Welcome to our Monday edition of FanDuel picks on RotoBaller. Before we get going, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of Jose Fernandez. He was electric on and off the field and was on his way to a superstar career, and he'll be sorely missed by everyone in baseball. As for DFS on the last week of the season, my advice is to focus on two things: 1) teams still in contention and 2) players with incentives in reach or FA approaching.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for FanDuel on 9/26/16. There are 10 games on deck, with first pitch at 7:05. As for Vegas insights, the heavy moneyline favorites tonight are the Nationals (-190), Cardinals (-190) and Rangers (-180). The highest scoring totals are Brewers-Rangers (10), Reds-Cardinals (9) and Rays-White Sox (9).
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target for FanDuel
Rays versus James Shields
Big Game James has been a big disappointment in 2016. He is 0-6 with a 9.46 ERA in his past 10 starts including allowed seven runs (six earned) over five innings in his last time out. The Rays have a .752 OPS in September which is 9th overall and have some hot bats including Brad Miller, Corey Dickerson, and Evan Longoria.
Indians versus Buck Farmer
Farmer will be making his first start versus an Indians team looking to clinch the AL Central tonight. Oh, and Corey Kluber is on the mound. It's a terrible situation that should be avoided for DFS purposes, and I expect this to become a bullpen game for Detroit.
Also Consider: Mets versus Adam Conley
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Corey Kluber (SP, CLE) - 11,000
Really going out on a limb by snagging the highest priced pitcher, but on a small slate it is imperative to not miss out on big pitching outings. Kluber has limited hitters to a .188 average in September and has a 11.6 K/9 in that span. He's a lock for 50 points tonight.
Sean Manaea (SP, OAK) - $6,800
Manaea has been a sneaky play for seasonal format players in the second half and DFS should take notice tonight. Manaea hasn't allowed a run in September (11 IP) and has 12 strikeouts in that span. The Angels are struggling to the finish line, as their .676 OPS is 27th in baseball.
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Catcher (C) - Yadier Molina (C, STL) - $2,900
Molina has been sensational in the second half (.355 - third in baseball) and is finishing strong (.368) for a Cardinals team that needs every game at this point. For $2,900, this is a must-play in all formats.
First Base (1B) - Albert Pujols (1B, LAA) - $3,200
Pujols has quieted doubters in 2016 and is hitting well to finish the year. He is hitting .316 with two home runs and eight RBI in his last 57 AB and gets a favorable L/R matchup tonight.
Second Base (2B) - Dee Gordon (2B, MIA) - $2,700
Gordon has not had the 2016 anyone envisioned but he has shown his speed to finish 2016, notably his three-steal game last week. He is hitting .297 in 26 career at-bats versus Bartolo Colon and I think he comes out with a good game to honor his fallen teammate.
Shortstop (SS) - Asdrubal Cabrera (SS, NYM) - $3,400
The blonde-dyed shortstop has been a major reason why the Mets still have a pulse. He is hitting .333 with three HR and three SB in his last 51 at-bats. He's hitting .315 versus LHP and gets Adam Conley tonight.
Third Base (3B) - Jose Ramirez (3B, CLE) - $3,900
If the Indians are to go far in the postseason, Jose Ramirez will be a big reason why. Arguably the best Indians hitter, Ramirez hit .458 last week and the Indians offense should be clicking versus Buck Farmer.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Jose Bautista (OF, TOR) - $4,000
Think Joey Bats wants to make the postseason? He hit .333 with three home runs last week, including a clutch three-run bomb to win Saturday's contest. He's in my lineups until further notice.
Giancarlo Stanton (OF, MIA) - $3,800
Stanton has hit .385 with two home runs in 13 career at-bats versus Colon and like Gordon, I expect him to play well to honor his fallen teammate.
Corey Dickerson (OF, TB) - $3,300
Dickerson is hitting well to finish 2016, hitting .348 with three home runs in his last 23 at-bats. He has a much high slugging percentage versus RHP and gets a tasty matchup with Shields.
Also Consider: Ryan Braun (OF, MIL) - $4,000 and Randal Grichuk (OF, STL) - $3,200
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