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DraftKings MLB Picks For September 23

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 MLB Picks For September 23

The DraftKings main tournament has 14 games going tonight. There are four pitchers that cost over $10,000 on DraftKings. Are they worth using?There is only a small middle tier as well, with four pitchers between $8,000 and $9,300. Are the best bets in there? Let’s take a look at the past stats to find out.

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!

Sep 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (50) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jameson Taillon has not faced the Nationals yet in his young career. He is 4-4 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 93 innings in 16 starts. He has also posted 74 strikeouts. Taillon has only allowed more than three earned runs once over his last 12 starts, and it was to the Brewers of all teams. He is as consistent as you can ask for as a rookie, but the Nationals are a tough lineup.

Gabriel Ynoa will fill in for Steven Matz, who had a setback yesterday in his bullpen session. Ynoa gave up one run in 4.2 innings pitched in his start against the Twins last week. The Philies may be a little bit tougher, but not much. Just don’t expect Ynoa to go beyond five innings even if he does pitch well. This really limits his upside.

Alex Meyer has only pitched in relief against Houston. He allowed two hits and two runs in two innings back on May 3rd as a Twin. He likely wont fare much better in a starting role against them.

Shelby Miller has never faced the Orioles, but his ERA on the season is 6.90. His 2-12 record is closer to what we thought his ERA would be. I just don’t trust him, especially against the Orioles. Do you?

Albert Suarez has only given up one run in two appearances against the Padres this year, but he has allowed 11 baserunners in 26 plate appearances. I would stay away from this. There is too much potential for a big inning with that many ducks on the pond.

Sep 5, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz (31) pitches during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Best Bets:

Drew Pomeranz ($11,600): The Rays are only 19-86(.221) against Pomeranz in their careers with two homers, six RBI, and an impressive 24 strikeouts. 19 of those have come in his last two starts against the Rays. The Rays are about the only team that Pomeranz has been able to handle as a member of the Red Sox. Expect that to continue here.

James Paxton ($8,400): The current Twins are only 3-18(.167) against Paxton, but they have managed to bring in two runs. What lands Paxton here though is his eight strikeouts of those 18 batters. He has a high floor because of that, and a pretty high ceiling as well. Of course, it depends on how long he can stay in the game.

Michael Fulmer ($8,000): The Royals are hitting a respectable .240 against Fulmer in 75 at bats, but they have only scored six runs. Of course, they haven’t struck out much, just 12 times, which puts a cap on Fulmer’s upside. He has cooled off some since his hot summer, but he is still a decent option.

Honorable Mention:

Gio Gonzalez ($7,000): On the surface, this looks bad. The Pirates have three homers and 12 RBI in just 85 at bats, but if you dig a little deeper, there is a different story. Josh Harrison has two of the homers and five RBI, but he is out. Starling Marte was unable to finish his first start in 15 days last night, and likely wont play. He has a homer and three more of the RBI. So now you are down to 11-58 (.189) with no homers and four RBI to go wtih 17 strikeouts. All of the sudden Gio’s numbers border on elite.

Trevor Bauer ($6,300): His past stats against the White Sox are elite, even after he got torched by them 10 days ago. The Sox are still only hitting .215 against Bauer in 172 at bats with only three homers, just 11 runs, and a lofty 51 strikeouts. His numbers still make him very tempting, but its hard to ignore the six runs he gave up in 5.1 innings on September 13. He still struck out seven in that game though.

Dark Horses:

Scott Kazmir ($6,500): The Rockies are only hitting .194 against Kazmir in 62 at bats with two homers, five runs, and an astounding 20 strikeouts. The bad news here is that he was put on the DL with back and blister issues, both of which can flare up at a moment’s notice. If that happens, your DraftKings lineup is shot. If he delivers six quality innings at this price, you are going to be in great position. Is it worth the risk?

Doug Fister ($5,200): The Angels are only hitting .200 in 110 at bats against Fister with only two homers and seven runs. They have only struck out 25 times, but Fister is not a strikeout artist anyway. If he can perform to his past stats, he will be well worth the price tonight.

Bryan Mitchell ($4,300): The Jays are only 7-29(.241) with a homer and two RBI against Mitchell. They have only struck out four times, but any double digit numbers from this price would put you in line for cash so long as you pick the right hitters.

Sep 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) singles in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-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!

The Red Sox, a few in particular, have pounded on Chris Archer. Mookie Betts ($4,900) is 5-20 with seven walks, a double, two homers, and seven RBI. Xander Bogaerts ($3,600) is 7-21 with two walks, a double, and a two RBI against Archer. David Ortiz ($5,500) in particular has hit Archer hard. Ortiz is 13-37(.378) with four walks, four doubles, three homers, and a whopping 17 RBI against Archer. Travis Shaw ($3,100) is 3-9 with two walks, a double, and a solo homer off of Archer. Dustin Pedroia ($4,000) has eight hits in 32 at bats with six walks, a double, and two RBI against Archer.

Miguel Cabrera ($3,700) is only 7-30(.233), but he has eight walks, three doubles, and five RBI off of Danny Duffy. Victor Martinez ($2,900) is 10-33(.303) with three walks, a double, two homers, and five RBI against Duffy. Ian Kinsler ($3,800) is only 6-28(.214) against Duffy, but he has three walks, a double, two homers, and four RBI. If you are really feeling lucky, J.D. Martinez ($3,700) is just 3-20(.150) against Duffy, but he has a double and a home run and he has walked twice. Jarrod Saltalamacchia ($2,600) has crushed Duffy. He is 2-3 with a walk, two homers, and four RBI. Justin Upton ($3,600) only has two hits in nine at bats, but he has a homer and two RBI.

