MLB DFS Value Plays August 31: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
We’ve got a unique Thursday of baseball today with the smallest slate of games I have ever covered! With only 4 games across the entire league today and one of them happening this afternoon, we have a 3-game main slate on both DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:05 PM EST. For today’s slate, we have the Miami Marlins facing the Washington Nationals, the San Francisco Giants against the San Diego Padres, and a clash of top offenses to end the night with the Atlanta Braves taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Today’s slate has one ace on it with Spencer Strider, and beyond that, every starter comes with some decent risk. On the offensive side, we will also be extra limited because if you are avoiding your pitchers, you will only have 4 (5 on FanDuel) offenses to choose from. It's a different slate than normal, but there are still some good value plays to help build a winning MLB DFS Lineup, so let’s dive into some of my favorite value options of the day!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins (DraftKings: $8,200 / FanDuel: $8,700)
Braxton Garrett has not been pitching great lately. He does have quality starts in 4 of his last 6 outings while going 5 innings with 3 or fewer earned runs in his other two, but through those 6 starts, despite the 2.91 ERA, he only has 24 strikeouts through 34 innings. Hopefully, he can get some of the strikeouts back today against the Washington Nationals (though he only struck out 3 against them in his last outing), but either way, he should be in line for a win, and he has way less blowup potential today of all the pitchers outside of Spencer Strider.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Gary Sanchez, C San Diego Padres (DraftKings: $3,800 / FanDuel: $2,600)
Gary Sanchez continues to provide power for the San Diego Padres at catcher. He may only be hitting .214, but with a career .224 batting average, that is about what you expect; it has come with 18 homers through 69 games which is pretty great as that pace would be 42 homers through 162 games (though obviously, Gary Sanchez would never log 162 games played in a season), with him getting a homer roughly every 3 or 4 games he is a pretty decent bet at catcher to get some value, especially in a matchup like today where he is facing Sean Manaea.
Carter Kieboom, 3B Washington Nationals (DraftKings: $3,100 / FanDuel: $2,900)
While Carter Kieboom has an 80-grade name, it hasn’t translated into major-league talent as fast as the Washington Nationals had hoped. After struggling with injuries over the past two years and spending most of his time in the minors, he finally gets another shot in the big leagues. In what feels like his last chance to prove himself, Carter Kieboom is delivering so far with 3 homers in his first 6 games. He has quickly provided value to the Nationals lineup and can do the same for our lineups with him hitting well and coming in at a very low price.
Joc Pederson, OF San Francisco Giants (DraftKings: $4,000 / FanDuel: $2,600)
Joc Pederson has slashed .438/.526/.813 over the last week, and most surprisingly, that has been with only one homer, which is usually how he does his damage. He has served as a pinch hitter over his last 3 games, but against the righty Pedro Avila, he should be getting the start today, and I like his chances to have a big game in San Diego today in this matchup.
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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.