MLB DFS Value Vault September 11: Luis Patino Can Beat The Weather Concerns
To say that it is a busy sports day would be an understatement, but our focus here remains MLB DFS. We have a 10-game MLB DFS main slate to work with this afternoon, so let us stay up to date on all of the latest MLB news, MLB lineups, and MLB weather while building those lineups. The weather rings especially true as it is possible, we lose games in both Baltimore and Philadelphia to weather. While doing so, here are some MLB DFS value picks to start with.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Luis Patiño (TB); DraftKings - $7,000; FanDuel - $5,900; Yahoo - $35
Patino has been used in small doses at the major league level this year, and today he makes his second straight start for Tampa Bay. Weather could come into play this afternoon in New York, but it will be after Patino is out of the game, if anything, so that puts him on our radar. While the Yankees did emerge offensively yesterday, they have been having a tough go of it lately which makes them a favorable matchup for opposing pitchers. Patino has strikeout upside which helps from a DFS perspective and he has shown the ability to keep the ball on the ground with eight ground ball outs in each of his last two starts (spanning 10.2 innings).
Luis García (HOU); DraftKings - $8,100; Yahoo - $37
The price difference on Garcia between DK and FD ($10k) is startling and while I like him on both sites, the real value does sit on DK and Yahoo. Garcia takes on a weak hitting Angels team today and with 16.8 DK points per start over his last 10, there is a solid floor in play from the right-hander. In his last start against this same Angels team, Garcia threw seven innings of one run ball while striking out seven. Through 24 starts this season, Garcia has a 3.99 ERA (3.48 xERA) while striking out just over a batter per inning.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
David Peralta, OF (TB); DraftKings - $3,000; FanDuel - $2,300; Yahoo - $11
Peralta bats fifth today against Domingo Germán who is taking the mound on three days rest and will likely be limited to just a few innings against Tampa Bay before turning things over to the bullpen. That should make it a favorable hitting environment for the Rays, and at this point Peralta is best used in a platoon situation. Against right-handed pitching this season, the outfielder is hitting .270 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in 322 at bats. Peralta has 27 doubles with the platoon advantage this year, and an run scoring extra base hit would not be surprising this afternoon.
Garrett Cooper, 1B (MIA); DraftKings - $2,400; FanDuel - $2,500; Yahoo - $8
Cooper has been locked in over the last two games against the Mets with four hits (including a home run and two doubles) in seven at bats while driving in three runs to bring his hitting streak up to five games. Taijuan Walker is dealing with a blister and what New York ultimately gets out of him is unclear today and with a 10.8% barrel-rate along with recent success, Cooper can do some damage.
Mark Vientos, 1B/3B/C (NYM); DraftKings - $2,000; Yahoo - $7
We get the top prospect making his major league debut at a minimum price today on two of the three main sites as Vientos is not available on FD. What makes things even more interesting, is that not only is he essentially a free square on Yahoo, but somehow his eligibility is at catcher. Vientos has a powerful bat and he has demolished left-handers this year in the minor leagues, and after hitting .280 with 24 home runs and 72 RBI overall in Triple-A, he gets the chance to continue that trend against Jesús Luzardo.
Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF (TOR); DraftKings - $3,500; FanDuel - $2,000; Yahoo - $7
Yes, you saw that correctly as Merrifield sits at minimum price on two of three sites. I understand that he is hitting just .050 over his last 10 games, .233 for the season, but he does have a proven track record of success and the platoon advantage against Martín Pérez who come back down to earth as of late. If you want to play the BVP game, Merrifield has a .385 career batting average in 26 at bats against Perez so that also piqued the interest.
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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.