There are 13 games on tonight’s featured MLB DFS slate on DraftKings. However, there’s also a lot of rain in the forecast. Make sure you’re keeping one eye on the doppler as we inch closer to lineup lock.
With that warning out of the way, here are my best value plays for this evening’s action on the diamond:
- Cubs SP David Peterson ($5,500) vs. Tigers
- Rangers 2B Justin Foscue ($3,400) vs. White Sox
- Braves 1B/OF Dominic Smith ($2,900) vs. Padres
Set your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups here: MLB $200K Bat Flip [$50K to 1st]
SP David Peterson, Chicago Cubs vs. Detroit Tigers, $5,500
I know it’s difficult to look at Peterson’s 6.45 ERA and see value, but I swear that the veteran left-hander hasn’t been that bad this season. In all honestly, Peterson’s just been super unlucky. Of the 110 pitchers who have thrown at least 80 innings so far in 2026, Peterson’s 59.0% strand rate is the lowest of the bunch. That’s probably got something to do with the fact that Peterson’s opponent BABIP is .391 with runners on base, compared to a more normal sounding .289 with the bases empty. I’m not trying to suggest Peterson is perfect. He walks too many batters and doesn’t generate enough swing and miss. That said, he’s a capable, league-average starter at this point in his career.
With that in mind, this price tag is far too low. Especially considering the matchup and the environment he’ll draw on Tuesday. In July, the Tigers rank 27th in average (.225), 22nd in wRC+ (94) and sixth in strikeout rate (25.4%). They are not an opponent that strikes fear into the hearts of pitchers. Detroit should struggle to put up crooked numbers this evening, and it certainly won’t be helped by the wind, which will be blowing in from left field. Talk about a natural boost for a left-handed pitcher.
2B Justin Foscue, Texas Rangers vs. Chicago White Sox, $3,400
This salary is an absolute steal, as Foscue has quietly become one of the best platoon hitters in the sport. In Foscue’s 68 plate appearances against LHPs this season, the 27-year-old is slashing .322/.412/.678 with a .356 ISO and a 201 wRC+. He’s also recently taken over Texas’ leadoff spot when the club is facing a southpaw — as they will this evening in the form of Noah Schultz ($6,900). It’s obviously not the largest sample in the world, but the former first-round pick finally seems to be making good on his pedigree.
As for Schultz, the rookie possesses a fourth percentile xERA (6.05) and an eighth percentile opponent barrel rate (11.5%). In his past seven starts at the MLB level, Schultz has pitched to an inflated 7.67 ERA and he’s surrendered 1.99 opponent long balls per nine. We’re not exactly dealing with Cy Young here.
1B/OF Dominic Smith, Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres, $2,900
Smith hasn’t been anything special this season, but he’s done the job the Braves brought him in to do: Be a capable platoon bat against right-handed pitching. Smith’s actually been the definition of average, posting a .735 OPS and a 99 wRC+ within the split. He’s not going to blow your socks off with his overall numbers, but he has his nights, and with a price tag below $3,000, that’s really all you can ask for.
Smith will likely be hitting in the middle of Atlanta’s order this evening, as the team squares-off with Walker Buehler ($7,500) and the Padres. It appears the bubble has burst for the veteran RHP in his last three starts. It’s a span of 11.0 innings where Buehler has worked to a ghastly 16.36 ERA, while allowing opponents to combine for an .800 slugging percentage and a .511 wOBA. Yikes.
