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Baseball Picks Daily Fantasy Expert Advice

09/09/2021
Chris Durell

DraftKings and FanDuel MLB Picks for Thursday 9/9/21

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Pitchers

Marcus StromanMarcus Stroman FD - P 8900 DK - SP 9400
Opponent - MIA (Jesús Luzardo) Park - MIA
FD - 33.74 DK - 17.35

Pitching is a mess once again on Thursday but the good news is the top option is pretty straightforward here. While Stroman doesn't really provide that slate-breaking upside, he has been very consistent in 2021 as he enters with a 2.93 ERA/3.65 xFIP. Justifying the top price on the slate is the matchup against the Marlins who are a mid-pack offense overall and have struggled recently to a .278 wOBA/75 wRC+(both bottom 5) over the last couple of weeks. All things considered, Stroman is my top pitcher in all formats.

Ranger SuárezRanger Suárez FD - P 8600 DK - SP 7400
Opponent - COL (Antonio Senzatela) Park - PHI
FD - 24.87 DK - 12.72

After dominating out of the bullpen for most of the season, the Phillies have eased him into the rotation and it is paying off as he has posted a stellar 1.71 ERA. The only concern here is that he was pulled after 71 pitches in his last start but manage, Joe Girardi stated it was merely precautionary. I will take his word for it as we don't really have many options. Either way, Suarez gets a plus matchup against the Rockies who have struggled recently(.303 wOBA/74 wRC+) and rank dead last on the road with a .273 wOBA and 68 wRC+. Suarez is my top SP2 on DraftKings and a GPP punt on FanDuel.

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Catcher/First Base

Freddie FreemanFreddie Freeman FD 3900 DK 6000
Opponent - WSH (Erick Fedde) Park - WSH
FD - 15.81 DK - 11.83

Very small slate tonight but one thing is very clear. Get as many Braves in your lineup as possible. It starts with a matchup against Erick Fedde who has given up nine earned runs in his last two starts and enters with a 5.27 ERA on the season. For Freeman, he is one the best hitters in the game and despite a "down season" still enters the night with a near-elite .291/.388/.497 slash line. Provided enough value shows up tonight, Freeman is my top overall play at first base with his best value coming on FanDuel.

Pete AlonsoPete Alonso FD 3500 DK 4800
Opponent - MIA (Jesús Luzardo) Park - MIA
FD - 11.54 DK - 8.57

If you just can't stomach the insane price tag on Freeman, my next favorite option is Pete Alonso who despite a smaller slate sits below the $5K mark on DraftKings. He comes in red-hot with hits in eight straight including three home runs in his last two games and like Freeman, he also gets an elite matchup. To top it off Alonso absolutely destroys lefties to the tune of a .395 wOBA, 153 wRC+, and .357 ISO!!

Second Base

Brendan RodgersBrendan Rodgers FD 2800 DK 3900
Opponent - PHI (Ranger Suárez) Park - PHI
FD - 8.42 DK - 6.48

While I do like Suarez as a value pitcher on this small slate, I can't ignore Rodgers who is checking almost every box. He hits second in the Rockies lineup and has been consistent in the second half hitting just under .300 but what really stands out are his splits as he has a .429 wOBA, 156 wRC+, and .346 ISO against lefties. Value is tough to come by on this smaller slate and second is also a tough position to fill. Plug in Rodgers in cash games and move on.

Also Consider: Ozzie Albies(ATL) to add to the Braves loves tonight but you will need a ton of value to get there as he comes with a very high price tag on both sites

Shortstop

Bo BichetteBo Bichette FD 4000 DK 5200
Opponent - NYY (Nestor Cortes Jr.) Park - NYY
FD - 11.31 DK - 8.68

I could honestly make a case for any of the top shortstops tonight but have narrowed by core down to two. Bichette is up first and while he enters without a hit in the series, he came in with hits in 10 straight and has been much better against lefty pitching(.393 wOBA/150 wRC+) so I don't think he gets another donut tonight as the Jays look to sweep the Yankees. This is not likely my cash route with his high price tag but I will have tons of Jays exposure in GPP formats.

Javier BáezJavier Báez FD 3700 DK 4700
Opponent - MIA (Jesús Luzardo) Park - MIA
FD - 11.25 DK - 8.58

The second shortstop I am locked in on tonight is Javier Baez who is really starting to come around for the Mets as he enters the night with hits in 10 of his last 13 games with four home runs. Like Bichette, he has terrific splits vs. lefties(.378 wOBA/139 wRC+/.272 ISO) but gets a much better matchup and comes cheaper on both sites. A Mets 2-3 player stack is where I will be starting my cash game lineups tonight.

Third Base

Jonathan VillarJonathan Villar FD 3000 DK 4400
Opponent - MIA (Jesús Luzardo) Park - MIA
FD - 10.67 DK - 8.24

Speaking of a Mets stack, it all gets started with Villar who is back up in the leadoff spot which has sparked a bit of a surge for the team(8-3). In that time, Villar has hits in eight of 11 with seven extra-base hits and 10 runs scored and sits with a productive 118 wRC+ on the season. He is a switch hitter and better from the left side but still league average vs. lefties(102 wRC+) and comes with a very affordable price tag along with his teammates in a plus matchup.

Also Consider: Austin Riley(ATL) who is having a breakout season, crushes right-handed pitching(.409 wOBA/155 wRC+), and his best value comes on FanDuel under $4K

Outfield

Cedric MullinsCedric Mullins FD 3400 DK 4700
Opponent - KC (Carlos Hernández) Park - KC
FD - 10.32 DK - 8.01

If you want to talk real-life PTS/$, there isn't a better place to start than Mullins who is on a one-year, $577,000 deal while putting up career-best numbers, by a long shot. He earned his way to the All-Star game with a great first half and has kept that consistency strong in the second half. For tonight, he gets a plus matchup against Carlos Hernandez, hits leadoff, and comes at a very fair price on both sites considering his consistency and high floor. In play in all formats and one of my top PTS/$ plays on the slate.

Jorge SolerJorge Soler FD 3400 DK 4300
Opponent - WSH (Erick Fedde) Park - WSH
FD - 14.43 DK - 10.75

Let's finish this thing off with another Braves player considering the elite matchup and the fact they are projected for about 25% more runs than the next team. Soler is much better against lefty pitching but comes in red-hot with hits in six straight games and gets to hit second behind Albies and in front of Freeman/Riley. Combine that opportunity with mid-tier pricing and you have a core play in all formats.

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