MLB DFS Value Vault September 17: Line Up Chas McCormick Against Left-Handed Pitching
The majority of today’s MLB action comes in primetime tonight as we have a nine game MLB DFS main slate to work with. That gives us plenty of time to work on lineup construction while also making good use of all of the tools Fantasy Alarm has to offer. As you work through your process, it is also important to stay up to date with the latest MLB lineups, MLB news, and MLB weather. Now, let us go forth and find some MLB DFS value picks for tonight’s slate.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
George Kirby (SEA); DraftKings - $8,000; FanDuel - $9,300; Yahoo - $45
The rookie has met or eclipsed the 20 DK point mark in four of his last five starts while allowing a total of five earned runs in that span. Kirby was able to shut down the surging Braves in his last start with six innings of one run (unearned) ball in which he scattered three hits and struck out six. Perhaps the most impressive stat over that stretch is the fact that Kirby has only walked two batters while striking out 29. In 111.2 innings this season, Kirby has struck out just over a batter per inning to along just 1.13 walks while posting a 2.98 ERA (3.07 xERA).
José Urquidy (HOU); DraftKings - $7,700; FanDuel - $8,800; Yahoo - $47
After dominating the Angels two starts ago with seven shutout innings while striking out eight, things went in the complete opposite direction against them in his last start as Urquidy allowed six runs on 10 hits. Things should go a little easier tonight for the right-hander as he gets to face the A’s at home and we also get him at a substantial ($1.3k on DK) discount. On an overall basis, Urquidy has a 3.75 ERA and 1.16 WHIP this year and we get some upside as he is already up to 13 victories on the season.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Chas McCormick, OF (HOU); DraftKings - $2,700; FanDuel - $2,300; Yahoo - $12
Cole Irvin is simply not a good pitcher on the road and that is where the Astros get to face the southpaw tonight in what lines up as prime stacking opportunity. In 94 at bats against left-handed pitching this season, McCormick is hitting .330 with five home runs 16 runs scored, and 13 RBI and the outfielder offers up some salary relief tonight as he looks to put his 11.2% barrel-rate to good use.
Luis Guillorme, 2B/3B/SS (NYM); DraftKings - $2,700; FanDuel - $2,300; Yahoo - $15
In facing Bryse Wilson tonight, the Mets figure to be busy offensively as they continue to fight off the Braves for first place in the NL East. Since his return from the Injured List, Guillorme has picked up a hit in four straight games to bring his batting average to a solid .285 on the season. Based on Guillorme’s eligibility, you can essentially build your roster and then plug him in wherever you need across the infield and the fact that he does not strike out much (12.9% of the time) helps with consistency as he does a good job of putting the bat on the ball. When he has the platoon advantage (as he does tonight), Guillorme is also much better with a .308 batting average.
Corey Dickerson, OF (STL); DraftKings - $2,700; FanDuel - $2,700
Tonight, we get the platoon advantage with Dickerson against the fresh from the Injured List, Hunter Greene who likely will be on a pitch count and potentially erratic as well. In 216 at bats against right-handed pitching this season, Dickerson making himself at home in the middle of the Cardinals’ batting order as he is hitting .306 with five home runs, 24 runs scored, and 30 RBI.
Gio Urshela, 3B (MIN); DraftKings - $3,000; FanDuel - $2,800
Urshela is the midst of his best stretch of the season as he is hitting .378 over his last 10 games from the middle of Minnesota’s lineup. Tonight, he figures to have success against Konnor Pilkington as he enjoys the platoon advantage (.290 batting average against southpaws). Batting behind a scorching hot Carlos Correa, with Jose Miranda in between, has afforded Urshela the opportunity the ability to come up with runners on base and any damage that the Twins do tonight will likely include Urshela in some form.
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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.