We have a big 11-game MLB DFS main slate on tap for Sunday, May 21st, on DraftKings and FanDuel and there are a LOT of elite names we’re going to look to target at the top of the price point of each position. To get our favorite daily fantasy baseball plays into our lineups on Sunday, we’re going to need to dive into the MLB DFS value plays tier to afford the expensive guys. Don't forget to check out the latest MLB weather report, confirmed MLB lineups the MLB daily projections and Let’s check out my favorite value plays of the day!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Andrew Heaney, Texas Rangers
One of the best pitching values or best pitching options on a per-dollar basis today is Andrew Heaney at $7,700 on DraftKings today as he takes on the Colorado Rockies. On the year, Colorado has been a terrible offense on the road, and that plays into our hands in Texas. They’re 28th in both OPS and wOBA on the road this year and have nearly a 25% K-rate. Even when you factor in home splits, they’re still bottom ten offensively against left-handed pitching this season. Heaney is coming off a dynamic start in which he went six innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out nine. Heaney has 16 strikeouts over his past two and three starts this year with seven or more. I’d be willing to bet on this start being the fourth.
Justin Steele, Chicago Cubs
I understand Steele has hit a little rough patch in his last start, but he also saw his price dip $1,200 on DraftKings down to a middling $8,300 and for the past four starts, he’s been at least $9,500. He squares off against the Philadelphia Phillies who have struggled mightily with left-handed hurlers this year. Philly ranks 23rd in OPS and wOBA against lefties and has struck out the fifth most in baseball with a K-rate north of 25%. I’m willing to take a shot on a guy that has been 9K or higher for most of the year and has averaged just south of 20 DKFP/start.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Lane Thomas, Washington Nationals
Washington’s offense has looked much sharper lately and it starts at the top of their lineup with Lane Thomas. Thomas has been raking lately hitting .341 with an OPS of 1.034, three home runs, three doubles, and even a stolen base. Thomas has been especially good against left-handed pitching this season notching a .280 ISO and .454 wOBA. His matchup against Tigers starter Joey Wentz is a great one. Wentz has allowed a .221 ISO, .357 wOBA, and 41.4% hard-hit rate to right-handed bats.
Teoscar Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
It’s been a rough go for Hernandez in his first season with Seattle but things are slowly turning around for him. Over his last seven games, he has four multi-hit games, has driven in seven runs, and has eight or more DraftKings points in six of them. Hernandez has excelled against southpaws over the past few seasons and 2023 is no different. He has a .333 ISO this year to go with a .332 wOBA and last year he posted a .363 ISO and .413 wOBA. Rookie Jared Shuster is in trouble here considering he’s allowing a .389 wOBA to RHH’s and a .300 AVG to boot.
Ezekiel Duran, Texas Rangers
Even though Texas got Corey Seager back, they’re playing Ezekiel Duran every day because he’s giving them no reason to take him out of the lineup. He homered on Saturday for the second time in four games and over his last ten contests he has a .342 AVG, 1.074 OPS, and seven extra-base hits, four doubles, and three home runs. His matchup is as good as it gets against Connor Seabold. Seabold has allowed a .376 wOBA and .213 ISO to right-handed bats and Duran has hit righties very well, posting a .213 ISO and .332 wOBA himself. He’s hitting eighth which isn’t the best connection to your Rangers’ stacks, but he’s hitting so well I’m willing to bypass that part.
Nick Pratto, Kansas City Royals
Everyone can jump to defend Lance Lynn all they want because of one good start against a Cleveland offense missing both Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor, but I’m on the opposite side of things. ATTACK! Left-handed bats have owned Lynn this year posting a .436 wOBA and .305 ISO along with some awfully good batted ball numbers too, including a 40.6% FB rate and 43.5% hard-hit rate. Pratto is hitting .329 on the year, the Royals moved him up to second in the order, and he has a .372 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year. His multi-position eligibility doesn’t hurt his cause either.
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