MLB DFS Value Plays August 20: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
We have a nine-game MLB DFS main slate on Sunday, August 20th, on DraftKings and FanDuel, kicking off at 1:05 pm ET. We have star power everywhere we look offensively with Ronald Acuna Jr., Yordan Alvarez, and Bobby Witt Jr. so we’re going to need to find some solid value options to pair with them. Be sure to check out all of our tools including the MLB Lineups page, MLB DFS Projections – powered by FanJections – MLB DFS Ownership, and all of our tools HERE! Let’s dive into our favorite daily fantasy baseball value plays of the day.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Hyun Jin Ryu, Toronto Blue Jays (DraftKings - $7,300, FanDuel - $8,400)
Earlier in the season left-handed pitchers were having a lot of trouble against the Reds but that hasn’t been the case lately. Since the All-Star break, the Reds rank 25th in wOBA and 24th in OPS against southpaws and have a 25% K-rate as well. Ryu has made three starts since returning from injury and continues to look better and better as he hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last two starts and has 12+ DK fantasy points in each, including 18.9 in his last outing. On a slate with limited value, the former Cy Young runner-up is a nice option.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Max Kepler, Minnesota Twins (DraftKings - $3,800, FanDuel - $2,800)
Another two hits on Saturday for Kepler and he’s just been so good since the All-Star break. Since the second half began, he’s hitting .295 with a .925 OPS, .286 ISO, and a .388 wOBA to boot. He gets a fantastic spot against Osvaldo Bido here and lefties have given Bido fits this year. Lefties are hitting .300 with a .378 wOBA along with 1.89 HR/9 against him. Kepler’s hit 16 of his 20 bombs against righties this year with a .239 ISO and .333 wOBA to boot. Love this spot and the price for him.
MJ Melendez, Kansas City Royals (DraftKings - $3,800, FanDuel - $2,800)
August has been fantastic for MJ Melendez and there’s no reason to think that’ll stop here with Kyle Hendricks as an opponent. Since August 1st, Melendez is slashing .339/.388/.690 with a .290 ISO and .428 wOBA. Hendricks has been awful at home this year pitching to a 5.36 ERA allowing seven of his 11 bombs there as well. He’s also had a TOUGH August pitching to a 7.20 ERA and opponents are batting .303. Look for Melendez to hit atop the order for KC and be a fantastic cheap option to boot.
Connor Joe, Pittsburgh Pirates (DraftKings - $3,200, FanDuel - $2,500)
Two things we know about Connor Joe is that he hits lefties well and he’s having a good month of August. He has an .857 OPS, .250 ISO, and .368 wOBA in August. Against southpaws, he has an .823 OPS, .195 ISO, and .359 wOBA. He gets to face off against Dallas Keuchel had a 5.28 ERA in 2021, 9.20 in ‘22, and 9.45 in ‘23. He’s trending in the absolutely wrong direction and isn’t long for Major League Baseball if he continues to pitch the way he has. Joe and the Pirates should take full advantage of that.
Dominate your MLB DFS contests this week with our DFS Playbook, Podcasts, Lineup Generator, Player Projections, & Draft Percentage Forecaster.
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.