🦃 BLACK FRIDAY - SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (9/29/16): MLB DFS Advice

By Dustin Nosler [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kevin Luchansky highlights the top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 9/29/16. These are the top value and sleeper plays for your FanDuel MLB DFS lineups.

What's up RotoBallers. Welcome to the last Thursday regular season day of MLB DFS. We've been hashtag blessed with a 12 game schedule, with 10 of the games taking place in the evening in the Main slate. For anyone unfamiliar with Thursday schedules, that's a whole lot of night games for a day that is typically an off day or a get-away-day. In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for FanDuel on 9/29/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on FanDuel.

Before we get into the player analysis, let's look at some lines and odds from Vegas that could be of interest when building your lineups. The highest over/under of the day - and the lone one of nine runs or greater - is the Orioles at Blue Jays. Vegas is seeing today as more of a pitcher's duel/paltry offense type of affair. As for moneyline favorites, the heaviest favorites today are the Cardinals (-186), the Giants (-186), and the Blue Jays (-175). I normally put a little more stock in over/under lines than moneylines, but if there is a day to do the reverse, today is such that. The hitters with the highest positive park factors are the left-handed batters of the Red Sox and Yankees, the right-handed hitters of the Rays and White Sox, and the right-handed hitters of the Blue Jays and Orioles.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

 

DFS Lineup Stacks to Target for FanDuel

The Toronto blue Jays against Ubaldo Jimenez

I still don't have run projections available for the Red Sox and Yankees yet, but of the nine other games, the Blue Jays have the highest run projection (5.2) by a pretty fair margin (1/2 a run). Ubaldo hasn't been abysmal this season, but he tends to get roughed up often and the Blue Jays have one of the most talented lineups from top to bottom - full of home run threats throughout it. For the season, left-handed batters have hit Ubaldo the hardest, as he's allowed a .380 wOBA, a .511 slugging percentage and 1.57 HR/9. The numbers he's allowed to right-handed batters are moderate, but the Blue Jays have park factors working in their favor and a lot of pop. Over the past 15 days, Jimenez has allowed a hard hit rate of 33% and has a strike rate of just 46%. My favorite Blue Jay hitters tonight are Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Because of the success lefties have had against Jimenez, I'm going to mix one or two of them in as well, and I'm considering Justin Smoak and Michael Saunders.

Also Consider: the St. Louis Cardinals against Dan Straily

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel

Alex Reyes (SP, STL) - $5,700

Reyes is the bargain of all bargains tonight. He has been pitching extremely well, far exceeding his price implied value in his last three starts. For the season, he owns an outstanding 0.23 HR/9 and an excellent 10.75 K/9. The matchup is a very favorable one, too, as the current Reds' lineup have struck out this season in nearly 30% of their at-bats against right-handed pitching. The Cardinals are heavy favorites and their offense is projected to score the second most runs of the night, so I like his chances to earn a victory as well.

Johnny Cueto (SP, SFG) - $9,900

He's not quite the value that Reyes is, but Cueto at this figure is a really good deal too. He's performed very well in his last three starts and has a fairly favorable matchup against the Rockies in a great pitcher's park. Cueto's strikeout numbers have taken a hit this season, but 7.8 K/9 is pretty strong relative to the rest of the slate and the Rockies do a fair amount of striking out (25% against righties). Over the past two weeks, Cueto sports a hard hit rate allowed of 25%, which is a solid number.

Also Consider: Julio Urias (SP, LAD) - $7,500 (GPP only)

 

DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel

Catcher (C)

Gary Sanchez (C, NYY) - $3,900

It's a steep price for a catcher, but damn, he sure has been worth paying up for this season. He has monstrous numbers against lefties - .392 ISO and a .588 slugging percentage - and the matchup against Henry Owens is a good one.

First Base (1B)

Freddie Freeman (1B, ATL) - $4,200

All the top first baseman options are in the ballpark of 4k in pricing tonight, so i Don't mind spending an extra $100 or two on Freddie. He has been a beast lately (56% hard hit rate over the past 15 days), has fantastic splits and a good matchup too.

Second Base (2B)

Robinson Cano (2B, SEA) - $3,300

Cano is a top three option tonight, and his price - which is a real bargain - makes him my top choice at second base. He has been hitting the piss out of the ball lately and has really strong splits, too - .388 wOBA and a .250 ISO to go along with a .564 slugging percentage.

Shortstop (SS)

Marcus Semien (SS, OAK) - $2,800

Like Cano, Semien is a great value tonight with a good matchup. He has strong splits against southpaws - .343 wOBA and a .248 ISO. He also possess home run upside and gets a slight park upgrade tonight, too.

Third Base (3B)

Josh Donaldson (3B, TOR) - $4,600

The slugger is mighty pricey, but I believe he's head and shoulders above the rest of the field tonight. In addition to that consideration, the pitchers are all relatively cheap tonight, so fitting him into your lineup won't be as difficult to do. For the season, he has very strong splits - .398 wOBA and a .261 ISO.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel

Mallex Smith (OF, ATL) - $2,400

Smith's splits aren't elite, but his differentials are enormous. He's a strong bargain play, has power upside, and the splits tell us he does his damage when he faces a right-handed pitcher - as is the case tonight.

