With just under two weeks remaining in the Major League Baseball regular season, Monday night brings us a nine-game main slate on DraftKings, which begins at 7:10 p.m. ET.
The Dodgers and Braves wrap up their four-game series in Atlanta. The Braves and Mets start the week in a tie for the last NL Wild Card spot with 13 games to play. The Mets are also on the slate, taking on the Nationals in one of the four divisional games. Coors Field is in play as the Rockies welcome in the Diamondbacks, and Paul Skenes toes the rubber for the Pirates against the Cardinals.
Monday brings a star-studded group of players from 18 teams to choose from. To afford the big names you want, you may have to save salary in some spots, so check out these three value plays who bring high ceilings even though they have low salaries.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $100K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Live app. You also can follow DraftKings Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
SP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox, $7,700
The White Sox and Angels have both had brutal seasons and have the two worst records in the American League. This battle of cellar-dwellers does have some interesting options for fantasy, though. Detmers will be in a great matchup against the light-hitting White Sox as he tries to continue his late-season resurgence.
The 25-year-old lefty won his first three starts of the year but then hit a major speed bump, going 0-6 with 41 runs allowed in 40 1/3 innings over eight starts. After that brutal stretch, the Angels demoted him to Triple-A in early June. Detmers seemed to have worked through his issues during his 14 starts for the Salt Lake Bees, struggling early on but then finding a nice groove over his last three starts before rejoining the Halos when rosters expanded in early September.
In his two starts since returning, Detmers earned 26.5 fantasy points against the Dodgers and 25.3 fantasy points against the Twins. He went six innings in each outing while allowing two runs and totaling 18 strikeouts in those 12 innings. The White Sox should be a much easier opponent than L.A. or Minnesota since they rank last in the MLB in runs, wOBA, and ISO this season. Detmers’ strikeout potential gives him a high ceiling if he continues his recent form in this favorable spot.
1B/OF Pavin Smith, Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies, $3,500
The Diamondbacks lead the MLB in runs scored and batting average this season and rank second in wOBA. They roll into Denver to face Antonio Senzatela ($5,500) in his first start since Tommy John surgery after he posted a 5.29 ERA and 4.31 FIP in his five rehab starts. In a favorable matchup with so much potential, you’ll want to get exposure to the Diamondbacks on Monday, and Smith is one affordable way to do that.
Smith has been playing on the strong side of the platoon for the Dbacks since Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf) landed on IL. The lefty has hit .300 (12-for-40) with four home runs and a .430 wOBA in his 20 games since being called up from Triple-A Reno in mid-August. He has two three-high games in his last five starts, going 8-for-17 (.471) in that short span. His hot bat and positional versatility make him a great way to get Coors Field exposure this Monday without breaking the bank.
2B Jordyn Adams, Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox, $2,400
The Angels have given their young outfielders a chance for an extended audition as the season winds down, partly because multiple veterans are battling injuries. Mickey Moniak ($3,300) suffered a hand contusion on a hit-by-pitch Sunday and could join Kevin Pillar (thumb), Jo Adell (oblique), Bryce Teodosio (finger), and of course Mike Trout (knee) on the sideline. All those injuries have opened up playing time, and so far, Adams has been able to step up and produce good value as a bargain outfielder.
After hitting .261 with 10 home runs, 28 stolen bases, and a .325 wOBA in his 123 games at Triple-A, the 24-year-old righty has gone 5-for-19 (.263) in his six games in the majors this season with one home run and one stolen base. He has produced at least seven fantasy points in three of his last four games, and with his combination of power and speed, he has good upside against Jonathan Cannon ($5,000) and the White Sox.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $100K Relay Throw [$50K to 1st]
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
