MLB DFS Value Plays April 5: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks

Today’s MLB DFS slate gets an early start with a nine-game main slate that begins at 1:05pm ET and features a nice mix of some top starters and some guys who, well, to say it nicely, some guys who should help produce a few decent value bats. Be sure to note which games are actually available as we, unfortunately, lose Great American Smallpark and a couple of gas-cans in Oakland. Still, there should be some really nice options on today’s DFS slate and we’ve got a few top value picks on DraftKings and FanDuel.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Pablo Lopez, Minnesota Twins (DraftKings: $7,400; FanDuel: $9,400)
Value isn’t just about the raw price of a player. It’s about the cost in relation to other players at the same position and what the return value can be. Lopez is a great example today. Granted it was against the Royals, but Lopez looked strong during his season debut, throwing 5.1 scoreless innings with just two hits allowed, three walks and eight strikeouts. He heads back to Miami to face the team that traded him in the offseason for batting champion Luis Arraez, so you know he’s going to be amped up for this start. Obviously, it should help that the Marlins have posted a soft .276 wOBA with a 32.4-percent strikeout rate against righthanded pitching this season, so whether you’re paying down on FanDuel or just need a cheaper second start on DraftKings, he’s your guy.
Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore Orioles (DraftKings: $4,000; FanDuel: $7,500)
It was a surprise to many when the Baltimore Orioles sent Rodriguez back down to the minors this spring, but he was still experiencing some command issues and they thought it would be better for him to build up some momentum in Triple-A first. Not a bad idea, but an injury to Kyle Bradish has forced them into making some adjustments. It’s a tall order to face these Texas Rangers who have a 3.43 wOBA against righties this season, but Rodriguez is min-price on DraftKings and the third-cheapest on FanDuel. We’re just looking for five innings and some strikeouts against a team whiffing over 22-percent of the time against righties. Not too tall an order.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Isaac Paredes, 3B Tampa Bay Rays (DraftKings: $3,400; FanDuel: $2,300)
First and foremost, keep in mind that Paredes also qualifies at second base on DraftKings, so you get some added roster flexibility. After going 4-for-13 (.308) with one home run and two RBI over the first four games, Paredes got the day off and is well-rested. With Patrick Corbin on the mound for Washington, we’re going to be loving on the righty bats for the Rays and Paredes, who is batting .345 with a .333 wOBA against southpaws is going to be a strong play. You can use him as a one-off if you like, but he can also be a helpful salary-saver in a Rays stack as well.
Donovan Solano, 2B Minnesota Twins (DraftKings: $2,400; FanDuel: $2,100)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s to put my faith in a lot of these new managers when it comes to oddball moves in the batting order and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli is one of my favorites. Not just because he plays Phish in the Twins clubhouse, but because his ability to play the match-ups has been outstanding. I mean, someone tell me why else we have Solano batting third today against Jesus Luzardo if not for the insights of Baldelli. He’s 4-for-7 lifetime against him which isn’t a lot, but he’s a career .283 hitter against lefties and Baldelli believes he can get the job done today. He’s also another guy who offers tremendous roster flexibility on both sites as he is 1B/2B eligible on DraftKings and 2B/SS eligible on FanDuel.
Triston Casas, 1B Boston Red Sox (DraftKings: $2,900; FanDuel: $2,800)
Yes, I am well-aware of the fact that Casas has not gotten off to the greatest of starts, but he does have one home run and there is solid power potential in his bat. If you read my MLB Best Bets article today, then you know I am expecting a lot of run production in this game and with Mitch Keller on the bump for the Pirates, I think Casas has a very strong chance of having himself a solid game. Lefty bats already have a .432 wOBA against Keller from his season debut and they have a .365 wOBA against him in his career. If you need to pay down at first on DraftKings or need a cheap utility play on FanDuel, I believe you can put your trust in Casas.
Brad Miller, 1B/3B/OF Texas Rangers (DraftKings: $2,300; FanDuel: $2,500)
Be sure to check his position eligibility on each site because it’s a little all over the place as he is a first baseman on DraftKings but he qualifies at third base and the outfield on FanDuel. If you are looking to save some salary in a GPP tournament, then Miller warrants some attention should he be back in the Rangers lineup. As much as I love Grayson Rodriguez, he did have some control issues during the spring and was supposed to hone those skills in Triple-A for a few starts. Miller is one of those lefty bats who thrives off suspect right-handed pitching and while there is nothing suspect about Rodriguez’ talent, this feels like one of those times he gets caught leaving a pitch up in the zone against a veteran hitter.
Chas McCormick, OF Houston Astros (DraftKings: $3,100; FanDuel: $2,700)
With stolen bases as abundant as they are given the new rules in MLB, we can definitely find some value in the speed department. McCormick is a career .295 hitter (.383 wOBA) against southpaws and he already has three stolen bases to go with that .429 OBP. With the way the league has shifted to being more aggressive on the bases, you don’t need a player to power up to return value. If McCormick can take advantage today and get on-base, he should be able to do some damage.
Player News
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that Zach Eflin (lat) is likely to return and start Sunday against the Angels
It was assumed that Eflin would be back this weekend, but now we have a concrete date. The 31-year-old may not be at full strength after throwing fewer than 60 pitches in his rehab start, but the Orioles feel confident enough to have the right-hander back on the bump for the series finale against the Angels.
Riley Greene is not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Thursday.
Greene will get a break and likely return to the lineup for the second game of the twin-billing. Zach McKinstry will get the start in left field while Greene rests.
Yu Darvish (elbow) is facing live hitters on Thursday.
Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions and traveled to the team’s complex in Arizona to face live hitters on Thursday. It will be his first time facing live batters since a spring training appearance on March 13th. He will likely need a few sessions like this before the Padres can map out a rehab appearance timeline for him.
Adael Amador is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Rockies on Thursday.
Amador has now started three of the last four games at second base for the Rockies. He’s gone just 7-for-43 this season with 15 strikeouts in 16 games. He’s just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to adjust to the MLB level, but he doesn’t need to be on redraft radars right now.
Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting second for the Orioles on Thursday against the Twins.
With Cedric Mullins sitting out on Thursday, Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off, and Holliday will jump up from sixth in the order to second. Holliday is riding a hot streak right now, and the Orioles are taking advantage. This is likely just a one-game sample with no Mullins or Adley Rutschman in the lineup, but Rutschman has been struggling, so perhaps it could become a more permanent spot in the lineup for Holliday moving forward.
Endy Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed this week.
Rodriguez suffered a lacerated right index finger on April 14th. Now that he is out of his splint, he “is playing catch and doing a slightly modified swing.” Once he can progress to taking full swings, we’ll have a better sense of the timeline for his return.