run) and nine strikeouts. Ranger has had a few issues with walks lately, but he has still done a good job limiting damage. He hasn't given up more than three runs in a game since July 26 and has at least five strikeouts in every game since August 1. He's a low-risk, high-upside proposition as your SP2 on DK.

Others to consider: Gerrit Cole ($12,200 DK, $11,500 FD) vs. TOR; Tarik Skubal ($8,100 DK, $9,000 FD) at CLE

 

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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Ryan O'Hearn - 1B/OF, BAL at CLE ($3,800 DK, $3,100 FD)

O'Hearn has been on quite a tear lately. He has ten hits in the last five games, including his first career five-hit game against the Astros on Monday. O'Hearn has two doubles, a homer, five RBI, and five runs scored in that span. Hunter Gaddis was serviceable for the Guardians earlier in the season, but he still has a 4.85 ERA in 10 major league appearances this season.

Ke'Bryan Hayes - 3B, PIT at CHC ($4,600 DK, $3,000 FD)

I really like the price for Hayes on FD, but he's worth considering on DK as well. Hayes has 10 hits in the last five games with two doubles, a homer, three RBI, and four runs scored. He is also 8-for-18 in his career against Kyle Hendricks with a double and two homers. Oh, and he should be leading off again for Pittsburgh. There's a lot to like here.

Miguel Rojas - SS, LAD vs. SF ($3,000 DK, $2,300 FD)

Rojas is hitting .333 in September with nine runs scored, two homers, and six RBI. He is mostly known as a light hitter, but both of those homers have come in the past week. Facing another lefty tonight, I'll punt with Rojas to see if he can keep his hot September going.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks

Aaron Judge - OF, NYY vs. TOR ($6,500 DK, $3,900 FD)

Judge isn't doing much besides listening to Aerosmith and Walking This Way to first base lately. This is a lot to pay for some free passes, but Judge has hit Jose Berrios pretty hard. Judge is 10-for-24 against Berrios with a pair of doubles and three homers off of him while only striking out twice. If you're paying up for hitters tonight, Judge hits Berrios hard (94.8 mph exit velocity).

Ian Happ - OF, CHC vs. PIT ($4,700 DK, $3,200 FD)

Happ has a modest six-game hitting streak going with two homers, five RBI, and five runs scored in that span. He is also a blistering 6-for-12 against Johan Oviedo with a pair of doubles and a pair of triples against him. More extra bases should be in store for Happ again tonight.

Heston Kjerstad - OF, BAL at CLE ($2,800 DK, $2,400 FD)

Kjerstad has started each of the last three games and has homered twice in the last five. The Orioles are giving him some time down the stretch since they have already clinched a playoff spot and are still 2.5 games up on the Rays in the East with 10 games remaining. If he's starting, I'm using Kjerstad at this price.

 

DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks

Atlanta Braves vs. Jake Irvin

Irvin has pitched fairly well of late, but this is going to be his first time facing the Braves. It's hard to know what the lineup will look like, but it will be easy to line up a stack of lefties against Irvin here.

Favorite pieces: Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, Eddie Rosario, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies

Also consider: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kyle Harrison

Harrison's first two starts went well, but he has allowed 15 runs (12 earned) in just 14 2/3 innings in September. What do you think the Dodgers are going to do to this poor guy?

Favorite pieces: Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, Rojas, Chris Taylor

Sneaky Stack: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Kyle Hendricks

Hendricks has strong overall numbers on the surface, but he has a 4.41 ERA at home and has surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) in 16 1/3 innings in September. Only one of those games was at home. Two were against Arizona, but one was against a team that has been terrible against right-handed pitching (Giants). There is potential here.

Favorite pieces: Hayes, Bryan Reynolds, Jack Suwinski, Ji Hwan Bae, Endy Rodriguez



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
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Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
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Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
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Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
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to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
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Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
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Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

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Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

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Santiago Luna

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Chase Briscoe

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Ryan Blaney

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Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

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Kenneth Walker III

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Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
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Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

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Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

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NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

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Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
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Looks To Return To The Win Column
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In Dire Need Of Victory
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Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
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Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension

RANKINGS

QB
RB
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TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP