On Tuesday night, Major League Baseball is ready to roll with a 10-game slate on tap for DraftKings featured contests. The action gets underway at 7:07 p.m. ET when the Blue Jays and Yankees meet in one of just two divisional matchups on the slate. As the first month of the season rolls on, we’re starting to get a good feel for teams’ identities and priorities. We are also starting to build a solid sample size to consider current forms and trends.
As you build your lineups for this Tuesday, take a look at these bargain plays that should have a good chance to return excellent value at affordable salaries.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $250K Game Changer [$50K to 1st]
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SP Yusei Kikuchi, Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees, $7,800
Kikuchi doesn’t have a win yet this season, but he has pitched well in his two most recent outings, one of which came in this same matchup against the Yankees. Kikuchi struggled in his first start of the season in Tampa Bay but bounced back with 5 1⁄3 shutout innings in the Bronx while striking out seven and allowing just four hits to earn 22.4 DKFP in a no-decision. He got another no-decision in his last start, despite holding the Mariners to one run on three hits in six innings with nine strikeouts for a total of 26.5 DKFP. He has an 11.5 K/9 so far this season which would be a career-high for the 32-year-old lefty. The Yankees usually aren’t a matchup to mess with, but Kikuchi pitched well against them last year as well, allowing just two runs in 11 innings with 10 strikeouts. Kikuchi has shown enough potential in those back-to-back 20+ DKFP starts to be worth considering with his salary under $8K. He definitely has the stuff to put together big fantasy numbers any time he takes the mound.
C Ivan Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals at Oakland Athletics, $3,100
The Cardinals have a bit of a logjam now that Willson Contreras ($4,800) is able to return to catching and Herrera got off to a strong start at the plate. They gave Herrera Monday night off, but he should be back in the lineup on Tuesday when the Cards face lefty J.P. Sears ($6,300) in Oakland. Herrera has 10 hits in his first 10 games this season with a .294 batting average, .265 ISO and .358 wOBA. He has three homers in those 10 games and has hit .375 with a .421 wOBA in a small sample size against lefties. The 23-year-old had a great Caribbean Series and Spring Training and is forcing his way into more playing time. If he is in the lineup on Tuesday, he’s a great way to pay a reasonable salary for a catcher with good power potential and a high ceiling.
OF Jonatan Clase, Seattle Mariners vs. Cincinnati Reds, $2,000
I’m going back to the well on Clase this Tuesday and will continue to for as long as his salary is so cheap. The 21-year-old went 1-for-4 with an RBI while batting eighth in his MLB debut on Monday, and he should continue to get plenty of playing time while Dominic Canzone (shoulder) is out due to an AC joint sprain. Clase is loaded with upside and brings plenty of fantasy potential with both power and speed. The switch-hitter from the Dominican swiped 55 and 79 bags in the last two seasons in the minor, but he also brings a little pop. He hit 13 homers in 2022 and followed that with 20 more long balls last year in Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainiers. Before getting called up, he went 14-for-45 (.311) in 12 games with four doubles, two triples and two home runs for a .427 wOBA and .311 ISO while adding three stolen bases. The Mariners could use some spark in their offense, and I think Clase can give them that as he settles in at the MLB level. With his salary at the minimum, he doesn’t have to do much to be a great play in your fantasy roster, but he brings the potential for so much more.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $250K Game Changer [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
