FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (9/15/20): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

After one of the quirkier schedules that we’ve seen all season during 2020 on Monday, we return Tuesday with a slate chock full of options. 

Yu Darvish headlines a pitching slate that is more upside than safe floor. With a Coors Field contest on the slate, fantasy managers will, as always when the hitter's haven is present, have to operate judiciously to find the right mix of star and value, which is exacerbated by the relative low-end nature of the pitchers in line to receive starts.

I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 9/15/2020. Be sure also to check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like DraftKings, and other sports too.

FanDuel DFS Pitchers

Yu Darvish - CHC vs. CLE ($11,200)

As mentioned previously, in a slate where there are so many uncertain pitching options, Darvish stands out as an elite arm that is in the midst of arguably the best stretch of his career. He has compiled at least 40 FanDuel points in each of his last eight starts, striking out 67 batters in 52 IP in that span, all while amassing a 1.38 ERA. 

Despite some notable names in their starting nine, Cleveland has posted the fourth-lowest team OPS (.680) in the Majors this season. Their 326 strikeouts against right-handed pitching ranks them seventh among all clubs, which works in Darvish’s favor. 

Deivi Garcia - NYY vs. TOR ($8,900)

With his FD price tag far exceeding that of his DraftKings one, Garcia may seem like something of an overpay to some. But consider that in his most recent start, he went seven innings against the Blue Jays at Sahlen Field and struck out six batters while limiting them to two runs. Fully stretched out after back-to-back 95-pitch outings, there should be no concerns about the 21-year-old’s ability to go deep into games.

The Toronto offense boasts a solid group of power-hitting bats, but Garcia got 13 swinging strikes the last time that the two clubs faced off. The right-handed prowess of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette doesn’t present it’s usual concern due to the .509 opponents OPS that Garcia has allowed against right-handed batters this season, with 13 of 34 plate appearances ending in a strikeout.

FanDuel DFS Infielders

Freddie Freeman, 1B - ATL @ BAL ($4,100)

Freeman is the highest-priced first baseman Tuesday, and with good reason. Over his last seven games, he has gone 14-for-29 with four home runs and 12 RBI, walking (four) more times than he has struck out (two). Then there’s the matchup with Orioles starter Thomas Eshelman, who has yielded three home runs in 14 innings at Oriole Park this season. Freeman has particularly mauled right-handed pitching this season with his 1.233 OPS ranking tops in the Majors.

David Fletcher, 2B - LAA vs. ARI ($3,000)

The nature of Fletcher’s production is that he’s likely a much more intriguing cash play than he is of a GPP consideration. But he’s especially worth considering Tuesday due to his matchup against Arizona left-hander Madison Bumgarner, who has been shellacked by right-handed hitters this year to the tune of a 1.109 OPS. With Los Angeles’ offense essentially back to full strength, they’ll have speculative stack appeal, with Fletcher standing out amidst a tough night for second basemen and their respective matchups.

Jake Lamb, 3B - OAK @ COL ($2,700)

Third base undoubtedly provides considerable thump at the top of the price chain, but those owners looking to simultaneously gain exposure on the Coors Field contest and save for other bats, consider Lamb. Having homered in his first appearance with Oakland on Monday, there’s a good chance that he’ll get another start Tuesday against righty Antonio Senzatela. Last season, Lamb scored five runs in three games at Coors, including a home run.

Trevor Story, SS - COL vs. OAK ($4,400)

It’s not exactly breaking news that Story rakes at Coors Field, but it can’t hurt to be reminded. Having delivered a .333/.385/.583 slash line through 23 games at home this season, his matchup with Oakland southpaw Sean Manaea -- who owns a 1.53 WHIP on the road this year -- stands out as particularly exploitable. While many will flock to Story for his power, it’s actually his legs that have been helping him excel as of late with five stolen bases in his last seven games. Combining that power/speed threat, his price tag actually seems somewhat reasonable and worthy of paying up for if salary limitations allow.

FanDuel DFS Outfielders

Dominic Smith, OF - NYM @ PHI ($3,400) 

Despite not having begun the year as a full-time member of the Mets’ starting lineup, Smith has vaulted up the leaderboards to the fourth-highest OPS in the Majors (1.084) when facing right-handed pitching. With the contest coming at Citizens Bank Park -- where Smith owns a career .317/.397/.667 slash line in 21 games -- the positives of his matchup against Phillies righty Jake Arrieta are extenuated. The former Cy Young winner has posted an 8.25 ERA at home this year, seeing opposing batters collect a .327 average against him. 

Whit Merrifield, OF - KAN @ DET ($3,300)

Merrifield’s domination of Tigers southpaw Matthew Boyd is too loud to ignore. In 39 at-bats, Merrifield has collected 20 hits, eight of which have been of the extra-base variety. Add to that the fact that the Royals’ leadoff hitter has ripped off a multi-hit performance in five of his last six contests and you have the perfect storm of an outfielder who is actually undervalued despite his sizable price tag. 

DJ Stewart, OF - BAL vs. ATL ($2,800)

Bouncing off of the undervalued idea, Stewart has mashed since having full-time duties bestowed upon him in the wake of Anthony Santander’s (oblique) injury. Taking his metrics from his first stint with the club this season out of the mix, Stewart has compiled a .371/.476/1.000 slash line over his last 11 games. Atlanta has not yet announced a starter for Tuesday as of Monday night, but no matter the arm, Stewart is far too cheaply priced on FD to risk fading in the vast majority of contests.