MLB DFS Value Vault August 11: Lars Nootbaar is a Top Value Play in Coors Field
Today’s MLB DFS slate is pretty consistent across the board as DraftKings, Yahoo Fantasy, and FanDuel will all start at 1:05 pm ET. DK and FD will both use a 6-game slate, while Yahoo is rolling with an 8-game slate for your daily fantasy baseball lineups. Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease is the no-brainer SP1 option today, but obviously he’s not a value play, so it’s about finding that cheaper pitcher to pair with him in MLB daily fantasy lineups. I have my eyes on JT Brubaker or Zach Plesac to fill that SP2 role as MLB DFS top plays. My top hitter choice is, once again, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar at a cheap price in a Coors Field game. We seem to be clear of any MLB weather report concerns on this slate, but still check the weather center leading up to first pitch. Be sure to check out the confirmed MLB lineups and our MLB daily projections before building those daily fantasy baseball lineups. Plus, don’t forget to check out MLB implied runs totals using our Vegas Odds link and to use our MLB DFS lineup generator. Let’s dive into the Value Vault with our MLB DFS top picks today!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
JT Brubaker, Pirates (DraftKings - $7800 / Yahoo - $29)
Brubaker has been pitching pretty well with a 4.29 ERA over his last 10 starts, averaging 14.1 DK ppg in that span. The Pittsburgh Pirates starter offers upside with a solid strikeout rate as he has 111 Ks across 108.1 innings pitched this season. Brubaker has been drastically better on the road with a 3.90 ERA and 1.48 ERA, compared to a 5.44 ERA and 1.60 WHIP at home. The Diamondbacks are a fine matchup, ranking 18th in the MLB in runs per game.
Zach Plesac, Guardians (DraftKings - $6900)
Plesac doesn’t offer a ton of upside by any means with his low strikeout rate, but at this price against the Tigers, my interest is peaked. He has a 3.72 ERA in two starts against the Tigers this season. Detroit is dead last in scoring this season and they have the 5th-highest strikeout rate in the league. Plesac's ceiling is limited, but the Cleveland Guardians pitcher is a pretty safe cash game play.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals (DraftKings - $2200 / FanDuel - $2700)
I have been pounding the drum for Nootbaar for a while now – even having him as the cover boy for MLB DFS Core Plays two days ago – and he just keeps coming through. The St. Louis Cardinals outfielder has scored 13 and 25 DK points in the first two games of this series against the Rockies and yet his price remains basically free. He was slashing .333/.429/.561 over his last 21 games with three dingers prior to his big game yesterday. Today he faces Germán Márquez, who has a 5.18 ERA and 1.41 WHIP this season. Just keep riding the hot bat at Coors Field at this price.
Elehuris Montero, Rockies (DraftKings - $2700 / FanDuel - $2700)
Montero is someone I have found myself playing on just about a daily basis this week. He has scored 14, 17, 10, 10, and eight DK points over his last five games and had multiple hits in ALL FIVE of those contests with five runs and four RBI in that span. The Colorado Rockies' corner infielder saw his price slightly uptick finally, but he is still very cheap and still very much worth playing as a value play at Coors Field. Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson has a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over his last 10 starts and has a 5.26 ERA on the road this season, compared to a 3.25 mark at home.
Greg Allen, Pirates (DraftKings - $2000 / FanDuel - $2100 / Yahoo - $7)
Allen had a nice game yesterday, going 1-3 with a double, steal, RBI, and run scored to finish with 16 DK points. He has now scored at least seven DK points in four of his past five starts. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder provides speed upside and can easily steal a base if he gets on. Merrill Kelly is far from an easy matchup, but the Diamondbacks' starter has been a bit worse at home with a 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and .245 BAA – compared to a 2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .203 BAA on the road.
Other Potential MLB DFS Value Plays:
- Kerry Carpenter, Tigers (DraftKings - $2000 / FanDuel - $2000 / Yahoo - $7)
- JJ Bleday, Marlins (DraftKings - $2100 / FanDuel - $2300 / Yahoo - $9)
- Tommy Edman, Cardinals (Yahoo - $12)
- Oscar Gonzalez, Guardians (FanDuel - $2500)
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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.