3 MLB FanDuel Value Plays for Monday 7/17/23

Finding low-salary production is one way to get a leg up on the competition in MLB DFS.

Here are some low-salary players to target on FanDuel for tonight's main slate.

Advanced statistics courtesy of FanGraphs.

Drew Smyly, P, Chicago Cubs ($8,000)

Drew Smyly has one of the best matchups on today's slate and should be a key play from the Chicago Cubs and DFS lineups.

Smyly has had himself a fine season as part of the Cubs rotation -- even if it's not one of the best in his career. The left-handed hurler has a skill-interactive ERA (SIERA) of 4.83 and a fielding independent pitching (FIP) of 4.83, as well. His strikeout numbers are down (just a 19.5% strikeout rate). That said, Smyly had himself a good run in the early season and is looking to get back on track following the All-Star break. He had a run of nine straight starts of two or fewer earned runs earlier this season, showing that he still has a great ability to get outs when needed.

Taking on the Washington Nationals, Smyly should have a good shot at putting up a good number. The Nationals have a .313 weighted on-base average (wOBA), which is the 19th-best in the league. Washington has struggled so far in July outside of the longball; their .253 batting average is the worst of their season through 12 games.

The Nationals have the second-worst implied total of the day (3.72), setting up Smyly for a bounce-back performance. He is projected for 30.4 FanDuel points, per numberFire.

Austin Hays, OF, Baltimore Orioles ($2,900)

Consider firing up Austin Hays in lineups today.

The All-Star outfielder comes at a great discount for the slate as the Baltimore Orioles continue to have success against all lineups. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be trotting out rookie Emmet Sheehan, who has not been all that good through his first four starts. That should allow Hays to take advantage of him.

Hays has swung a hot bat all season as he has a career-best .360 wOBA with his hard-hit rate also at a career-high mark (37.3%). Hays also has a 131 wRC+. The outfielder has actually had a better season against righties, possessing a .319 batting average in this split -- and 6 of his 9 home runs -- to show for it.

Sheehan's first-season struggles can be seen through and through as his 5.13 SIERA. He's giving up flyballs 55.2% of the time, and the rookie isn't striking out many hitters either with a 19.5% strikeout rate.

This should be a fine day for Hays, who is projected for 13.1 points, per the numberFire model.

Wilmer Flores, 1B/2B/3B, San Francisco Giants ($2,700)

The San Francisco Giants lineup should thrive today, and Wilmer Flores looks to be one of the very best plays.

Cincinnati Reds starter Brandon Williamson has not had a good rookie season. The lefty is struggling with a sky-high 5.01 SIERA and a low 19.0% strikeout rate, setting up the Giants for a big day.

Flores, on the other hand, has destroyed lefties all year, and he's been especially good since the start of June. Against lefties, Flores has a .370 wOBA and 135 weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Since the start of June, his overall numbers are through the roof. Flores put together a .449 wOBA and 1.075 OPS in June and has kept the hot bat going through July with a .390 wOBA while recording 13 hits in 10 games.

Flores and other Giants are worth stacking today; San Francisco has the best-implied total on today's slate (5.43).

numberFire's model projects Flores to finish with 12.7 FanDuel points.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.