The MLB has a busy Monday night schedule to start the work week, with nine games on the main DFS fantasy baseball slate that starts at 6:36 p.m. ET, when the Diamondbacks and Orioles get underway in Baltimore. If you’re looking to start your week with some MLB DFS success, check out these three value plays that come with major upside despite their lower salaries.
As usual in the early going, the weather has made a major impact on the offense. Overall this Monday, though, temperatures will be warmer with wind blowing out in Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia nd St. Louis. Some big-time aces are on the board to start the week as well, but some strong value plays are available as well.
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Best MLB DFS value plays
SP Will Warren, New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels, $7,700
Of the probable pitchers on Monday night, Warren brings some of the best value on the board with high strikeout potential and a good amount of win equity for the heavily-favored Yankees. Warren has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his three starts, but he is only 1-0 since he hasn’t gotten through the fifth inning in two of his starts. He had a season-best 22.4 FPTS against the Marlins two starts ago, but only managed 11.7 FPTS in his last outing against the A’s.
Warren has 14 strikeouts in his 14 2/3 innings this year, and if he can be more efficient, he should be able to ramp up after throwing 85 pitches in his last start. The Angels have a top-10 K% this season, with an average of 9.9 strikeouts per contest. The weather in the Bronx will be favorable for the offenses, but even if the Angels do get a few runs, Warren’s strikeouts should compensate and still make him a strong value pick.
C Adrian Del Castillo, Arizona Diamondbacks at Baltimore Orioles, $2,900
The Diamondbacks are without Gabrien Moreno (back) as they continue their road trip with a trip to Baltimore, but Del Castillo has been productive while stepping in behidn the plate along with veteran James McCann ($2,500). McCann started on Sunday, but Del Castillo pinch-hit in the eighth inning and had a key RBI single.
The 26-year-old lefty batter hit .299 in the minors last year with seven homers and a .444 wOBA. He only played two games in Triple-A before joining the D-backs, and he is 6-for-17 (.353) with a double and five RBI. He’s in a good spot against Dean Kremer ($6,500), who typically gives up hard contact to lefties, and the weather in Baltimore should be favorable for offense.
SS/OF Mauricio Dubon, Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins, $3,300
The Braves have been getting excellent production from Dubon early in the season while he fills in for the injured Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop. Dubon is 20-for-57 (.351) through his first 15 games with six doubles and a pair of home runs.
On Sunday, he started in center field with Michael Harris II on paternity leave and went 3-for-4 with a double and 19 FPTS in Atlanta’s Sunday Night Baseball victory. He’s averaging a solid 8.8 FPTS per game and should continue to be a regular in the Braves’ batting order. He has at least 9 FPTS in five of his last six games and is reaching base and producing runs while filling in as a valuable and versatile contributor. He can slot at either SS or in the OF in your DFS lineup as well, helping him to fit in many roster constructions.
