MLB DFS Playbook September 8: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel

Published: Sep 08, 2023
We have 11 games on tonight's MLB DFS main slate with some interesting pitching matchups and great spots for offenses to put up some nice run totals. Be sure to check in with our MLB DFS Tools, with the daily MLB projections, MLB DFS rostership projections, and our MLB DFS Lineup Generator when building those lineups today to help you decide which players you should be targeting!
MLB DFS Playbook: September 8
MLB Weather Updates
Lots of weather concerns here today. Rain in the Northeast has the matchup between the Brewers/Yankees, Marlins/Phillies, Dodgers/Nationals and Orioles/Red Sox with some concerns that could lead to delays. Make sure you check out the latest weather reports if you have exposure to these games.
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
Chalk pitching is going to be attacking the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Guardians tonight. Not a ton of value when it comes to pitching tonight so look for the value hitters to be prevalent in the lineups this evening.
Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers
Top Options for Strikeouts
- Kodia Senga vs Minnesota Twins
- Jordan Montgomery vs Oakland Athletics
- Kyle Harrison vs Colorado Rockies
- Mitch Keller vs Atlanta Braves
Best Odds for a Win
- Jordan Montgomery vs Oakland Atheltics
- Bryce Elder vs Pittsburgh Pirates
- Kodai Senga vs Minnesota Twins
- Tyler Bradish vs Boston Red Sox
- See More
Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups
- Jordan Montgomery, Texas Rangers
- Kodai Senga, New York Mets
- Kyle Harrison, San Francisco Giants
- Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves
Recommended DFS Hitters
Highest Expected Run Totals
- Baltimore Orioles vs Tanner Houck
- Atlanta Braves vs Mitch Keller
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs MacKenzie Gore
- Toronto Blue Jays vs Collin Snider
- See More
Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups
- Pete Alonso
- Francisco Lindor
- Nelson Velasquez
- Ryan O'Hearn
Tune Into Today's MLB DFS Livestream at 5pm ET
Player Pool
$ Tier | SP | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | OF |
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Low | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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Stacks
Mets | Francisco Alvarez | Mark Vientos | Francisco Lindor | Pete Alonso |
![]() | 3600 | 2200 | 4800 | 4900 |
![]() | 2700 | 2300 | 3800 | 4000 |
Braves | Eddie Rosario | Marcell Ozuna | Matt Olson | Ronald Acuña |
![]() | 4100 | 4800 | 6200 | 6800 |
![]() | 2800 | 3800 | 4200 | 4800 |
Royals | Nick Loftin | Bobby Witt | Vince Velasquez | Salvador Perez |
![]() | 3300 | 6300 | 7700 | 4400 |
![]() | 2400 | 4000 | 8600 | 2500 |
Red Sox | Triston Casas | Alex Verdugo | Justin Turner | Rafael Devers |
![]() | 4300 | 4700 | 4700 | 5600 |
![]() | 3200 | 3300 | 3500 | 3900 |
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.