MLB DFS Value Vault June 2: Matthew Liberatore Against Chicago Cubs
Tonight’s slate is all over the place. We have a 7-game main slate starting at 6:40 on FanDuel, a 6-game main slate starting at 7:05 on DraftKings, and a 5-game main slate starting at 7:05 on Yahoo. Despite the small slates, we still have some solid value options today on offense and one viable mid-tier pitcher value. There are two MLB weather concerns as of right now (Mariners vs. Orioles and Angels vs. Yankees) and both look very sketchy, so make sure to keep up with the weather center today. Lastly, don’t forget to check out our Vegas Odds link for MLB implied runs totals and to use our MLB DFS lineup generator. Let’s dive into our MLB DFS picks today!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals (DraftKings - $7300 / FanDuel - $8000 / Yahoo - $32)
Matthew Liberatore struggled in his first career start, but he bounced back nicely his last time out as he pitched 5.0 shutout innings with just two hits while striking out six and picking up the win. He tossed 93 pitches, so he shouldn’t have much of a leash. This matchup with the Cubs is a fine one as they rank 12th in runs per game this season (basically average) and have the 5th highest strikeout rate in the league this year.
DFS Value Hitters
Michael Harris II, Braves (DraftKings - $2500 / FanDuel - $2500 / Yahoo - $11)
Michael Harris appears to be heating up as he has a hit and an RBI in each of the past two games. Now he takes a trip to Coors Field to take on Austin Gomber and the Rockies. I don’t overly love the lefty-lefty matchup part of this for Harris, but he offers power/speed in a combo and at nearly the minimum price in a game at Coors Field, I will take my chances on him.
Miguel Andújar, Yankees (DraftKings - $2500)
Miguel Andújar is only playable on DraftKings, but he’s a good play. He is hitting a healthy .281 through nine games this season with two steals, but his zero home runs and four total R+RBI are hurting him a bit. On the bright side, this is a strong matchup against Detmers and he has been hitting in the middle of the Yankees lineup lately. KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER.
Taylor Trammell, Mariners (DraftKings - $2000 / FanDuel - $2000)
Taylor Trammell just keeps hitting and he also just keeps being the minimum price for some reason. He is currently hitting .333 with a home run, four doubles, five RBI, and six runs scored through games. I kind of like Lyles tonight, but he’s far from an elite pitcher and there’s no reason to not like Trammell in this spot at these prices. KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER.
Nick Plummer, Mets (DraftKings - $2000 / FanDuel - $2000 / Yahoo - $11)
I expect Plummer to be back in the lineup for New York today as they will take on a righty in Gonsolin. Plummer has started off his MLB career in fantastic fashion, going 4-9 (.444) with two home runs, five RBI, and three runs scored through six games. At the minimum price, there’s really not much of a reason to not take a chance on a guy who is feeling good at the plate right now.
Bryan De La Cruz, Marlins (FanDuel - $2100)
De La Cruz is only playable on the FD slate, but I like him. He is 4-10 over the last two games with a double, two RBI, a walk, and three runs scored. He is hitting .264 on the year with a home run through 72 at-bats. Alex Wood has not pitched well this season with a 4.81 ERA and right-handed bats have crushed him, slashing .318/.375/.462 against him, compared to the .195/.244/.293 line that lefties have produced.
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Player News
Max Scherzer (thumb) threw 50 pitches over three innings in a simulated game at the Blue Jays’ spring training complex on Sunday.
Daulton Varsho was one of the hitters that took swings against him on Sunday and wound up tagging him for a home run. He will throw his normal side session in a couple of days and depending on how he feels from there the Jays will make a decision on whether or not he’ll require a minor league rehab start or if he’ll be cleared to return to the Blue Jays’ rotation.
Nationals optioned INF Nasim Nuñez to Triple-A Rochester.
The Nats plan to promote Andrés Chaparro from Triple-A Rochester on Monday and they needed to clear a spot on the active roster to do so, which pushed Nuñez back down to Triple-A. The 24-year-old infielder slashed just .195/.283/.244 with zero homers, five RBI and seven stolen bases in 47 plate appearances with the big league club.
Andrew Golden of the Washington Post reports that the Nationals plan to promote Andrés Chaparro from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
The 26-year-old slugger has appeared in 19 minor league games after returning from his oblique injury this season, slashing .288/.390/.576 with five homers, 19 RBI and a 17/10 K/BB ratio across 77 plate appearances. Nasim Nuñez was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Sunday’s game to clear a spot on the active roster.
Blue Jays optioned RHP Paxton Schultz to Triple-A Buffalo.
The Blue Jays needed to free up a spot on their active roster for the arrival of Spencer Turnbull and Schultz drew the short straw this time around. The 27-year-old hurler has done a nice job in seven appearances for the Jays this season, registering a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 21/4 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings of work. It shouldn’t take long for him to earn another opportunity with the big league club.
Blue Jays recalled RHP Spencer Turnbull from Triple-A Buffalo.
The 32-year-old hurler made five minor league starts with the Jays as he was getting stretched out, posting a miserable 7.13 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and a 14/9 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings. Turnbull is expected to make his Blue Jays’ debut on Wednesday against the Cardinals in St. Louis. We have seen Turnbull be a viable fantasy option in the big leagues before, but you’d like to see him have some sort of success before trying to trot him out there in your lineups. He makes for an intriguing stash in all formats, but wait to see what he looks like before risking the ratio damage that he could inflict.
Angels designated RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks for assignment.
The Angels needed to clear a spot on the club’s 40-man roster for the addition of LaMonte Wade Jr. on Sunday and unfortunately Darrell-Hicks was the odd-man out this time around. The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in six games with the Halos, registering a 9.39 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and a 6/4 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings. There’s a decent chance that he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Angels.