3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target for Friday 8/25/23

Hitting on value plays in MLB DFS on FanDuel can make or break a lineup on any given day, but locking in strong performances with some of baseball's star players provides the backbone for any good DFS lineup.

These stars rightly come with high salaries as they usually live up to expectations and have the ability to outclass their peers at their position.

Here are three studs to target for Friday's main slate.

All advanced statistics come from FanGraphs. All projections via numberFire.

Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves ($12,000)

If you need not spare any expenses on your starting pitcher, then Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves is the clear-cut best DFS choice on the mound tonight. For Friday, he is scheduled to hit the road for a game against the San Francisco Giants.

The Boys from the Bay have had an up-and-down campaign in 2023, but San Francisco's issues striking out (9.4 Ks per game entering Friday) is what has kept them from consistent success on offense. Then when you consider that Strider notably leads all of baseball in punch-outs (227 Ks), he seems like an easy selection for tonight. Making his 26th start on the hill this year, Strider has compiled a mesmerizing 38.2% K-rate -- yes, you read that correctly.

At numberFire, Strider is estimated to have gargantuan production on Friday: 36.9 FanDuel points. That is the best mark of any player in action tonight. This is in line with the pitcher-friendly surroundings at Oracle Park. Sitting on the banks of McCovey Cove (right at sea level), would-be home runs are often brought back by the Northern California gusts.

Strider actually saw these same Giants in his most recent start. Last Friday, I was a proponent of Strider's when took on San Francisco in Atlanta and produced 10 strikeouts through 7 full innings of 1-hit baseball for a staggering 61 FanDuel points. A week later, I like the matchup again.

Bryce Harper, 1B/OF, Philadelphia Phillies ($3,800)

Still navigating through upper body injuries in 2023, Bryce Harper has been mashing the baseball in vintage form as of late. Through his past seven games, Harper has walloped five home runs and nine RBI for the Philadelphia Phillies. That includes homers in his past three consecutive contests.

On Friday, Harper and the Phils are hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis will send out righty starting pitcher Miles Mikolas, who has not been great behind a 4.74 SIERA in 2023. On top of Harper's platoon advantage against Mikolas, he is also 4-for-10 with a home run head-to-head. Additionally, Harper has an OPS of .885 versus right-handed pitching this season compared to .806 against lefties.

Harper is viewed favorably by numberFire for his matchup against the Red Birds. He carries a predicted total of 13.3 points. With the third-best projection of tonight's options at first base, Harper could go even higher at his hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. According to Baseball Savant, the ballpark in Philly has been the sixth-most prolific MLB venue for home runs over the past three seasons.

Mookie Betts, OF/2B/SS ($4,500)

Similar to Hansel in the first installment of Zoolander, Mookie Betts is so hot right now. Through yesterday's double-dip in Cleveland, Betts tallied seven total hits and three RBI.

On Friday, Mookie is set to make his first return to Fenway Park since being traded by the Boston Red Sox back in 2020. He does so at a time when his 2023 wOBA is at a lofty .423.

Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be facing Boston hurler Kutter Crawford today. This season, Crawford showcases a 1.41 WHIP, which may not translate well against L.A. For tonight's entire slate, the Dodgers' implied run total at numberFire (5.48) is the largest figure on the board.

numberFire projects a FanDuel DFS output of 17.2 points tonight, which is the highest total of all available batters. Considering how well he and his teammates have been hitting, Betts seems like a high-upside pick. Even at $4,500, Betts is worth the price of admission.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.