Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Strategy, Primer for September 21 – Bleacher Report

The postseason is within reach for MLB teams, but the daily fantasy baseball season is far from over. Myriad franchises are battling for a spot in the playoffs, making the pressure to perform down the stretch even more intense.

So who will rise to the occasion on Monday? We’ve broken down the numbers on some of the best players and a primer for owners looking to build the bankroll. Here’s a look at the best MLB players and strategy for September 21.

Top Pitching Target: Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros ($11,400)

Sure, former teammates David Price and Chris Archer seem like home-run targets at the pitching spot, but Dallas Keuchel is our pick for Monday. Not only has Keuchel been sensational all season, but he also benefits from a favorable matchup to start the week.

Collin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel are the first 17 game winners for the Astros since 2005 (Andy Pettitte 17-9 and Roy Oswalt 20-12)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 20, 2015

Most pitchers wouldn’t consider facing Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and the Angels lineup a great matchup, but Keuchel has fared well against Los Angeles. With an average of 23.6 fantasy points against the Angels and 29.1 points at home, expect huge numbers from Keuchel on Monday.

Top Infielder: Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds ($4,600)

Todd Frazier has been a great player for the Reds for a number of years, but he’s been historic in 2015. The Toddfather has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Reds with massive numbers that haven’t been seen since 1962, according to MLB.com.

.@FlavaFraz21 becomes first @Reds batter with 35 HR and 40 doubles in a season since Frank Robinson in 1962. pic.twitter.com/Du7fVhGNYp

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) September 20, 2015

Even on a downtrodden roster, Frazier has 77 total extra-base hits, 81 runs, 88 RBI and 13 stolen bases. That’s not good enough? How about the fact that he’s hitting .270/.302/.645 against left-handed pitching? Facing the St. Louis Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia on Monday, there’s no reason not to target Frazier at first or third base.

Top Outfielder: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays ($5,900)

It’s no secret that the Toronto Blue Jays have been firing on all cylinders recently to remain the top dog in the American League East. How have they done it? With Jose Bautista leading the way all season, regardless of who’s added to the lineup.

Joey Bats is torching hot right now with three homers, three doubles and eight RBI over his last nine starts. That equates to a .432 on-base percentage and 11.7 fantasy points over that stretch. Oh, and he faces the New York Yankees’ Adam Warren, a great matchup for any batter, especially after only lasting four innings in his last outing.

Strategy: Stack Up the Jays

Bautista isn’t the only Blue Jays player owners will want to target on Monday. Edwin Encarnacion is actually averaging more fantasy points over the last 10 games with 13.3. Ben Revere is a solid second option in the outfield with the matchup against Warren.

Oh, then there’s that Price guy, who is $1,000 more than Keuchel. If owners want guaranteed production, target the Jays lineup on Monday. Even with high price points, Toronto will produce great numbers for DraftKings owners who budget around it.

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