This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
September is almost here, and so is the Labor Day weekend, but first we have to get through Friday. There are 15 games on the MLB slate, all of which take place in the evening.
Here are some daily fantasy lineup recommendations…
PITCHER
Zack Wheeler, NYM at SF ($10,600): Wheeler has been on fire recently, as over his last 12 starts he has a 7-1 record with a 2.32 ERA. Overall, he has a 3.36 FIP, and now he's getting a start in San Francisco's pitcher-friendly ballpark. Speaking of the Giants, they are in the bottom five in runs scored.
GPP Fade: Jhoulys Chacin, MIL at WAS ($8,100): Chacin may have a 13-5 record, but he has a 4.05 FIP, which is in line with his 4.09 career FIP. The Nationals haven't had the season they envisioned, but their offense has still been potent. They are in the top 10 in runs scored at home, and actually rank second since the All-Star break.
Cheap GPP Consideration: Brad Keller, KC vs. BAL ($6,700): The two worst teams in baseball are squaring off. You probably don't want to watch this game, but Keller could be worth a roll of the dice. The 22-year-old has a 3.33 ERA in his rookie season, and he has a 2.12 ERA over his last three starts. Meanwhile, the Orioles rank 29th in runs scored on the road. In fact, they have a .652 OPS in away games.
CATCHER
Yasmani Grandal, LAD vs. ARI ($4,000): Grandal has had a good season overall, but he has been particularly good against righties and at home. In both instances, he has slugging percentages over .500. Zack Greinke is having a strong season, but he's scuffled a bit on the road. In away games he has a 3.76 ERA.
FIRST BASE
Jesus Aguilar, MIL at WAS ($4,300): Aguilar has had a potent bat all season, posting a .915 OPS with 30 homers. Tanner Roark has a 3.95 ERA, which is not great, but he's been even worse at home. The 31-year-old has a 5.00 ERA in Washington, which bodes well for Aguilar.
SECOND BASE
Starlin Castro, MIA vs. TOR ($4,200):Castro has been reliable from a batting average perspective for most of his career, and this year he has a .286 batting average. His power has been a little down, but he has 11 homers in 131 games, which isn't bad for a second baseman. He's also stolen six bases, his most since 2013. Aaron Sanchez has a 4.95 ERA, but over his last 10 starts his ERA has jumped to 5.67.
THIRD BASE
Jurickson Profar, TEX vs. MIN ($4,100): Profar has finally shown why he was considered the best prospect in baseball by many once upon a time. The 25-year-old has 14 homers and nine stolen bases through 119 games. He's been hot recently as well, as he's slashed .273/.357/.505 over his last 30 games. Minnesota will be starting Stephen Gonsalves, who only has two MLB starts to his name. In those starts, though, he has a 11.37 ERA.
SHORTSTOP
Adalberto Mondesi, KC vs. BAL ($4,200): Mondesi doesn't really walk, but he does have a .267 batting average. He also has a little power (six homers in 47 games) and a lot of speed (17 stolen bases). Andrew Cashner has a 4.90 FIP for the Orioles. He's also only struck out 6.19 batters per nine innings, making him less likely to exploit Mondesi's weaknesses at the plate.
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi, BOS at CWS ($5,000): Benintendi has been better against lefties this year, but he still makes his bones mashing against righties. In those matchups he's slashed .313/.400/.511. He also has 15 homers and has stolen 20 bases. Michael Kopech is an intriguing prospect, but he's only pitched eight innings this season, and six of those were against the Tigers. This is a much different matchup.
Brandon Nimmo, NYM at SF ($4,600): Nimmo has back from the disabled list with his .388 OBP and .500 slugging percentage. He's also hit 15 homers and swiped eight bags in 112 contests. The 25-year-old has also hit better on the road than at home. Andrew Suarez has a 4.42 ERA overall, but over his last eight starts he has a 5.74 ERA. He's also allowed 1.28 homers per nine innings.
Jose Martinez, STL vs. CIN ($4,400): Martinez has a .311 batting average after posting a .309 batting average in 2017, and though his OBP and slugging percentage have gone down, he still has a .844 OPS in 2018. Plus, recently he's been on an upswing, as he has a .918 OPS over his last 30 games. Homer Bailey has a 1-12 record, which seems impossible until your realize he has a 6.17 ERA and has allowed 1.96 homers per nine innings.
