Major League Baseball gets another work week rolling with eight games under the lights this Monday. Those eight games provide a solid selection of 16 teams in the player pool for Monday’s MLB DFS fantasy baseball contests, which lock at 7:05 p.m. ET. A few big-name aces highlight the slate, but it also looks like a good night for offense with several very favorable matchups. As you assemble your squad, check out these three top MLB DFS Bargain Plays for Monday, 5/12/25, who bring high ceilings at affordable salaries.
As is usual at this time of year, the weather could cause some issues in a few locations, so be sure to keep a close eye on the forecast in Atlanta and possibly Chicago. Especially for value plays, it’s also critical to check and make sure that the players are in the lineup as expected, since some are cheaper due to their role in timeshares.
As you make out your lineup card for Monday, be sure to check out the full range of MLB DFS coverage from the team at DKNetwork, since these 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 Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees at Seattle Mariners, $7,500
Schmidt gets the start Monday night in Seattle as the Yankees continue their West Coast trip. The 29-year-old righty has unattractive numbers for the season, but he seems to be starting to find his groove after a late start to the season. He is 0-1 with a 4.79 ERA, 4.62 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP but has been much better than those numbers indicate lately.
In his last two starts, Schmidt has allowed a total of three runs in 11 innings with 10 strikeouts. He didn’t earn the win in either outing but posted 18.3 fantasy points against the Blue Jays and 12.7 fantasy points against the Padres in games his team eventually did go on to win. His hard-hit rate and barrel rate against are both down this season, and he seems to be past both his shoulder injury that caused his late start to the season and a minor side issue that caused his last start to be pushed back a few days. Since he has thrown 80+ pitches in three straight starts, he seems healthy and ready to return good value against the free-swinging Mariners at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park on Monday night.
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates at New York Mets, $3,200
Hayes hit leadoff on Sunday against lefty Chris Sale and went 2-for-5 with a stolen base, a run scored, and 13 fantasy points. He could get another start leading off depending on the availability of Oneil Cruz ($5,900), who is day-to-day with lower back tightness after pulling up while running the bases Saturday.
Whether he leads off again or drops a few spots, Hayes has been hot enough to be a good bargain option. He hasn’t hit for much power this season but is 10-for-32 (.313) in his last eight games with a double, a stolen base, and 5.1 fantasy points per game. The 28-year-old has a .291 career batting average against lefties, with a .344 wOBA and 116 wRC+. Since he’ll be on the strong side of those splits Monday night, he’s a good bargain option at the hot corner, especially if he leads off. It’s also a potential revenge game for Hayes’ teammate Alexander Canario ($2,400), who is another Pirates’ bargain option to consider.
OF Brent Lockridge, San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Angels, $2,800
Lockridge was one of several Padres’ regulars hurt in April who have returned in early May. The lineup has been crowded, and his opportunities limited, but he will likely get a start on Monday as the Padres come home and take on lefty Yusei Kikuchi ($7,100) and the Angels.
Lockridge hit .306 with 46 stolen bases in 104 games at Triple-A last season. He has six stolen bases in six attempts this season while playing just 20 games and getting only 50 plate appearances. He’s hitting .227 on the season but .308 since returning from the IL with three stolen bases in seven games.
Due to his stolen base potential, Lockridge is a great value play in the outfield from under $3,000 if he does get the start on Monday night in the Padres’ return to San Diego after their 6-3 road trip.
