With summer in full swing, we look to continue rolling with our MLB DFS plays. It is another beautiful Saturday that has a full slate of games. On DraftKings, we have a nine-game slate beginning at 4:05 p.m. EDT and a four-game slate at 7:15 p.m. EDT. Let’s find the best studs and value plays from each slate.
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****All prices listed are from DraftKings****
Toeing the Slab
Stud: Robbie Ray ($9,700) vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The 2021 Cy Young Award winner facing off against his former team? Count this in as a lock on the nighttime slate. While this slate is dominated by value options, Ray is a fairly easy target. Even against a powerful projected lineup in the Blue Jays. Ray has a 7-6 record with a 3.62 ERA, 27.7 percent strikeout rate, and a 1.12 WHIP through 17 starts this season. Toronto ranks sixth in the majors with an average of 7.78 strikeouts per game at the plate and seventh with a .172 ISO. On the other hand, Ray ranks fifth in the American League with over 10 strikeouts per game. Something has to give in this matchup, and I believe the pitcher has the advantage.
Stud: Framber Valdez ($9,700) vs. Oakland Athletics
The A’s have one of the worst offenses in the majors, and it’s safe to say you can target them every day. Oakland ranks last in runs per game (3.16), batting average (.210), slugging (.328), on-base percentage (.273), and OPS (.601). They are also second-to-last in ISO at .118. Valdez is coming off a start against the Angels in which he struck out 13 and surrendered two runs over six innings. He has faced the A’s once this season and pitched a complete game while striking out seven and giving up just one run. On the season, the southpaw holds an 8-3 record with a 2.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 19.8 DraftKings points per game.
Value: Jordan Montgomery ($6,500) vs. Boston Red Sox
After a slow start to the season, the Yankees’ left-hander has been rolling of late. In his last start against the Cleveland Guardians, Montgomery struck out a season-high eight batters while surrendering just one run in five innings. On the season, he has a 3-2 record in 16 starts, with a 3.19 ERA, 19.8 percent strikeout rate, and a 1.03 WHIP. He is projected for 6.1 strikeouts in this primetime game on Fox. With the Yankees’ offense rolling and actually starting to give Montgomery run support, he has a good chance to pick up the win.
Value: Carlos Carrasco ($7,500) vs. Miami Marlins
Carrasco bounced back from a couple of rough outings his last time out against the Texas Rangers. Over 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, the right-hander struck out eight and walked one. Before two weak outings, he had another quality start against the Marlins, as he struck out seven while allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings and earning the win. He has benefited from the Mets giving him run support, as he has nine wins despite not having the greatest numbers. That run support should continue and Cookie pitches well against Miami.
Stepping into the Batter’s Box
Stud: Starling Marte ($6,300)
Marte is rolling with an eight-game hitting streak and hits in 11 of his last 12 games. He has gone 4-for-10 in the first two games against his former team the Marlins. In nine games against Miami this season, Marte has gone 11-for-38 with four extra-base hits, three walks, one RBI, and seven runs scored. He has nine homers and 10 stolen bases on the season, although a lefty like Braxton Garrett will be tough to steal on. Garrett has allowed right-handed hitters to hit .292 against him in his career, however.
Stud: Dansby Swanson ($5,400)
Patrick Corbin is yet again struggling mightily this season, including a 7.39 ERA on the road. He has allowed righties to hit .305 against him this season and .307 since 2020. Swanson has recorded 14 homers and 14 stolen bases this season and has crushed against southpaws and at home. The All-Star starter snub has smashed a .953 OPS against lefties and a .954 OPS at Truist Park. Swanson also went 3-for-5 yesterday for his second straight double-digit fantasy points game.
Value: Michael Harris II ($3,300)
The fact that the Braves rookie is still this cheap is mindblowing, as he has gotten off to a very strong start. In the first game against the Nationals last night, Harris went 4-for-4 while mashing his seventh homer on the season in his 39th game. Atlanta is still batting the 21-year-old ninth despite him slashing .310/.342/.542 with seven homers, six steals, 24 RBI, and 28 runs. Three of his seven homers have come against the Nationals in four games as he’s gone 10-for-17 against them.
Value: Matt Carpenter ($3,800)
What a tremendous signing Carpenter has been for the Yankees this season, and he’s virtually free. The mustached monster has slashed .305/.406/.814 with nine homers in the limited action he has gotten. The lefty hitter went 3-for-4 with a homer and faces a right-hander in Kutter Crawford. Crawford has pitched well this season but hasn’t gone too deep in games. The bullpen could be a factor early and Carpenter has been hitting almost everyone well.
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