Houston Astros' Jose Altuve is poised for more playing time at second base following the injury of Brendan Rodgers, who is on the injured list with a left oblique strain. While the Astros recalled Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A, manager Joe Espada opted to keep Altuve in left field, starting Mauricio Dubón at second base. Rodgers has struggled this season, hitting just .191 with a low OPS, making his absence feel less impactful. Meanwhile, Altuve, a nine-time All-Star, has had a mediocre season himself, yet remains a key player with second-most homers on the team. The Astros are currently five games ahead in the AL West.

Framber Valdez is scheduled to start against the Oakland Athletics, a matchup he has historically excelled in, which should be a consideration for MLB DFS players crafting their lineups. With a career ERA of 2.64 against the A's and having allowed only one earned run in 13.1 innings last season, Valdez is a viable option for starting pitcher on platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. While he won't be a budget pick, his strong past performance against Oakland makes him a formidable choice for daily fantasy lineups.

In addition to Valdez, Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve is also highly recommended, especially given his history against Athletics starter Luis Severino, with a batting average of .275 and a home run in 40 at-bats against him. Severino's struggles this June, marked by a 6.63 ERA, further enhance Altuve's appeal as a solid value pick for DFS players. Similarly, Carlos Correa of the Twins presents a favorable matchup against left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo, having hit .269 with a significantly elevated OPS against lefties this season. As insights from expert Mike McClure suggest, these players could be key to a successful DFS strategy on June 18.

In the current fantasy baseball landscape, identifying sell-high candidates can be a challenging yet rewarding strategy for managers navigating the trade market. Players like Byron Buxton and Jeremy Peña, who are enjoying breakout seasons, may not maintain their current production levels due to historical injury concerns and unsustainable performance metrics, respectively. Buxton, despite a solid .273 average and 12 homers, has struggled to stay on the field, while Peña's high BABIP might not be indicative of his long-term potential.

Others like Jacob Wilson and Hunter Goodman are also highlighted as players who are performing above expectations. Wilson's incredible batting average of .360 seems unlikely to be sustainable, given his subpar exit velocity. Similarly, Goodman, while thriving as a catcher, may find himself under pressure as the season progresses. In contrast, veterans like José Altuve are also mentioned; while he remains productive, his recent performance metrics raise questions about his long-term value. The overarching theme is that fantasy managers should not get too attached to players who are currently overperforming, as trends suggest regression is likely.

Gleyber Torres of the Detroit Tigers is currently leading the American League second basemen in the first update of the 2025 MLB All-Star voting, with 535,079 votes. This places him ahead of notable players like Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros. Torres, a two-time All-Star, is poised to break a nearly decade-long drought for the Tigers at this position.

With the first phase of voting concluding on June 26, fans can vote online, with the top player at each position guaranteed a starting spot. The Tigers are in a good position, with Torres, Riley Greene, and Javier Báez potentially advancing to the next round. Additionally, pitchers like Tarik Skubal will also be in contention for selection, aiming to boost the Tigers' representation at the All-Star Game.

As we gear up for Monday's MLB DFS slate, eyes are on players like Shohei Ohtani, who made a triumphant return to the mound, and Jose Altuve, who continues to impress with his power. Tonight's features include Rafael Devers making his debut for the San Francisco Giants, poised for a solid matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. With 12 games to choose from, this slate offers a plethora of options for daily fantasy players, balancing elite picks with value opportunities.

Pitchers like Robbie Ray and Will Warren are highlighted as strong plays, each boasting impressive strikeout rates and favorable matchups. Ray, with a 2.55 ERA, takes on a Guardians lineup that struggles against left-handed pitching, while Warren could capitalize against an Angels team that has the highest strikeout rate against righties. In the infield, Devers stands out with a .968 OPS in June, while Gunnar Henderson's hot bat makes him a value pick against the Yankees.

Outfield options feature Aaron Judge and Ronald Acuña Jr., both of whom are expected to drive significant fantasy points. The Yankees have a high implied run total, suggesting potential for a big night. Stacking the Yankees against pitcher Kyle Hendricks could be a strategic play, especially considering their recent struggles. In contrast, the Orioles and Twins are also interesting stacks against more vulnerable pitching.