We have an eight-game MLB DFS main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel for Wednesday, May 3rd. There are some elite names topping the pitching and hitting lists like Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Shane Bieber, and the Milwaukee Brewers offense in Coors Field. In order to get some of those top spend up’s into MLB DFS lineups, we have to dive into the bargain bin and look at some value options on the mound and at the plate. Let's find the best MLB DFS value picks and plays for tonight's daily fantasy baseball contests. 

 

MLB DFS Value Pitchers

Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays

This can obviously go south, but I like Manoah in tournaments because, as we’ve said for three consecutive outings, he’s too cheap for the talent that he is. Has he pitched up to his true level? No, that’s obvious by his 4.88 ERA and lack of command, but he’s clearly adapting to the pitch clock. Yeah, this is a very tough match-up, but Manoah has looked fairly good in his last two starts allowing two earned runs or less in both. The strikeouts have started piling up too notching 12 punch-outs over his last 12 innings. I wouldn’t explore using Manoah in cash, but he’s a fine option in tournaments.

Louie Varland, Minnesota Twins

The White Sox did get some thump back into their lineup on Tuesday when Tim Anderson was removed from the injured list, but all they got was an Eloy Jimenez two-run homer in that game. They’ve been bad against right-handed pitching all year, notching a .660 OPS and .291 wOBA as a team – ranking 24th in the league in both. Varland looked sharp in his debut outside of the home run ball. He struck out eight Yankees and has missed bats at every level he’s pitched at. He had 146 strikeouts in 126.1 IP between Double-A and Triple-A last year. I like Varland at just 6K on DraftKings.

MLB DFS Value Hitters

Randal Grichuk, Colorado Rockies

Randal Grichuk is on the cusp of “value” but considering it’s Coors Field and he’s under 4K on DraftKings and under 3K on FanDuel so he slots in here as one of my favorite value options of the day. He’s only been back for three games but has two hits in all three contests and has historically hit lefties well. Eric Lauer has struggled with right-handed hitters as they’re batting .310 with a .910 OPS  and a .391 wOBA against him.

Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox

I understand I also suggested using Louie Varland, aka the opponent of Eloy Jimenez, but this price point is just silly. In lineups where you’re not using Varland, how can you not look at Jimenez? He’s really heating up as he’s hit in five straight games, driving in four runs over his last three games, and scored three more. Jimenez has actually been better against righties throughout his whole career posting a .512 SLG%, .838 OPS, .234 ISO, and .354 wOBA.

Ramon Urias, Baltimore Orioles

Lefties and righties alike have owned Zack Greinke this year and Urias has historically been good against right-handed pitchers and that hasn’t changed this year. Against righties, Urias is batting .326 with a .393 wOBA and Greinke has allowed righties to bat .292 with a .810 OPS and .347 wOBA. Urias comes into this game hot batting .333 over his last 10 games. Baltimore is one of the best stacks on the board and Urias is a cheap way to get exposure.

Josh Bell & Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians

I’m not sure who I like more, but I like both Josh Bell and Josh Naylor tonight. Clarke Schmidt’s struggles have been against lefty swingers and it’s been well documented this year so far. Naylor’s coming around notching a .324 AVG, .500 SLG%, and .833 OPS over his last 10 games. Over the same span, Bell has been better as well notching a .832 OPS, so both guys are showing signs of life. As mentioned earlier, Schmidt has been crushed by lefties. Left-handed hitters are batting .396 with a 1.260 OPS and .526 wOBA. Those are hard to achieve.

 

Fantasy Alarm is the home of expert MLB Fantasy content. We also bring you all of the best online sportsbook free bets & promo codes and fantasy sports bonuses. 

Dominate your MLB DFS contests this week with our DFS PlaybookPodcastsLineup GeneratorPlayer Projections, & Draft Percentage Forecaster