MLB Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 9/10/15
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
Dallas Keuchel -- Keuchel has put together an outstanding season, boasting a 17-6 record, 2.69 xFIP and 2.78 SIERA while striking out 8.30 batters per nine innings. The Astros' ace has held batters from both sides of the plate under a .270 wOBA -- left-handed batters are hitting for just a .170 wOBA against him -- and draws a spectacular matchup tonight against an Angels squad who ranks just 28th in the league in wOBA (.288) and 24th in wRC+ (85) against left-handed pitching on the year. Keuchel makes an excellent play in all formats tonight.
Alternative Options: Chris Archer
Cost-Effective Pitcher
Gio Gonzalez -- With a matchup against the offensively-challenged Marlins on the docket, Gonzalez makes a very interesting play tonight. The Nationals' southpaw has quietly had a very solid season, posting a 3.65 xFIP and 3.83 SIERA while striking out a very respectable 8.35 batters per nine innings. Meanwhile, with their star slugger Giancarlo Stanton on the shelf, Miami has been terrible at the plate, ranking in the bottom three in all of baseball in both wOBA (.299) and wRC+ (85) since the All-Star break. Gonzalez makes a strong value play in all formats at just $8,800 on FanDuel and $7,900 on DraftKings.
Alternative Options: Hisashi Iwakuma, Jesse Chavez
Top Hitters
High-Cost Hitters
Curtis Granderson -- The Mets have been one of the best hitting clubs in the majors as of late and Granderson has been a huge part of their recent success, amassing a .392 wOBA, .242 ISO and .918 OPS since the All-Star break. What also makes the Mets' veteran slugger such an exciting option tonight is his ability to hit right-handed pitching. Granderson has destroyed righties this season with a .390 wOBA, .234 ISO and .909 OPS and gets a dream matchup tonight against Braves' rookie Matt Wisler. The Atlanta rookie right-handed has earned an abysmal 7.71 FIP and 6.54 xFIP when facing left-handed batters while lefties have tagged him for a whopping .449 wOBA on the year. Granderson is dollar for dollar one of my favorite plays on the board tonight.
Bryce Harper -- Harper has arguably been the best hitter in baseball this season. He leads the majors in wOBA (.467), ISO (.321) and wRC+ (201) and has absolutely trashed right-handed pitching this season. The Nationals' star has accumulated a ridiculous .486 wOBA, .360 ISO and 1.184 OPS when facing righties and gets the pleasure of matching up against Marlins' righty Jarred Cosart and his 4.21 xFIP against lefties on the year. Despite his expensive price tag, Harper is in play any time he faces right-handed pitching and tonight is no different.
Alternative Options: Miguel Cabrera, Josh Donaldson
Cost-Effective Hitters
Scott Van Slyke -- The Dodgers draw a matchup against a left-handed pitcher tonight which means the platoon specialist Van Slyke will more than likely be in Los Angeles' lineup tonight. Van Slyke has had his way with lefties this season, posting a .376 wOBA, .173 ISO and .862 OPS when facing southpaws on the year. Tonight, the Dodgers' outfielder should have little trouble taking advantage of a plus matchup against Diamondbacks' lefty Robbie Ray who owns a 4.39 xFIP against right-handed batters this season. Van Slyke should provide excellent value tonight at just $2,800 on DraftKings and $2,400 on FanDuel.
Daniel Murphy -- As I already mentioned, Braves' rookie southpaw Wisler has been horrific against left-handed batters this season and Granderson isn't the only Mets' left-handed bat I'm targeting tonight. Murphy has earned a .329 wOBA and .164 ISO against righties this season and could not ask for a better matchup tonight. He makes a great play in all formats tonight.
Alternative Options: Ketel Marte, Jhonny Peralta
