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The top early-slate daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on September 14, 2023. Mike's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
As per usual, I am here all day for your MLB DFS needs on Thursday. We have three early games and a five-game nightcap with one strange start time in the middle that neither site knew what to do with. This piece will focus on the three-game early slate to get us primed for the nightcap.
This article contains my picks for the early slate on September 14, 2023, for DraftKings and FanDuel slates, which lock at 11:35 AM ET. There are no weather concerns. It's a great day for baseball! For now, FanDuel has the Yankees-Red Sox Game 1 on the early slate. Keep an eye out to see if they pull it.
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.
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Eury Perez, MIA at MIL ($9,000 DK, $8,900 FD)
Perez has only allowed six runs (five earned) over his last four starts while striking out 26 in 21 2/3 innings. The Brewers are the fourth-worst team in the majors against right-handed pitching over the last month. The strikeout rate (22.6%) isn't abnormally high, but the ISO is just .118 and the wRC+ is a sorry 84. The chances of Perez getting hit hard here are very slim.
Josiah Gray, WAS at PIT ($7,700 DK, $7,200 FD)
Gray's exile to the bullpen has ended and it also depressed his price to the point where I have some interest. Gray only gave up one run in six innings while striking out six against the Pirates at the end of April. His overall numbers really aren't that bad. The Pirates torched my value play last night, but I stand by the same logic. Pittsburgh is in the bottom third of the league against right-handed pitching over the last month.
Others to consider: Reese Olson ($7,400 DK, $8,500 FD) vs. CIN
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Spencer Torkelson - 1B, DET vs. CIN ($4,800 DK, $3,400 FD)
Better late than never! Torkelson was a great breakout candidate this year, but he struggled for the first four months of the season. He has 11 homers since August 9 with 20 RBI in that span to go with a .277 average, those are numbers we can live with. Four of those 11 homers and nine of those 20 RBI have come in the last 10 games alone during which Torkelson has hit .359. That's his first major league hot streak!
Luis Arraez - 2B, MIA at MIL ($5,400 DK, $2,900 FD)
Arraez is hitting .343 in 11 September games, a mark that has actually lowered his season average. He has two of his seven homers on the season already in September with eight runs scored and six RBI and has only struck out twice. This guy is a nightmare for pitchers to face right now. The price on FD is an absolute steal.
Rafael Devers - 3B, BOS vs. NYY ($3,800 FD)
I really wish this game were on DraftKings because Devers has smoked Michael King in his career. Devers is 4-for-6 with a pair of homers off of King already when he has mostly pitched as an opener. What can Devers do to King if he gets three at-bats against him? For this price, it's more than worth it to find out.
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Bryan Reynolds - OF, PIT vs. WAS ($4,900 DK, $3,600 FD)
Reynolds is 3-for-5 with a homer and a double in his career against Josiah Gray. The rest of his teammates are a combined 1-for-15 against him. If you are going to use a Pirate, there is no reason for it to be anyone but Reynolds.
Alex Verdugo - OF, BOS vs. NYY ($3,000 FD)
Verdugo has also hit Michael King well (3-for-9) and is cheap on FanDuel. Having the leadoff guy in a lineup projected for five runs is never a bad idea. I plan on loading up on Boston lefties in my early FanDuel lineup.
Joshua Palacios - OF, PIT vs. WAS ($2,700 DK, $2,200 FD)
Palacios has three multi-hit games in his last four outings. I do like the power potential of Jack Suwinski as well, but Palacios is hitting .357 with two homers, six RBI, three runs scored, and a pair of steals in the last 10 games...and is $1,200 cheaper. I need the discount, so I'm using Palacios.
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
Detroit Tigers vs. Derek Law/Ben Lively
Both Law and Lively have been smacked around this season. Surprisingly enough, most Tigers have hit better at Comerica Park than on the road. This park doesn't cater to power, but when you're hitting like Spencer Torkelson is right now, I'm not sure it matters. Start with Torkelson and add some other lefties.
Favorite pieces: Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, Zach McKinstry, Akil Baddoo
Also consider: Boston Red Sox vs. Michael King
This is FD-only, but most of the Boston team has hit King well when he's worked as an opener. What reason do we have to think that won't carry over?
Favorite pieces: Devers, Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida, Triston Casas, Wilyer Abreu
Sneaky stack: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Josiah Gray
There is massive leverage potential here since I expect Gray to be widely owned. The Pirates have been bad against RHP over the last month, but it is picking up over the last week or so. Gray was removed from the rotation for a reason.
Favorite pieces: Suwinski, Reynolds, Palacios, Ke'Bryan Hayes
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