DraftKings MLB Picks September 18

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 16: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

DraftKings MLB Picks September 18

We have about half the league in action tonight with seven games. All of them are in the main DraftKings tournament. However, we are not cheated tonight. We have five pitchers priced in the ace tier, but is Kershaw worth all the extra money? Let’s check it out!

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We will provide you with several options to build your lineup here. Want to spend all your money on pitchers and play bargain bats? We will highlight who is worth the money. Want to punt arms and pay up for the big boppers? We can help you with that as well, and everything in between!

For you first time players, if you would like a bonus of 50% of your first deposit, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn those DraftKings dollars into more!

Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Dylan Bundy #37 of the Baltimore Orioles works the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 4, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Those of you who love Clayton Kershaw today should be happy this is a short slate. The current Phillies actually have six hits in 23 at bats(.263) with a run scored. On top of that, Kershaw’s career ERA at Citizen’s Bank Park is a ghastly (for Kershaw) 3.68 in six career starts. Kershaw has also not gone more than six innings in any of his three starts since returning from the DL on September 1st. The bottom line is, Kershaw is easily the best pitcher out there, but he is suitable to fade since I’m not sure he is more than $3,000 better than everyone else. At his peak, absolutely, but the Dodgers have no reason to push him here, so six innings is likely his limit again.

Ervin Santana is hardly a suitable fade option. He has a 7.06 ERA in five starts in new Yankee Stadium, and had a 5.19 ERA in the old one. The Bronx is not kind to Ervin, and the Yankees are hitting .277 off of him in 130 career at bats. If you are fading Kershaw, fade the whole top tier.

Middle Tier:

The middle tier has been shifted a little to include those priced between 9-10K due to the short slate. That is not a slight on Dylan Bundy, who has allowed only seven runs in 25.1 innings to Boston this season. The bad news is that he only has 12 strikeouts in that span. However, Bundy has been stronger at home than on the road this year. Aside from a hiccup against the Yankees a couple of weeks ago, Bundy has not allowed more than three runs in a start since July 23rd. If you aren’t paying top dollar for pitching, Bundy is a solid option.

Patrick Corbin has been bombarded by the Padres. They are hitting a robust .394 against him in 104 at bats with two homers and 20 runs, so you know it’s not a fluke. Corbin has a strong 3.36 ERA in his last ten starts, but he has a 5.13 ERA on the road and has allowed 16 runs in only 23 innings to the Padres this year. There are safer risks at much lower prices tonight.

Dan Straily is facing the Mets, and has a 3.27 ERA in 15 home starts this year. His numbers against the Mets aren’t great, and the Met offense has learned how to produce runs without Bruce, Granderson, and Cespedes. However, Straily’s home record speaks for itself. He could have a pretty strong start tonight.

Bargain Pitchers:

Jharel Cotton has allowed a staggering 28 homers in 124 innings this year. However, Detroit doesn’t have much left in their lineup. They have been one of the worst lineups in the American League this month. Cotton carries considerable risk, but he has enjoyed a 3.94 ERA on the road compared to 7.52 at home. On a light day like this, Cotton likely has more upside than Suter since he should go deeper into the game, and his poor season long numbers should keep ownership down.

Brent Suter has not pitched more than three innings in a game since August 12th, but he may still be worth a look against Pittsburgh. Don’t count on anything more than five innings, but Suter has a 3.34 road ERA this year and Pittsburgh is averaging less than three runs a game since the calendar flipped to September. There is a lot to like about this matchup, but don’t expect a huge score. He should still well outperform is price though.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 13: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 13, 2017 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Manny Machado has a walk, two singles, and two solo homers in 11 at bats against Doug Fister. Chris Davis could be a great way to save cash since he is 6-18 with a walk, two homers, and three RBI off of Fister.

There are a lot of cheap options that can save you money, but no one can match Paul Goldschmidt‘s line against Luis Perdomo. Goldy is 8-17(.471) with a walk, a double, three homers, seven runs scored, and seven RBI against Perdomo. You get what you pay for in Goldy tonight. Jake Lamb has struggled lately, but he is 5-16(.312) with three walks, a double, a triple, two homers, four runs scored, and seven RBI off of Perdomo.

Nick Pivetta has a 8.49 ERA in his last ten starts and a 6.11 ERA at home. Cody Bellinger all the way! While you’re at it, find any other Dodger with a bat in their hands! It’s time to stack Dodgers tonight!

Middle Tier:

Jameson Taillon has nightmares about Hernan Perez. Perez is 5-11 with a walk, three homers, four runs scored, and seven RBI off of him already. The rest of his teammates are a combined 11-48 with no homers and three RBI.

