3 MLB FanDuel Value Plays for Tuesday 6/20/23

Finding low-salary production is one way to get a leg up on the competition in MLB DFS. Oftentimes, filling out a lineup with quality players on the back end is the difference between cashing and going home empty-handed.

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

Justin Verlander, SP, New York Mets ($8,200)

Justin Verlander -- a three-time Cy Young Award winner -- is not displaying his usual dominance in Year 18, but he is still a solid DFS contributor. Now a member of the New York Mets, Verlander will return to his old stomping grounds at Minute Maid Park to battle familiar faces on the Houston Astros.

In 2023, Verlander's skill-interactive ERA (SIERA) is at 4.38 -- that is up from his career SIERA of 3.55. Of course, Verlander also got a late start to the season after dealing with a shoulder issue. Still, he seems stronger as of late. In eight starts this season, Verlander has allowed two or fewer runs five times.

His most recent work saw him throw six strong innings, allowing only one hit and three runs with six strikeouts against the New York Yankees in a winning effort last Friday. Just like that, Verlander notched his first win in a Subway Series.

I am confident he will build on recent success, especially in a ballpark he used to call home. As a member of the Astros (2018 to 2022), Verlander logged a 2.34 ERA at Minute Maid.

If you are looking to save salary in the pitching department, Verlander checks some boxes at his $8,200 tag. numberFire projects Verlander to total 26.9 FanDuel points on Tuesday.

Mike Yastrzemski, OF, San Francisco Giants ($2,900)

Grandson of MLB Hall-of-Famer and former 1967 AL MVP Carl Yastrzemski, Mike Yastrzemski and his San Francisco Giants have been one of June's hottest topics. Victorious in their last eight games, Yastrzemski has smoked four home runs and collected 10 RBI during the winning streak. Last night, he was able to provide a 10th-inning walk-off blast into San Francisco Bay to defeat the division rival San Diego Padres.

numberFire projects Yastrzemski to produce 8.2 FanDuel points, which does not rank him exceptionally high in terms of point-per-dollar value. But I am going with the surging bat on Tuesday.

Again facing the Padres, the lefty Yastrzemski will have the platoon advantage versus San Diego's starting pitcher Seth Lugo.

Yastrzemski almost always makes solid contact; his soft-hit rate is down to 12.4% in 2023, which is a career-best clip. Additionally, Yastrzemski has always been considerably stronger against righties. This season, he showcases an .873 OPS in the split.

I feel confident about him putting together quality at-bats against Lugo -- who gives up a majority of his home runs to lefties -- and a struggling Padres bullpen. For only $2,900, Yaz is worth the risk.

TJ Friedl, OF, Cincinnati Reds ($2,900)

Along with the aforementioned Giants, the Cincinnati Reds have been the best team in Major League Baseball over the past two weeks. Winners of nine straight, Cincinnati is rolling, and right in the middle of it all has been outfielder TJ Friedl.

numberFire projects 13.0 FanDuel points out of Friedl on Tuesday, which is the eighth-best value score (4.47 points per $1,000) of any batter on the slate. Facing the Colorado Rockies, Friedl is scheduled to go against starting pitcher Noah Davis (6.17 ERA).

In three of his past four games started, Friedl has produced at least 12.7 FanDuel points. This is perpetuated by Friedl's speed and ability to get on base. At the moment, his OPS is .827, which is more than respectable.

Friedl will also receive the benefit of hitting around other dynamic players. With guys like Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Joey Votto and Jonathan India hitting behind Friedl -- assuming Friedl leads off -- he should continue to score runs at a proficient rate.

Cincy has the night's top implied total (5.66), and Friedl is a modest-salaried way to get in on the fun.

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.