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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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