DraftKings Main MLB Picks September 20: Play Ray Over Sale!

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 15: Tyler Chatwood #32 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on September 15, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Main MLB Picks September 20

We have 11 games in the main DraftKings tournament. Unfortunately, the Rockies-Giants tilt is caught in limbo, robbing us of a great cheap option in Tyler Chatwood. Still, there is a huge middle tier and two clear aces to choose from. Do we use either of them? How about the low tier? Are there any good options? 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

BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 09: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox delivers in the first inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 9, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Chris Sale is that high of a price for a reason. The Orioles are only hitting .213 off of Sale in 150 at bats with four homers and 11 RBI. The kicker here is the 50 strikeouts, or one of every three Orioles to stride to the plate. Once again, Sale is likely worth that lofty price tag.

Robbie Ray has absolutely dominated the Padres. They are hitting just .189 off of him in 90 at bats with only two homers, six runs, and a staggering 31 strikeouts. You really can’t go wrong with either Sale or Ray, but I give Ray the slight edge here due to his dominance of the Padres and his stellar 1.33 road ERA this season.

Brad Peacock still doesn’t consistently go deep into games, but you can’t deny his striekout ability. That is especially rewarded on DraftKings. The White Sox aren’t as bad as people paint them out to be offensively, but they do strike out a whole lot. Peacock is a strong play at home tonight and his offense is likely to give him a nice cushion in this game. He wont outscore Sale or Ray, but for his price, Peacock should be a decent value.

You can ignore BvP all you want, but it predicted the struggles of the Nationals against the Braves in this series and the last one they played. I will simplify it even more tonight: Gio Gonzalez has given up 12 runs in just 16.2 innings to the Braves in three starts this year. I can’t explain it any more than you can. Just don’t start this man against the Braves for whatever reason.

Middle Tier:

Luke Weaver looks like a strong play once again, and is possibly even worth fading the top options for. He allowed just one unearned run to the Reds in his last start. Weaver could find the going a little tougher at Great American Ballpark, but his stuff is legit, and he is guaranteed a win against Rookie Davis. It’s safe to expect a quality start with at least six strikeouts tonight.

Alex Wood has a 4.07 ERA in his last ten starts, and the Phillies have hit .375 off of him in 48 at bats. I wont be using Wood tonight. There are better options.

There is a lot to like about Jon Lester, but there is also a lot to dislike about him tonight. The Rays struggle against lefties and strike out a lot, but the good things end there for Lester. The Rays are hitting .250 off of him in 132 at bats with five homers and 17 runs from his time in Boston. Lester also owns a 4.14 ERA in ten career Tropicana Field starts. You can likely do better tonight.

DInelson Lamet has a very nice 2.44 ERA in his last ten starts. However, this Arizona team scored nine runs (seven earned) on Lamet in just three innings earlier this year. That was at Chase Field, but did they get in his head? The uncertainty and the fact that he is facing Robbie Ray make him a perceived shaky option, but maybe he shouldn’t be. Lamet has been much better at home this year, and is riding a very good streak. I’m thinking Lamet has a solid game for his price point.

Bargain Pitchers:

Jake Junis has had quite a nice month. He has allowed just eight runs in his last five starts. One of those was against the streaking Indians, against whom Junis exited the game with the lead. He boasts a 3.68 ERA over his last ten starts, and is putting up solid numbers across the board.

Steven Brault has been solid against the Brewers in two career starts, and carries significant win potential against Matt Garza. Brault is far from an elite play, but a quality start with a handful of strikeouts and a nice shot at a win make him well worth this price.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 9: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves singles to bring home a run in the sixth inning of an MLB game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on September 9, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves won 6-5. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

I literally want to play every Cleveland hitter tonight. As a whole, they have 11 home runs against Ricky Nolasco in his career. Edwin Encarnacion, Carlos Santana, and Yan Gomes have all taken him deep. Gomes has done so twice! If I’m paying up at first base, It will be for a Cleveland player.

First base isn’t all that great at the top, but third has some good options. Anthony Rendon against the struggling Lucas Sims and Kris Bryant against Blake Snell in Tampa are my favorites.

Middle Tier:

There is simply no reason for Freddie Freeman to be this cheap tonight. Freeman is 13-42(.310) with two walks, five doubles, three homers, and 16 RBI in his career against Gio Gonzalez. He hit a three run homer off of Gio in his last start. I am all over Freeman for this price. Kurt Suzuki is 5-10 with a homer and two RBI off of Gio as well. If you are looking for another cheap solution, Adonis Garcia is 6-10 off of Gio Gonzalez in his career.

Okay, I know he is facing Chris Sale, but Manny Machado at $3,800 is like larceny if you use him. Machado is 5-14(.357) with three walks, three runs scored, a solo homer, and two steals off of Sale. There aren’t many Orioles I would consider tonight, but Machado at this price is definitely one of them.

A Cardinals stack against Rookie Davis is going to be very popular tonight. Matt Carpenter and Jose Martinez are intriguing in this tier, as is Yadier Molina if you don’t mind spending a little more on a catcher.

The Dodgers as a whole have been pretty cold lately with the exception of Chris Taylor and Justin Turner. I would consider either of them against Jake Thompson. Curtis Granderson is an enticing option as well.