Honestly, all but one Padre has stuck it to Corbin. Wil Myers is 8-17(.471) with three walks, two doubles, a solo homer, and six runs scored against Patrick Corbin in his career. Myers is heating up as the season cools down, and could come up big tonight. Hector Sanchez is a great punt at catcher if he starts. Sanchez is 7-13(.538) with two doubles, two runs scored, and seven RBI off of Corbin.

Bargain Shoppers:

You can go cheap without sacrificing production again at first base. Greg Bird is 2-3 with two homers and four RBI already against Ervin Santana. Matt Holliday is 5-12 with two doubles, two homers, four runs scored, and three RBI against Santana. Todd Frazier has slugged two homers against Santana, but he is just 3-199(.158) lifetime against him.

Looking for a cheap catcher? Me too. Sandy Leon is at the top of my list. He is 3-8 with a homer and two RBI against Dylan Bundy, and costs just $2,700.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 8: Dee Gordon #9 of the Miami Marlins steals second base during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on September 8, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

I’m a big fan of Twins righties against former teammate (for a couple of weeks anyway) Jaime Garcia. Brian Dozier tops my wish list, but Eduardo Escobar and Jorge Polanco are solid plays as well.

Middle Tier:

Xander Bogaerts is 7-20 with a walk, two doubles, a solo homer, and four runs scored in his career against Dylan Bundy. He is a stronger play for me than Dustin Pedroia because he has more power potential.

The Yankees and Dodgers are going to be the most popular stack, but don’t sleep on the Marlins against the ghost of Matt Harvey. Dee Gordon is 6-13 with three runs scored and a steal against Harvey, and he will be leading off for a team that could score a lot of runs tonight. Harvey has a 6.90 ERA in his last ten starts and has allowed 14 earned runs in his last 10.1 innings spanning three starts. Start with Gordon, and stack away!

Bargain Shoppers:

The bright side for Phillies fans is that Chris Taylor is the only current Dodger to hit a homer against Nick Pivetta. The bad news is he has only pitched one game against them. I am all over left handed Dodgers, but Taylor is certainly worth a look as well.

Yangervis Solarte is cheap, batting cleanup, and is 6-14(.429) with a walk, a double, four runs scored, and two RBI in his career against Patrick Corbin. That is a lot of upside!

Next: Top Outfield Plays

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 17: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning of the game on September 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

You can go cheap in the outfield with a couple of them, but you need to pay up for J.D. Martinez. His numbers in Arizona are ridiculous to begin with, and he is 2-6 with two solo homers in his career against Luis Perdomo. David Peralta is 5-8 with three walks and four runs scored against Perdomo, and fits nicely in an Arizona stack.

Byron Buxton was huge again yesterday for the Twins. Now he gets to tee off on Jaime Garcia. Sign me up!

Mookie Betts is only 5-20 lifetime against Dylan Bundy, but the bad news ends there. Betts has three walks, two homers, two steals, four runs scored, and three RBI off of Bundy. Jackie Bradley is a solid way to save some cash. He is 5-15 with a walk, a homer, a steal, two runs scored, and two RBI off of Bundy.

Marcell Ozuna is 7-20 with a double, a triple, three runs scored, and a RBI off of Matt Harvey. Giancarlo Stanton likely looks tempting, but he is only 2-17(.118) against Harvey in his career.

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Middle Tier:

Jacoby Ellsbury is 9-33(.273) with a walk, a homer, three steals, four runs scored, and two RBI in his career against Ervin Santana. Brett Gardner isn’t a bad idea either. Gardner is leading off, and is 9-28(.321) lifetime against Ervin.

Most eyes will be on Adam Jones, he of the .318 average in 22 at bats against Doug Fister. However, don’t sleep on Seth Smith. He is just 2-14, but he is super cheap, and both of those hits are home runs. He is a suitable punt play.

It seems criminal to have Andrew McCutchen at $3,700. Suter may shut him down, but Cutch should get at least two at bats against this bullpen. Jordan Luplow and Starling Marte seem suitable punts as well.

Matt Joyce is one of only two current A’s to face Buck Farmer. He hit a two run homer off of him in that game.

Bargain Shoppers:

Juan Lagares at $2,900 looks like an absolute steal. Of course, it helps that Lagares is 1-2 with a double, a run scored, and a RBI off of Dan Straily in his career.

Jabari Blash is 3-7 with two walks, a solo homer, and two runs scored in his career against Patrick Corbin. Jose Pirela looks like a great play if he is in the lineup. Pirela is 4-5 with a walk, two doubles, and two RBI off of Corbin.

Next: FanDuel MLB Picks and Pivots

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball, along with our PGA picks. We also have plenty of NFL stuff to get you ready for football!