Happy Monday! Welcome in to this Monday’s addition of value plays for DraftKings. This Monday offers a nine-game slate with the first seven featuring temperatures in the high-80s to mid-90s. For that reason, I don’t like a lot of the pitching options this evening. Conversely, I love a lot tonight’s bats for the same reason as baseballs tend to exit ballparks more when it’s this hot. In the spirit of the weather, let’s get to some fire value plays!
Check out today’s MLB Moonshot contest at DraftKings 
Pitcher
Jameson Taillon (PIT): $6,800 vs. COL
I normally avoid pitchers coming back from the DL, but with as much as Taillon (-135) has been through in his young career, he’s a safe play in a good spot against a Rockies team that struggles away from Coors. The resilient, former second overall pick is excellent at limiting hard contact and producing ground balls. His comeback from cancer surgery is not only inspiring, it proves his motivation is superior to most and you have to like this kid’s chances to succeed in his return.
Masahiro Tanaka (NYY): $7,800 @ LAA
We all know what Tanaka (-129) can do when he’s on his game. The problem, he’s not been close lately. The Halos don’t strike out a lot, but they’ve never taken Tanaka deep and he’s only allowed 5 XBH in 74 at-bats versus the Troutless Angels. The .422 xFIP and .416 SIERA are both solid indication that some positive regression is in the near future. Unless he’s still pitching hurt, this discount is attractive on Tanaka and I expect him to go have a strong outing and also go deep into the game as well.
Other Notables
Adalberto Mejia (MIN): $6,500 vs. SEA
Kyle Freeland (COL): $8,100 @ PIT
Catcher
Wellington Castillo (BAL): $3,500 @ CWS
Castillo just came off the DL for the second time Saturday, so he’s fresh. Beef Wellington was hitting well before the last DL stint and he draws Mike Pelfrey in a hitters park. I know Pelfrey has been good as of late, but it’s about time he turns back into a pumpkin. With the way lineups looked Sunday, I’m guessing some regulars will sit, producing some low-priced punt as ideal plays. If you don’t punt, you can do worse than a guy nicknamed Beef on National Jerky Day.
Other Notables
Jonathan Lucroy/Robinson Chirinos (TEX): $3,200 each @ HOU
First Base
Wil Myers (SD): $3,600 vs. CIN
Myers has cooled off since his torrid start, hitting just two homers in the last 30 days. That’s somewhat of a trend today as there are a ton of big name bats that are priced down due to recent struggles at the plate. That being said, Myers is still hitting the ball harder than he ever has. His increased fly ball, line drive and hard contact rates are all good signs going up against the old gas can, Bronson Arroyo, in what may be his final MLB start. Myers should smash at least one XBH and just might end the HR drought in the process.
Other Notables
Albert Pujols (LAA): $3,500 vs. NYY
Second Base
Ben Zobrist (CHC): $2,900 @ NYM (OF eligible)
Honestly, I don’t like much at 2B and highly recommend the upper-echelon tonight. However, if you’re hard-pressed for savings, Zobrist is nearly punt price. The sub-$3,000 tag is due to the matchup with Jacob deGrom and a slumping bat, but he’s only $100 more than guys who aren’t in the big leagues yet. Zobrist is likely to bat cleanup or higher for the Cubbies on the road, probably getting you four at-bats minimum. Just pay up if you can though, because it’s not a good bunch down here aside from Jose Pirela.
Other Notables
Jose Pirela (SD): $2,300 vs. CIN
Third Base
Adrian Beltre (TEX): $3,800 @ HOU
The 38-year-old has played in just 8 games after tweaking his ankle shortly after a return from the DL. Beltre has gone streaking with at least one hit in every game since making his season debut in late-May. Here are his 2017 numbers: .207 ISO, .379 AVG, 1.043 OPS, .438 wOBA & 176 wRC+. If you narrow it down to what he’s done versus RHP, the numbers all bump up a bit higher.
Other Notables
Luis Valbuena (LAA): $2,700 vs. NYY (1B eligible)
Shortstop
Jordy Mercer (PIT): $3,600 vs. COL
Starting slow this season, Mercer has been raking the last month. A career lefty-killer, he’s been doing most of his damage against righties this year. A career .353 wOBA and 127 wRC+ against southpaws, he should bat leadoff versus Kyle Freeland. He’s not known for power, but likely getting three ABs versus a lefty bodes well for him to continue his hot hitting.
Other Notables
Asdrubal Cabrera (NYM): $3,500 vs. CHC
Outfield
Guillermo Heredia (SEA): $2,700 @ MIN
Heredia has been batting in the two hole lately but that may change now that the M’s have a healthy Mitch Haniger. Even if he hits lower in the order, he’s seeing lefties fairly well this season with a respectable .338 wOBA and 115 wRC+ in his 61 plate appearances in 2017. The higher he hits though, the more I like him as he’s dirt cheap. If he’s somehow out of the lineup, you can pivot to Brian Goodwin (below) at the same price who should also be batting second. Either are fine punt OF plays, but I like Heredia slightly more.
Melky Cabrera (CWS): $3,500 vs. BAL
The Melk Man has somewhat of a down year thus far, but he’s still in play today versus a lefty in Wade Miley. Cabrera was lucky last year when it came to batted ball data, this year he’s not been nearly as fortunate with the BABIP monster but still has a solid .221 ISO, .336 wOBA and 106 wRC+ versus lefties. If you can afford it, his teammate, Avisail Garcia makes an even better play, but is $1,000 more. I like a few White Sox today as a sneaky stack and Melky should be batting in the two hole.
Billy Hamilton (CIN): $3,900 @ SD
This play is very simple today, Hamilton is a stolen base machine and the price is right. In 147 career IP, Luis Perdomo has allowed a 100% steal rate. That’s not an error, it’s true! Runners are 12/12 against him on the base paths. It’s somewhat odd that teams haven’t tried to run on him more, but that will surely be put to the test tonight. Hamilton will no doubt leadoff against the Padres, and when he gets on, he’s as good as gone. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him steal third as well.
Other Notables
Brian Goodwin (WAS): $2,700 vs. ATL
Gregory Polanco (PIT): $3,300 vs. COL
Robbie Grossman/Max Kepler (MIN): $3,700 each vs. SEA
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Josh Dalley is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, follow him @JoshDalley72
