MLB DFS Value Vault June 1: Rolling With Rookie Cal Mitchell
We get a full day of baseball today, but that still leaves us with an eight-game MLB DFS main slate across all three main sites to enjoy. More important than simply enjoying the action tonight, we want to be profitable so let’s dig into some MLB DFS picks that should be on your radar for tonight. These are specific to the value tier of tonight’s slate, but as always stay on top of the latest MLB news and MLB weather leading up to the release of the MLB lineups tonight.
DFS Value Pitchers
Jeffrey Springs (TB); DraftKings - $6,200; FanDuel - $8,000; Yahoo - $34
After going two straight starts (against Toronto and Baltimore) without allowing a run, the Yankees got to Springs for two home runs in his most recent start. The good news though, is that both were of the solo variety and we got a career high six innings and 80 pitches out of Springs. Springs is striking out a batter an inning this season while walking just under two (1.89) and posting a 1.62 ERA so far this season. Both Springs' .213 BABIP and 92.1% strand rate are likely not going to continue at that level, but even regression to 2.96 FIP is more than reasonable. It’s hard to argue with his price tonight against a Texas team that, while finding their groove offensively, is still underperforming.
Hyun Jin Ryu (TOR); DraftKings - $6,500; FanDuel - $7,200; Yahoo - $32
Things have not gotten off to a strong start for Ryu this season which explains the bargain we are getting tonight against a Chicago team that is shorthanded offensively. If you look at Ryu’s last three starts, the left-hander has allowed just three earned runs over his last 15.2 innings so I’d prefer to focus on that instead of his 5.48 ERA and 1.35 WHIP overall on the season. Ryu’s 4.31 FIP says we are on the way to slightly better days although it is a concern that he is only striking out 4.70 batters per nine innings this season but with a 7.4%-barrel rate against, opposing hitters aren’t making great contact against him.
DFS Value Hitters
Cal Mitchell, OF (PIT); DraftKings - $2,100; FanDuel - $2,200; Yahoo - $9
Mitchell was hitting .306 in Triple-A prior to his promotion with five home runs and 26 RBI and he followed that up with hits in his first four games with the Pirates. The rookie has since cooled down with two hitless games, but the expectation is that he will be back atop the lineup for Pittsburgh in a favorable matchup against Mitch White and likely a good portion of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Half of Mitchell’s 18 batted balls have been hard hit, and this is a good situation for him to get back in the hit column.
Miguel Andújar, 3B/OF (NYY); DraftKings - $2,500; FanDuel - $2,200; Yahoo - $10
Since being promoted for his latest stint with the Yankees, Andujar has hits in five of seven games and New York needs all the offensive help they can get these days. In eight games overall Andujar is hitting .281 but that only takes us so far. To this point, Andujar has only driven in two runs in the big leagues but he does have experience as a run producer in the past and he has the platoon advantage in a favorable matchup against Reid Detmers and his 4.65 ERA on the season.
Franchy Cordero, 1B/OF (BOS); DraftKings - $3,100; FanDuel - $2,500; Yahoo - $15
For as talented as he is, or really for as how hard as he throws, it hasn’t been easy for Hunter Greene this season. Greene has already allowed 15 home runs this season which makes this a situation ripe for targeting tonight. Cordero is hitting .260 through 87 plate appearances with two home runs, 12 RBI, and 16 runs scored so far this season, and with the Boston offense showing what they are made of as of late, this could be a high scoring game with lots of DFS value and Cordero gets us cheap Boston exposure.
Joey Votto, 1B (CIN); DraftKings - $3,700; FanDuel - $2,500; Yahoo - $14
With hits in five of his last six games, things appear to be turning a corner for Votto. Votto is still striking out 29.5% of the time this season and batting only .179 this season and that is what has kept his price (especially on FD) down. This recent stretch has given us a cause for optimism regarding Votto, and we do know that the track record is there. Once Cincinnati gets Garrett Whitlock out of the game, we also have to feel good about targeting Boston’s bullpen.
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Player News
Manny Machado went 4-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Padres to a 3-2 win over the Giants on Tuesday.
Despite collecting three hits on the day, Machado stepped into the box in the ninth inning with the Padres still searching for their first runs. Down by two with two outs and the bases loaded, he knocked his fourth hit of the game to drive in two and tie the game. The 32-year-old third baseman is hitting an outstanding .315/.380/.489 with seven homers, 40 runs scored, 29 RBI, and seven steals across 245 plate appearances.
Heliot Ramos went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer against the Padres on Tuesday.
Ramos knocked in the only runs of the game on Tuesday, taking Ryan Bergert deep for a two-run blast to center field in the third inning. The 25-year-old outfielder is having a stellar season at the plate, slashing .293/.358/.493 with 11 homers, 39 runs scored, 31 RBI, and five steals across 257 plate appearances.
Jeremiah Estrada tossed a clean tenth inning to record the save against the Giants on Tuesday.
After the Padres tied the game in the ninth and scored the go-ahead run in the tenth, Estrada was summoned to close things out. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner on second before two groundouts ended the game with Estrada’s second save of the season.
Camilo Doval allowed two runs in the ninth inning to blow the save chance against the Padres on Tuesday.
The Giants handed the ball to Doval in the ninth to close out the game with a two-run lead. A base hit and two walks loaded the bases with two outs for Manny Machado, who knocked a base hit to drive in two runs to tie the game. It snaps a 21-game scoreless streak for Doval. Despite the blown save, expect the 27-year-old right-hander to continue to get the bulk of the Giants’ save chances.
Ryan Bergert allowed two runs with two strikeouts over five innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Tuesday.
Bergert, making his first major league start for the Padres after pitching in relief in early May, held the Giants scoreless through two innings before Heliot Ramos took him deep for a two-run blast in the third. The 25-year-old right-hander held on for two more scoreless frames to end an overall impressive first start. Bergert could get another turn through the rotation against the Brewers in Milwaukee on Sunday.
Landen Roupp tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings with five strikeouts in a no-decision against the Padres on Tuesday.
Roupp was outstanding on Tuesday, holding the Padres scoreless into the seventh inning. He scattered four hits and two walks, with no baserunners reaching scoring position against him, while collecting five strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-hander has now allowed just one earned run over 22 innings across his last four starts. Roupp will take a 3.18 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 61/22 K/BB ratio across 62 1/3 innings into a start against the Rockies in Colorado next Tuesday.