Fantasy Basebal: DraftKings Main MLB Picks For September 14

Sep 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the DraftKings sign board during the match with FC Dallas playing against New York City FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks For September 14

We have ten games in the main slate tonight in DraftKings. We only have three pitchers that are priced over $10,000. We only have five more that top $7,500. Should we pay for two aces? We have plenty of cheap choices. Should we punt all of the top pitchers and pay for hitting? Let’s check the past stats for some help.

More from DFS

NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some players have never faced their opponents, or have very little experience against them. I am not saying that none of those are good picks. The highest scorer of the day could be someone with no experience against his opponent. This is based on statistical analysis only. If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players. Check out this post from Matt McGarvey for great tips about whether to use a hot player in DFS or not.

For you first time players, if you would like $20 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $20 into more!

Next: Should You Dismiss These Pitchers Because Of No Past History?

Aug 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Steven Brault (43) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Sean Manaea has never faced the Royals. Even though this looks like a solid matchup, the fact is that Manaea is coming off of a DL stint because of a sore back. That is bad news for a pitcher. It could flare up at any time. I’m steering clear of this.

Jeff Hoffman has never faced Arizona, but his 0-3 record and 5.60 ERA in his first four major league starts make him a huge risk. Especially against an offense like Arizona. In fact, Hoffman’s numbers could be even worse. He lasted only 2.2 innings in his last start, giving up seven runs. He is lucky because none of those were earned. Even if this game isn’t at Coors Field, stay far away from this unless you are stacking Diamondbacks hitters.

Jake Thompson has a sparkling 2.19 ERA in two September starts after a dreadful first month in the majors. In fact, he has only given up five runs in his last three starts after allowing 21 in his first four starts. He could be a sneaky play against the Pirates.

However, if you are looking to use a pitcher without a history from this game, Steven Brault is the safer pick. Brault has not given up more than three runs since his debut on July 5th against the Cardinals. The down side is that he has gone six innings only once in six starts.

Next: Pitcher Picks

Aug 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Best Bets:

Carlos Rodon ($8,700): Rodon has certainly taken his lumps so far in the majors, but they have not come via Cleveland. The Indians are hitting just .239 in 117 at bats with just six runs scored and an impressive 30 strikeouts. If you believe in past stats, Rodon should be in your lineup.

Honorable Mention:

Hisashi Iwakuma ($7,100): Iwakuma has a pretty good track record against the Angels. The Angels are only hitting .227 against him in 238 at bats with eight homers and 16 RBI to 42 strikeouts. The strikeout total is low, but Iwakuma has a 3.28 ERA since August 1st. Two of those eight starts have been against the Angels.

Dark Horse:

Tim Adleman ($5,400): Adleman gave up one run on four hits and three walks over five innings while striking out four in a win over the Brewers back on May 6th. Adleman doesn’t have flashy stuff or rack up the strikeouts, but if he gets you 16.5 DraftKings points again at this price, you should be very happy with that result.

Anibal Sanchez ($5,200): Sanchez has a 2.70 ERA in two September starts, but he gave up 156 runs in his last four August starts. Consistency is an issue here. However, past history says he is a good play. The Twins are only hitting .233 in 159 at bats with just two homers, 12 runs, and a solid 37 strikeouts. The Twins’ offense has cooled down again, so Sanchez could be in for a nice game. However, the 5.69 ERA says all you need to know about the risks involved.

Next: Who Are The Best Stacks?

Sep 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) heads back to the dugout after grounding out with the bases loaded to end second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Don’t forget to check out the DFS Lineup Optimizer over at FantasyPros. You can also pick your favorite players or favorite stack, and it will optimize the lineup around that! It really is an invaluable tool for you DFS players!

Rick Porcello is the first 20 game winner in the majors this year, but the Orioles are hitting .294 off of him in 211 at bats. You know a stack is in order! Chris Davis ($4,200) is 8-29(.276) with a walk, a double, three homers, and seven RBI against Porcello. Ryan Flaherty ($2,600) may see a spot start somewhere considering he is 6-11 with a walk, a homer, and two RBI against Porcello. Manny Machado ($4,600) is 8-21(.381) with a walk, a double, and a pair of RBI. Adam Jones ($4,400) is 10-37(.270) with a double, two homers, and eight RBI against Porcello. J.J. Hardy ($2,700) is 9-22(.409) with two doubles and two RBI. Look out for Mark Trumbo. Trumbo ($3,700) is 6-19(.316) with two homers and five RBI off of Porcello. Matt Wieters ($3,600) is 4-13(.308) with two walks, a double, and a pair of RBI.

You may want to consider stacking Red Sox as well. Mookie Betts ($5,000) is 5-14(.357) with a walk, two homers, and four RBI against Kevin Gausman. Xander Bogaerts ($3,700) is 6-19(.316) with a double and two RBI. Ryan Hanigan ($2,300) has two hits in five at bats with a homer and two RBI. He is worth playing if he starts. David Ortiz ($5,400) is 8-18(.444) with two walks, three doubles, two homers, and five RBI against Gausman. Dustin Pedroia ($4,100) has six hits in 16 at bats with a walk and a solo homer. Hanley Ramirez ($4,400) only has one hit in six at bats against Gausman, but it is a three run homer.

