It is time to continue our MLB DFS Punt Plays series for the DraftKings and FanDuel main slate. Today’s top value plays feature Heliot Ramos, Edmundo Sosa and more.
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 Friday’s 12-game MLB main slate, locking at 7:05 p.m. ET on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
For a limited time only, you can use promo code MLBSIMSWEEK to get access to one week of our industry-leading MLB Sims Max, Sims Data or Data packages for 40% off by clicking here!
MLB DFS Punt Plays Today – May 9
Robert Gasser – SP, MIL vs. STL
MLB DFS DraftKings: $5,000
MLB DFS FanDuel: N/A
This slate has many different ways to approach pitching, but the cheapest pitcher of them all has a worthwhile path to success. Robert Gasser will be making his MLB debut on Friday. The 24-year-old is the second-ranked pitching prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system and the No. 8 left-handed pitching prospect in baseball. Gasser has been limited to only three starts in 2024, but he posted a 3.79 ERA in 2023 and led all Triple-A pitchers with 166 strikeouts. It’s well within the range of outcomes for Gasser to greatly outperform his price tag.
There is a reputation that the St. Louis Cardinals hit southpaws well, but that could not be much further from the truth this season. The Cardinals sport a horrible 70 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, including a .187 batting average and a .118 ISO. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt have seemingly lost their powers, while Willson Contreras just landed on the injured list, leaving the St. Louis lineup severely lacking firepower.
Heliot Ramos – OF, SF vs. CIN
MLB DFS DraftKings: $2,000
MLB DFS FanDuel: $2,000
Heliot Ramos is a high-upside play at the minimum price. Prior to his call-up this week, Ramos was off to a hot start in Triple-A, slashing .296/.388/.565 with eight home runs over 30 games. This success builds off the .954 OPS he posted in the minors last season. It won’t be Ramos’ first big league exposure, as he has 35 career games sprinkled across stints in 2022 and 2023. He’s never found much success in the majors, but Ramos is still just 24 years old and has an unrealized ceiling.
Andrew Abbott is having a strong campaign so far. Through seven starts, he sports a 3.32 ERA, which likely has some regression behind it given a 4.33 xFIP. Abbott is doing many things greatly, but he does tend to give up power. Abbott has surrendered a 9.2% barrel rate to opposing hitters, and right-handed hitters are slugging .495 against him this season.
Edmundo Sosa – 3B/SS, PHI vs. MIA
MLB DFS DraftKings: $2,600
MLB DFS FanDuel: $2,500
After struggling to get much playing time over the first month of the season, Edmundo Sosa has stepped up as the Philadelphia Phillies starting shortstop with Trea Turner landing on the injured list. Sosa is having a strong campaign at the dish, slashing .273/.351/.455 with a 131 wRC+. The sample size is relatively small, but one thing we can feel confident about is his ability to hit left-handed pitchers. Sosa slugged .483 against southpaws in 2023, part of a .456 career mark.
Trevor Rogers is coming off a particularly rough outing, and the 26-year-old has had a brutal season overall. Through seven starts, he sports a 6.15 ERA and 1.72 WHIP. The underlying numbers suggest some positive regression, but the optics are still ugly. Rogers has surrendered a 91.6 mph average exit velocity, a 46.6% hard-hit rate and a .466 xSLG. Hitters of all-handedness are slugging north of .490 against Rogers this season.
For a limited time only, you can use promo code MLBSIMSWEEK to get access to one week of our industry-leading MLB Sims Max, Sims Data or Data packages for 40% off by clicking here!
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. You can also look at our brand new MLB Weather Forecast page for daily weather reports on today’s games.