Yasiel Puig (OF, LAD) - $2,600

Puig has been knocking the ball around with a lot of power (50% hard hit rate past 15 days) and he's a great bargain and in a good position to continue his power tear tonight.

Jose Bautista (OF, TOR) - $3,700

If you're going to pay a premium for an outfielder tonight, Joey Bats is your man. He too has an awesome hard hit rate over the teams' past four series and also owns fairly strong splits - .218 ISO and a .452 slugging percentage.

 

Full Season MLB & DFS Premium Pass

Get a Premium Pass for the entire MLB season - including the playoffs - for only $14.99. That's Premium access to over 10 tools, and over 20 valuable resources, for one incredible price. Here's a taste of what you get:

  • DFS lineup picks and cheat sheets for FanDuel and DraftKings - seven days a week
  • Three expert lineups: FanDuel, DraftKings, and Stack of the Day - seven days a week
  • Top DFS value plays, avoids and injury updates - seven days a week
  • Lineup tools: daily premium hitter and pitcher matchup ratings

All of this for just $14.99... it's simply the best deal around. No other site offers this type of deal. What are you waiting for?

 

Live Expert Q&A Chats - Every Weekday @ 1 PM and 6 PM EST (DFS)

Fantasy Baseball Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-55" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 

 

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Nico Sturm

Activated From Injured Reserve
Jason Zucker

Available Friday
Brandon Miller

Returning To Charlotte's Lineup On Saturday
Connor Hellebuyck

to Miss 4-6 Weeks
Jaylen Warren

Cleared From Injury Report Ahead of Week 12
Jalen Brunson

Probable For Saturday's Matchup With The Magic
Brian Thomas Jr.

Ruled Out for Week 12
Kenneth Walker III

Listed as Questionable for Week 12
Kyle Filipowski

Good To Go Friday Night
Trey Benson

Ruled Out For Week 12
Shaedon Sharpe

Won't Suit Up Friday
Jrue Holiday

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday Night
Josh Jacobs

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Darius Slayton

Cleared to Return From Hamstring Injury in Week 12
Daniel Jones

"Good to Go" for Week 12
Alvin Kamara

Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Xavier Worthy

"Trending in the Right Direction," Officially Questionable
Isiah Pacheco

Out Against Colts
Drake London

Officially Ruled Out for Week 12
CFB

Beau Pribula Expected to Start Against Oklahoma
Aaron Rodgers

Questionable to Play Against Bears
Grayson Allen

Sidelined Again on Friday
Jaden McDaniels

Could Miss Another Game on Friday
Cooper Flagg

Listed as Available on Friday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Expected to Return in Week 12
D'Angelo Russell

Questionable on Friday Vs. Pelicans
Jayden Reed

Packers Open Jayden Reed's Practice Window on Friday
Chris Godwin

Trending Toward Playing on Sunday
Joe Burrow

Officially Questionable for Week 12
Bucky Irving

Out for Week 12, Bucs Targeting a Week 13 Return
Sam LaPorta

Likely to Miss Remainder of 2025 Season
Josh Jacobs

"Feeling Pretty Good," Practicing Again on Friday
Trey Benson

Could Suit Up in Week 12
Jaxson Dart

Won't Play Vs. Detroit
Dan Hooker

An Underdog At UFC Qatar
Arman Tsarukyan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ian Machado Garry

A Favorite At UFC Qatar
Belal Muhammad

Looks To Bounce Back
Alonzo Menifield

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Collin Murray-Boyles

Ruled Out Friday Against Wizards
Volkan Oezdemir

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jaylon Tyson

Tagged as Questionable on Friday
Sam Merrill

Won't Play on Friday Vs. Pacers
Myktybek Orolbai

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Jack Hermansson

Makes His Welterweight Debut
Kyoji Horiguchi

Returns To The UFC
Tagir Ulanbekov

Set To Open Up UFC Qatar Main Card
Marvin Bagley III

Doubtful as Wizards Frontcourt Thins
Draymond Green

Set to Rejoin Lineup vs. Blazers
Jimmy Butler III

Probable for Friday's Home Game
Aaron Gordon

Expected Back in the Lineup on Friday
Coby White

Uncertain Against Heat
Tre Jones

Questionable Ahead of Heat Matchup
Sergei Bobrovsky

Frustrates Devils With Shutout
Adam Fantilli

Leads Blue Jackets to Victory in Toronto
Ilya Sorokin

Posts Second Shutout of the Season
Alex Ovechkin

Nets 33rd Career Hat Trick
Andre Burakovsky

Ruled Out for Friday
Gavin Brindley

Hurt Versus Rangers
Jake Evans

Exits With Injury Thursday
Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
Darius Garland

Might Play on Friday Night
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Out Against Sacramento, Santi Aldama Starting
Tyrese Maxey

Available Versus Milwaukee
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Simon Holmstrom

Ready for Action Thursday
Lars Eller

Available Thursday
Ridly Greig

Out Against Ducks
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
Victor Hedman

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Tyler Bertuzzi

Set to Return Thursday
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Connor McMichael

Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach

RANKINGS

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