3 MLB FanDuel Value Plays for Tuesday 8/15/23

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

Here are some value plays to target on FanDuel for Tuesday's main slate.

Advanced statistics courtesy of FanGraphs.

Nick Pivetta, SP, Boston Red Sox ($8,500)

Nick Pivetta has shown mixed results pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 2023, but he appears to be in a favorable spot on Tuesday in the nation's capital.

Against the Washington Nationals, Pivetta is facing an offense that ranks in the bottom half of MLB in most metrics. In 2023, the Nats' team OPS is mediocre at .721. Additionally, Washington has hit the second-fewest home runs in the Majors (108).

On the year, Pivetta is punching out opposing hitters at an incredible clip -- his strikeout rate is currently 29.6%. He has seen work both as a starter and out of the bullpen. Still, over his past two starts combined, he has collected 18 total Ks.

At numberFire, Pivetta is projected to produce 32.5 FanDuel points tonight. Among all of Tuesday's eligible DFS hurlers, that is the second-highest total after only Zack Wheeler. Also, due to his reasonable salary of $8,500, Pivetta yields an efficient value score of 3.83 in the matchup with Washington.

If you're wanting to save coin at pitcher, Pivetta makes a lot of sense.

Esteury Ruiz, OF, Oakland Athletics ($3,000)

Esteury Ruiz is the latest rising star playing for the Oakland Athletics. Harboring both speed and power, Ruiz is a sparkplug atop Oakland's lineup.

On the bases, Ruiz has already swiped 46 bags -- the second most in MLB right now behind only likely NL MVP Ronald Acuna. An old baseball adage: speed has no slump.

Ruiz and the A's will face the St. Louis Cardinals for the second tilt in a three-game set. On Monday, Ruiz blasted a two-run homer off starter Miles Mikolas. For tonight, he'll see another righty on the hill for the Red Birds in Dakota Hudson.

In Tuesday's matchup, numberFire projects Ruiz to produce 9.7 points in DFS, which leaves him with a respectable value score (3.25) in relation to his salary.

Ruiz has multi-steal upside every time out, especially when he's atop the order.

Adam Duvall, OF, Boston Red Sox ($2,900)

Adam Duvall's bottom-line power numbers may be down in 2023, but that is mostly due to him missing all of May with a broken wrist. Having made his return to the Boston Red Sox's starting lineup in early June, he has finally begun to settle in.

As mentioned in the first section, the Bo-Sox will be in Washington D.C. to face the Nationals on Tuesday. Duvall will take his initial at-bats against Nats starter Josiah Gray (5.01 SIERA in 2023). Gray is surrendering fly balls at a 39.3% clip, which can play advantageously for Duvall.

Through 56 games this year, Duvall is sporting an impressive wOBA of .355. Additionally, he gets the benefit of hitting in potent offensive lineup on the Red Sox. At .760, Boston has the seventh-best team OPS in baseball.

Like Ruiz noted above, Duvall is also coming off a night in which he homered (on top of collecting four RBI). When Duvall is right, he is one of the most dangerous hitters in MLB -- I think he can jump on Gray early and often.

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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.