MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 9/23/15
If you've never played daily fantasy baseball before, it's time to start. Unlike traditional leagues, you're able to select the players you want on that specific day only, giving you a different squad to root for each and every day.
And if you'd like, you can use our optimal lineups here at numberFire.com to crush the competition.
As for today's lineups -- those can be found here. The information below is to help you understand why particular players are being picked, because we don't want you going into the things completely blind. We want to help you. Keep in mind, however, that things often change up until the games start, so make sure you're refreshing the optimal lineups as close to the start of games as possible.
Top Pitchers
High-Cost Pitcher
Carlos Martinez -- After making just nine starts in his first two seasons in the big leagues, Martinez has put together an impressive campaign through 30 starts this season. The Cardinals' ace has posted a 3.22 FIP, 3.28 xFIP and 3.43 SIERA while striking out 9.23 batters per nine innings and draws a great matchup tonight against a Brewers squad who ranks just 20th in the majors in wOBA (.310) and 26th in wRC+ (90) while striking out at the ninth highest rate in the league (20.9%) against right-handed pitching. Vegas has Martinez locked in as a massive -240 favorite in a game that is expected to be one of the lowest scoring on tonight's slate with an over/under of just 6.5. He makes an excellent play in all formats tonight.
Alternative Options: Jose Fernandez, Jon Lester
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Jordan Zimmermann -- Speaking of pitchers who are huge favorites in low scoring games tonight, Zimmermann is currently a -250 favorite against the Phillies in a game that features an over/under of just 7.5. Philadelphia ranks in the bottom three in all of baseball in wOBA (.294), wRC+ (82) and ISO (.134) against righties on the year which makes them a perfect team to target when choosing your pitcher on a nightly basis. Meanwhile, Zimmerman has been very good throughout this season, posting a 3.62 FIP, 3.78 xFIP and 3.78 SIERA with 7.41 strikeouts per nine innings. Although his price tag is a little bit on the expensive side at $9,600 on FanDuel, the Nationals' starter is a steal at just $8,600 on DraftKings.
Alternative Options: Scott Kazmir
Top Hitters
High-Cost Hitters
Corey Seager -- The Dodgers' rookie Seager has been absolutely crushing the ball since being called up from the minors a few weeks ago. Through 19 games, the Dodgers' young star has amassed a .450 wOBA, .250 ISO and 1.060 OPS on the year and his numbers are even more impressive when facing right-handed pitching. Seager has destroyed righties to the tune of a .475 wOBA, .241 ISO and .980 OPS and gets the pleasure of facing off against Rockies' right-handed David Hale at Coors Field tonight. Hale has struggled against batters from both sides of the plate this season, with both righties and lefties hitting for more than a .365 wOBA against him, however, he has been extra terrible when facing left-handed hitters at home, giving up a whopping .396 wOBA with a 5.63 FIP. All Dodgers' bats are in play tonight and Seager is probably my favorite.
Mike Trout -- Trout is one of the best hitters in the game and is in play pretty much every night, but makes an especially strong option any time he faces off against left-handed pitching. The Angels' star has accumulated a .419 wOBA, .279 ISO and .997 OPS against southpaws this season and should have little trouble taking advantage of a plus matchup against Mariners' starter Vidal Nuno and his 5.21 FIP against right-handed batters. The reigning American League MVP is in play on all platforms, but should provide incredible value at just $4,400 on DraftKings.
Alternative Options: Adrian Gonzalez, Manny Machado
Cost-Effective Hitters
Andre Ethier -- As I mentioned earlier, the Dodgers' have a spectacular matchup and are visiting Coors Field. Pretty much every Dodger is in play tonight, but I particularly like the left-handed bats against Hale tonight and Ethier is a prime example. The Dodgers' outfielder has had his way with right-handed pitching all season long, earning a .381 wOBA, .198 ISO and .886 OPS against righties on the year. He costs just $3,900 on DraftKings and $3,000 on FanDuel and gets a huge boost from the trip to Coors. Ethier makes a great value play in all formats tonight.
Trayce Thompson -- Much like Seager, Thompson has been spectacular since joining the big leagues earlier this season, especially when facing left-handed pitching. The White Sox' rookie has amassed a whopping .431 wOBA, .333 ISO and 1.028 OPS against lefties this year and draws a great matchup against Yankees' veteran CC Sabathia, who has been a shell of his former self this season. Sabathia has given up a .368 wOBA to right-handed bats while earning a 5.10 FIP when facing righties this year. Thompson is in a great spot tonight against the Yankees' aging southpaw and is dollar for dollar one of my favorite plays on the board.
Alternative Options: John Jaso, Jhonny Peralta
