Monday, Sept. 19, brings a seven-game featured slate with a first pitch of 6:40 p.m. ET. Of course, there is also an NFL doubleheader with a 7:15 p.m. ET kickoff, so we can have our cake and eat it too! Let’s get into the top MLB DFS picks today for pitchers and stacks for DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy baseball lineups.
DraftKings & FanDuel MLB DFS Picks Today (9/19)
Primary Stack: Braves vs. RHP Cory Abbott — 5.7 implied runs
The Stokastic Top Stacks Tool likes this matchup for Atlanta against rookie Cory Abbott. This is no surprise considering the 5.7 implied run total is trailing only the two teams playing in Coors Field. Abbott was a top-15 pitcher in the Cubs minor league system, but he never quite put everything together at once. Ultimately, he was traded to the Giants for cash considerations and then claimed off waivers by the Nationals.
Abbott will be celebrating his 27th birthday tomorrow, and he has certainly led a nomadic existence in the baseball world. After three successful seasons pitching for Loyola Marymount University, he was selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Like many young pitchers, his path to The Show was derailed by the pandemic, which caused a full cancellation of the 2020 MiLB season. In 21 games, including seven starts over the last two seasons, Abbott has an uninspiring 5.16 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and just 44 strikeouts in 52.1 innings.
Anyone with above-average power in the Braves lineup is worthy of our consideration in the DFS world tonight. Sadly, Ozzie Albies fractured his right little finger sliding into second base on Saturday, in just his second game back after missing three months with a fractured foot. Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Dansby Swanson are the core four options for full stacks. Michael Harris II can be used for differentiation along with catchers Travis d’Arnaud and William Contreras.
Secondary Stack: Orioles vs. LHP Tyler Alexander — 4.8 implied runs
First and foremost, the Coors Field Extravaganza should be targeted on both sides, with an implied game total of 11.6 and rising. It is going to be in the mid-80s during the action, plus Jakob Junis and Chad Kuhl are not scaring anyone.
For those seeking differentiation, then targeting lefty Tyler Alexander with the Orioles is a fine consolation prize. It is going to be a pleasant fall evening in Baltimore, with game-time temperatures in the upper-70s and a light 7 to 10 mph breeze out to center field. The outfield renovations at Camden Yards have definitely curtailed the former launching-pad status of this ballpark, but not to worry: The Batters of Birdland have plenty of pop in their lineup.
Over the last two seasons, Alexander has been saddled with a low strikeout rate (16.4%) and walk rate (5.8%), with very little soft contact (14.6%). This all comes together for an 82.9% contact rate, with batters just waiting on their pitch. Essentially, there is an extra-base hit every other inning for opponents whenever Alexander is on the mound.
Cedric Mullins typically gets the day off when the O’s are facing a fellow lefty, which means that Austin Hays will likely draw leadoff duties. Rookie catcher Adley Rutschman has managed to exceed expectations, and he has served as the catalyst leading to the Baltimore charge up the standings. The switch-hitter is better when swinging the stick from the left side of the plate, though with two of the three lefties in the Detroit bullpen having worked yesterday, he should get a couple of at-bats against right-handed pitchers.
Anthony Santander has become an accomplished switch-hitter himself and is usually batting third most games. Ramon Urias and recent waiver wire claim Jesus Aguiar have plenty of light-tower power and should be in the heart of the order. While it is unlikely that this stack gains too much traction, rookie infielder Gunnar Henderson and discount dandy Jorge Mateo can be used for differentiation.
Best MLB DFS Pitchers
Primary Target: RHP Kyle Wright vs. Nationals — 3.0 implied runs
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $8,800 | FanDuel $10,100
This matchup is shaping up to be a walk in the park for Kyle Wright, as Atlanta is currently a -350 moneyline favorite against the visiting Nationals. The Washington offense has been mercurial this season, though after sending Juan Soto and Josh Bell to San Diego, things have been beyond dreadful. Currently, the most dependable hitter on the roster is Joey Meneses, a 30-year-old rookie first baseman who has been bouncing around the minor leagues since 2012. The Nats projected lineup has a 25.0% two-year-trailing strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers.
Wright is a steady mound presence who limits power and has seen his strikeout rate tick up each of the last three seasons to a career-best 8.7 per nine innings this year. He has racked up 18 quality starts in his 27 appearances, and there is a strong possibility he ends the season as a 20-game winner, as he currently leads the league with his 18-5 record.
Secondary Target: RHP Edward Cabrera vs. Cubs — 3.3 implied runs
- DFS Salary: DraftKings $7,500 | FanDuel $9,600
Since being recalled from Triple-A, rookie Edward Cabrera has been stellar and is looking like another excellent young pitcher for the Marlins. The 24-year-old has made eight starts spanning 44.1 innings. In this timeframe, he has tallied a 2.41 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and just over a strikeout per inning. Yes, he has been somewhat lucky, as evidenced by his 4.39 FIP, but the matchup against Chicago is a favorable one.
The Cubs are officially eliminated from the postseason, and they are 22 games under .500. In their last 23 games, they have scored five or more runs on just four occasions. This season, they have a 25.8% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching, which is the third highest in the league.
Additional Opportunities
Currently, Luis Garcia has a 4.5 over/under strikeout prop in his matchup with the Rays. Tampa Bay is a relatively disciplined group, with their projected lineup striking out below league average at 20.1% this season against right-handed hurlers. The Stokastic projections are forecasting 5.3 strikeouts and a 60% win probability. There is a somewhat heavy -140 moneyline on this over, so pairing this with another reasonably attainable wager as part of a parlay can help increase the payout upside.
If this wager feels a bit risky, you can still navigate things at an advantage with a RISK FREE BET up to $1,000 on BetMGM.
Other Pitching Options
- RHP Logan Gilbert at Los Angeles Angels (Early)
- RHP Corbin Burnes vs. New York Mets (Main)
- LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (Main, Late)
- RHP Luis Garcia at Tampa Bay Rays (Main)
- RHP Merrill Kelly at Los Angeles Dodgers (Late)
Latest MLB DFS Content
- Today’s Top MLB DFS Pitcher Pivots: Sean Manaea and More (April 19)
- MLB DFS Picks, Spotlight Pitchers & Top Stacks: SP1s Joe Ryan and Freddy Peralta (April 19)
- DraftKings Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet: Best Picks From MLB DFS Contest Sims | Julio Rodriguez (April 19 Main Slate)
- MLB DFS Punt Plays For DraftKings and FanDuel (April 19)
- MLB DFS Contrarian Stacks Today: Play Blake Snell in Tournaments (April 19)
- Stokastic DFS on Youtube
Other Hitting Options
- Jose Ramirez vs. RHP Sonny Gray (Early)
- Coors Field Extravaganza (Both sides, all slates)
- Garrett Cooper vs. LHP Wade Miley (Main)
- Javier Baez at RHP Tyler Wells (Main)
- Freddie Freeman vs. RHP Merrill Kelly (Late)
Final MLB DFS Thoughts & MLB Weather Notes
Everything looks good across the board tonight with no precipitation risks. Keep an eye on news about any potential pitch count for Max Scherzer as he comes back from another nagging injury. The Mets are not likely to push him, so for now he is not really in consideration for DFS.
Thanks for reading to the end of this article! If you appreciate this free content and want to see more of it every day, you can help us out by sharing this article on social media!
[MLBPAGE]
