All 30 MLB teams are on the schedule this Monday for the second time this season, and 10 of the 15 games are on the main DraftKings DFS fantasy baseball slate this Monday night, which starts at 7:07 p.m. ET. With 20 teams on the board, there are multiple strategies to consider as you set your squad, but if you’re looking for some less expensive plays that still bring upside, let’s dive into the bargain bin and pinpoint a few value plays that make sense this Monday night.
All 10 games are the start of new series, and most teams are getting towards the back end of their rotation after starting their season with a weekend series. As has been the case so far this season, the weather forecast looks favorable, without much of a threat of postponement or cancellation to worry about. It’s the start of a new work week of fantasy baseball, so let’s take a look at a few value plays who have the potential to start the new series with a big Monday.
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Best MLB DFS value plays
SP Cody Ponce, Toronto Blue Jays vs. Colorado Rockies, $7,600
Ponce is making his Blue Jays’ debut at Rogers Centre this Monday in a favorable spot against the 0-3 Rockies. The Rockies scored seven runs while being swept by the Marlins, hitting .192 as a team with 30 strikeouts in 27 innings. They won’t head to the rarified air of Coors Field just yet, stopping in Toronto where they’ll face Ponce on Monday night.
Ponce is returning to the MLB after pitching in Japan and Korea for the last four years. The 31-year-old righty was lights out for the Hanwha Eagles last year, winning the MVP award unanimously after going 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA, 2.15 FIP and 252 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings. While he didn’t have great MLB numbers before heading overseas, he looked ready to translate his international success back to the States this spring. He allowed just one run on seven hits in 13 2/3 innings in spring training while racking up 12 strikeouts. He brings a very high ceiling from this salary in his first start for the Blue Jays, and his soft matchup against the Rockies makes him a great value arm to build around.
2B J.J. Wetherholt, St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets, $3,300
After an impressive spring training, Wetherholt made the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster and has looked ready to contribute right away. Wetherholt was the No. 5 prospect in baseball coming into the year, according to MLB Pipeline, and he went 7-for-44 (.212) with two homers this spring. He earned not only an everyday role at 2B, but he has hit leadoff for each of the first three games of the season for the Cards.
In his MLB debut on Thursday, Wetherholt went 1-for-5 with his first MLB home run and 16 FPTS. On Saturday, he went 2-for-5 with his first MLB stolen base, had a walk-off single and earned 17 FPTS. On Sunday, he went 1-for-4 with a walk and continued to contribute.
The Cardinals went 2-1 against the Rays and will now welcome in the Mets, facing Clay Holmes ($8,200) on Monday night. While Holmes isn’t an ideal matchup, Wetherholt is in a good enough groove and hitting at the top of the lineup, which gives him lots of upside at this affordable salary.
OF Garrett Mitchell, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays, $2,800
Mitchell has been an intriguing outfield option for the Brewers for several seasons, but injury issues have held him back. The 27-year-old lefty only managed to play 25 games last season, hitting .206 with a .261 wOBA. In 2024, he played 69 games and hit .255 with eight homers, 11 stolen bases and a much better .351 wOBA.
He was healthy this spring training but went just 3-for-37 (.081) with a home run and five walks. He went 0-for-1 in Thursday’s opener with two walks, a run scored and an RBI in four plate appearances. On Saturday, he got another start against a righty and went 2-for-4 with a home run, two stolen bases and a massive 24 FPTS.
Mitchell has both power and speed potential, giving him multiple paths to success, and he has a good matchup against the Rays’ Nick Martinez ($7,000), whom he is familiar with from his time with the Reds. Mitchell went 4-for-10 with a pair of doubles off Martinez in the past, and he is a great play under $3,000 in the outfield this Monday.
