Welcome back to another edition of our MLB Value Plays on DraftKings. We will be offering a pitcher under $8k, as well as a hitter at each position and three in the outfield, that are priced $3.5k or below. A new feature to my value play article this year will be keeping track of how many home runs we have provided to our readers.
Jon Gray came through for us as a value pitcher, which was nice to see. It was nice to see because, aside from Yasiel Puig, the picks on that list were beyond awful. Usually, we have 4-5 guys who at least do well, but last week was as bad as it gets. This week should be substantially better.
Value Homers This Season: 17
Check out today’s MLB Moonshot contest at DraftKings 
Pitcher
Luke Weaver (STL): $6,900 vs. SDP
We do typically like to have the Padres in their own stadium, but I am fine with this being in St. Louis. What does concern me a bit is that the Padres just put up double-digit runs on the Cardinals last night. I do think this is the exception and not the rule because this is the Padres after all. Weaver has some serious strikeout upside, and at under $7k on DraftKings, I think we are getting a steal.
Catcher
Salvador Perez (KCR): $3,400 vs. COL
Antonio Senzatela is on the mound for the Rockies tonight. He is an average, at best, pitcher. He has put together some successful games this year, but I just have this gut feeling that the Royals are going to roll the Rockies. Perez always has some pretty nice upside for a catcher, and even though we are not saving a ton of money at the position, I do not mind using Perez.
First Base
Mike Napoli (TEX): $3,600 @ LAA
I went with Napoli last week here, and he returned the favor by going 0-5 with three strikeouts. What a jerk. Andrew Heaney should have some major issues with this lineup, and Napoli is always a sneaky candidate for a double-dong night. We cannot use Heaney’s stats because they are limited, but are also not good.
Second Base
Ozzie Albies (ATL): $3,500 vs. SEA
Albies has been playing very well as of late, and his price is starting to creep upward, so this could be the last time we are able to use him at this price. Is he a guy who is likely to go deep? No. He is, however, a guy who could end up putting together a nice state line. Erasmo Ramirez and his 33% fly ball rate, 25.7% HR/FB ratio and 45.4% hard contact are likely to be hit around tonight.
Third Base
Maikel Franco (PHI) : $3,000 vs. MIA
Yeah, I know that Franco has been all kinds of bad. I get it. At the same time, though, he is good for a one off here and there. That is what I think he can do tonight against Justin Nicolino. Nicolino falls into the category of being a worse pitcher than his stats indicate. I think Franco could come through with a bomb tonight, which would make him more than pay off his salary.
Shortstop
Amed Rosario (NYM): $2,800 vs. ARI
Zack Godley is a good pitcher, but unfortunately, there is not much else to choose from at the shortstop position. Rosario is dirt cheap and has been at least solid since coming up to the big leagues. He has rarely left you empty handed, and even though he might not hit double-digit points, he could still give you something. That could be enough tonight.
Outfield
Jon Jay (CHC) : $3,300 @ CIN
Jay is an avoidable fantasy option on most nights, but for whatever reason, his name keeps jumping out at me. Asher Wojciechowski is on the mound for the Reds, and he just is not a good pitcher. The stats are all bad, to both sides of the plate. It makes a ton of sense to stack the Cubs tonight. Jay could really wind up anywhere in the lineup, but my gut says he is up top.
Leury Garcia (CHW): $3,400 vs. MIN
There really is not a lot to love in the value tier in the outfield either, which is somewhat surprising. Garcia is an unheralded DFS option, because, like most of his ilk, he is a better baseball player than fantasy option. Still, I think he could be worth a look in your lineups tonight. Ervin Santana has been giving up some runs, and Garcia could find himself crossing the plate.
Jose Bautista (TOR): $3,100 @ TB
I am sitting here thinking to myself: how is Jose Bautista this cheap? Then I remembered that this is 2017 and he has been awful. Still, he can be useful here and there in DFS. Austin Pruitt has not been great against right-handed bats, allowing a .392 wOBA, 34.2% fly ball rate and 37.2% hard contact. Bautista can hopefully find some way to work tonight.
Check out today’s MLB Moonshot contest at DraftKings
Nicholas Volinchak is a correspondent at FantasyPros. You can find more of Nicholas’ baseball work at Research Fantasy. To read more from Nicholas, follow him @researchandwin.
