Dave Gloeckner 
It’s the final day of the MLB regular season. And it’s one in which we had plenty of ups so we’ll look to close out today’s final big slate with another winning touch. On this final day, MLB starts all games at 3:05pm. So we have all 15 games to choose from which makes it difficult to find the exact spots to roster. However, there are arms scheduled to start that will be critical to turning our screens green. Also, one other note, make sure to check back prior to the games as we could have some big-name players sit out today with it being the last day of the season.
Also, Just so you know we willhave daily fantasy articles for the MLB playoffs starting on Tuesday.
As a reminder, this article will focus on Pitchers, from aces to value, and Hitters, from team stacks to studs to value plays. Prop bets are provided in the Gophers and Gas article.
There are many tools available, but I hope you’re using the Win Daily Projections Model as that has been very helpful in rostering key players each night.
For DFS, the featured card today begins at 3:05p.m. with 15 games on the slate. All DFS plays below will come from those 15 games and any later games will be captured in Discord.
PITCHERS – DRAFTKINGS
CLASSIC SLATE – 3:05 PM Start
EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ ($9400 DK)
Rodriguez is my favorite pitcher at the top of the slate. First, Detroit has something to play for as they are vying for 2nd place in the AL Central. It would be quite the leap for a young Tigers team that was predicted by many to lose 90 games. And they’re closing the season strong by winning five of their last six games.
So motivation and determination will be a driving force for the Tigers today. But having Rodriguez on the mound will multiply that even further. The Tigers SP is 3-0 with a 0.42 ERA against the Guardians this year. He’s allowed just 1 ER over 21.1 innings. And he’s struck out 24 while allowing a 0.162 BA to Cleveland batters. Look for the Tigers, and specifically Rodriguez, to finish out the 2023 season today on a strong note.
HUNTER GREENE ($8800 DK)
The Reds stayed in playoff contention into Game 161. Unfortunately, their dreams of meaningful October baseball were crushed as they fell to the Cardinals 15-6 on Saturday night and were thus eliminated. But that shouldn’t put any dark cloud over a franchise that was a surprising contender in the NL all season. In fact, with the weight of the playoff race off their shoulders, they will likely play free and loose today and turn in a meaningful effort.
Speaking of Hunter Greene, he has cycled between brilliant starts and duds over the past month. And today is the top of the hill as he’s coming off a rough outing in his last start. The other thing to note is that he’s facing the Cardinals who he recently dominated. In that start two weeks ago, he went 6 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out nine. The only issue against a STL team that is hitting just 0.227 this month (25th in MLB), is they are drawing walks at a high rate. As long as Greene can keep that down, as he’s had just three BBs allowed over past three starts, he should be in line for success against one of the most disappointing teams in 2023.
MICHAEL KING ($8000 DK)
DraftKings has finally adjusted King’s salary but I think it’s still too low. We’ve been backing King the entire month of September where his salary never crept over $6K. Since September 1st, the leaders in ERA for SP’s are (all pitched 5 starts):
- Blake Snell – 0.58 ERA
- Tarik Skubal – 0.90 ERA
- Gerrit Cole – 1.03 ERA
- Michael King – 1.30 ERA
- Reese Olson – 1.44 ERA
More importantly for DFS, King has a 30.6% K rate to go along with the pristine ERA. His opponent today, the Kansas City Royals, have been pesky down the stretch. However, they own a 26.7% K rate in the last week which is 5th highest in the league.
REID DETMERS ($7300 DK)
The Angels are a mess and will have some very difficult decisions over the offseason. And while Reid Detmers has one more year under pre-arbitration, LA will have to make a shrewd decision on whether to sign him to a longer term contract or not. So today’s performance could go a long way in helping the Angels decide whether to invest in the LHP or just roll him out on another one-year deal.
Good news for Detmers today is that he faces the Oakland A’s who are ranked 30th (last) in baseball in the following offensive categories:
- Batting Average (0.223)
- Slugging % (0.370)
- OBP (0.668)
- wOBA (0.293)
More importantly, over the past week the A’s are striking out at a 30.7% clip which is the highest in the MLB. The Angels SP has a great opportunity based on the matchup to help close out the season on a high note for the Angels.
KOOL-AIDE MAN (SWEET SPOT VALUE PITCHER UNDER $7K)
JOSE BUTTO ($6900 DK)
The Mets will look to end their nightmare season on a high note today against the Phillies. Their starting pitcher today, Jose Butto, has been decent since assuming a starting role in September as he’s posted a 3.22 ERA over four starts. As for his opponent, the Phillies have nothing to play for today and are using bullpen and minor league pitchers to close out the season and preserve their key arms for Tuesday’s Wild Card Game. Which also means they’ll likely bench most of their primary bats giving Butto a chance to pitch against reserves.
BONUS PICKS
I also like KEVIN GAUSMAN ($11500 DK) and KYLE HARRISON ($8200 DK) today. The Rays and Dodgers have already clinched playoff berths and cannot improve their seeding. So this may be a good opportunity for both Gausman and Harrison to pitch against backup players.
HITTERS – DRAFTKINGS
CLASSIC SLATE – 3:05 PM
SWEET SPOT STACK ATTACK: The stacks I like today are the BRAVES (vs. WASH), the TWINS (vs COL), the PADRES (vs. CWS), the YANKEES (vs. KC), MARLINS (vs. PIT), and the TIGERS (vs. CLE).
CORE BATTERS
MANNY MACHADO ($5200 DK)
Machado is ending a painful season on a high note as he’s batting 0.500 over the past 10 games. The Padres SS has hit two home runs in that same stretch. Today he faces Jose Urena who has an 0-7 record and 7.45 ERA. The Padres will be looking to make moves in the offseason but they’ll also look to pad their stats in Game 162 today.
For stacking, I like JUAN SOTO, XANDER BOGAERTS, FERNANDO TATIS, GARRETT COOPER, GARY SANCHEZ and HA SEONG KIM.
SPENCER TORKLESON ($5800 DK)
The Tigers face Guardians SP Lucas Giolito today who has pitched for three teams this season and has recorded an 8-14 record and 4.87 ERA. Outside of one or two impressive starts of late, Giolito has allowed 3 ER’s or more in 9 of his last 11 starts. I’ll take a sneaky stack with Detroit today and circle it around their power hitting 1B who has two homeruns in his last three games. They’ll also be celebrating Miguel Cabrera today as he ends a Hall of Fame career. So expect a spirited effort in the Motor City today.
For stacking, I like MATT VIERLING, AKIL BADOO, MIGUEL CABRERA, ZACH MCKINSTREY, ANDY IBANEZ and JAVIER BAEZ.
SLAP HITTER (SWEET SPOT VALUE BATTER) – LESS THAN $3K
TBD
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