A safe and balanced lineup does not bring the same energy as a gutsy, stars-and-scrubs-type build. This is why we are introducing our MLB DFS Punt Plays series to do just that. So let’s get on with our DraftKings and FanDuel decisions.
However, some context first.
A quality MLB DFS punt play is not only cheap to roster but crucially has upside worth pursuing. In baseball, that often translates into an inconsistent batter with power-hitting or stolen base potential. Or it could be a volatile pitcher offering strikeout upside and the ability to pitch deep into ballgames. Whatever the reason, there is enough rationale to believe that punt plays exceed the value of their price tag and recognizing a great punt play is critical to success in MLB DFS.
This article will highlight the top punt plays available on Wednesday’s seven-game MLB main slate, locking at 7:05 p.m. ET on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
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MLB DFS Punt Plays Today – April 25
Hunter Goodman – OF, COL vs. SD
MLB DFS DraftKings: $2,500
MLB DFS FanDuel: N/A
Hunter Goodman is not necessarily a top prospect, but the guy can plain hit. The 24-year-old is off to a red-hot start in Triple-A this season, slashing .298/.352/.691 with seven home runs and a 145 wRC+. It’s not just a small sample size success either, considering Goodman generated a .919 OPS and 34 home runs across 106 minor-league games in 2023. His continued dominance at the dish earned him a promotion to the big leagues yesterday, and he expects to be in the lineup today.
Goodman will square off against Randy Vasquez today. The 25-year-old’s MLB career is just 43 2/23 innings deep, but his 5.25 xFIP paints a fairly vivid picture. Vasquez began this season in Triple-A, where he surrendered a 7.94 ERA and 5.30 xFIP across three starts. He is going to be among the preferred pitchers on this slate to target.
Andrew Heaney – SP, TEX vs. SEA
MLB DFS DraftKings: $6,000
MLB DFS FanDuel: $7,200
Andrew Heaney isn’t a great pitcher, but he can absolutely pay off his price tag in this spot. The southpaw owns a middling 4.54 xERA through four starts in 2024, in line with his career 4.52 ERA. When he’s going good, Heaney can rack up the strikeouts. That hasn’t been the case so far, but he should start to regress toward his 25.2% career mark.
Heaney has faced a reasonably tough strength of schedule so far this season, including the Braves, Rays, and two matchups with the Astros. Today’s showdown with the Seattle Mariners is considerably more favorable. They are scoring only 3.7 runs per game so far, including a 27% strikeout rate, the second-worst mark in the league. The Mariners have generated a 96 wRC+ and .330 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers.
Heaney is the second-highest graded value play at pitcher today, behind Simeon Woods Richardson, who is another viable punt play. I prefer Heaney as a pivot, considering Richardson is currently projected for north of 50% ownership. Richardson owns a 6.08 ERA across three Triple-A starts this season, up from a 4.91 mark in over 24 Triple-A appearances in 2023. He has never flashed much of a strikeout upside, either. Look to Heaney for a considerably higher ceiling.
Trevor Larnach – OF, MIN vs. CWS
MLB DFS DraftKings: $3,100
MLB DFS FanDuel: $2,600
Trevor Larnach has been a regular feature on this list lately. His price tag has crept up slightly, but he remains cheap enough to pass as a punt. The 27-year-old is slashing an impressive .350/.417/.750 with a 225 wRC+ and a pair of home runs. The underlying numbers are even more attention-grabbing, including a .728 xSLG, .463 xwOBA, 12.5% barrel rate, 56.3% hard-hit rate, and a 95.2 MPH average exit velocity.
It’s been a tough campaign for Michael Soroka. Through five outings, he sports an ugly 6.86 xERA and 5.75 xFIP, and the numbers only get worse the more you dig into his performance. Soroka has been beat up by opposing hitters to the tune of a .317 xBA and a .507 xSLG. He’s below average in virtually every capacity, including a 10.7% strikeout rate, 17.1% whiff rate, and a 13.4% walk rate.
Editor Note: If you’re looking for the best MLB DFS picks daily, we got you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with more of a gambling tilt, our friends over at OddsShopper can get you going by teaching you how to bet on home runs.
