A 12-game Major League Baseball featured slate is on tap tonight. With most teams in the player pool, the options for fantasy managers are endless. If you’re looking for a bargain play with upside at a reduced salary, check out these three MLB DFS value picks for Tuesday’s contests.
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RP Nestor Cortes, San Diego Padres at SF ($6,400)
In what was a hectic trade deadline for the Padres, one move fell somewhat under the radar. San Diego traded for Nestor Cortes from the Brewers, adding an experienced arm to its rotation. Injuries have limited the former All-Star to just three starts. That includes last week’s Padres debut vs. the Diamondbacks; the 30-year-old surrendered just two runs over 4.2 innings.
It’s not as if it’s been years since Cortes was an effective arm. Last season with the Yankees, he accounted for a 3.77 ERA through 174.1 innings. A move to pitcher-friendly Petco Park should only help the eighth-year pro going forward. Tonight’s matchup with the Giants is promising. To start, San Francisco is averaging the seventh-fewest runs per game in baseball (4.11). In addition, the team owns the league’s lowest OPS against left-handed pitching (.608). A crafty southpaw such as Cortes should find some success in this spot.
3B/SS Carlos Correa, Houston Astros vs. BOS ($3,700)
The Astros pulled off a shocking trade deadline deal to end July, reuniting with former champion Carlos Correa. So far, so good for the 30-year-old. Since returning to Houston, the former All-Star is slashing .390/.457/.585 with two homers and seven RBIs. Still, a middling season (.742 OPS) has left plenty of fantasy managers feeling lukewarm. Correa ranks as just the seventh-most expensive third baseman available tonight.
A $3,700 price tag is surprising on a number of levels, especially due to who the Astros are facing. Dustin May ($6,700) will head to the mound tonight, making his second start for the Red Sox. His first appearance last week against the Royals didn’t go well (3.2 IP, 3 ER). The righty has had difficulty allowing hits (8.6 H/9) and walks (3.7 BB/9). That’s bad news against Correa, one of the American League’s most disciplined hitters. Houston’s ‘newest’ addition has recorded ten or more fantasy points in five of his last six appearances. Expect that trend to continue on Tuesday.
C Braxton Fulford, Colorado Rockies ($2,800)
Let’s get a little unconventional with our last pick. We are looking for values and bargains, after all. If you haven’t been keeping up to date with recent Rockies roster moves, you’re forgiven. Baseball’s worst team deserves as little attention as possible. With that being said, Colorado might have found something with recent call-up Braxton Fulford. On paper, the backstop’s numbers aren’t all too impressive. Fulford is currently slashing .259/.281/389 with a home run and 11 RBIs.
A look under the hood reveals that Fulford’s biggest strength is as a platoon hitter. Against left-handed pitching, the rookie is hitting a stellar .333 with four RBIs. Granted, it’s only been 19 plate appearances from that side of the plate. Still, at a position as thin as catcher, offensive success isn’t something to ignore. Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore ($7,400) is, you guessed it, a southpaw. He’s also been awful recently, notching a 5.18 ERA over his last ten outings. At just $2,800, Fulford could be worth a flier for fantasy managers tonight.
