Early DraftKings MLB Picks September 21: Salazar Is The Safest Pitcher

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 05: Bench coach Chris Speier #35 of the Washington Nationals holds a bat and ball before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

DraftKings Early MLB Picks September 21

We only have two 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

ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Parker Bridwell #62 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers on September 16, 2017 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

There are a few reasons to think that Kenta Maeda wont reach value today. However, with slim pickings to go around, he may still be worth a look. Maeda has a 4.17 ERA in the last ten games, and an unsightly 5.79 road ERA this year. He finds himself in a hitter-friendly park against a team that racked up 17 runs on Dodger pitching in the first three games. Kershaw took the mound in one of those. There is no part of me that trusts Maeda today.

Middle Tier:

Danny Salazar has been serviceable against the Angels in his career. The Halos are hitting a robust .283 off of him with two homers, but have scored just three runs in 46 at bats. The 15 strikeouts are numbers that are usually found in the elite tier. With every pitcher on the slate carrying at least a moderate amount of risk, Salazar appears to have more upside than the rest.

Mark Leiter Jr. has ramped up the strikeouts, but that has had an adverse affect on his ERA as well. Letier has a 5.60 ERA in the second half, but he is averaging nearly 10 strikeouts per nine in that span. Normally I would avoid this, but on a very light slate facing a Dodgers offense that has done very little lately, Leiter may be worth a look.

Bargain Pitchers:

Parker Bridwell has a solid 3.71 ERA on the season, and 4.23 over the last ten starts. However, the good news ends there. He is facing a red-hot Cleveland team, and his home ERA in nearly a run worse than his road mark. Bridwell also doesn’t strike out enough hitters to carry you to a solid start if the Indians knock him around. However, Bridwell is a suitable way to save money since he has better numbers than any of the others besides Salazar.

SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 3 : Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on September 3, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Cody Bellinger is worth a shot against Mark Leiter Jr. if you are spending here. Leiter’s problems with the long ball have reared their head lately, and Bellinger is about the only Dodger that is hitting well right now. I prefer Bellinger over both Encarnacion and Santana at first, however, Rhys Hoskins is definitely on my radar against Maeda. The good part is that you can plant one in the outfield and play the other at first.

Middle Tier:

The fact that Brandon Phillips has third base eligibility is a nice little bonus on these short slates. If you aren’t paying up for Ramirez or Justin Turner, there would be a huge drop off if not for Phillips. He can provide a nice middle ground if you find yourself strapped for cash this afternoon.

Bargain Shoppers:

The drop off at first base is steep today if you go below Hoskins. I’m not a big fan of Pujols or Cron against Danny Salazar, but Luis Valubena does have three homers in his last ten games. He is strictly an all or nothing play though. Valbuena will do nothing else for you.

Cameron Rupp is 2-5 with a solo homer and a double off of Kenta Maeda. Since he didn’t start last night, Rupp should be ready to go today, and he is at a very cheap price.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Maikel Franco #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies congratulates Freddy Galvis #13 and Cesar Hernandez #16 after they scored in the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 14, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

I do like Jose Ramirez just because he can score you points in so many ways. However, I’m not sure he’s worth the $1,400 markup over Chris Taylor. There is a fly ball pitcher on the hill in Philly. The Dodgers may put up a few more runs than they have recently in this one. I face the same thing with Lindor. He would be nice to have, but Corey Seager is $1,000 less facing a fly ball pitcher.

Middle Tier:

I like Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis again tonight. Galvis is 4-7 with a homer, two steals, and three RBI off of Kenta Maeda. Hernandez is 2-7 with a homer and two RBI. The Phillies are cheap again, and they likely shouldn’t be.

Jason Kipnis is too cheap. Just be aware that Cleveland may hold him out in the day game after a night game.

Bargain Shoppers:

Chase Utley is in play against his former team if he plays. Utley has been quiet so far in this series, but against Leiter that could change.

Kaleb Cowart is still worth a dart throw at his price as long as he works his way into the lineup. That is no longer a sure thing with Brandon Phillips around though.

Next: Top Outfield Plays

ANAHEIM, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after beating the throw to Brett Nicholas #6 of the Texas Rangers and scoring a run on a single by Andrelton Simmons #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fourth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 15, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Top Tier:

Justin Upton has struggled so far against Danny Salazar. I want a more sure thing for my $5,000, so that this point I would use either Bellinger or Trout. There are plenty of bargains to be found. You probably don’t need to skimp on two of your outfielders.

Yasiel Puig has been much better against righties this year, and Curtis Granderson is also on my radar. I am very nervous about a Dodgers stack today, but Mark Leiter’s struggles are not a fluke. If they are going to break out of this horrible funk, it almost has to be today.

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Middle Tier:

Kole Calhoun is 3-9 with two homers and three RBI in his career against Danny Salazar. Mike Trout has two singles and two walks in 11 at bats with no counting stats. I’m not going to tell you not to use Trout, but I will use Calhoun first.

Jay Bruce is about the only Cleveland outfielder I am on today. They are great to play against lefties, but the rest of the outfield doesn’t do much against right handers.

Bargain Shoppers:

I sometimes get nervous when I have a ton of money left over, but I kind of feel like I would rather play Nick Williams and Odubel Herrera than gamble on Dodgers. Is that such a bad thing?

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!