Happy Tuesday, RotoBallers! The regular season is winding down, but there's still plenty of DFS action in the baseball world. The RotoBaller squad will have you covered for the entire stretch run and every slate of the postseason.
Tuesday's slate starts at 7:10 p.m. EDT when the Nationals and Mets meet in an NL East battle. Washington's starter, Mitchell Parker, will be in for a rough day against an offense with the fourth-best OPS (.760) and wOBA (.332) against lefties over the last month.
This article will provide my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 9/17/2024 and the slate locking at 7:10 p.m. EDT. 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. Monitoring injury news and today's MLB starting lineups is also essential.
DraftKings, FanDuel Pitchers - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Cole Ragans - LHP, KC vs. Tigers ($9.8K DraftKings; $10.4K FanDuel)
With at least seven strikeouts in six of his previous seven starts, Cole Ragans was already a fantastic pick. However, a date with Detroit only enhances his appeal for our DFS rosters. Over the last month, the Tigers lead baseball with a 31 percent strikeout rate to left-handed hurlers.
Cole Ragans, 10th K thru 5. pic.twitter.com/StQIXBBW0r
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 1, 2024
Chris Bassitt - RHP, TOR at Rangers ($8.1K DK; $8.8K FD)
You've got to swallow some volatility with Chris Bassitt as your starting pitcher in DFS, but the upside has shown through in recent starts. The Toronto righty has 30 strikeouts over his last 24 innings and averages 19.9 DraftKings PPG in that same stretch.
Texas doesn't strike out much against righties, with a 22.2 percent rate since August 18. However, it doesn't cause a lot of damage either. Over the last 30 days, the Rangers sit with the seventh-worst OPS (.677) and sixth-worst wOBA (.297) against right-handed pitching.
Also consider: Zack Wheeler at MIL, Tylor Megill vs. WSH, Jordan Wicks vs. OAK, Jordan Montgomery at COL
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DraftKings, FanDuel Infielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Christian Walker - 1B, ARI at Ryan Feltner ($5.9K DK; $3.9K FD)
After a month on the IL, it only took Christian Walker a week to shake off the rust. Over the last week, the Diamondback's first baseman sports a 1.289 OPS with three runs, five RBI, two doubles, and two home runs.
Yeah, we're thinking he's back. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Gr0zBSUYQ1
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 11, 2024
Andy Ibanez - 2B/1B/3B/OF, DET at Cole Ragans ($2.5K DK; $2.6K FD)
When there's a lefty like Cole Ragans on the mound, Detroit deploys Andy Ibanez at the top of its lineup. There's not a ton of downside with this pick because the utility man is dirt cheap and batting at or near the top of an MLB lineup. Take the savings and spread them around your lineup.
Jacob Wilson - SS, OAK at Jordan Wicks ($2.4K DK; $2.2K FD)
With a left-handed Jordan Wicks on the mound for Chicago, Oakland could revert to the lineup it put out on Monday. In that lineup, Jacob Wilson was elevated from his usual bottom-of-the-lineup spot to the top of the order.
The 22-year-old repaid the faith in his bat with a 2-for-4 performance with a run, a triple, and a walk. Oakland is searching for long-term building blocks in its rebuild, so running Wilson out there every night lets them see what he's got for the present and the future.
Also consider: Cody Bellinger, Marcus Semien, Eugenio Suarez, Willy Adames, Xander Bogaerts
DraftKings, FanDuel Outfielders - MLB DFS Lineup Picks
Aaron Judge - OF, NYY at Bryan Woo ($6.7K DK; $4.7K FD)
It doesn't take much for Aaron Judge to get hot. He's still chasing 60 home runs and has two round-trippers in his last three games. The Yankees outfielder "only" has four multi-home-run games this season, and he'll need another one by the end of the year if he wants to hit 60 bombs.
Pavin Smith - OF/1B, ARI at Ryan Feltner ($3.6K DK; $3.3K FD)
Despite posting the fifth-most FanDuel PPG (15.86) over the last 10 days, Pavin Smith comes into tonight's slate as the 25th-most expensive outfielder. He's playing at Coors and is cooking. He's a little pricey on FD but an incredible value on DK if you need a cheaper outfielder.
Pavin Smith:
2nd inning: 3-run homer
3rd inning: 4-run homer
5th inning: just a lil' 1-run homer pic.twitter.com/ljpC4jcbtF— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2024
Luke Raley - OF/1B, SEA vs. Luis Gil ($3.9K DK; $3.0K FD)
Whether you look at the last week, two weeks, or a month, Luke Raley has been impressive. Since August 18, the Mariner's hot-hitting utility man owns a .299/.402/.612 slash line with 11 runs, 16 RBI, six doubles, five home runs, and two steals.
Also consider: Corbin Carroll, Brent Rooker, Parker Meadows, Julio Rodriguez, Jackson Chourio
DraftKings, FanDuel MLB DFS Stacks
1. Arizona Diamondbacks at Ryan Feltner - RHP, COL
Favorite Plays: Corbin Carroll, Christian Walker, Pavin Smith
Chicago Cubs vs. Mitch Spence - RHP, OAK
Favorite Plays: Cody Bellinger, Isaac Paredes, Michael Busch
3. New York Mets vs. Mitchell Parker - LHP, WSH
Favorite Plays: Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jose Iglesias