MLB DFS Value Vault August 26: Cade Cavalli Makes MLB Debut for Nationals
We made it to Friday, so let us celebrate and kick off the weekend by winning some cash with our MLB DFS lineups. It is a loaded MLB daily fantasy main slate tonight, which means we have plenty of options all around. The MLB DFS top plays in tonight's Value Vault feature Washington Nationals rookie Cade Cavalli as the MLB top prospect makes his big-league debut. When building and monitoring your daily fantasy baseball lineups leading up to game time, it is important to stay up to date on all of the latest MLB daily projections, MLB weather report, and MLB lineups in the quest to finish in the green. To kick start that lineup build, here are some MLB DFS value options for your lineups tonight.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Cade Cavalli (WAS)
DraftKings - $5,000; FanDuel - $7,300; Yahoo - $30
I like this more on sites that force/allow you to start two pitchers as Cavalli’s price means you get to take a look at the rookie for free. Cavalli has a soft landing spot for his major league debut as he takes on the Reds at home. The Nationals prospect is coming off a strong minor league season with a 3.73 ERA over 97 innings. We get strikeout upside with 9.65 per nine innings and that works well with tonight’s opponent as the Reds fan 24.7% of the time.
Tommy Henry (ARI)
DraftKings - $6,900; FanDuel - $8,000; Yahoo - $30
The rookie southpaw has gotten off to a strong start as he has yet to pitch less than five innings over his four outings. After allowing four runs in his MLB debut, Henry has allowed a total of five runs since over 17.2 innings while striking out 13 batters. The Diamondbacks starter has benefited from a .246 BABIP but opposing hitters have barreled the ball up against him just four times in 68 chances. So, the quality of contact, or lack thereof, certainly helps here.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B (PIT)
DraftKings - $3,400; FanDuel - $2,400; Yahoo - $12
Despite Bailey Falter’s success over his last two starts, I am not apt to avoid the left-hander and the price is right on Hayes if you are looking for any exposure to Pittsburgh. Through 12 games in August, Hayes is hitting .289 after struggling through the last two months and he has a clear advantage against left-handed pitching this season (.288 compared to .234). Now Hayes just needs to consistently turn his 48.7% hard-hit rate into results.
Luke Voit, 1B (WAS)
DraftKings - $3,400; FanDuel - $2,700; Yahoo - $17
This is all about hunting the long ball with Voit tonight against Mike Minor. The southpaw has a 6.44 ERA so far this season but the real takeaway for me is the 2.23 home runs he has allowed through nine innings. Voit has 16 home runs through 98 games this season so let us go fishing tonight as if he goes deep, his 32.7% strikeout rate simply does not matter. The first baseman has a career high 18.3-degree launch angle this season to go along with a 15.9% barrel-rate so the chances for a home run are pretty good tonight.
Mark Mathias, 1B/2B (TEX)
DraftKings - $2,000; FanDuel - $2,000; Yahoo - $12
In 18 at bats against left-handed pitching this season, two of Mathias’ four hits have been home runs and that lines up with tonight’s matchup against Tyler Alexander. In 31 plate appearances overall this season, Mathias is batting a solid .267 with two home runs and 10 RBI, and it does not get cheaper than the utility infielder tonight.
Riley Greene, OF (DET)
DraftKings - $3,500; FanDuel - $2,500; Yahoo - $11
Glenn Otto and his 4.66 ERA (5.54 xERA) is generally someone that I look to target and the fact that he walks (4.94) almost as many batters as he strikes out (6.75) also makes this appealing. Greene is seven for his last 17 with at least one hit in each of his last four games and this is a bet on both the outfielder’s talent and poor pitching. With a 9% barrel-rate and 46.4% hard-hit rate, Greene does make solid contact at the plate as well.
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Player News
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