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DraftKings Early MLB Picks September 20: Severino Is The Clear Top Option

By Mike Marteny

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on August 28, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on August 28, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 17: Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins hits a solo home run against the Cleveland Indians during the seventh inning in game two of a doubleheader on August 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 4-2. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks September 20

We only have three early games in our DraftKings tournament today. The pickings are pretty slim. It seems as though the bulk of the separation will come from the second pitcher slot. Let’s see who can help us there and if there are any sleeper bats to pick up on.

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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!

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Next: DraftKings Pitcher Plays

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 15: Pitcher Daniel Mengden #33 of the Oakland Athletics delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 15, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

The top tier consists of just one today, and he will be owned in nearly every lineup. Luis Severino has never faced the Twins, but expect good things today. The Twins offense has not been good at all in this series, and Severino has a 2.40 ERA in his last ten starts. His numbers are a little worse at home, but not enough to worry about against the struggling Twins.

Middle Tier:

Detroit’s offense finally got something going last night, and the Tigers still lost. After a rough couple starts to begin his callup, Daniel Mengden has been solid against the Astros and dominant against the Phillies. The Tigers are much closer to the Phillies than the Astros, so Mengden is a strong play today. I still don’t know if I would fade Severino for him though.

Jose Urena has been very good in his two career starts against the Mets. What’s left of them is hitting only .211 off of Urena in 38 at bats with just one run scored on a homer by Wilmer Flores. If you are fading Severino for both pitchers in this tier, I can’t fault the logic. The Mets have been better lately, but they are still the Mets.

Bargain Pitchers:

This whole tier is shaky at best. The Yankees are hitting .340 in 97 at bats against Bartolo Colon and the Marlins are hitting .329 in 82 at bats with a staggering seven homers off of Rafael Montero. Believe it or not, Anibal Sanchez is the safest pick here against a free swinging A’s team. As for me, I’m voting for none of the above. You wont find me dredging the bottom on this slate.

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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 19: Matt Olson #28 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Ryon Healy #25 of the Oakland Athletics after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers, breaking the Athletics rookie record by homering for the fifth consecutive game, during the second inning at Comerica Park on September 19, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

It’s rare to see Matt Olson‘s price this high, but Anibal Sanchez has a 8.18 ERA and has allowed 16 homers in his last ten starts. I wouldn’t rule out Chapman or Ryon Healy here either. An A’s stack is cheaper than the Yankees and Marlins, but could prove to be just as effective.

Middle Tier:

Matt Holliday has a team best four RBI off of Bartolo Colon. Todd Frazier is 2-4 lifetime against Colon. Gary Sanchez is a top tier play if you are willing to spend that much on a catcher. I am going cheaper at catcher so I don’t have to dip into the bottom tier of pitchers.

Bargain Shoppers:

Josh Phegley is 3-9 with a homer and four RBI in his career against Anibal Sanchez. I would rather pay the minimum for Phegley if he starts than pay up for Sanchez.

Greg Bird is too cheap against Bartolo Colon. He has struggled, but he also has two homers in his last five games.

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NNEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 17: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees celebrates his second inning home run against the Baltimore Orioles with teammates Matt Holliday #17 at Yankee Stadium on September 17, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Didi Gregorius has 13 RBI in his last 11 games, and has moved into the cleanup role as a result. He is one of the finer plays of the day against Bartolo Colon, but doesn’t come with the $5,000 price tag.

Brian Dozier is the only one priced in this tier, but there is no way he will live up to his value against Severino and that strong bullpen. I would much rather use Dee Gordon for $200 less.

Middle Tier:

Starlin Castro is 4-9 lifetime off of Bartolo Colon, but has no counting stats. That could change with him batting second in the lineup. If Ronald Torreyes is in there, he has two singles and a run scored in two plate appearances against Colon.

Jed Lowrie drove in five runs last night, but he is just 3-18 lifetime against Anibal Sanchez. Marcus Semien has struggled (2-13) against Sanchez too, but he is priced to buy as well.

Bargain Shoppers:

I know this has not been a normal season for Ian Kinsler, but there is no reason for him to be quite this cheap. Kinsler is the cheapest starter at second base today, and likely shouldn’t be.

Franklin Barreto batting leadoff against Anibal Sanchez is an interesting play for just $2,100.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 5: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins is congratulated by Marcel Ozuna #13 after hitting a sixth inning solo home run against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on August 5, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Matt Joyce is 5-20 with a homer and four RBI off of Anibal Sanchez as well. Khris Davis didn’t get number 40 last night, but he is a threat to do it this afternoon.

I would leave Yelich alone since he has struggled against Montero, but Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna are in play. They are a combined 9-20 with three homers, six runs scored, and seven RBI against Rafael Montero. If the Marlins hit Montero well again, you can bet one or both of these sluggers to be involved.

If I am paying $5,700 for an outfielder today, it will be Stanton and not Aaron Judge. However, playing both of them could be nice if you can find a way to swing it without using two horrible pitchers.

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Middle Tier:

Byron Buxton is an interesting play at $4,000. He has struggled against the Yankees, but the middle tier is barren today. Buxton is the only one that stands out. Mikie Mahtook has nice power, but with the way Mendgen has pitched lately, I’m not sure I want to throw overpriced mediocrity at him.

Bargain Shoppers:

On the other hand, Alex Presley is tempting at $3,300. If I’m playing a Tiger outfielder, it will be Presley.

Max Kepler is money against right handed pitching, and he is dirt cheap right now. It’s going to be hard for me not to take a chance on him at $3,100.

Next: Main DraftKings MLB Picks

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!