Kyle Seager has been a real thorn in Andrew Cashner‘s side. Seager has two homers and six RBI in only 18 at bats. The rest of the team has no homers and ten RBI in 106 at bats.

Bargain Shoppers:

Every Ray is dirt cheap, but I especially have my eye on Evan Longoria. Longoria has three homers and nine RBI in 58 at bats off of Jon Lester.

Sam Travis was a hot commodity against lefties earlier in the season. He could be down the stretch as well. He singled twice, walked, and scored in his three at bats against Miley earlier this year.

Maikel Franco has been hot lately, hitting .371 with two homers and seven RBI in the last ten games. He is taking on Alex Wood, who is not nearly as strong as he was early in the year. Franco is way too cheap here. I do like Rhys Hoskins as well, but he carries significantly less potential for value. Cameron Rupp is an excellent value play at catcher as well.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 19: Paul DeJong #11 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single during the tenth inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 19, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. St. Louis defeated Cincinnati 8-7 in ten innings. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Paul DeJong homered off of Rookie Davis in relief last Tuesday. He is a strong play since he will likely get to tee off on Davis more than once tonight. Kolten Wong is a strong play as well if he is near the top of the lineup, which he should be.

Daniel Murphy is a favorite against a struggling Lucas Sims at SunTrust Park tonight. All other Nationals lefties that are in the lineup are advised as well, as is the electrifying leadoff man, Trea Turner.

Middle Tier:

Brandon Phillips has a homer and three RBI in 11 at bats off of Josh Tomlin. Angel Stadium doesn’t really boost power, but for a guy who allows as many fly balls as Tomlin does, we could see a couple of homers tonight.

Jason Kipnis has two homers and six RBI in just 15 at bats against Ricky Nolasco. Francisco Lindor is the only Indian that hasn’t hit Nolasco all that well, so I will pay down for Kipnis and fade shortstop.

Elvis Andrus is 29-100 with nine walks, four doubles, five steals, ten runs scored, and an impressive 16 RBI in his career against Felix Hernandez. Rougned Odor has homered twice off of King Felix, but he is just 5-30 overall.

Bargain Shoppers:

Just like his other right handed teammates, Cesar Hernandez is way too cheap. He is 5-11 against Alex Wood with two runs scored and a RBI. He will get plenty of exposure batting leadoff. Freddy Galvis is 7-13 lifetime against Wood. I’m stacking Phillies in my Sale lineup. They are cheap enough to do so, and have enormous potential tonight.

Adeiny Hechavarria has finally escaped that huge slump that followed him to Tampa. He is 3-10 with a homer and three RBI against Jon Lester. Hechavarria is a strong punt play in the middle infield tonight.

Dansby Swanson has homered twice off of Gio Gonzalez in just 12 at bats.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 19: Mike Trout #27 and Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Mike Trout is 5-6 with two doubles, a triple, a homer, and three RBI off of Josh Tomlin already. I really like Kole Calhoun as a value play as well. The Angels are a decent team, and despite Tomlin’s recent success, he is still a fly ball pithcer. That isn’t good against a guy like Trout.

There isn’t much for good matchups among the elite outfielders, but Cody Bellinger still is against Jake Thompson. He and Trout will both be highly owned, but they are both worth it.

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Middle Tier:

A few Red Sox have hit Wade Miley hard, but not the ones you would expect. Rajai Davis is 5-19(.263) with two homers and five RBI off of him. Chris Young has not taken Miley deep, but he is 6-18 off of him. There is value to be had here. If you want to play Mookie, well, he’s a solid option too.

Andrew McCutchen is the only Pirate that is pulling his weight lately, and he is 7-29(.241) with two homers, seven runs scored, and six RBI in his career against Matt Garza. It’s tempting to throw a few more Pirates out there against Garza, but I simply don’t trust anyone else is this lineup right now.

James Shields has pitched better lately, but I’m still not starting him against the Astros. I would rather start a couple of reasonably priced players against him. Josh Reddick is 7-22(.318) with three homers and five RBI off of Shields. Cameron Maybin is solid if he plays. Maybin is 7-19(.368) with three runs, a steal, and three RBI.

Jay Bruce has slugged two homers off of Ricky Nolasco as well. Whoever starts with Bruce in the outfield is worth a look. They are all cheap, and all own better than a .300 career average against Nolasco.

Carlos Gomez is 6-17(.353) with two homers and five RBI off of Felix Hernandez in his career. I don’t like Felix against Texas here either, but I’m not going with a full on Rangers stack in Safeco Field.

Bargain Shoppers:

Melky Cabrera is about the only Royal that has experience against Brett Anderson. Despite the lefty-lefty matchup, Melky is 4-7 with a solo homer off of Anderson. I don’t know how many Royals I trust right now, but Jorge Bonifacio is worth a look for his power potential and platoon advantage.

Matt Kemp is 8-24 with two homers, four runs scored, an seven RBI in his career against Gio Gonzalez. Ender Inciarte, despite losing the platoon advantage, is 11-22 with eight runs scored against Gio Gonzalez. Again, I can’t explain this phenomenon. The Braves just tattoo Gio.

Next: Early DraftKings MLB Plays

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!