This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
All player prices are as of Friday, September 18
Pitchers
Drew Smyly, TB (Fri. vs. BAL), $9300 – Smyly's results have been a mixed bag since he returned from the disabled list in mid-August, but his 35:8 K:BB ratio (32 innings) is an excellent sign that his strong finish last year and strong start this year weren't flukes. He owns a 27.9 percent strikeout rate and 11.9 percent swinging-strike rate this season, albeit through just 54 innings. Smyly should fare well against the Orioles despite facing some right-handed bats with pop, as the Baltimore lineup strikes out a ton and will be stuck in a pitcher-friendly environment.
Jordan Zimmermann, WAS (Sat. afternoon vs. MIA) – With Saturday afternoon's slate featuring a bunch of big-name pitchers in difficult matchups, the safe mid-priced option (Zimmermann) is a decent bet to come away with the most DraftKings points. The Miami lineup may not strike out often, but it also isn't a group that inspires any fear, and Zimmermann's Nationals will be a huge favorite to win. While mediocre in his last outing, the 29-year-old righty owns an impressive 60:14 K:BB ratio over 62 innings in his last 10 starts.
Carlos Carrasco, CLE (Sat. night vs. CHW) – Coming off an ugly outing at U.S. Cellular Field in his first appearance after a stint on the disabled list, Carrasco removed any doubt about his health in his most recent start, putting up 29.3 DraftKings points against a strong Kansas City lineup. I'm hoping Chicago's recent success against him will keep ownership percentages low, as Carrasco is still a good bet to shut down the mediocre White Sox lineup, particularly now that he'll be back at home. With 187 strikeouts through 166.2 innings, Carrasco has an excellent ceiling in nearly any matchup.
Julio Teheran, ATL (Sun. vs. PHI) – The Phillies largely deployed high-contact, low-power lineups earlier in the season, making them an overrated (albeit still punchless) matchup for pitchers on DraftKings. That's changed in recent weeks, with the team's new lineups leading to a sky-high 25 percent strikeout rate over the last 30 days. Opposing pitchers now have to face a lineup with a bit more power, but the increased opportunity for strikeouts is an excellent trade-off on DraftKings.
Other options:Madison Bumgarner, SF (Fri. vs. ARI), $11,500; Johnny Cueto, KC (Fri. at DET), $7700; Noah Syndergaard, NYM (Sat. afternoon vs. NYY); Garrett Richards, LAA (Sat. night at MIN); Cole Hamels, TEX (Sat. night vs. SEA); Aaron Nola, PHI (Sun. at ATL)
Batters
C John Jaso, TB (vs. BAL), $2500 – Jaso's walk-dependent offensive profile isn't ideal for GPPs, but his combination of price, lineup position and success against right-handed pitching has made him a consistently excellent option since he returned from the disabled list in July. While Friday's matchup with Baltimore right-hander Tyler Wilson is the real gem, Jaso should also be a strong play Sunday afternoon against Kevin Gausman.
1B/3B Brett Wallace, SD (at COL), $2200 – You don't need to buy into Wallace's small-sample success in the majors this season to realize that he's an excellent choice for just $2200 at Coors Field. His bat probably won't ever be good enough to deserve regular playing time at first base, but he does have decent power, not to mention third-base eligibility on DraftKings. Just make sure he's actually in the lineup, as he's only a part-time player for the Padres.
2B/3B Jedd Gyorko, SD (at COL), $3400 – Sticking with the theme of disappointing former top prospects who get to spend the weekend at Coors Field, Gyorko has the additional benefit of prime position in the San Diego lineup, typically batting either second or fifth. I won't try to sell you on his merits as a player, but he does have decent power and a too-cheap price tag, heading into a series at Coors. Even if his price rises, as it likely will, Gyorko is an especially strong option for Saturday's matchup with left-handed Yohan Flande.
3B Adrian Beltre, TEX (vs. SEA), $4000 – Though his season-long numbers remain highly disappointing, Beltre's .291/.343/.457 slash line since the All-Star break isn't too far off from what was expected. He's also heating up at just the right time, with 14 hits over his last seven games heading into consecutive home matchups against lefties on Friday (James Paxton) and Saturday (Vidal Nuno).
OF Jose Bautista, TOR (vs. BOS), $5200 – Bautista and the rest of the big Toronto bats draw some excellent matchups at the Rogers Centre this weekend, facing Boston lefties Saturday (Wade Miley) and Sunday (Rich Hill), following Friday's game against a rejuvenated Rick Porcello. There's no need to shy away from Porcello either, as the right-hander has only struck Bautista out three times in 25 career at-bats, with the slugger boasting a .400/.444/.520 slash line in their matchups.
Other options:1B Mike Napoli, TEX (vs. SEA), $3200; 2B/3B Anthony Rendon, WAS (vs. MIA), $3700; SS Jose Reyes, COL (vs. SD), $4200; SS Ian Desmond, WAS (vs. MIA), $3100; OF Justin Upton, SD (at COL), $5200; OF Charlie Blackmon, COL (vs. SD), $4500; OF Jay Bruce, CIN (at MIL), $3900; OF Jayson Werth, WAS (vs. MIA), $3900
Lineup Stacks
Friday
Twins vs. LAA's Andrew Heaney
Rockies vs. SD's Ian Kennedy
Rangers vs. SEA's James Paxton
Reds at MIL's Zach Davies
Braves vs. PHI's Adam Morgan
Astros vs. OAK's Felix Doubront
Phillies at ATL's Williams Perez
Saturday afternoon
Nationals vs. MIA's Justin Nicolino
Blue Jays vs. BOS's Wade Miley
Saturday night
Royals at DET's Matt Boyd
Braves vs. PHI's Jared Eickhoff
Rangers vs. SEA's Vidal Nuno
Rockies vs. SD's Robbie Erlin
Padres at COL's Yohan Flande
Sunday
Blue Jays vs. BOS's Rich Hill
Red Sox at TOR's Mark Buehrle
Nationals vs. MIA's Brad Hand
Reds at MIL's Ariel Pena
Padres at COL's Kyle Kendrick
