We have reached the final week of the regular season and there are still playoff spots up for grabs in both leagues. The Astros and Mariners will play the second game of their crucial series on Tuesday with the Mariners absolutely desperate for a victory. The DFS slate tonight is a big one with 11 games eligible for selection. The best stack on the board is undoubtedly the Dodgers in what will be game two of their Tuesday double header in Colorado. The Cubs and Braves should also provide a decent number of runs with two shaky pitchers on the mound.

This is for the 9/26 4:05 PM PST classic slate on Draftkings.

Writer’s Record

50-25-1

Chicago Cubs ML (+112) @ Atlanta Braves

The Cubs need to win as many games as they can manage at this point and they will be throwing Justin Steele to the wolves after two consecutive disappointing outings. On the other side, Bryce Elder has been more lucky than good lately. The Cubs will need to take advantage of Elder’s 90 mph fastball tonight and Steele will hopefully return to form in a crucial game for the wild card hopefuls.

DFS Pillar Plays

Michael King

Position: P

Salary: $6,000

Michael King has really impressed since becoming a starter for the Yankees. Since he’s moved into the starting rotation, he has struck out 39 batters in five starts. His last start came against the team he will be facing tonight. In that start, King struck out 13 batters and eclipsed 100 pitches, which indicates the level of trust that Aaron Boone has in the makeshift starter. King has been vocal about his desire to stay in the starting rotation next season and if he continues to perform at such a high level, that seems a certainty. King at $6,000 is great value in a big slate with expensive bats.

Xander Bogaerts

Position: SS

Salary: $4,600 

As the Padres have crept back into the wild card race, Xander Bogaerts has been the most crucial member of their offense. In September, Bogaerts is hitting .430 with 16 extra base hits. He has salvaged what had been a disappointing season for him individually and pulled the underperforming Padres back into postseason relevance. It is probably too little, too late for them but Bogaerts should be able to continue his elevated production against young Kyle Harrison, Tuesday’s starter for the Giants. Bogaerts homered off the rookie earlier in the month in a game the Padres won 6-1.

J.D. Martinez

Position: OF

Salary: $5,700

The Dodgers will make their way to Coors Field to take on the Rockies in a double header on Tuesday. Martinez missed a few weeks towards the end of August, but since then he has been one of the hottest bats in this Dodgers lineup. He has a 1.190 OPS and 20 RBIs since returning from his injury on September 8th. The Rocky Mountain setting should contribute to a big night for this Dodgers offense. Martinez already has three home runs at Coors Field this season.

DFS Value Plays (<$3500 Salary)

Junior Caminero

Position: 3B/SS

Salary: $2,900

The 20-year-old infielder got called up last week and he is worth a flier at his price point. He has played in two games and has registered a hit in both games. Caminero has power and he can hit. The matchup comes against Tanner Houck for the Red Sox whose ERA is just under five this year. 

Gabriel Moreno

Position: C

Salary: $2,900

The young catcher’s impact on this Diamondbacks team is easy to overlook. His defensive contributions behind the plate outshine his contributions at the plate over the season, but that’s just because he’s been so important behind the plate. In the past few months, Moreno’s bat has been as solid as his defense. He has hit over .325 in three straight months and the matchup on Tuesday comes against Jose Urena for the White Sox, the lowest priced pitcher in the slate.

Lamonte Wade Jr.

Position: 1B

Salary: $3,300

“Late Night” Lamonte is hitting .346 in September with 18 hits, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored. The left-handed Lamonte has a matchup against veteran right-hander Seth Lugo in San Francisco on Tuesday. Lugo has been shaky of late, allowing 11 runs in his last three starts.