MLB DFS Value Plays May 4: Top DraftKings & FanDuel Picks
Today’s MLB DFS coverage is for the 9-game main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel that starts at 1:05 pm ET. We do have Coors Field on the slate, so keep that in mind when setting lineups. Starting pitching isn’t all that great today with Justin Verlander making his season debut and being the top priced guy, followed by Pablo Lopez and Zach Eflin. We do not have any major mlb weather concerns, which is always great and makes for a much more enjoyable mlb dfs experience. Let’s dive into some of my favorite value options of the day and some we can fit into our cash and tournament lineups!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Eduardo Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers (DraftKings: $7,800 / FanDuel: $8,700)
Rodriguez has scored 39.6, 27.2, and 21.2 dk points over his last three starts while giving up just one run across 20.2 innings with 21 strikeouts. For the season he has a 2.21 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. The Mets are completely lost right now and can’t do anything right, so I expect Rodriguez to be able to keep his momentum going today and deliver another strong outing.
Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox (DraftKings: $7,400 / FanDuel: $8,300)
Giolito has scored at least 13 dk points in all but one outing this season (finished with -6.2 in that start). He has scored at least 18.2 points in three of his past four and has at least 5 strikeouts in four straight, while pitching at least six innings in all four as well. Today he faces the Twins and they have a very average offense, so it’s not a great spot but not a scary spot either.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Trey Mancini, 1B, Chicago Cubs (DraftKings: $2,500 / FanDuel: $2,800)
Mancini is swinging a hot bat with a .357 average over his last 10 games with a home run and 8 total R/RBI. He has been better against lefties this year, slashing .290/.353/.419 against them, compared to .258/.296/.364 against righties. Today he faces arguably the worst lefty in baseball in Patrick Corbin and righties have smashed him with a .919 OPS, compared to the .538 OPS that lefties have produced against him this year.
Brett Baty, 3B, New York Mets (DraftKings: $2,400 / FanDuel: $2,700)
Baty is simply too cheap, so while I do like Eduardo Rodriguez today, I still like Baty at this price. He is hitting .375 with two home runs and two doubles over his last 10 games. He is a strong hitter regardless if he is facing a lefty or a righty and is a rock solid play in both cash games or GPPs. That being said, he is probably my least favorite play of the four hitters I have listed here today.
Ezequiel Tovar, SS, Colorado Rockies (DraftKings: $2,500 / FanDuel: $2,600)
Tovar got off to a very slow start this year, but he is starting to pick it up of late, hitting .286 with a home run and 10 total R/RBI over his last 10 games. Like all Rockies, Tovar is much better at home than he is on the road as he is slashing .264/.291/.453 at Coors Field, compared to .163/.234/.186 when playing on the road. Righties have an OPS .095 points higher against Wade Miley this year than lefties do.
Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox (DraftKings: $2,900 / FanDuel: $2,800)
Eloy was off to an awful start, but he has really found his groove now as he is 9-19 (.474) with a home run and five RBI over his last five games. This game is at home, which is good news for Eloy as he is slashing .306/.359/.388 at home this season, compared to .154/.233/.385 on the road. He faces Pablo Lopez, who has been by righties this season as they have accounted for all 3 home runs he has given up and have a .718 OPS against him, compared to the .589 OPS lefties have produced.
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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.