If you're looking to stretch your salary cap and still field a decently high-upside MLB DFS lineup tonight, this value list is going to feel like a cheat code. These players are undoubtedly hitting the value sweet spot with modest salaries, strong matchups, and recent production you can count on.
Luis Arraez is the model of consistency at the plate, and at just $4.1k, he’s one you don’t want to pass up. He’s clearly a no-brainer value pick as the Padres face Arizona.
He’s projected for 8.8 fantasy points and has a value rating of 2.15. That’s one of the highest among hitters on the slate for tonight. Arraez isn’t as flashy as some of the others, but he’s delivering where it counts.
He’s hitting .294 on the year and continues to make solid contact with a .330 OBP and .401 SLG. Over his last 5 games, Arraez has collected 6 hits, including a double, while scoring 2 runs and knocking in 1 RBI. Those numbers show he’s seeing the ball well—and he’s doing it against solid pitching.
Now, he gets a soft matchup against Arizona, which has struggled to limit contact hitters. Batting 2nd in the lineup gives him more plate appearances overall, and his ability to get on base boosts his scoring upside a bit as well. For a low-cost, high-floor play, Arraez fits perfectly into cash or GPP lineups.
Jeffrey Springs has been a quiet DFS workhorse this season, and tonight he’s in a great spot again against Washington.
Priced at just $6.8k, Springs is projected for 14.4 FP and a strong 2.12 value rating. In his last start, he tossed 6 innings of 2-run ball against Seattle, with 7 Ks and just 1 free pass. That’s not Tarik Skubal's numbers, but we’ll take it for this salary.
In fact, over his last 6 starts, Springs has thrown 34 innings, allowing just 14 earned runs while striking out 37 batters. His 4.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP just go to show a pitcher who limits damage and keeps games under control.
What stands out is his ability to go deep into games. Springs has thrown at least 89 pitches in 5 of his last 6 outings. That kind of volume gives him a fairly high fantasy floor, especially when he can stack strikeouts.
Against a weak Nationals offense, he’s got a good shot to rack up Ks and possibly throw a quality start, making him a sharp value SP play tonight.
Jarren Duran continues to be one of the Red Sox’s most reliable fantasy contributors, and his matchup vs. Kansas City tonight gives him yet another chance to shine again.
He’s priced at only $4.6k, projected for 9.4 FP, and delivers a decent 2.04 value. Duran has been rock-solid, hitting .264 with 12 taters and 64 RBIs this season. But his value is more than just his season line, he’s trending in the right direction as well.
In August, he’s off to a hot start with 6 hits in 16 ABs, including a pair of doubles and 4 RBIs. He’s scored 4 runs in that stretch and continues to get on base and move around the bags with his speed.
Kansas City’s pitching staff ranks near the bottom in several key categories, and Duran’s hitting 3rd in the lineup, giving him the perfect mix of volume and opportunity for today’s game.
His blend of power, contact, and speed makes him an easy plug-and-play OF tonight, and you can save some salary for some of the heavier hitters.
If you’re looking for a sub-$5k OF with real upside, Jackson Merrill should without a doubt be on your radar.
At $4.4k, Merrill’s projected for 8.8 FP with a clean 2.00 value as the Padres continue their series against Arizona.
Merrill’s been steady in August, already tagging 7 hits in 19 ABs, which also includes a triple and a double. He’s also driven in 8 runs in just 5 games, which means he’s producing when it matters the most, and that’s even good for you.
What’s even more impressive is his advanced approach at the plate. His .368 AVG, .409 OBP, and 1.093 OPS in August show that he’s locked in right now and not slowing down.
Arizona’s pitching staff won’t scare anyone, of course, and with Merrill hitting cleanup, he’ll have plenty of chances to drive in runners like Luis Arraez ahead of him. This Padres mini-stack is both affordable and effective tonight.
Spencer Strider isn’t exactly a budget player with a salary of $9.6k, but his 19.1 FP projection and 1.99 value rating keep him in the conversation for DFS value.
Facing a Milwaukee lineup that has one of the highest strikeout rates in the league, Strider’s upside is simply too good to ignore.
Despite a rough start vs. San Francisco the other day, Strider has been strong overall. He’s logged 28.2 IP in July with 35 Ks and just 11 earned runs. He allowed 3 runs or fewer in 4 of those 5 starts and reached 6 innings in 3 of them, so he’s fairly dependable.
He’s also carrying a 3.71 ERA with 92 Ks on the year. Even when he doesn’t go deep into games, the strikeout numbers keep his floor high enough to justify his salary.
Strider’s ability to dominate with the fastball and rack up swings and misses makes him a high-upside anchor for GPP builds. If you’ve got the salary space and are looking for a decent arm, he brings ace potential without the usual $10k+ price tag.
These 5 players bring the right mix of recent form, strong matchups, and salary relief.
Luis Arraez and Jackson Merrill give you an affordable Padres stack against a weak Arizona staff. Jarren Duran is riding a hot streak and draws a plus matchup vs. Kansas City. On the mound, Jeffrey Springs is underpriced for the way he’s pitching, and Spencer Strider gives you strikeout upside at a still-reasonable price.
Plug these guys into your DFS lineup tonight and get the edge you need.