Welcome to the Fantasy Alarm MLB DFS Playbook for Thursday, September 25th! 

We have a 6-game main slate in store for us this evening on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 6:40 PM ET. Today, we have plenty of talent on the diamond and many different ways to build your lineup. Our expert analysis is here to guide you through the top pitchers, value plays, and stackable offenses to target.

Whether chasing big GPP prizes or grinding cash games, we’ve got you covered with insights tailored to today’s matchups. Let’s jump right into the key plays and strategies to dominate the slate!

 

 

This season's MLB DFS picks and playbook will consist of a pitcher and hitter core players section with written analysis, player pool grid and core stacks section.

The core player section should be used as a starting point for all lineups, you may not be able to use all players in the same lineup, but those players should be the building blocks for you on a given night.

The player pool grid will feature both players from the core player section along with additional plays to help you build a complete lineup. The grid will be broken into top priced players, mid-priced players and value tier players.

The stacks section will bring you are favorite lineups stacks for the day and which players we would look to include in those stacks based on matchups and pricing.

Check out the MLB DFS Show to get an initial outlook on the day's MLB DFS slate to give you a good base for the start of your research each day! 

Make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Alarm YouTube channel so you never miss a show! Also, join the Fantasy Alarm Discord to get your DFS lineup questions answered by our MLB DFS team! Plus, as always, 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 Picks & MLB Playbook

MLB Weather: Thursday, 9/25

Chicago White Sox @ New York Yankees 

Chance of an in-game delay if the rain is heavy enough. 

 

 

Recommended MLB DFS Starting Pitchers

Let's get into today's core pitching plays for our DFS lineups

Core MLB DFS Pitchers

Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees 

Rodon is in a tier of his own tonight in terms of talent and ceiling. He owns a 25.9% strikeout rate on the season and is coming off an 8-strikeout performance against the Orioles. Now, he gets another great matchup against the White Sox. In September, the White Sox have managed just an 85 wRC+ and have struck out at the 7th-highest rate in the league. Rodon has delivered a quality start in seven of his last eight outings and looks primed to do it again here. 

Nolan McLean, New York Mets

This is a tough spot for the rookie McLean, as the Cubs offense has looked more like the first half version over the past few weeks. Still, it is favorable pitching weather in Wrigley tonight and there is very little upside on the slate outside of Rodon. McLean has been excellent through seven starts with a 1.27 ERA and 27.9% strikeout rate. He's been lucky with HR/FB variance, but that won't necessarily change tonight with the wind blowing in. 

Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians 

Messick has been excellent in six starts for the Guardians, displaying elite command and average strikeout ability. He has also been extremely lucky with HR/FB variance, but the Tigers bats have gone ice cold with an 86 wRC+ and 26% strikeouts in September. The fact this is essentially a playoff game with the Tigers just one game back in the division does not bode well for Messick's longevity or upside in this game. Messick will be on a short leash and could be hooked at the first sign of trouble in favor of Cleveland's elite bullpen. 

Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs 

Imanaga has been inconsistent this season despite pretty solid results overall. He still gives up a ton of fly balls and has been bitten by 1.8 HR/9 this season. Fortunately, he keeps traffic off the bases and the home runs are more often of the solo variety. He offers average strikeouts and excellent command, and he also benefits from favorable winds tonight at Wrigley. The Mets are not an ideal matchup, but they have been worse against lefties this season with a 97 wRC+. If Imanaga can keep the ball in the yard he has a decent shot to be useful on a weak pitching slate. 

Emerson Hancock, Seattle Mariners 

Slate context, with wanting to spend up for Rodon and elite Yankees/Mariners bats, may drive the need to roster a value SP2 on two-pitcher sites. Hancock is nothing special and typically offers very little upside, but at least he has an elite matchup. The Rockies have been atrocious on the road this season, with a league-worst .260 wOBA and league-high 28.4% strikeout rate. Double digit fantasy points from Hancock might be extremely useful on this slate. 

Recommended MLB DFS Hitters

Let's check out today's core plays to build our lineups around.

Core MLB DFS Hitters

New York Yankees vs. Davis Martin 

The Yankees did pretty much what they were expected to do last night, with eight runs against the White Sox. Today, they get another elite matchup against Davis Martin, who has allowed a .180 ISO and owns just a 17.1% strikeout rate. He allows power to both sides of the plate, which puts the entire Yankees lineup in play once again. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton lead the way, but there isn't an ISO below .190 against RH pitching in the entire lineup. 

Seattle Mariners vs. Bradley Blalock 

Congratulations to Cal Raleigh on 60 home runs! What an incredible feat for anyone, let alone a switch-hitting, full-time catcher. Also, congratulations to the Mariners on clinching the AL West division title. It remains to be seen if we will see a “hangover” lineup from them tonight, but they are in an incredible spot no matter who they roll out there. At minimum, Raleigh should be in there as he is chasing history and an MVP award. Julio Rodriguez also stayed red hot with two more hits last night. The matchup comes against Bradley Blalock, who has allowed a massive 2.62 HR/9 and owns a laughable 10.2% strikeout rate. 

Kansas City Royals vs. Mitch Farris 

The Royals couldn't muster anything but a Randal Grichuk solo homer against Yusei Kikuchi last night, but they get another fly-ball lefty in a great home run park tonight. Mitch Farris has allowed a massive 46.4% fly-ball rate and 1.30 HR/9. Bobby Witt is one of the top bats on the slate with his power and speed upside, and Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia and Grichuk are all in great spots again. 

Los Angeles Angels vs. Michael Lorenzen  

The Angels profile well against the low strikeouts and fly balls of Michael Lorenzen. Mike Trout, Taylor Ward and Jo Adell each own an ISO above .200 against right-handed pitching this season and Lorenzen has allowed a massive .218 ISO to righty batters. It's a perfect match for that trio. Yoan Moncada also looks good with his .236 ISO against righties, as Lorenzen isn't immune to power from the opposite side of the plate either. 

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Brayan Bello

Red Sox righty Brayan Bello has allowed at least three runs in each of his last four starts. The Jays lean a little too groundball heavy, or this would be an even better spot. Daulton Varsho stands out with his elite 41.6% fly ball rate from the left side lining up perfectly to counter the groundball ability of Bello. Of course, George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero are always in play and can win in any matchup. Addison Barger holds the platoon advantage against Bello and a strong .227 ISO against righties, and Anthony Santander is back from a lengthy IL stint. The Jays are loaded with the upside to break the slate if things go well for them. 

Player Pool

$ Tier {{pos.alias}}

Stacks

{{stack.team.name}} {{player.name}}
DraftKings {{player.fantasy.price.value[8]}}-
Fanduel {{player.fantasy.price.value[6]}}-