Before jumping in the pool, we will have a look at some afternoon MLB DFS prior to the party starting. First and foremost, I wish you the very best this Memorial Day. While you are gathering to remember those who lost their lives in service, there is a special collection of workers for whom this is not an off day. Those baseball players will assist in making your day with family and friends a little more special by providing a backdrop to your gatherings. After all, what’s a Monday holiday without some sports on the tube? It’s as American as firing up the grill and sharing time with those you’re close to while remembering those you have lost.
Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) was once solely reserved for fallen veterans. It still is, but having the word “memorial” in the mix means a lot of things to a lot of people. Those of us who have lost someone special cannot help but take an extra few minutes on days like this to appreciate loved ones who have gone. There is nothing wrong with using the extra weekend day to spend time with others. In fact, it’s a benefit. So grill ’em up, toss back the beverage of your choice, and hang out with sports on TV. Take time to remember those you have lost, particularly the veterans that gave so much for you to enjoy the day. Better yet, use this Monday to appreciate those that you still have. Now, we’ll get to baseball.
Before you imbibe, use this list to add some value to the money you plop down in contests. Per usual, I’ll provide the very best value plays. If they hit, you’re miles ahead of the competition. After those plays, you will find a list of some studs to fill out your lineups. Here’s hoping for a relaxing Monday. If we can add some dollars to the bankroll, all the better. The six-game afternoon slate kicks off at 1:05pm EDT, so let’s not waste any more time.
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***All prices listed are from DraftKings***
Value on the Hill
Paul Blackburn – vs Houston ($8,200)
Blackburn is one of the best kept secrets in baseball this season. The 28-year-old is rocking a 5-0 record, and harkening to Oakland’s days of pitching development in the past. He has won multiple games that finished within a two-run difference, and really should have two more wins on his record. The Athletics’ bats need to perk up and support this guy, and if they do, he’s going to be thinking Cy Young in 2022. No, that is not an exaggeration. The Astros will surely test his meddle, but for the price, this is value that cannot be beaten. Blackburn is hoisting a beautiful 1.70 ERA over his five wins, accompanied by a 1.01 WHIP. While he has only struck out 36 in 47.2 innings, he should find success against an aggressive Houston lineup. If Oakland scores for him, he’ll walk to a win after six innings of work.
Logan Webb – at Philadelphia ($7,900)
Who are we kidding? There are two five-win pitchers on this slate (not by accident) and each are affordable. Value No. 2 comes in the form of Webb, who has struggled by his standards but is on the right track. Philadelphia can push guys across the plate, scoring 4.50 runs per game. However, at home they are nearly a full run less at 3.83/game. Webb is capable of more than his stats have shown, and a price like this for a pitcher capable of going seven or eight innings at any given time is almost criminal. Webb has a 5-1 record with a 3.54 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 53.1 innings of work. This is a matchup he is built for. The California native did not factor into the decision in his last two starts after winning five of his previous six. Lock him in with confidence.
Value at the Dish
Omar Narvaez, C – at Chicago Cubs ($2,800)
What an incredible bargain this is. Narvaez has six multiple-hit performances in his last 11 games, including a 3-for-3 effort on Sunday, where he was a home run shy of the cycle. Normally, we bang the drum for any player who is a solid player for under $4K, Under $3K? Outrageous, and just what we need when spending on pitching, even when they are great values. Narvaez steps into the box against the Cubs, though I couldn’t tell you who will be pitching. It looks to be a bullpen affair. That’s good news for the Milwaukee backstop who is picking up steam of late and rolls in with a tidy slash of .276/.372/.429 (that’s an OPS over .800 for you knuckleheads out there). He’s knocked two over the fence and carries a 0.9 WAR in 2022. For this price, it feels like an automatic start.
Christopher Morel, 2B/OF – vs Milwaukee ($3,300)
We’ll keep it in the NL Central and in the same game for another great value. Morel was supposed to be a temporary fill-in for Chicago, but continues to get regular playing time. He has an ability to stuff the stat sheet as a five-tool guy, and I’m playing him as an outfielder whenever possible. Morel is on an eight-game hitting streak and has impressed in his short time since appearing in the majors. Opposing pitcher Ethan Small has been tremendous in Triple-A, but he’ll still have the nerves going in Chicago today. Meanwhile, in just over a week of playing at the top level, the 22-year-old Morel has been outstanding. The boisterous outfielder is batting .293 with two moonshots with the boomstick, driving in five and crossing the plate eight times. What’s more, he’s swiped four bags. To reiterate, the rookie has only played in 11 games.
Thairo Estrada, 2B – at Philadelphia ($3,200)
Ring the bell, because it’s another day of three value picks that cost less than $4K. This allows more to spend on studs to fill out our lineups. Another player capable of giving you points in multiple categories is Estrada. He’s cooled off a bit in the last week, but is still having a great first half of the season. Even with the lull, in his last two weeks Estrada is 15/36 (.417). He’ll tap the dish against 34-year-old Kyle Gibson, whose best years are in the rearview mirror. Gibson gives up about one hit per inning pitched, and Estrada is just the guy to capitalize on that. Look for him to get on, be a threat to steal, and put himself in position to score. On the year, the infielder is slashing .278/.320/.392 with a 102 OPS+. He has scored 26 times and driven in 20, while stealing six bags.
Stud Finder: Paul Goldschmidt (1B – STL), Manny Machado (3B – SD), Jeremy Pena (SS – HOU), Byron Buxton (OF – MIN)
Plenty of money saved to get guys like these into your lineups. They’ll light the sky with fireworks today. Happy Memorial Day, celebrate like crazy without forgetting the reason for the day. May all of your lineups be big winners this afternoon. Let’s convene again and celebrate our winnings.
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