MLB DFS Value Plays June 17: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
We have a nine-game MLB DFS afternoon slate on our hands for Saturday, June 17th, on DraftKings and FanDuel. To get to some of the elite names such as Ronald Acuna Jr., Shohei Ohtani, and Corey Seager, we’re going to have to dig deep and find some value options as well. 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 the rest of our tools HERE! Let’s dive into our favorite daily fantasy baseball value plays of the day.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Griffin Canning, Los Angeles Angels (DraftKings - $8,200, FanDuel - $9,300)
The Angels have started to get consistent innings out of Canning every fifth day and he has a really good match-up here as he takes on the Kansas City Royals. Not only do the Royals have the sixth-highest K-rate against right-handed pitching this season at 24.3%, but they’re 28th in OPS and 29th in wOBA. Canning has topped 15 DKP in four straight starts and has struck out at least seven batters in two of his last three starts. Canning and the Angels are a -170 favorite despite being on the road and this is a great spot and price for him.
Braxton Garrett, Miami Marlins (DraftKings - $8,400, FanDuel - $8,900)
Garrett makes for a very interesting play every time he takes the mound. He’s been fantastic more often than he hasn’t, but there is the elephant in the room every time he takes the mound; the pitch count. He’s thrown 82 pitches or less in six straight starts. That said, he has 20+ DKP in four and 15+ in five of six. Garrett has been really good away from home pitching to a 2.29 ERA compared to a 6.35 ERA at home. Washington has struggled against lefties during the month of June notching the 25th-best OPS. I like his price on FanDuel quite a bit.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Marcell Ozuna, Atlanta Braves (DraftKings - $3,800, FanDuel - $3,000)
One day the Braves will stop scoring runs, right? It doesn’t seem like today’s the day with Connor Seabold opposing them and Seabold really struggles with right-handed bats. Insert Ozuna here as Ozuna has done nothing but mash righties. He has a .211 ISO and a .344 wOBA against righties while Seabold’s allowed a .212 ISO and .369 wOBA against RHH. Once again the Braves lead a slate with their near seven implied runs total and Ozuna is in the middle of that.
Mickey Moniak, Los Angeles Angels (DraftKings - $3,300, FanDuel - $3,100)
After a brief stint playing fourth and fifth fiddle in the outfield, Moniak has caught fire and has forced the Angels' hand putting him back atop their order. He’s notched six hits over his last three games and has hits in six of seven overall. He’s raked against right-handed hurlers posting a .388 ISO and .469 wOBA to boot. The Angels face a guy in Mike Mayers who’s been awful against left-handed hitters allowing a .179 ISO and .417 wOBA. That’s pretty much in line with how poorly he pitched against them last year, so getting to Moniak and pairing him with Shohei Ohtani feels like a great one-two punch for your lineups today.
Jesus Sanchez, Miami Marlins (DraftKings - $2,900, FanDuel - $2,700)
The Washington Nationals skipped Jake Irvin’s last start for a reason. He’s not all that great. Lefties have a .217 ISO and a .393 wOBA against Jake Irvin this season and have really owned him in every start he’s made. The Nationals' bullpen also has the fourth-worst ERA in the league. Sanchez has a .223 ISO and a .363 wOBA against righties himself and has hits in two straight games and is coming off a two-RBI game on Friday. He’s really cheap across the industry and is hitting in the heart of the Marlins lineup.
Brett Baty, New York Mets (DraftKings - $3,000, FanDuel - $2,600)
There are a lot of numbers suggesting Baty’s been a little unlucky this season but maybe he’s breaking the curse of late as he’s started looking better at the dish. He faces off against Adam Wainwright who’s over the hill and can’t get lefties out. Lefties have a .258 ISO, .443 wOBA, and 49.2% hard-hit against him this year. Also, this game is on the road and Adam Wainwright only knows how to pitch in St. Louis.
Player News
Shota Imanaga was removed from Tuesday’s start against the Pirates with leg cramps.
Imanaga appeared to be in some obvious discomfort after giving up a leadoff double to Andrew McCutchen in the sixth inning and departed with a trainer following a visit from Cubs manager Craig Counsell. The 31-year-old lefty struck out three over five shutout innings to open the contest. It sounds like his early exit was merely out of an abundance of caution. He should be able to make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the Brewers.
Diamondbacks SS prospect Jordan Lawlar went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI on Tuesday for Triple-A Reno.
Lawlar continues adding extra defensive versatility to his profile, spending time at both second and third base in recent weeks, and appears to be on the precipice of making it back to the big leagues. The 22-year-old projects as a potential five-category impact fantasy contributor thanks to his power/speed combination. He’s hitting .364 (39-for-107) with 20 extra-base hits — six home runs — and 12 stolen bases through 27 games this season for Triple-A Reno. It’s time.
Twins OF prospect Walker Jenkins (ankle) received a cortisone injection and isn’t expected to return to minor league game action until June.
Jenkins has dealt with an array of physical issues since being selected fifth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. The immense talent and upside is undeniable, but he’s struggled to stay on the field at times. The 20-year-old top prospect isn’t expected to return to game action at Double-A Wichita until early June after receiving an injection to address lingering ankle soreness. He’s a top-10 prospect for dynasty purposes, but the lost development time is starting to become a minor concern.
Josh Lowe (oblique) took batting practice on Tuesday.
Lowe took on-field batting practice off a pitching machine for the first time since suffering a Grade 2 right oblique strain back on Opening Day. He’s expected to progress to facing live pitching on Friday and could potentially kick of a minor league rehab assignment this weekend in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League. The 27-year-old fantasy standout is likely to require a couple weeks of game action to get back up to speed, but it sounds like he could potentially return by mid-May, barring any setbacks.
Giants signed OF Cal Mitchell to a minor league contract.
It didn’t take Mitchell long to find a new home. The 26-year-old outfielder latches on with the Giants just a couple days after being cut loose by the White Sox. He was hitting .111 (3-for-27) in 10 games at the Triple-A level this season.
Mariners signed RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract.
Shaw fortifies Seattle’s relief depth at Triple-A Tacoma after failing to make the Reds’ season-opening roster in spring training. The 37-year-old journeyman righty has made a whopping 796 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2011.