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DraftKings MLB Value Plays: Monday (5/8)

DraftKings MLB Value Plays: Monday (5/8)

Happy National Have A Coke Day! Tonight’s 10-game slate on DraftKings has just a couple decent pitching options, a lot of not-so-decent pitching options, and a game in Denver. Therefore, there are plenty of pricey bats you’ll want to get exposure to. You’ll need to have a cheap piece or two to get it done tonight. Let’s crack open a Coke and some value plays to make it happen this evening.

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Pitcher

Blake Snell (TB): $7,400 vs KC
Snell (-145) had a rough start to the season and hasn’t been great, but he has shown signs of improvement lately. I like the idea of using pitchers versus the Royals more than the idea of using Snell in particular. Kansas City is the worst offense in the big leagues, struggling to hit above the Mendoza line and putting up a paltry .265 team wOBA with a woeful 64 wRC+. Even though Snell has been walking too many hitters, he flashed his K upside last week against the Marlins. He’s priced reasonably enough to use in a plus matchup.

Jake Arrieta (CHC): $7,800 @ COL
The low price is only reflective of Arrieta (-121) going to Coors Field. This is a $10,500-$11,000 pitcher any other night. With the lack of great pitching options outside of Jacob deGrom, the highest upside play on the slate is Arrieta by far. He’s been a little unlucky on the BABIP front and the 17.6% HR/FB is likely to drop as well. This is a spot to take a chance on him to twirl the rare mile-high gem in GPPs, but be sure to keep an eye on the weather in Denver if you do.

Other Notables

Catcher

Ryan Hanigan (COL): $2,700 vs CHC
If you elect to fade Arrieta, Hanigan makes for a nice punt at catcher. This is the cheapest we’ve seen a catcher playing at Colorado in a long time. If he’s in the lineup, he makes for the perfect salary saver. Hanigan went yard in his Rockies debut on Thursday, so he’s still got a major league stroke. His call up is only temporary, but jump at the chance to play him this cheap in Coors.

Other Notables

First Base

Logan Morrison (TB): $3,200 vs KC
Morrison is quietly having a solid 2017 campaign, largely due to his raking against right-handed pitching. Morrison is mashing righties to the tune of a .312 ISO/.408 wOBA/170 wRC+ through 90 plate appearances. He’s been more patient at the dish this season and is showing excellent patience. He draws Nate Karns on the bump today, who has a knack for giving up HRs.

Other Notables

Second Base

Jed Lowrie (OAK): $2,700 vs LAA
In 90 plate appearances against RHP thus far in 2017, Lowrie has a respectable .365 wOBA and 140 wRC+. Given his super cheap price tag, he’s a fantastic punt at the keystone as a switch-hitter who’ll likely bat third. He’s getting on base frequently, failing to do so in just one of his last 10 games. All the sexy names are up top today, so if you’re not spending up, grab some value with Jed and include him in A’s stacks against Ricky Nolasco.

Other Notables

Third Base

Justin Turner (LAD): $3,600 vs PIT
Turner is a career reverse-splits hitter, and 2017 has been no different as he’s hit over .400 against RHP and sports a healthy .452 wOBA & 182 wRC+ as well. His ISO is a little down, but he faces Trevor Williams who is simply not good. I like the chances of Turner taking Williams deep today as he’s overdue for a homer. Hot take alert: I’ll be bold enough to call a ginger long-hair long ball here.

Other Notables

Shortstop

Tim Beckham (TB): $3,100 vs KC
Beckham has been barreling the baseball against all pitching this year, but against RHP so far in 2017, he carries a .288 ISO/.343 wOBA/123 wRC+. The former first-overall pick from 2008 still carries a little promise as he’s finally producing for the Rays. Post-hype sleeper status aside, he’s cheap, and a little promise is what we’re getting here against Karns with limited value at the position tonight.

Other Notables

Outfield

Tommy Pham (STL): $3,000 @ MIA
Since Pham’s call up from Triple-A this weekend, he’s been as hot as a hitter can be, hitting .500 with a 1.933 OPS and three dongs in three games. Not that I’m chasing the homers, but more so I’m chasing hot streaks here. He’s averaging 22.7 DK points per game since his promotion, but you can be happy with half that at his salary. If you’re tired of using Andrew Toles, you can plug Pham in.

Andrew Toles (LAD): $3,000 vs PIT
Making his weekly appearance here, Toles can be expected to hit leadoff again this evening. He’ll always be in consideration if his cost stays low. The Dodgers lineup is projected for the highest implied run total outside of Coors Field tonight, and Toles will get more plate appearances than anyone so be sure to include him in your Dodgers stacks. The opportunity cost is low against a bad pitcher.

Cody Bellinger (LAD): $3,600 vs PIT
Again, Trevor Williams is not good. Also, have you seen Bellinger’s swing? It’s probably the best looking left-handed swing in baseball. He can hit for power and also has some stolen base upside. My pick for NL Rookie of the Year is making it hard to demote him even after Adrian Gonzalez gets healthy. In his very young career, he’s been a monster against RHP (1.306 OPS/.533 wOBA/235 wRC+ in 32 PAs). If that’s not enough for you, just remember his ISO currently matches his wOBA.

Other Notables

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J.C. Dalley is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from J.C., follow him @JoshDalley72.

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