MLB DFS Value Plays September 23: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Today’s MLB DFS coverage is for the medium sized nine-game main slate that starts at 1:05 pm ET on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Starting pitching is headlined by Brandon Woodruff and Zack Wheeler. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson are the most expensive hitters at our disposal, and for good reason as Acuna is probably my top spend-up option on this slate. James Grande is on the MLB DFS Playbook today and don’t forget to check out the MLB Lineups page, Vegas Odds, and all of our MLB DFS Tools. 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 Pitcher
Joe Boyle, Oakland Athletics (DraftKings: $7,000; FanDuel: $6,400)
Boyle may not be a highly touted prospect, but I think there are some things to like about him. For starters, he looked great in his MLB debut against the Padres last week, firing three shutout innings with four strikeouts. He posted great numbers in the minors this year prior to being called-up, posting a 3.84 ERA with 168 strikeouts across 117.1 innings of work. I really like that strikeout rate and I also like the fact that he is facing the lowly Detroit Tigers. He is also pitching in a pitcher’s park, so there are a lot of positives with this spot.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
*Stats as of Friday (before last night’s games)
Junior Caminero, 3B/SS, Tampa Bay Rays (DraftKings: $2,500 / FanDuel: N/A)
Caminero was called up yesterday but was not in the starting lineup. I have a feeling he will be in the lineup today though and he is a nice value option. He played great in the minors this year, hitting .324 with 31 bombs and 94 RBI across 117 games. Ryu has pitched well this season and I don’t love the matchup, but it’s hard to argue against the upside that Caminero brings to the table at this price tag.
Brent Rooker, OF, Oakland Athletics (DraftKings: $3,400 / FanDuel: $2,900)
Two A’s players in one article? Yes, we are going with another! Rooker is on a power surge right now with five home runs in his last ten games and he now has 28 home runs on the year. Rooker has proven to be a bit of a streaky hitter, but all that matters right now is that he is in a groove. He has smashed against southpaws this season, slashing .273/.354/.511 with nine home runs against them across 143 at-bats. Joey Wentz is a bad lefty with a 6.64 ERA and 1.68 WHIP this season and has allowed 22 home runs in just 97.2 innings of work.
Estevan Florial, OF, New York Yankees (DraftKings: $2,500 / FanDuel: $2,500)
Florial certainly hasn’t come out of the gates on fire by any means, hitting .200 through his first ten games, but he does have five RBI and a stolen base already, so it hasn’t been entirely empty either. More importantly, he is facing Zach Davies today. Davies is horrendously bad, pitching to a 6.81 ERA and 1.61 WHIP this season, causing one to wonder how he is still in the rotation of a team fighting for a playoff spot.
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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.