We’ve made it to September and that means the last month of the regular season is upon us. There is a potential NLCS preview happening in Los Angeles as the Braves and Dodgers continue to duke it out for home field advantage. As for Friday night’s slate, it is a massive one with fascinating matchups all across the board. There are multiple aces on the mound tonight with Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Tyler Glasnow and Logan Gilbert going. Meanwhile, the Phillies and Mariners take their hot streaks on the road after scorching homestands for both squads.

This is for the 9/1 4:05 PM PST classic slate on Draftkings.

Writer’s Record

45-23-1

Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics o8 Runs (-110)

The bottom two teams in the AL West will face off as Patrick Sandoval takes on J.P. Sears. Both pitchers had Augusts to forget as, between the two, their records were 1-9 with 38 runs given up in a combined 49 innings. These teams have played seven games so far this season and five of those games have gotten to eight runs. The Angels cut a few bullpen arms so that could play into this run total going over while the A’s rank dead last in team ERA.

DFS Pillar Plays

Hyun Jin Ryu

Position: P

Salary: $6,300

With all the games going on and a ton of talented pitchers on the board, there are going to be pitchers who are undervalued somewhere in this slate. The key is to find some performers that might outperform their price. Hyun Jin Ryu has the potential to be one of those undervalued pitchers with a matchup at Coors Field against the NL West last place Rockies. The Rockies rank in the bottom 10 in hits and runs over the past week. Ryu has made five starts since coming back from a long IL stint and he’s had a pretty easy schedule. He struggled in his initial start but has looked much better in his last three starts, averaging 21 FPPG over those games. Getting the win has buoyed those point totals and he should be able to rack up another win tonight.

Yordan Alvarez

Position: OF

Salary: $6,100 

The Yankees are coming to town, but that just means an easy matchup for this Astros team that is currently on a five game winning streak. Carlos Rodon starts for the visiting team and has given up 10 home runs in his eight starts this year. These Astros power hitters could have a big night and when you’re talking about power in this Astros lineup, Yordan Alvarez is at the forefront. Rodon made a start against the Astros at Yankee Stadium in Early August and Alvarez took Rodon deep in the third inning of that game.

Davis Schneider

Position: 2B/OF

Salary: $4,800

The Davis Schneider show hits the road tonight with the Blue Jays at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Chris Flexen takes the mound for the home team and since arriving from Seattle in a trade, Flexen has a 5.87 ERA over six starts for the Rockies. Schneider is playing at an unrealistic pace at the moment, hitting .426 with a 1.420 OPS but if he is going to slow down, it might happen after this matchup with the Rockies. Schneider has four home runs in his last six games and is averaging 18.5 FPPG over that stretch.

DFS Value Plays (<$3500 Salary)

Nolan Schanuel

Position: 1B

Salary: $3,300

The Angels’ top prospect is still holding onto his streak of getting a hit in every game so far. His OBP is currently sitting at .457 in 10 major league contests with 11 runs scored. With a matchup against the A’s, the Angels could take out some of their frustration on the only team that sits below them in their division. 

Parker Meadows

Position: OF

Salary: $3,200

Young Parker Meadows is getting a chance to show what he can do on the big stage and so far he has looked comfortable. He has 17 TB in 10 games and a .900 OPS. He had a highlight walk-off home run, which is his only big-league homer to this point. The Tigers have a relatively easy matchup against the White Sox compared to some of the other games on the board. You might be able to find value in this Detroit lineup against Touki Toussaint who had a 6.94 August ERA

Chris Taylor

Position: OF

Salary: $3,300

If you want a piece of this Braves/Dodgers game, you mostly have to spend big. With that said, you are able to find some cheaper guys on the Dodgers side due to their platooning. Chris Taylor drew a walk in a big spot last night and should be able to find his way into the starting lineup today against left-hander Max Fried. CT3 has been much improved over the past few weeks with a .333 batting average. He was also able to pick up two stolen bases in the previous series against the Diamondbacks, which helps his value.