After a busy weekend with action across the country for all 30 Major League Baseball teams, the league takes a little bit of a reset this Monday and has just six games on the main MLB DFS slate on DraftKings. While the Red Sox have their traditional Patriots Day game and the Yankees visit the Guardians early in the evening, the main slate starts at 6:40 p.m. ET and includes the six games under the lights. With some intriguing matchups and interesting storylines in the 12-team player pool, the slate is loaded with superstars to consider building around. Don’t worry, though, the slate also offers some great salary-saving options that can help you keep a high ceiling while leaving plenty of salary to spend. In this post, we’ll dive into the bargain bin and find three MLB DFS Bargain Plays for this Monday, 4/21/25.
The Phillies-Mets game in New York and the Padres-Tigers matchup in Detroit could have some weather issues, so be sure to keep a close eye on the latest updates for those games before the contests lock. It’s also extremely important to keep up with the latest lineups and injury news to see who is in and who is out of the lineups this Monday night.
As you make out your lineup card for these contests, be sure to check out the full range of MLB DFS coverage from the team at DKNetwork since Bargain values are just one piece of the MLB DFS picture to consider.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
SP Max Meyer, Miami Marlins vs. Cincinnati Reds, $7,600
In case you missed it in the Easter Sunday news cycle, the Reds scored an impressive 24 runs in their win on Sunday afternoon in Baltimore. Going right at that offense on the next day is a high-risk strategy, but Meyer brings a high enough ceiling that he is worth going against the flow to get both leverage and a high ceiling.
Meyer has been very solid all season, earning at least 16 fantasy points in each of his four starts, even though he is 1-2 on the year. He has compiled a 2.63 ERA, 3.40 FIP and 1.13 WHIP while striking out 27 batters in 24 innings. He has at least seven strikeouts in three of his four starts, and the only time he didn’t reach that level of punchouts, he held the Mets to two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings to earn 23.9 fantasy points.
The 26-year-old righty has gotten off to a great start to the season and brings a very high ceiling with his strikeout rate against the Reds. Before their breakout on Sunday, the Reds’ offense was decent but not spectacular, so I don’t see them as a must-avoid matchup at this point.
2B/SS Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants, $2,000
The Brewers promoted Durbin to the majors last Friday, and Brewers manager Pat Murphy made it clear that Durbin will be the team’s starting 3B going forward. He wasn’t in the DraftKings player pool Friday or Saturday, but he’s available at the minimum salary with dual eligibility at 2B and SS for this Monday’s matchup in San Francisco.
Durbin went 2-for-4 with a run scored and eight fantasy points in his MLB debut on Friday and had his first MLB stolen base of his career on Sunday to produce nine fantasy points without even getting a hit. This spring, Durbin impressed with 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts and hit .259 with a pair of homers and a .334 wOBA. It was a great first impression with the Brew Crew after he came over in the trade for Devin Williams. Durbin stole 31 bases and hit 10 homers with a .378 wOBA in the minors last year, and he brings great upside and versatility at the minimum salary.
OF Tirso Ornelas, San Diego Padres at Detroit Tigers, $2,000
I highlighted Ornelas as a long-shot to consider for the NL Rookie of the Year coming into the season, and the 25-year-old was called up over the weekend when Jason Heyward (knee) landed on the injured list. Ornelas didn’t start a game yet, though, since the Padres faced lefty Framber Valdez on Sunday. Ornelas did pinch-hit and play two innings in center field in his MLB debut on Friday, going 0-for-1 with a flyout as a pinch hitter.
After signing with the Padres at just 17 years old in 2017, Ornelas worked his way up through the system. Last year, he smashed 23 homers in Triple-A with a .297 batting average, .200 ISO and .376 wOBA. He also starred in the Mexican Winter League for the Charros de Jalisco, where he hit .289 with seven home runs and nine stolen bases in 48 games.
In spring training, he also made a strong case for a chance in the majors by hitting .294 with five home runs and a .451 wOBA in the Cactus League. He started the year in Triple-A once again, hitting .281 with a home run, three stolen bases, and a .359 wOBA.
If he makes his first MLB start on Monday night against righty Jack Flaherty ($8,500) in Detroit, Ornelas will be a great MLB DFS bargain at the minimum salary. He comes loaded with multi-category upside.
