MLB DFS Value Vault September 9: Red Sox Top Prospect Triston Casas In Good Matchup
MLB pennant races, among other things, are kicking into high gear and this is an exciting time in the sports world. Yes, I know that the 2022 NFL season kicked off last night, but have no fear, we are still all over MLB DFS here and tonight brings with it 12-game main slate for MLB daily fantasy lineups. As you work on your MLB DFS lineups, it is important to stay on top of all the latest MLB news, MLB weather report updates, and MLB lineups. Also, check out the MLB daily projections as your build those daily fantasy baseball lineups. Now, let us dig into some MLB DFS top picks and value options to consider for Friday, September 9th on DraftKings, FanDuel, and Yahoo Fantasy.
MLB DFS Value Pitchers
Lucas Giolito (CWS) – DraftKings - $8,500; FanDuel - $8,200; Yahoo - $37
This year has not gone according to plan for Giolito but tonight we get him in perhaps the most favorable situation; on the road pitching in Oakland against the weak hitting A’s. Aside from a drubbing at the hands of the Astros, Giolito has been at least solid as of late and his 9.95 strikeouts per nine innings do provide some DFS upside. The fact that Giolito has allowed 1.56 home runs per nine innings this season should not really apply tonight and his 5.21 ERA does look better under the lens of his 4.26 xERA and 3.68 xFIP.
Patrick Corbin (WAS) – DraftKings - $5,600; FanDuel - $7,500; Yahoo - $27
We should know better than to fall into this trap, right? But that price is taunting us as is Corbin’s last two outings in which he put up 22.5 and 25.4 DK points, respectively, with 13 innings of two run ball while striking out 10. I would like this a little better if Corbin was facing a more favorable opponent than the Phillies, but compared to his peers in this price range, the left-hander still stands out despite his 6.28 ERA (4.91 FIP) in part to what we have seen from him in the past, although certainly not in the recent past. This is the truest example of a GPP dart throw as a strong stomach is required.
MLB DFS Value Hitters
Triston Casas, 1B (BOS) – DraftKings - $2,000; Yahoo - $12
In the first four games of his major league career, Casas has not exactly taken the league by storm hitting .133 with a home run, but we have seen what he is capable of at the plate all through his rise as a top prospect. Tonight, we get him pretty cheaply, at the minimum price on DK, against a pitcher in Austin Voth who will be confused with an ace and has had trouble keeping the ball in the park previously. It also helps that Casas has the platoon advantage here as well.
Jake Fraley, OF (CIN) – DraftKings - $3,100; FanDuel - $2,700; Yahoo - $19
Fraley has emerged as a solid contributor in the middle of Cincinnati’s lineup, and at least for the next month, it does not appear that he is going anywhere either. Over his last 10 games, Fraley is hitting .300 with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored and with nine home runs through 48 games this season, the outfielder does have the ability to put the ball over the fence. Tonight is a solid matchup for Fraley as he also has the platoon advantage against Jason Alexander.
Corbin Carroll, OF (ARI) – DraftKings - $2,900; FanDuel - $3,300; Yahoo - $21
Let us stay in the outfield and go back to the prospect pool for our cheap exposure to Coors Field for tonight. Carroll has two hits in each of the last two games and that includes his first career home run which he got out of the way on Tuesday. Through eight games, Carroll is hitting a solid .281 with seven RBI and six runs scored, and with Germán Márquez on the mound for Colorado, we should see a fair amount of offense tonight which the rookie should be a part of.
Elvis Andrus, SS (CWS) – DraftKings - $2,800; FanDuel - $2,300; Yahoo - $16
The move to Chicago has worked wonders for Andrus and the veteran shortstop fits in just fine at the top of their batting order. Andrus has hits in 10 of his last 11 games with two hits in six of those games which has brought his batting average up to .247 on the season. With 12 home runs and eight stolen bases, Andrus has some production to offer, along with 45 RBI and 53 runs, but the change of scenery has also worked well. Over his last 10 games, we can certainly ride the hot hand (and it is a favorable matchup against James Kaprielian tonight) as Andrus is hitting .326 with four home runs, 11 RBI, and nine runs scored.
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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.