We finally have a straightforward Monday slate on our hands. With seven games this evening, about half of the league is in action. With that comes some high-priced players. To fit them in, you need some value. That’s where RotoBaller comes in! Experienced daily fantasy baseball owners know that sleepers and values can change once lineups come out, so keep track of all MLB starting lineups and Hitter Matchups (BvP) on RotoBaller to add to the research below.
Value picks are always relative, but for this piece, we'll target hitters under $4,000/$3,000 on DraftKings/FanDuel and pitchers under $6,000/$7,000 DK/FD. We'll also point out any player we feel is sorely underpriced for his expected production.
This article will provide my DFS value picks for DraftKings and FanDuel. The main slate locks at 7:10 p.m. ET. The only place with rain concerns is Boston, but that’s the first game of the evening, so we should get news early enough to change if need be.
MORE ROTOBALLER: Get any full-season RotoBaller MLB and DFS Premium Pass for 10% off using code SPORTING and gain exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, premium articles, daily matchup rating projections, 15 lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, research stations, lineup optimizers, and much more!
Best SP values, sleepers for Monday's MLB DFS contests
By Mike Marteny
Zack Greinke, Royals vs. Reds ($7,000 DK, $7,300 FD)
On the surface, there isn’t much to like about Greinke. He will turn 40 in October, in his 20th season, and he doesn’t strike out guys like he used to. About all he does now is eat innings, and he even struggles to choke those down once in a while. However, since Greinke returned to the team that drafted him last season, he has been much better at home. Greinke has a 3.00 ERA at the K in six starts this year after a 1.91 home mark last year in 12 starts. Consider him a great play at home in Royal blue.
Dane Dunning, Rangers vs. Angels ($6,100 DK, $7,700 FD)
Nothing really stands out about Dunning, but he is 5-1 with a 2.52 ERA this season. He doesn’t go deep into games, nor does he rack up strikeouts, but he has been able to limit runners this year, which really helps in DK’s scoring system. Dunning is solid, and you can do much worse for an SP2 on DK.
Best infield values, sleepers for Monday's MLB DFS contests
Jared Walsh, Angels @ Rangers ($2,200 DK, $2,300 FD)
Walsh missed most of the first two months with migraines and insomnia, so it wasn't your usual trip to the IL. He has struggled in 13 games since his return. The eye is still there ̶ Walsh has walked 11 times in 60 plate appearances ̶ but not much else. He has three doubles, three RBIs, and three runs scored in just 49 at-bats. Now the good news: He's 6-for-11 with five walks and a pair of homers in his career against Dane Dunning. If he's ever going to bust out of this slump, tonight should be the night.
Jace Peterson, A's vs. Rays ($2,600 DK, $2,500 FD)
Peterson being eligible at 2B and 3B on DK is nice, but his price works well on both sites. Peterson is 10-for-24 with two homers, three steals, seven RBIs, and six runs in June. Ride the hot streak while it lasts. Peterson is a respectable four-for-15 in his career against Zach Eflin.
Isaac Paredes, Rays @ A's ($3,600 DK, $3,200 FD)
Paredes has three homers and eight RBIs over his past five games, but he's also gone hitless in three of those. He’s about as all-or-nothing as you can get right now, but he's a good way to get cheap exposure to a pitcher who has a 7.21 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 11 starts. James Kaprelian hasn’t even been good in Oakland, posting a 7.18 ERA at home.
MORE ROTOBALLER: Get any full-season RotoBaller MLB and DFS Premium Pass for 10% off using code SPORTING and gain exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, premium articles, daily matchup rating projections, 15 lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, research stations, lineup optimizers, and much more!
Best OF values, sleepers for Monday's MLB DFS contests
Luke Raley, Rays @ A's ($3,500 DK, $3,100 FD)
Raley hits righties well, posting a .333 average with a homer, five RBIs, and five runs against them in June. I highlighted the struggles of James Kaprelian above, and stacking Rays on the cheap is a smart move in at least one lineup tonight.
Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners vs. Marlins ($3,100 DK, $2,700 FD)
Hernandez started the season slowly in his new home, but he's starting to heat up. Teo is hitting .333 with a pair of homers, eight RBIs, and four runs in June. He had four hits in the final two games of the Angels series, and we have seen what he can do on hot streaks throughout his career. We may as well climb on this current heater at this price.
Jordan Walker, Cardinals vs. Giants ($2,900 DK, $3,000 FD)
The highly touted rookie was doing reasonably well before his demotion to Memphis in late April. His time on the farm may have done him some good. Walker is hitting .292 with two homers and four RBIs since his return to St. Louis on June 2. He has a modest five-game hitting streak going with seven hits in that span. He feels cheap for the promise that he has.
