FanDuel MLB DFS Picks: Saturday 9/21/24

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Let's check out the top options on today's main slate.

Note: All MLB odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook. All stats come from FanGraphs and Baseball Savant unless noted otherwise.

MLB DFS Picks

Pitcher Breakdown

Each of the last nine opponents for Carlos Rodon ($10,200) have a sub-.700 team OPS against lefties in the past 30 days, and the Oakland Athletics (.669) are part of that club with a 24.0% strikeout rate in those parameters. He's a fine play, but I think we can use the salary better.

For instance, Max Scherzer ($9,400) has a similar expected ERA (3.75 xERA) and strikeout rate (22.6%) to Rodon entering a matchup with the whiff-happy Seattle Mariners at pitcher-friendly Globe Life Park. I'd argue Ronel Blanco ($9,200) is even better, too.

Blanco eliminates many of the concerns I had with Justin Verlander yesterday in this elite Los Angeles Angels matchup. His whiff rate (27.9%) is borderline exceptional for some of the home run issues (1.21 HR/9 allowed). Moreover, the Angels chasing a starter early two days in a row would be like dual lightning strikes.

Brady Singer ($8,700) is also worth a shout despite his low strikeout rate (22.3%). He's primed for a quality start at home against a San Francisco Giants club that's limped to a .672 OPS with a 28.0% strikeout rate against righties in the past 30 days.

The bargain bin is a bit of a disappointment behind these guys, but it's made up for in earnest by Martin Perez ($7,700). Perez has been a godsend for the revitalized Padres, posting a 2.72 ERA with an improved strikeout rate (20.0%) with the club. He draws the Chicago White Sox tonight but didn't really get a salary bump for it.

Stacks to Target

• Los Angeles Dodgers (5.11 implied team total)
  • It gets a little boring stacking L.A. after a while, no? Here's another elite matchup against Cal Quantrill's awful 5.11 xERA and 1.28 HR/9 allowed. At extreme popularity, it's worth mentioning that the Dodgers' offense went quiet on Friday as the Colorado Rockies bullpen (3.83 xFIP in last 30 days) has been on good behavior of late. It could happen again.
• San Diego Padres (4.86)
  • I'll miss stacking against Chris Flexen. Flexen's launching pad flyball (44.8%) and barrel (7.8%) rates have produced 1.33 HR/9, too. By wRC+, the Padres (130) have outperformed the Dodgers (117) over the past month of play; I see them as an awesome pivot when Quantrill has had more ceiling outings.
• Houston Astros (4.77)
  • I love Reid Detmers' talent to nab strikeouts (26.9% rate), and his skill-interactive ERA (SIERA) and xERA are both below 4.00. Yet, he's come back from Triple-A Salt Lake and allowed 11 earned in 17.1 innings. The lethal, full-strength 'Stros aren't likely a place to stop the bleeding.
• New York Yankees (4.55)
  • It feels like JP Sears has had a nice year, and a 4.24 ERA supported by a 4.26 xERA suggests an okay campaign...yet the rest of his Savant page is frigid blue. That's bad news facing his former club -- thought this lower team total could be because the Bombers aren't expected to be at full strength. Juan Soto (knee) was scratched yesterday as N.Y. has the top seed locked up.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.