Spotlight Pitchers: MLB DFS Picks for DraftKings + FanDuel | Max Scherzer + Value Options | 9/13

Welcome to Sunday, Sept. 13, in MLB! We have an interesting slate of starting pitcher options on today’s 11-game slate, ranging from the extremely expensive to cheap. Our options aren’t great, but there are value gems hidden in the dirt. The following FREE MLB DFS picks for fantasy baseball lineups are based on Awesemo’s MLB Projections for today’s MLB DFS fantasy baseball slate on DraftKings. For more free DraftKings MLB picks and analysis for DFS baseball lineups, check out the Awesemo.com YouTube Channel for today’s MLB Strategy Show, Deeper Dive and Live Before Lock Shows.


Related MLB DFS Content


Top Value Plays

Max Scherzer – Nationals vs. Braves – FanDuel $11,000, DraftKings $12,400

Scherzer has looked more like his usual self in his last few starts, posting at least 55 FanDuel points in two of his last three games. He’s coming off of a seven-inning, eight-strikeout scoreless start against the Rays in which he only walked one batter. Scherzer is going to have to command that fastball once again as he can’t afford to fall behind against this team. He’s striking out 12.34 batters per nine innings and has posted an elite 3.50 xFIP. It took Scherzer a month or so to get warmed up, but it looks like he’s fully rolling now, and I wouldn’t consider fully fading him on any slate moving forward. This is still one of the three best pitchers in baseball when on his game.

This seems like a boom-or-bust matchup for Scherzer as he faces off with the extremely dangerous Atlanta Braves. They do rank 1st with a .336 wOBA, but also strikeout close to 25% and they’ve been shut down by much worse pitchers than Scherzer. They are a right-handed heavy squad and righties are sporting just a .221 wOBA against Scherzer dating back to 2019. The price is high, but there isn’t a pitcher on the slate with a similar ceiling, and Scherzer could very well put up another 55 fantasy points. If you can afford him, do it. With that being said, we have some expensive options on today’s slate, and there are some others to consider.

 Michael Pineda – Twins vs. Indians – FanDuel $8,200, DraftKings $8,200

Pineda had to serve the rest of his 60-game PED suspension, so he’s had a late start to this already shortened season. He’s made just two starts to this point and both were extremely impressive, turning in 28 and 49 FanDuel points. He struggled a bit with the White Sox early but turned things around after the third inning and has been sensational since. Pineda is a guy that’s always up and down, but he typically strikes out around nine batters per nine innings, and he’s held an xFIP around 4.00 over the last couple of seasons. The matchup is an interesting one and the Indians are not as good as their reputation says.

Pineda and the Twins are -140 favorites over the Indians, who will be tossing Triston McKenzie at starting pitcher. I love the line on this one for Pineda, as McKenzie is great in his own right and Vegas is fully expecting the Twins to control the game. The Indians are implied to score 3.72 runs, which seems extremely low as Pineda isn’t a guy that typically dominates or throws a clean slate. Still, the Indians haven’t been great against righties this year, sporting a .313 wOBA and striking out close to 24% of the time. Pineda is affordable on both sites and has the upside to win you a tournament.

Brad Keller – Royals vs. Pirates  – FanDuel $8,100, DraftKings $6,800

If you’re looking to pay down at starting pitcher, Keller is your best bet. The youngster hasn’t been great in his last three starts but has still posted at least 32 fantasy points in four of his six appearances. His numbers are nothing flashy, striking out 6.5 batters per nine and relying on soft contact and solid fielding. He matches up with the Pirates tonight, who rank dead last against right-handed pitching with a dreadful .264 team wOBA and a 24.8% strikeout rate. Keller is nothing magnificent, but he’s allowed to go six-plus innings and the matchup couldn’t be better. I like the play in all formats if you think Keller has a solid night.


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