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, 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.
Ivan Nova was a disaster last week, and so were a few of our picks. Fortunately, Adrian Sanchez had a great game for a cheap bat, and Yadier Molina came through with a grand slam, adding to our home run total this year.
Value Homers This Season: 17
Check out today’s MLB Moonshot contest at DraftKings 
Pitcher
Jon Gray (COL): $7,600 vs. ATL
If you have read any content that I have put out just about anywhere, you will notice that I have an affinity for Jon Gray. The talent is there, he just has not really put it together this year. This play is a testament to how bad the slate looks at the position tonight, but Gray has been steadily improving. The Braves have not made the most of their time at Coors Field. Gray has actually been good at his home field. These factors put Gray firmly on my radar tonight.
Catcher
James McCann (DET): $3,400 @ TEX
Cole Hamels is an option we can look to as a pitcher tonight, but the lack of strikeouts generally keeps me off of him. The Tigers are better against left-handed pitching, and McCann specifically has seen a lot of his production come against them. The price is fair, and honestly, he has some of the highest upside at the position all things considered tonight. I like him for his upside in tournaments.
First Base
Mike Napoli (TEX): $3,400 vs. DET
I do not know how I missed him the first time through my viewing of DK pricing and matchups, but Napoli against Anibal Sanchez is an alluring tournament option. Sanchez has allowed a .409 wOBA, 38.7% fly ball rate, 26.1% HR/FB ratio and 42.6% hard contact. Napoli is by no means a good overall hitter, but it is that power aspect we are looking for in this matchup, and it would not shock me to see him go deep tonight.
Second Base
Jose Peraza (CIN): $3,200 @ CHC
The second base position is really thin for value. The only guy who really sets up in a good matchup is Rougned Odor, but I do not want to list two Rangers in a row. I do not mind Peraza tonight, as I think the Reds can get to John Lackey. While Lackey’s struggles are far worse to left-handed bats, he is still giving up 39% fly balls and 34% hard contact to righties, while allowing a 18% HR/FB ratio. The potential is there at a nice price point.
Third Base
Todd Frazier (NYY): $3,500 @ NYM
Frazier is not a good hitter. He is in the Mike Napoli camp as well. He can, however, hit home runs, though the total this year is not great. He has not been a consistent producer, but I actually like the spot for the Yankees tonight against Robert Gsellman. Though he does not give up a ton of fly balls, I do think this is a matchup that Frazier can exploit, making him a solid punt in tournaments.
Shortstop
Amed Rosario (NYM): $3,100 vs. NYY
Let’s flip right over to the other side of the game and talk about Rosario. He has not looked awful in his time at the top level of the game, and quite a few of his hits have gone for extra bases, which is always a bonus. Jaime Garcia can best be described as an average at best pitcher who does not have a ton of glaring errors, but not a lot going for him either. I like the price and the matchup, and that is enough for me tonight.
Outfield
Yasiel Puig (LAD): $3,400 vs. CWS
While I do not hate the idea of using Carlos Rodon tonight against the Dodgers, it is worth noting that he has had issues with the long ball since coming off the DL. The 32.2% fly ball rate is not huge, but the 24.1% HR/FB ratio is bothersome. I do think he could still have a solid game even if he does give up one or two long balls. Puig could be the guy who takes him deep.
Bradley Zimmer (CLE): $3,200 vs. MIN
Zimmer has been AWFUL in August. I believe he has not even recorded a hit. It is just that the matchup is so good tonight against Kyle Gibson. The .381 wOBA, 33.5% fly ball rate, 13.8% HR/FB ratio and 35.6% hard contact all make me believe that Zimmer could get out of his slump tonight. He is not someone I want to touch in cash games, but there is merit in tournaments.
Jesse Winker (CIN): $3,100 @ CHC
It should be no surprise that Winker makes it here with John Lackey on the mound. Lackey has given up a .383 wOBA, 38.2% fly ball rate, 22.5% HR/FB ratio, and 42.1% hard contact. This is a perfect situation, and we are getting a guy who can do some damage for next to nothing. With pitching being expensive tonight, he’s a great source of salary relief.
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.
