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DraftKings Main MLB Picks For September 15

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 12, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the DraftKings sign board during the match with FC Dallas playing against New York City FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

DraftKings Main MLB Picks For September 15

We have eight games in the main slate tonight in DraftKings. There are only two pitchers that are priced over $10,000. We only have four more that top $7,500. Should we pay for the two aces? We have plenty of cheap choices. Should we punt all of the top pitchers and pay for hitting? Let’s check the past stats for some help.

NOTE: these picks are based solely on statistics. Some players have never faced their opponents, or have very little experience against them. I am not saying that none of those are good picks. The highest scorer of the day could be someone with no experience against his opponent. This is based on statistical analysis only. If you have a gut feeling, then by all means, follow that. This is not an exact science. The best lineups usually have a mix of proven stats and hot players. Check out this post from Matt McGarvey for great tips about whether to use a hot player in DFS or not.

For you first time players, if you would like $20 worth of free entry tickets, use this link for the referral bonus! Then continue reading for tips on how to turn that $20 into more!

Aug 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Wright has never faced the Blue Jays. His 0-2 record and 7.50 ERA in his first five major league appearances don’t give you any confidence in him, nor should it. Even on a half sized slate, you shouldn’t reach this level of desperation.

Jerad Eickhoff has been around for over a year, but surprisingly, he has never faced his in-state rivals. Eickhoff has four straight quality starts, and could be a solid play against the Pirates tonight.

Rookie Chad Kuhl has never toed the rubber against the Phillies either. Kuhl has seven straight outings of giving up three runs or less, but he was still chased after two innings in his last outing against St. Louis. Expect better results here, but Eickhoff is probably still the better bet if you are going to use one of them.

Rich Hill has never faced the Diamondbacks. Rickie Weeks does have 12 at bats against him, but only two hits. Hill’s blister issue chased him from Saturday’s start after seven innings. As long as the word “blister” is mentioned with Hill, he is a risk to use. However, his 1.80 ERA tells you he is very effective if you are willing to take the chance.

Daniel Mengden has never faced the Royals, but he has really struggled since June. After posting a 2.81 ERA in his first month in the majors, his ERA is 9.39 in seven starts since then. Are you brave enough to use him?

Blake Snell has never faced the Orioles, but there is potential here. The Orioles are among the league worst against left handed pitching. Snell has a respectable 3.62 ERA, but he is not a high strikeout pitcher, and his ugly 1.64 WHIP means he could implode at any moment.

Sep 7, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery (38) throws a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bets:

Adam Wainwright ($7,700): The Giants are hitting a solid .261 against Wainwright in 161 at bats, but they only have two homers and 13 runs. The 30 strikeouts is a pedestrian number, but Wainwright is not a big strikeout guy to begin with. If he is retiring batters, he will likely be worth what you pay for him.

Honorable Mention:

Eduardo Rodriguez ($5,900): Rodriguez is finally starting to get back to what he showed at the end of last year. The Yankees are only hitting .229 against Rodriguez with four home runs and just five RBI in 96 at bats. The 15 strikeouts are decent, but you aren’t using Eduardo to chase strikeouts. With the way the Yankee offense has been, he may be worth a look if you are going cheap.

Yovani Gallardo ($5,200):  The Rays are hitting a respectable .246 against Gallardo is 130 at bats with only 23 strikeouts. They have only two homers and 11 runs though, and Gallardo pitched five innings of one run ball against this team last week. He could have another decent game.

Dark Horses:

Mike Montgomery ($4,700): Montgomery dominated the Brewers in his last start on September 7th. He gave up just one run on two hits and two walks in five innings while striking out six en route to 18.9 DraftKings points. I’m shocked he is not more expensive. He will outperform his price by a lot tonight.

Edinson Volquez ($4,500): Volquez has been very effective against the A’s. They are hitting a dismal .157 against him in 44 at bats, but have only struck out four times and have scored five runs. Still, at this price, if you get around 15 DraftKings points – well within his range – you will be ahead of the game.

Sep 12, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) in the team dugout before the start of the game against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t forget to check out the DFS Lineup Optimizer over at FantasyPros. You can also pick your favorite players or favorite stack, and it will optimize the lineup around that! It really is an invaluable tool for you DFS players!

