MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers for DraftKings + FanDuel

Welcome to Wednesday, Sept. 9, in MLB! We have a plethora of starting pitcher options on tonight’s nine-game slate, ranging from the extremely expensive to cheap. 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.

Top Value Plays

Yu Darvish – Cubs vs. Reds – FanDuel $11,500, DraftKings $11,500

This is an intriguing slate tonight and the expensive starting pitchers exemplify that. The big matchup of the night is a likely duel between the Cubs and Reds, or should I say Darvish and Trevor Bauer. We’re expecting winds blowing in over 12 mph in Wrigley Field, so these offenses should be in for a tough night. Let’s start with Darvish, who’s been at another level since the last month of the 2019 season. He’s struck out 11.34 batters per nine innings and has posted a ridiculous 2.61 xFIP on the season. What’s scariest of all is the sub-1.50 BB/9 and the 0.54 HR/9. He’s keeping the ball in the park and limiting free passes.

The matchup with the Cincinnati Reds couldn’t be much better. They rank 23rd in baseball with a .312 wOBA and strike out at a 24% clip. They’re implied to score just 2.64 runs, and the Cubs are comfortable -170 favorites. Darvish also just beat the Reds two starts ago and finished with eight strikeouts and an easy win in the process. When you combine the wind, matchup and how good Darvish has been, it’s hard to get away from him in any format. He’s the top option on the slate on both sites in both cash games and tournaments.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: A, C

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: A, B

Trevor Bauer – Reds at Cubs – FanDuel $10,800, DraftKings $10,900

Bauer hasn’t been on the same unbelievable tear that Darvish has been on, but he’s been a lot better in 2020 than he was a season ago. Bauer is striking out 12.48 batters per nine innings and has posted a 3.33 xFIP. It all comes down to whether Bauer can control the fastball or not, and you’ll know by the end of the second inning how his day is going to end up, good or bad. This Cubs team isn’t afraid to chase out of the zone and Bauer has an immense ceiling in this matchup. While the Reds are decent underdogs, the Cubs are still implied to score just 3.65 runs.

Bauer, like Darvish, will get the benefit of 15 mph winds blowing in, and the Cubs power will have to do a lot more to get one out. They already strike out close to 25% as a team and are known to go ice cold on occasion. The long ball is where Bauer typically struggles, and this wind gives me a ton more confidence in him dueling with Darvish. He’s a bit cheaper on both sites and will be the less popular of the two. I’m a fan in all formats, though I still lean Darvish across the board.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: A, C

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: A, B

Tyler Anderson – Giants vs. Mariners – FanDuel $, DraftKings $6,700

Be warned, as not paying up for one of the studs on this slate is playing with fire. Still, Anderson is too cheap on both FanDuel and DraftKings and he sets up well in this matchup with the Seattle Mariners. They rank 29th in baseball against left-handed pitching, sporting a dreadful .272 wOBA with a 26.7% strikeout rate. While Anderson hasn’t been phenomenal on the season, it’s evident that the upside is there and the Giants won’t pull him early if he’s pitching well. The matchup and price alone pushes Anderson into consideration in both cash games and tournaments. Don’t be afraid of Anderson as an SP2 on DraftKings, as he is relatively safe.

Awesemo FanDuel Grade: C, A

Awesemo DraftKings Grade: C, A

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