MLB DFS Value Vault May 24: George Kirby Against Oakland Athletics
We have a consistent MLB DFS slate across the board today as all three DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo Fantasy will be using a 12-game slate starting at 7:05 pm ET. The MLB daily fantasy value options for hitting were a lot stronger last night, but we still have a couple of options for Tuesday, May 24th. On the flip side, we have two great daily fantasy baseball value arms in prime spots tonight against the worst offenses in baseball. As far as MLB weather concerns go, things look clear tonight and we may be able to avoid any issues there - but still keep an eye on the latest MLB weather report. Before you build your daily fantasy baseball lineups, don’t forget to check out the MLB implied runs totals on our Vegas Odds link and our MLB DFS lineup generator. Let’s dive into our MLB DFS top picks today!
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Sonny Gray, Twins (DraftKings - $6800 / FanDuel - $8200)
Gray is putting together another nice season thus far with a 3.48 ERA and 25 strikeouts across 20.2 innings of work while scoring at least 17 points on DK in three straight outings. He has a great matchup against Detroit today too. The Tigers are dead last in scoring this year, averaging just 2.78 runs per game (well below the 29th ranked team’s average of 3.29) and they have the 9th highest strikeout rate (2nd highest in the league over the past week). On top of all that, they are second to last in wOBA against righties.
George Kirby, Mariners (DraftKings - $6000 / FanDuel - $7000 / Yahoo - $34)
Kirby hasn’t pitched very well in his last two outings, but those outings were against the Mets and Red Sox. Today he gets to face Oakland and it doesn’t get much better than that. The A’s are 28th in runs per game this season with an average of 3.32 and they have the 7th highest strikeout rate. To make it even better for Kirby, they are dead last in wOBA against righties.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Alek Thomas, Diamondbacks (DraftKings - $2900 / FanDuel - $2800)
Thomas has been very impressive through 15 games, hitting .300 with three home runs, four doubles, six RBI, and seven runs scored. He has a strong matchup against Jonathan Heasley tonight, who has a 4.32 ERA and 1.80 WHIP through two starts. The Dbacks offense has been better as a whole lately too, scoring 10, 7, 4, and 9 runs over their last four games, which could lead to more RBI and run-scoring opportunities tonight for Thomas.
Tommy La Stella, Giants (DraftKings - $2700 / FanDuel - $2700)
La Stella has the toughest matchup (facing Bassitt) of anyone I have listed, but he’s also probably the best bat of anyone listed here as well. He has kicked off his season in an impressive way as he is 5-17 (.294) with a home run, three doubles, and two RBI through five games. That is good enough for a .647 SLG and .980 OPS. He bats leadoff against righties, which is always a plus as well.
Gilberto Celestino, Twins (DraftKings - $2000 / FanDuel - $2000 / Yahoo - $9)
Celestino is hitting .359 with a .438 OBP through the first 28 games of the season. He hasn’t homered or stolen a base, which really limits his upside, but he has hit well and at minimum prices (or close to it on Yahoo) there is value in a player who scores around 10 points. He has a nice matchup against Brieske, who has a 5.13 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with seven home runs against him in just 26.1 innings of work. The Twins as a stack are a solid option and Celestino bats last, so he can be in the stack as a wrap around.
Gio Urshela, Twins (DraftKings - $3100 / FanDuel - $2700)
Yes, another Twins bat that has a cheap price and this great matchup against Brieske. Urshela has been swinging it well lately, slashing .292/.400/.583 over his last eight games with two home runs, seven RBI, and six runs scored. There is no reason to believe that he won’t stay hot today with this matchup and at these cheap prices, he makes for a great play. Righties are the ones doing the damage against Brieske too, slashing .296/.371/.574 against him, compared to the .167/.231/.354 line that lefties have produced.
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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.