MLB DFS Value Vault May 23: Marco Gonzales Facing Oakland
What better way to start off the week than with a 10-game MLB DFS main slate? All three major sites are kicking things off at 7:05 on the east coast, and as always, we need to stay up to date on all of the latest MLB news and MLB weather. Tonight’s MLB lineups should offer up a multitude of MLB DFS value plays so let’s dig into some top fantasy baseball picks to finish in the green.
DFS Value Pitchers
Marco Gonzales (SEA); DraftKings - $5,300; FanDuel - $8,200; Yahoo - $36
Any time we get a pitcher facing Oakland, it becomes a streaming opportunity, and Gonzales’ price is simply way too low on DK and quite reasonable on the other two sites. The A’s are hitting just .206 on the season with a wRC+ of only 79, and tonight Gonzales is in place to take advantage. However, we are playing with a little bit of fire here as there is a wide disparity between Gonzales’ 3.08 ERA and 5.17 xERA and he is only striking out 5.68 batters per nine innings. But if there was ever a time to roll with the southpaw, tonight would be it and he certainly is getting results so far this year.
Zach Davies (ARI); DraftKings - $6,000; FanDuel - $7,300; Yahoo - $27
Another offense I feel comfortable targeting is Kansas City, and Davies has been a solid option so far this season. You are going to have to look for true upside elsewhere, but with a 4.35 ERA (3.82 xERA), there are a lot worse options than Davies. The fact that he only strikes out about seven batters per nine innings is problematic from a DFS perspective. Davies has found success by limiting the quality of the contact against him as opposing hitters have a barrel rate of just 5.9% and a hard-hit rate of only 28.6% along with an 85.6 mile per hour average exit velocity. All three marks are career bests, and it is a large factor in Davies’ success.
DFS Value Hitters
Amed Rosario, SS/OF (CLE); DraftKings - $3,800; FanDuel - $2,300; Yahoo - $11
While he is a strong pitcher, Luis GarcÃa is also hittable and there is a notable salary gap between DK and the other two sites tonight. Rosario has hits in four of his last five games, along with two stolen bases, to bring his average up to .242 on the season but, with a strikeout rate of just 12.8%, he does a good job of putting the bat on the ball. Batting at the top of Cleveland’s lineup has been good for Rosario resulting in 16 runs scored on the season, and if the Guardians get anything going, Rosario figures to be a part of it.
Pavin Smith, 1B/OF (ARI); DraftKings - $3,400; FanDuel - $2,300; Yahoo - $11
Despite his 3.48 ERA, you don’t have to really twist my arm to target Zack Greinke as his 5.20 xERA shows that some trouble is on the horizon. Smith has at least one hit in eight of his 10 games as he appears to be finding some consistency after hitting .276 in April. Strikeouts are an issue, 30.9% of the time, but Smith does have 17 RBI and four home runs so far this season. Perhaps most appealing here, is Smith’s 13.8% barrel-rate as he does make solid contact.
Javier Báez, 2B/SS (DET); FanDuel - $2,500; Yahoo - $8
It just feels strange to see Baez this cheap, but the fact that his home run on Sunday was only his third on the season (in 127 plate appearances) is equally as weird. Things just aren’t going well for Baez in his first season for the Tigers, but there is no disputing the talent and upside. Plus, is anyone really concerned about going against Chris Archer? From a power and Statcast perspective, Baez isn't hitting at levels we previously saw from him, but there is the possibility that yesterday’s long ball gets the infielder going. Take the bargain compared to his price on DK ($4,500) and invest elsewhere tonight as there certainly will be other opportunities to spend that money.
Adley Rutschman, C (BAL); DraftKings - $2,000; FanDuel - $2,500; Yahoo - $14
The rookie made his much-anticipated debut over the weekend and promptly picked up a hit in each game. We know all about the track record here, and Rutschman is only going to get more expensive moving forward. Baltimore is committed to playing their top prospect regularly, and he has made his presence felt. Getting a minimum priced catcher on DK is always going to be a nice start to your lineup build.
Fantasy Alarm is the home of all things Fantasy Sports. Bringing you the best Fantasy Football, Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Basketball content all year long. Be sure to also check out the best fantasy promo codes on offer today!
Dominate your MLB DFS contests with our DFS Playbook, Core Plays, Value Vault, Podcasts, Lineup Generator, Player Projections, & Draft Percentage Forecaster
Related Links:
Player News
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.
Angels acquired 1B/OF LaMonte Wade Jr. from the Giants for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The 31-year-old was designated for assignment by the Giants on Wednesday so they were willing to flip him for anything that they could get at this stage. Wade will stay on the west coast and add a valuable and versatile left-handed bat to the Angels’ bench. He was hitting a meager .167/.275/.271 with one homer and 15 RBI in 169 plate appearances with the Giants.
X-rays on the injured right hand of Giants’ third baseman Matt Chapman came back negative for any fractures on Sunday.
Chapman jammed his hand on first base while diving back on a pickoff attempt during Sunday’s victory over the Braves. It sounds like he was fortunate to have avoided any significant injuries and should be considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should check on his status prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Rockies in Colorado just to be on the safe side.
Jacob Wilson went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI as the Athletics triumphed over the Orioles 5-1 on Sunday afternoon in West Sacramento.
The 23-year-old shortstop delivered a run-scoring single off of Tomoyuki Sugano in the second inning that extended the A’s early lead to 4-1. He then led off the fifth inning with a double but the Athletics were unable to cash him in. He has been outstanding so far this season, slashing a blistering .372/.408/.528 with eight homers, 38 RBI and five stolen bases in what has been a breakout first half of the season.