MLB DFS Value Vault May 15: Tarik Skubal Is Too Affordable
This MLB DFS slate is all over the place as none of the sites are using the same slate. DraftKings is using an eight-game slate starting at 1:35 pm ET, FanDuel is using a ten-game slate starting at the same time (choosing to include the Coors Field game between the Royals and Rockies and the game between the Red Sox and Rangers), while Yahoo is using two completely different slates entirely. It doesn’t appear that we will have any MLB weather concerns, which is fantastic. As always, Sunday lineups can be a bit chaotic with star players receiving a day off so do not forget to check out our MLB Daily Lineups as they start to roll in. And don’t forget to check out the MLB implied runs totals on our Vegas Odds link, to get a better read on which games look like they will feature high scoring. Let’s just go ahead and jump into our MLB DFS picks today.
Pitchers
Hunter Greene, Reds (DraftKings - $6700 / FanDuel - $6200) – Greene is coming off his best start in nearly a month as he held the Brewers to two runs across 5.1 innings of work with six punch-outs to finish with 15.2 DK points. I am willing to take my chances on him building off that performance as he takes on a weak Pirates team today. The Pirates are 26th in runs per game this season with a mark of 3.58 and they have the seventh-highest strikeout rate. And we know Greene can rack up strikeouts as he already has 35 across 26 innings this season.
Tarik Skubal, Tigers (DraftKings - $6000) – What is this price on Skubal?! Nearly the cheapest pitcher on the slate despite an AVERAGE of 17.8 DK points per game this season (which is more than the fourth-and-fifth-priced pitchers on the slate). He has two straight games with at least 23.9 points, so he’s not in a funk by any means. He has a 2.94 ERA on the season with 34 strikeouts in 33.2 innings. Maybe it is the matchup? Nope, he’s taking on the Orioles which is one of the best matchups possible. The Orioles are 29th in runs per game with a lousy average of 3.32 per contest and they have the ninth-highest strikeout rate.
Hitters
Jonah Heim, Rangers (FanDuel - $2300) – Catchers can sometimes be overlooked on FanDuel because they aren’t required to use and it makes sense to want to use a first baseman instead, but Heim is averaging double-digit points per game this season and is nearly the minimum price. He has crushed lefties so far this season, slashing .471/.609/.941 against them in 23 plate appearances and today he is facing a low-tier lefty in Davis, who is 29-years old with a career ERA North of 5.00. Also for Davis’ career, righties have done slightly more damage against him than lefties.
Royce Lewis, Twins (DraftKings - $2300 / FanDuel $2100) – Lewis has at least one hit in six of his seven starts to begin his career and is currently hitting .320 with a home run, two doubles, and four RBI. Today he faces Triston McKenzie, who has pitched pretty well this season, but does have massive reverse splits as righties are slashing .246/.319/.415 against him, compared to the .135/.238/.135 line that lefty bats have produced to this point.
Chris Owings, Orioles (DraftKings - $2100 / FanDuel $2000) – Owings is essentially the minimum price on both sites and that’s the main thing to like. He does have 9, 12.4, 12.2, and 9 points on FD in four of the past six games he has played, which is very serviceable for his price tag. He is just 1-for-15 against righties this season, but he isn’t facing a righty today and he has a .400 OBP against lefties this season with his lone double and lone stolen base.
Andrés Giménez, Guardians (DraftKings - $3300) – Yesterday I said “What are we doing with his price still being so cheap? I really just do not understand at all.” He scored another nine points on DK and his price continues to remain the same. He is now hitting .326 with four home runs and has two steals with 20 RBI as well. He is locked-in right now and while this matchup against Joe Ryan isn’t great, I am willing to continue to take my chances on him and keep rolling with him in until DK adjusts (Yahoo finally did and bumped him up, but FD joined today, bumping him up $300 from yesterday).
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Player News
Wilmer Flores is not in the lineup for Thursday’s bout versus the Phillies.
Flores will get a day off even with left-hander Cristopher Sánchez on the bump for Philadelphia. Willy Adames is the designated hitter for the contest, and Christian Koss will be the shortstop.
Rays activated OF Richie Palacios off the 10-day injured list.
Palacios has missed the first three weeks of the season with a right finger fracture. The 27-year-old is someone who should see playing time against left-handed pitching, but won’t see enough run — or be good enough with that time — to be an option in fantasy leagues. Coco Montes was sent to Triple-A to make room.
Rays optioned INF Coco Montes to Triple-A Durham.
Montes gets the boot from the active roster with Richie Palacios (finger) back off the injured list. The 28-year-old Montes will be up and down throughout the 2025 season and likely his career.
Dodgers optioned RHP Bobby Miller to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Miller was going to head back to Oklahoma City even if he pitched well Wednesday, but it’s worth noting that the 26-year-old scuffled while allowing six runs in his start against the Rockies. The 26-year-old will likely get back at some point with Los Angeles in coming weeks/months, but for now he’ll head back to OKC with a corresponding move to be announced Friday.
Michael Tonkin (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment with High-A Fort Myers on Thursday.
Tonkin will likely need a good handful of appearances before he’s ready to rejoin the Minnesota bullpen. The 6-foot-7 right-hander will be a mid-inning option for the Twins’ relief group whenever he’s ready; likely around the end of April.
Braves optioned OF Bryan De La Cruz to Triple-A Gwinnett.
De La Cruz scuffled and then some in his 50 plate appearances before the demotion with a slash of .191/.240/.213. He’ll head to Triple-A with Alex Verdugo “ready” for a call-up to the Atlanta outfield. De La Cruz will probably be back at some point over the late spring.