MLB DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Friday (9/8)

Tonight’s MLB DFS main slate has 11 games and starts at 7:05 pm ET on DraftKings and FanDuel. The suggested picks for the slate are whittled to four starting pitchers, two stacks, three studs and three values/punts.

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Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
Tonight's pool of pitchers isn't stacked with established studs. Instead, the top two pitchers on the table have affordable salaries, cupcake matchups and stellar recent numbers. The third and fourth pitchers have compelling upside cases to use in GPPs.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Kyle Harrison (SF) vs. COL
Harison has started three games for the Giants, and his underlying stats were better than his 4.70 ERA. According to FanGraphs, in 15.1 innings in the majors, he's spun a 3.87 xFIP, 3.51 SIERA, 1.24 WHIP, 7.8 BB%, 32.8 K% and 36.0 CSW%.

Harrison should pitch closer to his underlying stats than his ugly ERA in a mouthwatering matchup tonight. The Rockies are 30th in wRC+ (64) and have a 26.7 K% versus lefties in 2023. Colorado is 30th in wRC+ (73) and has a 26.7 K% in the previous 30 days. They're also tied for 29th in wRC+ (76) and have a 27.4 K% on the road this year. Finally, according to Betting Pros, the Giants are -205, and the game's total is 8.5 runs.

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs. KC
Kikuchi is in excellent form. In his previous five starts spanning 28.1 innings, he's had a 3.49 ERA, 3.25 xFIP, 3.61 SIERA, 1.20 WHIP, 6.8 BB%, 28.0 K%, 27.1 CSW%, 104 Stuff+, 102 Location+ and 102 Pitching+.

He shouldn't have trouble staying in good form in a plus matchup tonight. The Royals are tied for 26th in wRC+ (88) and have a 23.4 K% versus lefties in 2023. Kansas City is also tied for 29th in wRC+ (76) and has a 26.3 K% on the road this year. In addition, the Blue Jays are -185, and the game's total is 9.0 runs.

GPP Recommendations:

Kodai Senga (NYM) at MIN
Senga has occasional bouts of wildness, and the Twins are a challenging matchup. Regardless, chasing upside is the name of the game in GPPs, and Senga has upside in spades.

In Senga's previous four starts spanning 26.2 innings, he's had a 2.36 ERA, 3.15 xFIP, 3.26 SIERA, 0.90 WHIP, 8.9 BB%, 33.7 K% and 28.5 CSW%. Meanwhile, the Twins have a 27.4 K% versus righties in 2023, a 25.8 K% in the previous 30 days and a 27.4 K% at home this year. Thus, if he's sharp, Senga can pile up punchouts and fantasy points tonight.

Griffin Canning (LAA) vs. CLE
Canning has started and relieved lately. In his past four appearances (two starts and two relief appearances), he's had a 3.60 ERA, 3.11 xFIP, 2.82 SIERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3.8 BB%, 32.5 K% and 33.1 CSW% in 20.0 innings.

He has a desirable matchup against the Guardians tonight. Cleveland is 20th in wRC+ (94) versus righties in 2023. They're 27th in wRC+ (84) in the previous 30 days. Finally, the Guardians are tied for 20th in wRC+ (90) on the road this year.

Top Lineup Stacks

• Road (Target Field)
• Value: High
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: Both
• Game Total/Moneyline: 9.0 Runs/NYM -115

The Mets are cooking with gasoline lately. In the previous 30 days, they're tied for eighth in wRC+ (110). New York is in an eruption spot against Dallas Keuchel tonight. In five appearances (four starts) lasting 21.1 innings this year, Keuchel has a 5.06 ERA, 5.86 xERA, 5.12 xFIP, 1.50 WHIP, 7.5 BB%, 8.6 K% and 6.5 SwStr%. Keuchel is at his worst against righties, yielding a .362 OBP, .484 slugging and .362 wOBA to them this year. Thus, stacking New York's righties is exciting tonight.

• Home (Truist Park)
• Value: Low
• Risk: Low
• Game Type: GPP
• Game Total/Moneyline: Unlisted

The Braves should be charged rent for their stay in this piece. They're a mainstay in the MLB DFS primer because their offense is unstoppable. Atlanta is first in wRC+ (120) and ISO (.221) versus righties in 2023. They're fourth in wRC+ (133) and second in ISO (.222) in the previous 30 days. Additionally, the Braves are first in wRC+ (128) and ISO (.237) at home this year.

• Matt Olson has 24 homers, a .410 OBP, .398 ISO and 187 wRC+ in 244 plate appearances versus righties at home this year.
• In 266 plate appearances versus righties at home this year, Ronald Acuna has hit 12 homers with a .410 OBP, .229 ISO and 159 wRC+. The speedy outfielder has also stolen 63 bases.
• Francisco Lindor has hit 22 homers with a .323 OBP, .229 ISO and 128 wRC+ in 378 plate appearances against lefties since 2022.

• Mark Vientos is finding his footing in the bigs and enters tonight on a five-game hitting streak, mashing two taters in that stretch. He also crushed lefties in the minors. According to MiLB.com, he had an OPS north of 1.100 against lefties in Triple-A in 2022 and 2023.
• Ronny Mauricio had a rock-solid .786 OPS against lefties in Triple-A this year, making him a nifty punt against Keuchel.
• Bo Naylor has eight homers, a .333 OBP, .258 ISO and 126 wRC+ in 144 plate appearances against righties this year.

Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Mets are an obvious stack and an excellent source of hitters against Keuchel. The Braves are also a high-upside source for hitters and stacking tonight.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.