Friday brings us a 13-game Major League Baseball featured slate. 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 tonight’s contests.
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SP Jose Quintana, Milwaukee Brewers vs. SFG ($7,300)
Let’s start in Wisconsin, where the Brewers will hope to build off of their major league-best 80-48 record. Milwaukee’s rotation has been a pleasant surprise, with several unexpected contributors stepping up. That includes Jose Quintana, making his 20th appearance of the year tonight. During his 105.2 innings of work, the veteran has notched a 3.32 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. The former All-Star has been remarkably consistent, allowing more than three earned runs only four times this season.
As just the 14th-most expensive arm available, Quintana already offers value on Friday. It helps that he’ll get to pitch against one of the National League’s worst offenses. Since July 1st, the Giants have scored a total of 164 runs, the fourth-worst mark in baseball. To make matters worse, this lineup struggles mightily against southpaws. San Francisco owns a league-worst .612 OPS against left-handed pitching this season. When the 36-year-old last faced the Giants on April 22nd, he allowed only one run over six innings. A similar outing could be in store tonight.
C Kyle Teel, Chicago White Sox vs. MIN ($3,700)
The White Sox are still a last place club in 2025. However, it’s impossible to ignore the amount of young talent on display for the South Siders. That includes Kyle Teel, the key piece in last winter’s Garrett Crochet trade with the Red Sox. Through his first 48 games, the 23-year-old is slashing .270/.363/.405 with four homers and 18 RBIs. In addition, the backstop has tallied six hits and two dingers over his previous 12 at-bats.
Those kind of numbers at a thin fantasy position such as catcher are promising. That’s especially true against tonight’s opponent, the Twins. It’ll be Zebby Matthews ($7,700) on the bump for Minnesota, making his 11th start. While the 25-year-old has undeniable stuff, he’s had inconsistent results thus far (5.06 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). This season, lefties have a .465 slugging percentage against the young fireballer. On the flip side, Teel is batting .282 against right-handed pitchers. Chicago’s promising rookie is poised for a productive game on Friday.
3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, Cincinnati Reds at ARI ($2,800)
The Reds made an under-the-radar move last month, bringing in Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Despite offering little at the dish, the former Gold Glove winner is one of the league’s best defenders. Still, that doesn’t do much for fantasy baseball managers. On offense, the 28-year-old is slashing a meager .240/.285/.315. That’s not much different from the sixth-year pro’s career-long statistics (.254/.308/.371).
With that being said, Hayes has shown signs of life with his new club. Over 19 games in Cincinnati, he’s batting .267 with two homers and five RBIs. The veteran comes into Friday’s game on a five-game hitting streak, going 7-for-19 during that time (.368 batting average). The Reds will hope for another knock or two tonight when they take on the Diamondbacks. Ryne Nelson ($7,500) has been reliable for Arizona this season (3.58 ERA). However, he’s allowed nine earned runs over his last 12 innings pitched. Given Hayes’ recent success, I’m willing to back the third baseman at just $2,800.
