MLB DFS Value Plays September 19: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Happy Tuesday everyone! We have another 12-game main slate of baseball on both DraftKings and FanDuel as we rapidly approach the end of regular season play. The top-priced pitchers on this slate are Spencer Strider and Luis Castillo. Top-end hitters include Ronald Acuna, Corey Seager, and Mookie Betts.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
Clarke Schmidt, P, New York Yankees (DraftKings - $7,300, FanDuel - $7,500)
Schmidt is in an interesting spot here at home against the Blue Jays. He hasn't been an amazing pitcher but has been better at home this year, with a 3.94 ERA. His biggest struggle has been dealing with left-handed bats, but Toronto lacks in this department, especially missing Brandon Belt. He's got at least 19 DK points in three of his last five starts and if you're looking for value, going any lower than Schmidt feels risky.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Andres Gimenez, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (DraftKings - $3,700, FanDuel - $3,000)
We are seeing some life out of Gimenez who is hitting .375 in his last 10 games. He has six multi-hit games in that span while tallying a home run, seven RBIs, and three steals. The Royals will be using Alec Marsh as the long man who struggles to get lefties out, allowing a .395 wOBA and .540 SLG on the year. Gimenez feels underpriced for how he's been playing and is in a good spot here to pay off his low price tag.
Leody Taveras, OF, Texas Rangers (DraftKings - $3,500, FanDuel - $2,800)
Taveras is in a great spot here against Tanner Houck. Houck struggles with lefties, allowing a .377 wOBA, .542 SLG, and 2.23 HR/9 on the year. Pair this with Leody who holds a .321 wOBA and .172 ISO against right-handed arms and we have the spot we want. He has hits in eight of his last 10 games and is a very attractive play considering his price tag.
Mark Canha, OF, Milwaukee Brewers (DraftKings - $3,400, FanDuel - $3,000)
Mark Canha is producing at a high level right now and draws a nice matchup against southpaw Drew Rom. Rom has been way worse against lefties in a small sample size this year, but he hasn't been great against righties either, allowing a .369 wOBA and .474 SLG. Canha has two home runs in his last five games and will remain a great value play on every Brewers slate if he stays hot.
Cavan Biggio, 3B/OF, Toronto Blue Jays (DraftKings - $2,800, FanDuel - $2,500)
While I do like Clarke Schmidt as a pitcher tonight, we know he struggles against left-handed bats. Biggio might not be a huge power hitter, but he does hold a .167 ISO against righties and is batting .345 with a .963 OPS over his last 10 games. The bonus is this game is in Yankee Stadium with the notorious short wall in right field. Daulton Varsho is another Toronto bat I would give the nod to. He's a little cheaper and has power, but he hasn't given much fantasy production lately outside of the home run he hit on 9/17.
Player News
Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports that the Twins plan to promote top prospect Luke Keaschall on Friday.
With mounting injuries in their infield, the Twins are in desperate need of reinforcements, and that’s where Keaschall comes in. The 22-year-old second baseman was off to a solid start at Triple-A St. Paul, slashing .261/.379/.348 with one homer, five RBI, four stolen bases and an 11/9 K/BB ratio in 58 plate appearances through his first 14 games. He should see regular playing time while with the Twins, making him an intriguing middle infield option in deeper mixed leagues.
Jo Adell is not in the Angels’ starting lineup for Thursday evening’s battle against the Rangers in Arlington.
There have been no mentions of any physical issues that Adell is dealing with, so we’re assuming it’s just a regular day of rest for the 26-year-old slugger. Kyren Paris will move to center field to cover for him while Luis Rengifo slides over to second base and J.D. Davis will get an opportunity at the hot corner. For those tracking at home, that will be the fifth game in the outfield this season for Paris as he works towards eligibility there for fantasy purposes.
Christopher Morel is absent from the Rays’ starting lineup for Thursday’s tilt against the Yankees.
Morel had started each of the team’s previous 10 games, so it looks like they’re just trying to give him a breather. The 25-year-old slugger is slashing a healthy .288/.362/.404 with one homer, six RBI and a pair of stolen bases through his first 17 games on the season. Richie Palacios will start in his place in left field on Thursday night and will bat sixth against Will Warren and the Yankees.
Kyle Manzardo is not in the Guardians’ starting lineup for Thursday night’s showdown against the Orioles.
It appears to be just a routine day of rest for the 24-year-old slugger with right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano toeing the slab for the Orioles. Manzardo has slowed considerably after his strong start to the season as he’s slashing just .185/.313/.463 to go along with four homers and 11 RBI. Jose Ramirez will function as the Guardians’ designated hitter in his place on Thursday with Gabriel Arias sliding over to third base and Daniel Schneemann drawing a start at second base.
Tyler Soderstrom went 1-for-5 and blasted his league-leading ninth home run on Thursday as the Athletics clobbered the White Sox 8-0 in Chicago.
Soderstrom did his damage in the seventh inning of this one, launching a 3-2 slider from Brandon Eisert for a 374-foot (103.9 mph EV) solo shot that made it a 5-0 ballgame. It has taken the 23-year-old slugger just 19 games to match his home run output from the 2024 season where he swatted nine long balls in 213 plate appearances over 61 ballgames. He’s obviously not going to continue at this remarkable pace, but Soderstrom needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy leagues.
JJ Bleday blasted a two-run homer on Thursday, helping to power the Athletics to victory over the White Sox in Chicago.
The 27-year-old outfielder victimized White Sox’ right-hander Davis Martin with his 372-foot (104.2 mph EV) two-run shot in the sixth inning that pushed the A’s advantage to 4-0. That would be his only hit in four at-bats on the afternoon. For the season, Bleday is slashing just .227/.325/.364 with a pair of homers, 10 RBI, one stolen base and a 14/10 K/BB ratio through his first 77 plate appearances.