You may want to stack Cardinals against Johnny Cueto. No, I’m not kidding. Matt Adams ($2,900) is 6-16(.375) with two walks, a double, and a solo homer. Yadier Molina ($3,100) is 10-39(.256) with a walk, two doubles, two homers, and an impressive eight RBI off Cueto. Jhonny Peralta ($2,600) only has four hits in 23 at bats(.174), but he does have a walk, a double, a homer, and three RBI. At least Cueto dodges Matt Holliday, who has driven in seven runs against him.

You know, I thought about touting Masahiro Tanaka tonight against the Red Sox, but I decided that stacking against him was probably a better idea. David Ortiz ($5,500) is 5-21(.238) with three walks, two doubles, a homer, and three RBI against Tanaka. Dustin Pedroia ($4,300) is 6-19(.316) with two doubles and a solo homer. Xander Bogaerts ($3,900) is 6-25(.240) with a double, a homer and three RBI. Travis Shaw ($4,500) has two hits in nine at bats with a walk, a homer, and three RBI. Hanley Ramirez ($4,300)has two hits in ten at bats with a homer and two driven in against Tanaka. There is potential here.

Jacoby Ellsbury ($4,000) is 5-17(.294) with a walk, a double, and two solo homers against Eduardo Rodriguez. Didi Gregorius ($3,300) is 6-17 with a double and a RBI. Brett Gardner ($3,500) only has three hits in 13 at bats, but he has a walk, and a solo shot against Rodriguez. Andrew Romine ($2,800) only has two at bats against Rodriguez. He has come away with a walk and a solo homer.

J.A. Happ has been punished by the Angels. The Halos are hitting .278 with five homers and 19 RBI in just 97 at bats against Happ. Enjoy this stack! Kole Calhoun ($4,400) has five hits in ten at bats with a walk, a double, two homers, and three RBI against Happ. C.J. Cron ($3,500) has two hits in six at bats with a homer and two RBI. Jefry Marte ($3,400) is 2-5 with a double, a homer, and two RBI. Albert Pujols ($4,500) is 8-29(.276) with four walks, a double, a homer, and six RBI. Mike Trout ($5,000) has four hits in 11 at bats with three walks, two doubles, and four RBI against Happ.

September 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sport

Brandon Crawford ($3,700) is 6-20 with two doubles and three RBI against Adam Wainwright. Angel Pagan ($3,800) has eight hits in 18 at bats with three walks, two doubles, a triple, and four RBI. Hunter Pence ($3,900) is 14-51(.275) with four doubles, both of the Giants’ homers off of Wainwright, and four RBI.

Joc Pederson ($4,500) is 2-5 with two solo homers against Archie Bradley. Justin Turner ($4,900) is 2-6 with a walk, a homer, and two RBI. Chase Utley ($3,600) has three hits in eight tries against Bradley with a double and three RBI.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis ($3,400) is 1-3 with a homer and three RBI against Mike Montgomery. Jonathan Villar ($5,000) has a solo homer in three at bats against Montgomery.

Corey Dickerson ($4,300) is 5-11 with a double, a homer, and four RBI against Yovani Gallardo. Logan Forsythe ($4,700) is 7-19(.368) with a double, a homer, and two RBI.

Dexter Fowler ($5,200) is 4-16 with five walks, two doubles, two homers, and five RBI against Jimmy Nelson. Jorge Soler ($4,400) is 7-20 with a walk, three doubles, two homers, and six RBI. Anthony Rizzo ($5,600) is only 4-24(.167), but he has a double, a triple, a homer, and three RBI against Nelson.

Khris Davis ($4,300) is 4-16 with a walk, two doubles, and three RBI against Edinson Volquez. Stephen Vogt ($3,300) only has one hit in six at bats, but it is a solo homer.

Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from out experts in that area! Brian Tulloch provides the picks and alternative plays if you don’t want to follow the herd. Don’t play FanDuel before checking it out!

Good luck out there, and check out our picks for FanDuel baseball and for the NFL’s opening week!

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