MLB DFS Value Vault April 18: Frankie Montas Facing the Orioles

Published: Apr 18, 2022
What began as a nine game MLB DFS slate tonight quickly became seven thanks to rain in Cleveland and Washington DC. Rain is also expected in New York and Oakland tonight, but as of mid-afternoon, it does appear that both games should be completed. Value is needed to build a lineup that will leave us finishing in the green, so let’s take a look at some options I’m targeting on DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo that can help fit in some studs.
Pitchers
Frankie Montas (OAK); DraftKings - $7,300
There is rain in the forecast tonight in Oakland, but at under 50% (as of 2pm) it looks like it might just be a steady annoyance all night. In a park that is pitcher friendly to begin with, I see this benefiting Montas as does his opponent as Baltimore’s implied run total is just 3.13. More than anything, I am baffled by the price we are seeing for Montas on DK, and I’m thinking we eat the chalk. After allowing five runs in his first start, Montas rebounded allowing just one run in 6.1 innings against Tampa Bay while striking out six.
Luis GarcÃa (HOU); FanDuel - $6,700; Yahoo - $37
I did a double take here to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me today as we are seeing some interesting pricing across sites. The Astros took things cautiously with Garcia in his first start of the season as he only lasted four innings against Arizona. It wasn’t performance based as Garcia didn’t allow a run as he limited the Diamondbacks to just two hits and two walks although he only struck out one. Houston is going to be cautious with Garcia’s workload, but it’s also hard to argue with the price and the right-hander benefits from Mike Trout likely being out of the lineup tonight.
Hitters
Josh Lowe, OF (TB); Draft Kings - $2,900; Fanduel - $2,500; Yahoo - $7
Lowe has struggled to start the season with just four hits in 29 at bats (three singles and a triple) while driving in just one run, but Tampa Bay remains committed to letting him sort things out at the major league level (at least for now). In Lowe we get a low-cost option, with the platoon advantage, to target Kyle Hendricks who has had an uneven start to the season. Based on what we saw in the minor leagues, we know that Lowe can hit so it’s worth a GPP look.
Rowdy Tellez, 1B (MIL); DraftKings - $2,500; Fanduel - $2,400; Yahoo - $16
You are forgiven for now being scared of Pittsburgh right-hander Zach Thompson tonight, and I like Tellez to capitalize in the middle of Milwaukee’s lineup. Through 27 at bats this season, Tellez is hitting .296 with one home run and five RBI in what looks like the beginnings of a solid 2022 season. For his career, 37 of Tellez’s 45 home runs have come against right-handed pitching (along with 95 RBI in 655 plate appearances), so we get a platoon advantage in the power department as well.
Gavin Lux, 2B/OF (LAD); DraftKings - $3,300; Fanduel - $3,200; Yahoo - $16
Lux hasn’t had a game yet this season in which he failed to register a fantasy point, and in four of his last six games, he has broken double figures on DK. The fact that he bats ninth really isn’t a problem here as it’s hard to argue with what we see out of the Dodgers’ lineup and Lux batting .320 with nine runs scored, five RBI, seven walks, and two stolen bases doesn’t hurt either. I’m a little surprised his price hasn’t jumped closer to $4k.
Sam Hilliard, OF (COL); DraftKings - $2,700; Fanduel - $2,500; Yahoo - $12
Batting eighth Colorado tonight, Hilliard gives us some cheap exposure to Coors Field even if it does come against Aaron Nola. Hillard hasn’t gotten much playing time so far this season, 12 at bats, but he does have three hits and the outfielder does have some solid plate skills.
Player News
Braves claimed RHP José Ruiz off waivers from the Phillies.
Ruiz heads to Atlanta after posting a calamitous 8.16 ERA across 14 1/3 innings (16 appearances) this season for the division-rival Phillies. The 30-year-old righty, who was designated for assignment last weekend, has made 280 career appearances in the majors dating back to 2017.
Giants sent C Sam Huff outright to Triple-A Sacramento.
Huff went unclaimed on waivers after being jettisoned from San Francisco’s active roster earlier this week. The 27-year-old former prospect hit just .208 (11-for-53) with two homers and four RBI over 20 games with the Giants. He also struck out 25 times in 58 plate appearances during that span. He’ll remain with the club as organizational catching depth.
Josh Lowe and Jonathan Aranda are not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Marlins.
Lowe and Aranda head to the bench with tough lefty Ryan Weathers taking the ball on Saturday afternoon for Miami. The Rays will roll out their assortment of lefty-mashing platoon options, including José Caballaro in right field and Curtis Mead in right field and at first base, respectively. It’s worth noting that Mead is on a hot streak of late, hitting .300 (6-for-20) with two homers and one steal over his last seven games.
Cam Smith (illness) remains out of the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Guardians.
Smith will sit out his second straight game as he continues to battle an illness that led to him being a late scratch from Friday’s lineup. The 22-year-old top prospect has endured an up-and-down rookie campaign, which isn’t uncommon as young player acclimates to everyday life in the big leagues. It’ll be versatile veteran Mauricio Dubón taking over in right field on Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Kyle Stowers (hand) remains out of the lineup for the third consecutive game on Saturday against the Rays.
Stowers is dealing with a lingering hand issue, which has kept him on the bench since Tuesday’s contest against the Rockies. It doesn’t sound like a massive concern, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should continue monitoring. It’ll be Jesús Sánchez moving over to cover left field with Eric Wagaman in the opposite corner on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field.
Bryson Stott is not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Pirates.
Stott gets a rare day off with lefty Bailey Falter drawing the starting assignment on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park. It’ll be Trea Turner moving up to the leadoff spot in his absence. The 27-year-old second baseman has been scuffling in recent weeks, batting .198 (23-for-116) with two homers, 11 RBI and four steals over his last 30 games. Veteran lefty-masher Edmundo Sosa is getting a turn at the keystone in his place.