This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
It's the last Sunday of September. October, and postseason baseball, are nigh. Nigh, I say! There are 15 games today, but the Tigers are once again starting at 12:10 p.m. ET to accommodate people who want to go see the Lions lose at 1:00. Yes, that means having to get your lineup in an hour earlier than you may want. But you have to do it, right? It's the last Sunday of September, after all. Let's make it a good one. Here are my recommendations.
PITCHING
Freddy Peralta, MIL vs. NYM ($9,400): Peralta may be the third name you think of in Milwaukee's pitching triumvirate, but that doesn't mean he's a slouch. He's posted a 2.65 ERA and strikes out 12.30 batters per nine innings in his first full season as a starter. All the Mets are really playing for now is to finish 27th in runs scored instead of 28th.
John Means, BAL vs. TEX ($8,900): In a way, it's impressive Means has produced a 6-7 record given he pitches for the Orioles. It helps to have a 3.25 ERA, not to mention a 2.35 mark over his last five starts. This is one of his better chances to pick up a win, as the Rangers rank 29th in runs scored and 30th in team OPS.
Shane Baz, TAM vs. MIA ($6,900): Baz began the season as one of baseball's best pitching prospects. He earned a promotion from Double-A to Triple-A, where he managed a 1.76 ERA from 10 starts. Baz went five innings in his MLB debut against the Blue Jays, striking out five and allowing two runs. The Marlins, who sit in the bottom-five in runs scored, present a much easier matchup.
Wily Peralta, DET vs. KC ($6,700): It's a double Peralta Sunday! Detroit's pitching Peralta has been on fire. Over his last five starts, he's recorded a 1.67 ERA. And over his most recent two, Peralta has allowed zero earned runs. Is that sustainable? No, but he's also posted a 1.88 home ERA this year and the Royals do rank 24th in runs scored.
TOP TARGETS
Bryce Harper, PHI vs. PIT ($4,500): How could putting Harper in your lineup be even more exciting? He's someone with a 1.157 OPS versus righties this season and a 1.125 OPS at home. How about I throw in a matchup with Max Kranick, a righty with a 7.28 ERA?
Yordan Alvarez, HOU at OAK ($4,200): Alvarez boasts plenty of power, as his career slugging percentage of .583 will show. He's sent 32 balls over the fence in 2021 with that big swing. Paul Blackburn has produced a 5.17 ERA and, well, he allows a worrying amount of contact with lefties hitting .364 against since 2019.
VALUE BATS
Yandy Diaz, TAM vs. MIA ($3,200): When a lefty is on the mound, you can count on Diaz being in the lineup for the Rays. He doesn't offer much power, but does carry a career .360 OBP. And when Diaz faces a southpaw, he's displayed some pop with a .459 slugging percentage. Jesus Luzardo was once a touted prospect like Baz, but this year has struggled with a 5.97 FIP while allowing 2.09 home runs per nine innings.
Avisail Garcia, MIL vs. NYM ($3,100): Garcia walks once in a blue moon, but is hitting .266 and slugging .498. The outfielder also has 29 home runs and eight stolen bases. Carlos Carrasco has looked better in his last couple starts, but still shows a 4.70 FIP while giving up 1.81 home runs per nine innings.
STACKS TO CONSIDER
Blue Jays vs. Griffin Jax: Vladimir Guerrero ($4,400), Bo Bichette ($3,800), Randal Grichuk ($2,400)
Jax is about the last pitcher you want on the mound when facing a team with a lot of power. The rookie enters with a 6.62 FIP, and a big reason why is the fact he's allowed 2.63 home runs per nine innings. Toronto spoiled me with options for a stack. These are the three I ended up going with, but of course guys like Marcus Semien and Teoscar Hernandez also represent fine choices.
Guerrero boasts one of the best bats in baseball. His .317 average is batting-title worthy, but he's also produced 46 home runs and 105 RBI. Oh, and he's scored 120 runs because there are plenty of players who can rack up hits on this team. Even with a middling OBP, Bichette is delivering on account of his 26 home runs and 23 stolen bases. He's also hitting .289 and .296 for his career. Grichuk isn't on the same level, but I thought I would choose a player with power with a reasonable salary. He's also crushed 22 home runs in 144 games while also hitting better on the road. Grichuk also offers an even split in terms of where he's hit his long balls.
Dodgers vs. Humberto Mejia: Trea Turner ($4,100), Max Muncy ($4,000), Corey Seager ($3,900)
Mejia has posted a 7.20 ERA in three MLB starts. He also managed a 5.53 ERA in Triple-A this season. Heck, he also registered a 4.22 ERA in Double-A. Wherever he goes, hits follow. That also tends to be true for Dodgers hitters.
Turner's power has dipped a bit since joining LA, perhaps owing to their pitcher-friendly ballpark. Of course, that won't be a concern in Arizona. He's still hit .315/.365/.463 and stolen 10 bases in Dodger Blue. Muncy has actually hit lefties better this year and has 35 home runs to mark his third straight full season where he's produced 35. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he hits another one today. Seager has missed some time, so his .383 OBP and .922 road OPS may get overlooked.