Jeremy Hellickson has had a solid year, but not against the Mets. The current roster is hitting .303 against Hellickson in 188 at bats with 30 RBI! Asdrubal Cabrera ($3,900) is 7-18(.389) with a walk, a double, a homer, and three RBI. Yoenis Cespedes ($3,900) is 6-14 with two walks, three homers, and six RBI. Lucas Duda ($3,400) has four hits in nine at bats with a walk, two doubles, a homer, and four RBI. Juan Lagares ($3,100) has two hits in five at bats with a solo homer. Jose Reyes ($3,700) is 10-27(.370) with a walk, a double, a homer, and four RBI. Curtis Granderson ($3,900) is only 5-27(.185) against Hellickson, but he has two walks, two doubles, and a solo homer.

Robinson Cano ($4,700) is only 4-17(.235) against Kyle Gibson, but he has a walk, a double, and four RBI. Nelson Cruz ($4,400) has two hits in eight at bats with a solo homer. Adam Lind ($4,000) is 2-6 wtih a homer and four RBI. Seth Smith ($4,200) is also 2-6 with a walk, a double, and a solo homer.

Aug 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Rajai Davis (20) scores in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Nolan Arenado ($5,100) is 2-5 with a solo homer against Scott Kazmir. Ryan Raburn ($2,900) is only 4-21(.190), but he has a walk, a double, a triple, a homer, and three RBI off of Kazmir.

Adrian Gonzalez ($3,100) is 4-13 with a walk, a homer, and three RBI against Jon Gray. Corey Seager ($4,100) has five hits in nine at bats with two walks, a double, a homer, and two driven in. Justin Turner ($3,900) is 4-11 with two doubles and two RBI.

Alex Avila ($3,600) is 6-16(.375) with three walks and a solo homer against Trevor Bauer. Jose Abreu ($4,900) is 10-25 with a walk, two doubles, and three RBI.

Cheslor Cuthbert ($2,700) is 4-8 with two doubles and two RBI against Michael Fulmer. Eric Hosmer ($3,300) only has two hits in nine at bats, but he has a walk, a homer, and three RBI. Salvador Perez‘s ($3,100) only hit in ten at bats against Fulmer is a solo homer.

Pedro Alvarez ($4,800) is only 5-20 against Shelby Miller, but he has two walks, a double, and three solo homers.

Gregor Blanco ($3,300) is only 3-13 against Edwin Jackson, but he has three walks, two doubles, a triple, and two RBI. Conor Gillaspie ($3,400) has only faced Edwin Jackson once. He hit a three run homer off of him.

Kole Calhoun ($3,700) is 1-3 with a solo homer against Doug Fister. Albert Pujols ($4,000) is only 2-13(.154) against Fister, but he has three walks, a double, a homer, and two RBI.

Troy Tulowitzki ($4,000) is 2-4 with a double and a solo homer against Bryan Mitchell.

Khris Davis ($4,700) has khrushed Cole Hamels. Davis is 4-7 with two walks, three homers, and four RBI against Hamels. Brett Eibner ($3,300) is 3-7 with a walk, a homer, and four RBI. Danny Valencia ($4,300) only has three hits in 12 at bats, but he has a homer and two RBI.

Mitch Moreland ($2,900) is 3-6 with a homer and three RBI against Kendall Graveman. Elvis Andrus ($3,900) is 3-6 with two doubles and a RBI.

Martin Prado ($3,600) is 3-9 with four RBI against Matt Wisler. Derek Dietrich‘s ($3,400) only hit in four at bats against Wisler is a solo homer. Christian Yelich ($5,000) is a staggering 8-9 with a walk, two doubles, and four RBI. J.T. Realmuto ($4,100) has four hits in six at bats with a RBI.

Scooter Gennett ($3,600) is 2-6 with a solo homer against Anthony DeSclafani. Kirk Nieuwenhuis ($2,900) is 2-4 with two doubles and a RBI.

Jason Castro ($3,300) has a solo homer in his only plate appearance against Alex Meyer.

Brett Gardner ($3,600) is 6-13(.462) with two walks, a double, a triple, and five RBI against Francisco Liriano. Billy Butler ($3,200) is only 8-35(.229), but he has four walks, two doubles, a homer, and five RBI against Liriano.

Eduardo Escobar ($2,700) is 1-2 with a solo homer off of James Paxton.

Another lefty? No problem! Brad Miller ($4,200) is 5-11with a homer and three RBI against Drew Pomeranz. Luke Maile ($2,400) is 2-5 with a homer and two RBI. He is worth a look if he starts.

Adam Duvall ($3,900) is 5-12 with a double, a homer, and four RBI against Zach Davies. Joey Votto ($5,200) is 4-9 with a homer and two driven in.

Rajai Davis ($4,700) has abused Miguel Gonzalez. Davis is 7-17(.412) with a double, a triple, three homers, and nine RBI against Gonzalez. Lonnie Chisenhall ($3,900) is 4-8 with two doubles, a homer, and four RBI.

Freddie Freeman ($5,400) is 4-8 with a double, a homer, and four RBI against Andrew Cashner. Ender Inciarte ($4,700) is 6-17(.353) with three doubles, a triple, and two RBI.

Paul Goldschmidt ($5,600) has six hits in ten at bats against Yovani Gallardo with five walks, a double, and three RBI. Chris Owings ($4,500) only has two hits in seven at bats, but one of them is a solo homer.Be sure to check out the FanDuel picks from our 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 Week 3 in the NFL!

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