GPP Tournament Picks: 9-22-15

Pitchers

A quick look through the game log reveals a tidy season from McCullers. Only twice has he allowed more than three earned runs, and in one of those starts, he fanned 10 batters. The other was his lone true hiccup. Otherwise, the rookie has taken care of business nightly, which is represented in his 3.18 ERA, 3.08 FIP and 8.9 K/9.

Los Angeles enters with a .242/.297/.391 slash line in September and playing their 10th consecutive road game. Also, they're not an imposing visitor owning a .686 OPS, a .139 ISO and a .299 wOBA away from Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Iwakuma boasts a 2.97 ERA over his past nine trips to the bump, and the stretch includes a seven-run beating. Mind you, his no-no certainly sways results the other way, too, but it also highlights his high-ceiling. Facing the Royals should drive his ownership down Tuesday, making Iwakuma a potential contrarian grab.

While it is a daunting matchup, Seattle draws Jeremy Guthrie who owns a 5.65 ERA while allowing a .858 OPS to opposing hitters through 23 starts this season. The four-point win kickback is within reach for Iwakuma, and if it is combined with a tidy outing, he'll return a profit.

Top Hitters

Since Aug. 1, Beltre boasts an impressive .308/.358/.500 slash line, and he has six multi-hit games and a .472/.537/.778 slash line through his past nine showings. The veteran continues to be one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Batting in the heart of a rolling lineup helps the counting stats, too, as he has seven runs and 12 RBI during his recent offensive surge.

It is also a slam-dunk matchup Tuesday against Nolin who has allowed 2.77 HR/9 to right-handed hitters during his short career. Plus, the wind is projected to be blowing out briskly.

In need of a slump-busting matchup, Granderson projects favorably against Braves righty Wisler. Wisler has served up a 2.33 HR/9 to left-handed bats and allowed a .639 slugging percentage and .463 wOBA this season.

So even with his weak September (.760 OPS), Granderson's production against right-handed hurlers has held strong with a .899 OPS, a .222 ISO and a .387 wOBA for the year. He won't cripple your cap space, either.

Altuve is 18-for-50 over his past 12 games with a .640 slugging percentage and owns a .960 OPS against southpaws for the season. The American League leader in hits can push the fantasy needle in many ways, and the Astros lineup has found their groove again with 21 runs over their past three outings.

Santiago has allowed 15 runs through 7.2 innings over his past three road starts and has struggled all season away from home with a 4.66 ERA and .491 slugging percentage allowed.

McCutchen is an obvious play Tuesday, but sometimes those players end up carrying surprisingly low ownership percentages. Plus, a weak September with only a modest return in Game 1 of the series might also be cause for others to fade McCutchen.

His .349/.427/.550 slash line this season and career .989 OPS, .240 ISO and .422 wOBA against lefties are worth targeting, and especially at Coors Field. There is nothing scary about the matchup against Rusin, either.

Value and Platoon Plays

Jake Arrieta (SP - CHC) FD: $12,300 DK: $14,500

Nine earned runs over his 12 starts since the All-Star break warrants a mention and your consideration. How viable Arrieta is in the daily racket Tuesday totally depends on your comfort level in pinching pennies throughout the rest of your lineup. And while we don't deal in "he's due," Arrieta's historic run has to end at some point, doesn't it?

Logan Verrett (SP - NYM) FD: $6,300 DK: $4,500

Spot starting against the Atlanta Braves is a ripe spot to fire up Verrett. The only real concern is making it through five innings to qualify for the win. Atlanta owns the worst offense in baseball, and the Mets are receiving huge chalk Tuesday.

Mike Napoli (1B - TEX) FD: $2,200 DK: $3,300

While a touch on the inconsistent side game to game, Napoli enters with a .288/.382/.508 slash line since joining the Texas Rangers. He also owns the handedness advantage against Sean Nolin with the wind projecting to be gushing out at O.co Coliseum. The sample size is small, but Nolin has allowed a .577 slugging percentage and a .402 wOBA to righty bats.

Jorge Soler (OF - CHC) FD: $2,800 DK: $3,700

Soler has two no-doubt home runs over his past five plate appearances and is playing for a playoff roster spot. Milwaukee Brewers starter Tyler Cravy has allowed a .929 OPS, a .399 wOBA and a 43.4 percent hard-hit percentage to opposing hitters through his five starts. Soler is a sit risk, though.

Brad Miller (SS - SEA) FD: $2,200 DK: $3,300

A cheap flier, Miller has gone 12-for-39 in August (.308 batting average), and he is a superior hitter against righties. Kansas City Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie has allowed a .901 OPS to lefty bats this season. Expect Miller to be scarcely owned.

Francisco Cervelli (C -PIT) FD: $2,900 DK: $3,900

Cervelli presents budget exposure to Coors Field, and he enters with an impressive .333/.404/.517 slash line against lefties for the season. The backstop also went 3-for-5 in the opening tilt of the series.