Marcell Ozuna ($2,800) has always hit Julio Teheran hard. Ozuna is 14-33(.424) with a double, two homers, and six RBI off of Teheran. Justin Bour ($3,600) has four hits in 11 at bats with a walk, a double, a homer, and two RBI. Derek Dietrich ($2,900) is 4-14(.286) with three walks, a double, two homers, and three RBI against Teheran. Christian Yelich ($3,800) is 11-32(.344) with five walks, two doubles, and two RBI. At least Teheran dodges Giancarlo Stanton, who has homered twice off of him.

Hisashi Iwakuma gives up his share of home runs, which makes it an option to stack against him. Jett Bandy ($2,600) is 4-6 with a solo homer against Iwakuma. Mike Trout ($5,500) is just 9-46(.196), but he has five walks, a homer, and two RBI. Albert Pujols ($3,800) has really struggled against Iwakuma, going just 8-51(.157). The good news is that he has three doubles, two homers, and seven RBI. Yunel Escobar ($3,400) is 8-17(.471), but all of the hits are singles and he has just one RBI. C.J. Cron ($4,000) only has four hits in 20 at bats, but two of those are solo homers. Kole Calhoun ($3,900) is 9-33(.273) with two solo homers against Iwakuma.

The White Sox have hit eight homers off of Josh Tomiln in just 120 at bats. Jose Abreu ($5,300) is 5-8 with a walk, two doubles, and a solo homer. Alex Avila ($3,400) has only two hits in 14 at bats, but they are both solo home runs.. Tyler Saladino ($4,100) has a solo homer in six at bats. Adam Eaton ($5,100) only has three hits in 13 at bats, but he has a solo homer off Tomlin. Justin Morneau ($3,400) is 5-16(.313) with a walk, two homers, and seven RBI off of Tomlin.

Surprise, suprise. The Astros have hit Derek Holland hard. Jose Altuve ($4,500) is 7-26(.269) with three walks, two doubles, a triple, a homer, and three RBI against Holland. Jason Castro ($2,900) has four hits in 12 at bats wtih a walk and a solo homer. Carlos Correa ($3,700) is 6-11(.545) with a walk, a double, two homers, and three RBI against Holland. Evan Gattis ($3,300) has also gone 6-11 with a double, a homer, and three RBI. Colby Rasmus ($3,400) even has three hits in 12 at bats against the lefty Holland with a walk, a double, and a solo homer.

Next: More Notes For 9-14

Sep 4, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a triple in the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The Braves have actually hit Jose Fernandez well. Freddie Freeman ($4,000) is 7-20 with a walk, a double, two homers, and four RBI against Fernandez. Nick Markakis ($3,800) is 4-10 with a walk and a solo homer. Jace Peterson ($2,800) is only 2-10, but he has a double, a homer, and three RBI.

Adam Duvall ($4,000) is 1-3 with a solo homer against Junior Guerra.

Nolan Arenado ($4,600) is 3-9 with two homers and three RBI against Rubby De La Rosa. Carlos Gonzalez ($4,600) has four hits in 13 at bats with a double, a homer, and two RBI. Gerardo Parra ($3,100) is 3-12 with a double and a solo homer off De La Rosa.

Franklin Gutierrez ($3,700) is 5-8 with a double, two homers, and four RBI against Tyler Skaggs. Guillermo Heredia ($2,400) has two walks and a solo homer in two at bats. Kyle Seager ($4,000) is 6-13(.462) with a walk and a solo homer. Nelson Cruz ($4,900) is just 1-12, but the hit is a solo homer.

Marcus Semien ($3,000) is 3-6 with two homers and four RBI against Yordano Ventura.

Rajai Davis ($3,600) is 5-9 with a double off of Carlos Rodon, but he has no counting stats. Carlos Santana ($3,700) is 6-13(.462) with two doubles and two RBI against Rodon.

Kurt Suzuki is another cheap catching option at $2,800. He is 5-11 with a walk and a RBI off of Anibal Sanchez. Brian Dozier ($5,500) is just 4-26(.154), but he has a homer and two RBI.

Justin Upton ($4,200) is 3-5 with two three run homers against Tyler Duffey. Miguel Cabrera ($5,300) is 5-10 with a walk, two doubles, a homer, and two RBI. Victor Martinez ($3,800) is also 5-10 with a walk, two doubles, and a RBI.

Adrian Beltre ($4,400) is 3-6 with a solo homer against Joe Musgrove. Nomar Mazara ($3,700) is 2-6 with a homer and two driven in.

Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from out experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks and alternative plays if you don’t want to follow the herd. Don’t play FanDuel before checking it out!

Next: DFS Strategy - Take Your Game to the Next Level

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball and for the NFL’s opening week!