A 13-game MLB slate with zero weather concerns? It must be my birthday.
Editor’s Note: It is not my birthday. My birthday is February 29th and, to answer your question, it is a little annoying to be born on the leap year.
Let’s dive in and find some studs and values on the diamond for this evening.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
PITCHER
Stud
Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels, $9,500 – Let’s not overthink this one. While Ragans is the most expensive pitcher on the board, there’s a case to be made that he’s still a value with a price tag below $10K. The left-hander has been even better in 2024 than he was in his breakout campaign last season, managing a 3.18 ERA and a 2.94 FIP across 147.1 innings. Ragans is also sixth in MLB in strikeout rate (28.9%) and second in the American League in raw strikeouts (174). He’s a bonafide ace and he should dominate an Angels lineup that’s struggled to an 88 wRC+ so far in August.
Value
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates at Texas Rangers, $7,700 – I know. Believe me. I know. Keller’s been abysmal in his last two outings, surrendering 15 earned runs in just nine innings. However, the right-hander had been so good prior to those two starts that I have a hard time seeing these issues continue much longer. In his first 22 appearances of 2024, Keller posted a 3.20 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He was as expensive as $9.6K back in mid-July. That’s not necessarily an indicator of future success, however it is illustrative of how odd it is to see Keller this cheap on a featured slate. Texas has a pedestrian 96 wRC+ in August. This isn’t a matchup to fear, so I’d take a chance with Keller’s larger sample and track record on Tuesday.
INFIELD
Stud
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels, $6,600 – It’s a hot topic of conversation online, but allow me to marvel at Witt’s home splits for a moment. In 267 plate appearances in Kansas City, the All-Star is slashing .401/.453/.721 with a .320 ISO and a 213 wRC+. Witt will look to add to those impressive numbers this evening in an opposite-hand matchup with Tyler Anderson ($8,200), who sports a 4.77 xFIP overall and a 4.69 ERA since June 30.
Value
Carlos Santana, Minnesota Twins at San Diego Padres, $3,800 – Santana is a switch-hitter, but in 2024, you want to make sure you’re using the veteran in matchups against LHPs. In his 125 plate appearances within the split, Santana is slashing .296/.352/.583 with a 160 wRC+. The lefty in question tonight? Martin Perez ($6,800). Perez owns a 5.44 xERA this season and is giving up 1.63 home runs per nine to right-handed opponents. Woof.
Value
Will Wagner, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cincinnati Reds, $2,500 – You really can’t ask for a better start to your MLB career than Wagner has had the last week. The rookie is 9-for-19 (.474) with a .471 expected wOBA and a 225 wRC+ in 20 plate appearances. It’s a small sample, but this is also a small price tag. Carson Spiers ($6,400) has had his problems with LHBs, as well. Lefties are hitting .290 off Spiers and averaging 1.64 home runs per nine.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox, $6,000 – Alvarez has been scorching hot since the calendar flipped to August, slashing .407/.522/.759 with a 250 wRC+. It takes quite the run to be considering a “hot streak” by Alvarez’s standards, too. This is a man with a career .406 wOBA and a 166 wRC+, after all. On Tuesday, Alvarez and the Astros will be opposed by Nick Pivetta ($7,800). The Red Sox’s RHP has surrendered multiple long balls in four consecutive starts. In fact, Pivetta is giving up 2.88 opposing home runs per nine dating back to the All-Star break.
Stud
Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs vs. Detroit Tigers, $4,500 – Happ got off to a slow start in April, but he’s been quite good since the beginning of May — especially against left-handed pitching. In that span, Happ has taken 86 plate appearances as an RHB, mustering a .282 ISO and a 147 wRC+. It seems like 29-year-old journeyman Bryan Sammons ($6,000) is going to pitch the bulk of the innings of the Tigers this evening. He’s been fine in his cup of coffee the past few weeks, yet Happ has a clear advantage in this matchup.
Value
Michael Conforto, San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago White Sox, $4,000 – Conforto’s successes can sometimes sneak under the radar, but the veteran outfielder has been very good in August, hitting .333 with three home runs and a 195 wRC+ in the month. On Tuesday, Conforto will draw an opposite-hand matchup with Davis Martin ($6,500). Martin is in possession of a 4.55 xERA. The White Sox’s bullpen has a 5.88 ERA since the All-Star break. Whatever happens, this looks like a good spot for Conforto and his teammates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
