3 MLB FanDuel Studs to Target for Wednesday 9/6/23

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 Wednesday's main slate.

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

Spencer Strider, SP, Atlanta Braves ($12,300)

If you're looking to splurge on a high-profile arm tonight -- which you absolutely should be -- Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves is your best option. On Wednesday, the right-handed hurler is scheduled for an appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals. Strider has not seen the Cards in 27 starts this season, but he is eager to do so.

Notably, Strider has been a strikeout machine in 2023. With 245 total punchies this season, he paces all of MLB in the category and is one of only three players currently over 200 strikeouts. That is still a ways off Nolan Ryan's modern single-season record of 383, but Strider's K-rate to this point on the year is still eye-popping at 38.0%.

Tonight, Strider is yielding the highest individual projection at numberFire, showing 38.4 FanDuel points. Considering his steady consistency, feel good about Strider. He has collected at least six strikeouts in 12 of his last 14 outings.

According to numberFire's game projections, the opposing Cardinals have the second-lowest estimated run total on Wednesday's main slate (3.85). St. Louis is producing only 4.50 runs per game on average in 2023, so I am not afraid to go after the mediocre Red Birds offense with Strider.

Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees ($4,200)

All rise! Aaron Judge was not able to follow-up his 2022 MVP campaign with another record-breaking season for the New York Yankees, but he has caught fire since mid-August.

Despite missing upwards of 50 games this year (court in recess), Judge is obliterating the baseball again. Four games into September and Judge has already smashed multiple home runs. Going back to August 18, Judge has produced 9 homers over 17 games played. It is safe to say he is seeing the ball well right now.

Judge is set for a game against the Detroit Tigers and probable starter Matt Manning on Wednesday. Judge has never faced Manning head-to-head, but Manning is struggling behind a 5.14 SIERA at the moment.

When referencing numberFire for today's slate, Judge shows a FanDuel DFS projection of 14.6 points -- second highest total of all available hitters. Additionally, he boasts a lofty OPS of 1.041 over the past two weeks.

All signs point toward court being in session tonight at Yankee Stadium, a hitter-friendly venue and most prolific American League ballpark for home runs this season, according to Baseball Savant.

Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets ($4,000)

The other bopper in the Big Apple, "Polar Bear" Pete Alonso will be down in the nation's capital tonight. On Wednesday, Alonso's New York Mets are looking to wrap up a two-game series with the division rival Washington Nationals. Last night, the Metropolitans battered the Nats, 11-5, with big Pete providing 2 RBI.

Before a night off Thursday, Alonso will see Washington starter Joan Adon. Not only has Alonso previously hit a grand slam off Adon, but Adon has not impressed in 2023, allowing 1.55 homers per 9 innings with a 44.8% fly-ball rate. That could spell trouble against a slugger like Alonso.

Looking through tonight's batch of batters, Alonso's projection of 14.2 FanDuel points on numberFire stands out. That figure is the third-highest of all available hitters on Wednesday.

Given that Alonso is still bruising the baseball for a hard-hit rate of 42.1% (through 476 at-bats) this year, he should bring us a tremendous amount confidence. Then, when I remember that he shows a 1.241 OPS over his most recent five games, we can feel even better.

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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.