Tonight’s MLB DFS slate is a small 5-gamer on both DraftKings and FanDuel, starting at 6:40 pm ET. There aren’t any big-name aces taking the mound, but there are still some solid starters with Nick Lodolo (who will be considered an ace if he keeps pitching as he has been), Joe Ryan, Jordan Montgomery, and Chris Bassitt. Some great offenses are also taking the field today, with the Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Reds being my favorite offenses to target. There don’t appear to be any weather concerns today, and it is staying relatively warm across the league. Let’s dive into some of my favorite value options of the day!

 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

I'm not a fan of the bottom half of pitching today, and I think the choice is between Lodolo, Ryan, Montgomery, and Bassitt. These are my favorite two of that group for today. 

Nick Lodolo, Cincinnati Reds (DraftKings: $9,400 / FanDuel: $10,800) 

Nick Lodolo is the most expensive pitcher on the slate on both platforms, and he should be. I was a big Lodolo believer coming into the year, and he has backed it up so far. I am still scared to start anyone in Cincinnati, but it is probably a decent move anytime you can get Lodolo pitching on the road. The Phillies’ offense without Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins has been fine but not terrifying, and they strike out a lot. This is Lodolo’s second straight start against them, and last time out, he struck out 12 through 7 innings without giving up a run. I expect more of the same from him here. 

Chris Bassitt, Toronto Blue Jays (DraftKings: $8,200 / FanDuel: $7,300)

Chris Bassitt got rocked by the Cardinals on opening day. His velocity was down and looked terrible, but he bounced back great in his second start against the Angels, where he went six innings with five strikeouts and got the win. Most importantly, his velocity was back up. Today he gets the Tigers, who have been an atrocious hitting team so far, and I think Bassitt tears them up. Bassitt is the cheapest of the pitching options who I really trust and has the best matchup of the slate. 

 

MLB DFS Value Hitters

The Blue Jays are easily my favorite play of the day, and I could see stacking any combination of their top 7 hitters, and I would happily do a 5-player stack with them today. The Yankees are always tempting at home, but I am avoiding them today against Joe Ryan with some better matchups available.

Brandon Belt, 1B Toronto Blue Jays (DraftKings: $2,400 / FanDuel: $2,200)

Belt was off to a slow start with his new club but finally broke out on Tuesday with three hits, including a double. He got the day off yesterday but should be back in the lineup today and batting 6th against Turnbull. The Blue Jays are my favorite lineup today against Turnbull, and while Belt has never been a prolific hitter, he has always done well against righties with a career .837 OPS. While Belt is the worst hitter of my picks, he is the cheapest, and the ability to get a piece of this Blue Jays lineup at this price against Turnbull, who has been extremely hittable so far this year, makes Belt an excellent value play. 

Jonathan India, 2B Cincinnati Reds (DraftKings: 4,900 / FanDuel: $3,300)

Bailey Falter has a career 1.82 HR/9 against right-handed hitters, and while India only has one home run this season, he is still slugging .452 and is getting on base and scoring runs hitting atop this offense. If there is any place for him to have a big game, it is here against Falter. Second base is also a wasteland at the top end. Brendan Donovan just went 2-for-14 at Coors, and while I still like him hitting 1 in that Cardinals lineup, he isn’t worth the price for me. Gleyber Torres sat yesterday with an injury, and even if he plays today, I wouldn’t want to chance it. India is the play unless you want to go with a cheaper option at 2B.

Spencer Steer, 3B Cincinnati Reds (DraftKings: 3,000 / FanDuel: $3,000)

Steer has been bouncing around in the lineup a bit, but I think he will see himself in the 2-hole hitting right after India against a lefty. I already highlighted how much right-handers can crush Falter, and Steer should participate in that today. India has been great this year, but Steer has been even better, slashing .306/.390/.583. You still get Steer at a considerable discount compared to India, especially on DraftKings. Steer is easily my favorite player on the slate, priced under $4,000.

Daulton Varsho, OF Toronto Blue Jays (DraftKings: $4,100 / FanDuel: $3,200)

Varsho has been tearing the cover off the ball with his new team. He is slashing .314/.420/.463 this year and primarily batting cleanup for the Blue Jays. The amazing thing is he has been hitting both lefties and righties so far this year, so he may be becoming a rare lefty that can be in play no matter the pitching matchup. However, he is still a much better career hitter against righties, so against Turnbull today, he is a must in any Blue Jays stack or an excellent one-off play.

Alec Burleson, OF St. Louis Cardinals (DraftKings: $3,200 / FanDuel: $3,000)

I already mentioned not liking the Brendon Donovan play today, but I still like the Cardinal’s offense in this matchup. Burleson has been batting 2nd in this Cardinals lineup against right-handers and has been flat-out hitting. After going 0-for-4 in his first game, he has recorded a hit every game since then. When you can get on base ahead of Goldschmidt and Arenado, you should score a lot of runs throughout the season. If you are playing Goldschmidt and/or Arenado today, I think Burleson should also be in your lineup.

 

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