MLB DFS Value Plays August 24: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks

We have a five-game MLB DFS main slate on Thursday, August 24th, on DraftKings and FanDuel. It’s an interesting slate with spend-ups such as Pablo Lopez and Justin Steele on the mound, and Cody Bellinger and Zack Gelof at the plate. That means we need to find some solid MLB DFS value plays. 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
Ken Waldichuk, Oakland Athletics (DraftKings - $5,300, FanDuel - $6,700)
I get that there’s a bad stigma around Ken Waldichuk this year and most of Oakland’s pitching staff, but Waldichuk has begun turning things around. Since July 25th, he’s pitched to a 3.24 ERA with a 27.4% K-rate and has held opponents to a .204 batting average. He faces off against a White Sox offense that has been amongst the league’s worst teams against left-handed pitching. In August, the White Sox have a 32.5% K-rate, the highest in the league, 29th in OPS and wOBA against left-handed pitching. I think there is actual upside for Waldichuk here at his cheap price tag and he makes for a really solid SP2 and decent spend-down SP1 on one-pitcher sites.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Tommy Pham, Arizona Diamondbacks (DraftKings - $3,900, FanDuel - $2,900)
Pham is hitting better overall against right-handed pitching but his power stroke comes against lefties. He’s notched a .271 ISO and a .363 wOBA against southpaws this season. Pham is currently riding a 13-game hitting streak to boot. He faces off against Brandon Williamson who’s struggled with righties specifically. Right-handed bats have a .211 ISO and .327 wOBA against him this year. Pham hits in the middle of the Arizona lineup against southpaws and is an excellent play at his price.
Brandon Belt, Toronto Blue Jays (DraftKings - $3,600, FanDuel - $2,900)
The recent stretch Belt has been on has been a great one considering he’s already Belt-ed more home runs in August (6) than he has in any other month this season. He’s hitting .317 with a 1.114 OPS, .367 ISO, and .463 wOBA. Belt has crushed right-handed pitching this season notching a .238 ISO and .382 wOBA and over the last 30 days, those numbers have spiked even higher posting a .350 ISO and .421 wOBA. That’s a 73-plate appearance sample. Kyle Gibson has struggled specifically with lefty swingers allowing a .177 ISO and .363 wOBA. Over the last 30 days, it’s been worse for Gibson allowing a .241 ISO and .392 wOBA. Love Belt here.
Aledmys Diaz, Oakland Athletics (DraftKings - $2,900, FanDuel - $2,100)
August has been a very fruitful month for Aledmys Diaz as he’s hitting .324 while posting a 1.018 OPS, .294 ISO, and a .416 wOBA. Since the All-Star break, Diaz is hitting .281 with an .812 OPS, .188 ISO, and .352 wOBA. Since the beginning of August, Diaz is hitting .333 along with a 1.011 OPS, and a .428 ISO. Jesse Scholtens takes the mound for the Chicago White Sox today and right-handed bats have given him fits this season. They have a .197 ISO and a .368 wOBA against him and over the last 30 days, those numbers are now at .213 ISO and a .383 wOBA vs. RHP.
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Player News
Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) was scratched from his scheduled bullpen session on Thursday and will undergo an MRI exam after experiencing soreness in his shoulder.
That’s not what you want to hear. The 25-year-old right-hander had thrown a couple of bullpen sessions as he was working his way back from inflammation in his pitching elbow. This is obviously a major setback, the scale of which won’t fully be understood until the O’s get the results of the MRI exam. At this point, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll pitch in the big leagues at all during the 2025 season.
Jake Fraley connected on a grand slam while going 3-for-5, but the Reds fell to the Mariners on Thursday in extra innings.
Cal Raleigh hit a solo homer in the ninth in the Mariners’ extra-inning win over the Reds on Thursday.
Randy Arozarena hit the game-tying homer in the ninth inning and had a two-run single in the 10th to give the Mariners an 11-7 win over the Reds on Thursday.
Emilio Pagan gave up two runs while blowing a save against the Mariners on Thursday.
Brady Singer allowed four runs — two earned — while working 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Thursday.