Less than a week remains in the MLB regular season, so be sure to get your fill of DFS fantasy baseball before the offseason begins for most teams. Tonight, DraftKings features a lighter four-game main slate, which begins at 6:40 p.m. ET. The Phillies host the Cubs in the first game of the night before three divisional matchups round out the small slate.
Even though there are only eight teams in the player pool, you may find yourself running short of salary cap space as you build your roster for Monday night. If you’re shopping for good options at the cheaper end of the salary structure this Monday, check out these three value plays that bring excellent upside at affordable salaries.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $75K Relay Throw [$20K to 1st]
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SP Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants, $6,500
After missing most of the season with a shoulder injury, Rodriguez is coming off an outstanding outing and making a strong case to be included in Arizona’s postseason plans. He has only pitched in eight games this year and posted an impressive 5.09 ERA. His 4.10 FIP is marginally better, but his most recent start is the biggest reason to go with the veteran lefty as a cheap starting pitcher on Monday night. On Wednesday, he held the Rockies to two runs in 6 1/3 innings at Coors Field while racking up 11 strikeouts on his way to a season-high 32.7 fantasy points. He had seven strikeouts and 16.5 fantasy points in his previous outing against the Brewers too, so he is defintely trending in the right direction after a few rocky outings early in September.
Rodriguez is the second-cheapest option on the board this Monday but brings a very high ceiling into a favorable matchup against the Giants. Over the last 30 days, the Giants rank in the bottom 10 in the MLB in runs scored and third in K%, behind only the Rockies and Red Sox. The Giants have had a great road trip so far, going 5-1 against the Orioles and Royals, but their offense is still a good matchup for Rodriguez, who should be able to return value, especially if he can keep those K’s coming.
SS Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays, $3,400
Story is another veteran with a low salary after missing most of the season with an injury. Since returning to the Red Sox on September 7, Story has gone 13-for-46 (.283) in 13 games with two home runs, four stolen bases, and an average of 8.1 fantasy points per contest.
Last Wednesday, Story showcased his ceiling with a home run, two stolen bases, and 29 fantasy points. He also had 14 fantasy points on Friday. He got the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader off, but he should be back in the lineup and ready to roll for the Red Sox series opener at Rogers Centre against Chris Bassitt ($8,000).
1B Jon Singleton, Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners, $3,000
Singleton hasn’t started any of the last three games for the Astros, but he will likely be back in the mix on Monday against right-handed starting pitcher Bryce Miller ($8,400) and the Mariners. Miller has allowed lefties like Singleton post a .295 wOBA against him with a .401 slugging percentage while holding righties to just a .228 wOBA.
Singleton has hit .289 (11-for-38) in September with four doubles, a triple, a home run, and a .397 wOBA. The 33-year-old lefty’s extra base and power potential give him a high ceiling for a play at only $3,000. He has at least seven fantasy points in three of his last four games with multiple at-bats and has five games with double-digit fantasy points in his 13 September contests.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $75K Relay Throw [$20K to 1st]
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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.
