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FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball (DFS) picks for Friday, September 23

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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Reminder: Always double check the lineup card before rosters lock to make sure that a player you've chosen to roster is playing that day, and check the weather to make sure your players won't get rained out of their game.

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Pitcher

Cole Hamels ($9,500) is probably the safest play tonight. Hamels faces a bottom third A's offense vs LHP by wRC+, but they don't strikeout much (18.7%) and strikeout upside will probably be limited. He does get a park upgrade in Oakland though and should be a good bet to prevent runs and be in decent position for the win against an average to below average opposing starter. Hamels has a 3.42 ERA, 4.07 FIP and 23.6% K%.

James Paxton ($7,300) has been pitching through a finger issue that has prevented him from throwing his cutter, but is coming off a 7 inning, 7 K performance against the Astros and has a 3.88 ERA/2.91 FIP on the season with a 22% strikeout rate. Paxton faces a high strikeout Twins offense that has the 4th highest K% vs LHP this year at 24% and it comes with an average 99 wRC+. There's a good chance Paxton generates an above average strikeout total and is in position for the win against a very poor Twins team that is starting a SP with an ERA over 5 and FIP of 4.8. With his price at $7.3k, he is a good salary relief option for more hitter flexibility.

Coming off a ridiculous 16 strikeout performance in Coors Field of all places, Jon Gray ($8,400) and his 26% K% is tempting as a potential high upside strikeout guy at a mid tier price, but the Dodgers rank as the #2 offense vs RHP this year by wRC+ and Yasiel Puig appears to have gotten things together recently. Gray is risky but has the pure stuff to rack up a big strikeout total if he has his best stuff. The fact that he's out of Coors and in pitcher friendly Dodger Stadium also counts for something despite the fact that the home/road splits don't quite reflect that yet with him.

Hitting

If there's one hitter I want in my lineup today, it's Freddie Freeman ($4,100) vs Andrew Cashner. Freeman has destroyed RHP to a 160 wRC+ and .291 ISO this year and has been one of the best hitters in baseball in the second half with a 179 wRC+ and .306 ISO. Andrew Cashner has allowed a very poor 5.32 FIP and .288/.383/.528 line to lefties this year. Freeman should be in good position to tee off on Cashner, and the Braves offense surrounding him has actually ranked as the #2 offense in the second half by wRC+ at 105. It's unlikely that continues, but maybe they won't be the anemic offense of the first few months going forward.