Welcome to David Mendelson’s MLB DFS Quick Hits for FanDuel & Draft Kings Contests for Tuesday, September 15, 2020
We’re down to the last few weeks of the baseball season. Isn’t that crazy? It felt like the season just started. That’s what 60 games will give you. It’s been a roller-coaster ride of a season, but we’re in for a nice home stretch. Tonight, we have a juicy twelve-game slate tonight with values everywhere! Make sure to take advantage of those not doing their baseball research with football starting back up. In these MLB DFS Quick Hits, you’ll see my:
Pitching Plays – My top two pitching plays of the night. The opposing team’s effectiveness against pitcher’s handiness, K rate, and wRC+ are just a few of the items considered here.
Happy Hitters – One corner infielder, middle infielder, and two outfielders who should be smiling at the end of the night. Hitter’s platoon splits, ISO, and wOBA are just a few of the items considered here.
Let’s Get Weird – I will give one hitter and one pitcher lesser owned that MIGHT have a chance to boom but an equal chance to bust. In other words, a dart throw that could set you apart in MLB DFS GPP’s. Your decision if you want to live dangerously.
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Let’s dive right into today.
Top MLB DFS Plays for 9/15
Pitching Plays
- Yu Darvish ($11,300 DK / $11,200 FD) – The no-duh play of the slate. One of the leading candidates for the Cy Young award this year, has looked every bit of an ace dating back to halfway through last year. He’s keeping hitters off-balance this season, as evidence by his 72 SO’s in 56 IP. He has a 1.77 ERA as well and an insane .190 BAA this season. Add on that Cleveland has the 7th worst wRC+ in baseball against RHP this season. He’ll be chalky but I’ll be eating this chalk for dinner.
- Jack Flaherty ($9,400 DK / $9,800 FD) – I’d like to take you back to just two days ago. A young man named Alec Mills (who isn’t a horrible pitcher but x-stats are not good), no-hit these same Brewers that Flaherty is facing tonight. While Flaherty may not throw a no-hitter, Milwaukee is just plain awful against RHP, accumulating a .212 BA and UGLY 76 wRC+. There are not many great hitters in this lineup outside Yelich and Hiura, and they strike out over 26% of the time against righties. Flaherty has built his pitch count up over his last few starts and he’s a safe floor play today for me.
Happy Hitters
- Corner Infield: Ryan Braun ($3,600 DK / $ 2,900 FD) – I know I had Flaherty above, but Braun can still have a couple hits or homer and Flaherty can still have a good day. Braun has been hot recently, with a .400 BA, 1.200 SLG, and 274 wRC+ over his last 13 AB’s. His last 7 games he has a pair of homers and a .318 BA. I’d consider plugging Braun in here as a contrarian pick to those that may flock to Flaherty as a pitcher in their lineup.
- Middle Infield: Tommy La Stella ($5,000 DK / $3,600 FD) – Hitting .296 with 5 HR’s and 19 RBI’s vs RHP as opposed to .212 with 3 RBI’s vs LHP. Guess what? He’s facing righty Antonio Senzatela who is far from a world-beater. Guess what? The game is in Coor’s field. A hitter’s paradise. I think La Stella is one of the best middle infield options you can play today on the main slate.
- Outfielder #1: Byron Buxton ($2,600 DK / $2,900 FD) – I like the kid Dunning, I really do. He’s got great strikeout stuff and looks to be a key member of that White Sox staff going forward. However, I think the Twins offense gets him today. Buxton over his last 17 AB’s has a .514 ISO against RHP. Very attractive. He’s also hitting .294 with a .167 BABIP. If that BABIP starts regressing closer to his average, Buxton will be in the midst of one of his patented hot streaks. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Play him today.
- Outfielder #2: Michael Brantley ($3,600 DK / $3,300 FD) – Over his last 35 AB’s, he’s slashing a .452/.514/.774 with a 252 wRC+. Brantley is a very patient hitter with a good batter’s eye, going against the aforementioned Kyle Cody above. I think Brantley is the centerpiece in the Astros offense tonight.
Let’s Get Weird
- Jose Urquidy ($6,600 DK / $6,300 FD) – The opposing pitcher Kyle Cody is walking over 7 batters per 9 innings. That is not a misprint. It may be a somewhat limited sample size, but I think the Astros offense comes to town, which should help Urquidy pitch comfortably with a lead. We know how bad Texas’ offense has been this season so they’re always nice to pick on. Add in the fact that Urquidy is coming off a nice 6 inning start against the A’s his last time out, let’s ride the wave.
- Jeimer Candelario ($3,500 DK / $3,000 FD) – Making his second appearance in a week in this section! Candelario has looked like the best Tigers hitter this season, and he’s looked great against LHP over the last few weeks. He’s got a .600 BA and a 345 wRC+ over that time period. He’s also cutting his strikeout rate and making more contact. Danny Duffy doesn’t scare me and the Detroit offense could be sneaky this game.
Check out my previous picks and make sure to follow me on twitter @DMendy02 and tag me if I helped you win some cash on this MLB DFS slate. Good luck!
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