Building an MLB DFS lineup requires a multi-faceted approach. Strong pitching, a few home runs, and a strong lineup stack is often the recipe towards finishing the night in the green, but there are multiple paths to victory. Without an unlimited salary cap, we need to find value where we can in building MLB DFS lineups, so let’s take a look at some options that can help for today’s main slate.
Pitchers
Nick Martínez (DK - $5,900; FD - $5,700; Yahoo - $29)
After spending the last few years in Japan, Martinez is back stateside and taking the mound Monday against the Giants. Through the first three games of the season, San Francisco has scored just a combined 10 runs, and Martinez had a successful spring with a 3.00 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 12 innings. Martinez is a different pitcher than when we last saw him as he has added velocity and expanded his pitch mix. This is the perfect spot to get Martinez before his price increases and it also allows you to go in any direction you want offensively.
Dylan Bundy (DK - $5,600; FD - $6,300; Yahoo - $29)
Offenses are starting off slow this year, and with the Mariners scoring just 10 runs in their first three games, Bundy should be in a solid position tonight. With a 6.06 ERA last season, there was a lot left to be desired out of the right-hander, but with a 4.79 xERA and a 3.29 ERA in 2020, I wouldn’t classify Bundy as a lost cause. At this price, we don’t need much, and while we don’t want to read too much into Spring Training, Bundy did pitch well.
Hitters
Heliot Ramos, OF (DK - $2,000; FD – N/A; Yahoo - $12)
The Giants didn’t promote Ramos not to play him, and there he was starting and batting sixth on Sunday. After going two for three on Sunday with two singles and a run scored, I would expect Ramos to be back in the lineup once again tonight and he should remain in the lineup as long as he continues to produce. With an exit velocity of 107 miles per hour on his first career hit, there wasn’t much of adjustment period for Ramos.
Jurickson Profar, 2B/OF (DK - $2,400; FD - $2,300; Yahoo - $11)
Yes, I know there are other games tonight, but Profar has played in all three games for San Diego to begin the season and his price has been slow to adjust. Profar has at least hit in all three games, and that includes a home run in each of his last two. On Sunday, that came in the form of a grand slam and to begin the season Profar is batting .400 with a .538 on-base percentage and six RBI.
Gary Sánchez, C (DK - $2,800; FD - $2,500; Yahoo - $13)
Sanchez got a fresh start in Minnesota and the catcher took advantage of things on Sunday. The talent was never in question, but Sanchez struggled to find consistency, and at this price, things are certainly worth investigating. His first home run of the season came on Sunday, a grand slam in fact, and Sanchez also picked up an RBI double. This gives us a cost-effective path at filling the catcher spot and a solid chance at a home run is all we can ask for.
Tony Kemp, 2B/OF (DK $3,300; FD - $2,300; Yahoo – N/A)
As far as DFS assets go, the A’s are pretty far down on the list, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be found. Especially on FD, it’s hard to ignore Oakland’s lead-off hitter after he went three for five on Sunday while driving in two runs. Kemp is hitting .333 through the first three games of the season, and based on the price, we aren’t asking for too much here.
Player News
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Zack Littell is a likely trade candidate this summer.
Littell is pitching fine this year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 48/11 K/BB ratio in 74 2/3 innings, but he’ll be a free agent in the off-season, so the Rays will likely try and get something back for him. It helps that Shane McClanahan (nerve issue) will likely return to the rotation in late July, and the Rays also have Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour ready to go at Triple-A.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Brandon Lowe figures to be “very attractive in this [trade] market.”
Lowe only has one more year of team control, but it’s an $11.6 million team option for 2026 that the Rays may not be inclined to pay. However, that price is not a steep one for bigger budget teams. Lowe has 11 home runs and a .720 OPS in 55 games this year and continues to produce against right-handed pitching. He could be an intriguing second baseman or DH for a contending team.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Nick Martinez could be an attractive starting pitcher on the trade market.
Martinez signed a qualifying offer in the off-season, so he will be owed just $7 million over the final two months of the season. The 34-year-old has a 3.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 47/15 K/BB ratio in 69 1/3 innings for the Reds this season and could be a solid upgrade for a contender at the end of their rotation.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Pirates “won’t be opposed to shipping away” Bryan Reynolds or Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Hayes is still owed $36 million over four more seasons, while Reynolds is owed $76 million over five more years. Neither contract is too pricey for a contender to take on. Even though Hayes hasn’t broken out like many people expected, he makes only $7 million per season and still plays strong defense at third base. That could entice a team like the Yankees, who could shift Jazz Chisholm back to second base. Similarly, $15 million per year for Reynolds is not a steep price to pay, especially since the 30-year-old has started to turn it around of late. Given their years of control remaining, some team would need to part with some prospects of note to land either player.
Otto Kemp went 2-for-4 with a home run for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.
Kemp is now hitting .324/.417/.616 in 55 games at Triple-A with 14 home runs, 10 steals, and 53 RBI. He’s ready for the big leagues. The Phillies have played him at first base, second base, third base, and left field so far this season, and even if there is no spot for him in the lineup, he seems to make sense as a utility player off the bench given how well he’s hitting.
Keston Hiura is starting at first base and batting seventh on Wednesday against the Marlins.
Hiura has now started three of four games since being promoted to take Michael Toglia’s spot on the roster. He has gone 1-for-6 in his previous two games with one strikeout and two runs scored. We’re skeptical he remains an option for the Rockies in the second half of the season.