MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 9/28/15
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
Corey Kluber -- Despite his 8-15 record, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has actually pitched very well this season, earning a 2.96 FIP, 3.00 xFIP and 2.96 SIERA while striking out the sixth most batters per nine innings (9.95). Tonight, Kluber draws an excellent matchup against a Twins squad who strikes out at the eighth highest rate in the league (21%) and ranks just 26th in the league in wOBA (.302) and 27th in wRC+ (89) against right-handed pitching on the year. The Indians' ace is our number one overall projected player on the board for tonight's slate.
Alternative Options: Zack Greinke
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Kyle Hendricks -- The young Cubs' starter has put together an impressive sophomore campaign, posting a 3.55 FIP, 3.39 xFIP and 3.51 SIERA while striking out more than eight batters per nine innings. Hendricks has also been red hot as of late, putting up a 2.60 xFIP with a 5.50 strikeout to walk ration over the past month. Although he gets a less-than-ideal matchup against a Royals lineup that almost never strikes out, Kansas City has already clinched the American League Central division tittle which means their star players will likely be getting the night off tonight, making Hendricks a much stronger play. It's unlikely that I'll be rolling out any pitcher other than Kluber in cash games tonight, Hendricks is definitely in play as a second pitching option on two-pitcher sites and makes a very interesting tournament play on all platforms.
Alternative Options: J.A. Happ
Top Hitters
High-Cost Hitters
David Ortiz -- The seemingly ageless Ortiz has had another outstanding season to add to his already hall-of-fame career with his .373 wOBA, .274 ISO and .897 OPS on the year. Additionally, the Red Sox star has absolutely destroyed right-handed pitching this season, amassing a .408 wOBA, .314 ISO and .996 OPS against righties and draws a great matchup against Yankees' right-hander Ivan Nova tonight. Nova has struggled to get out left-handed hitters all year, allowing them to hit for a .368 wOBA while he has accumulated at 5.44 FIP and 5.23 xFIP when facing lefties through 15 starts. Although the Red Sox may not be in the playoff hunt, I guarantee they would love to play spoiler against their arch rival with a win against the Bombers. Look for a big game from Big Papi tonight.
Mike Trout -- Trout is one of the best players in all of baseball. He ranks in the top five in the majors in wOBA (.412), wRC+ (171), ISO (.288) and WAR (8.3) and has crushed left-handed pitching all season long, earning a .427 wOBA, .278 ISO and 1.018 OPS when facing southpaws this season. With a matchup against Athletics' lefty Felix Doubront on the docket tonight, the Angels' star immediately becomes one of the best plays on the board. Doubront has given up a .377 wOBA with a sub-par 4.99 FIP and 4.71 xFIP against right-handed bats on the year. The reigning American League MVP makes a spectacular play in all formats.
Alternative Options: Josh Donaldson, Kyle Schwarber
Cost-Effective Hitters
Chris Young -- Young is always one of my favorite values on the board any time he takes the field against a left-handed pitcher and tonight is no different. The Yankees' platoon specialist has knocked around lefties to the tune of a .402 wOBA, .243 ISO and .953 OPS this season and should have little trouble taking advantage of a plus matchup against Red Sox' rookie southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez and his 4.11 xFIP against righties. Young is an absolute steal at just $2,400 on FanDuel and $2,700 on DraftKings tonight.
Justin Smoak -- The Blue Jays have been the best hitting team in baseball pretty much all season long and should put up a bunch of runs against Orioles' starter Chris Tillman tonight in a game that features one of the highest totals on the slate. Although the switch-hitting Smoak has faired better against lefties this season, he's been effective against right-handed pitching as well, posting a .329 wOBA and .231 ISO against righties so far this season. Our algorithm absolutely loves Toronto tonight -- as evident by the fact that Donaldson and Jose Bautista are both among our top five overall projected batters tonight -- but the majority of the lineup is extremely expensive. Smoak provides you with a great opportunity to get a piece of the potent Blue Jays line at a much more reasonable price tag than guys like Donaldson and Bautista.
Alternative Options: Gerardo Parra, Brock Holt
