Strategy and Stats for 04/23/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

As the clock strikes 6:10 PM EST today, the excitement builds across the MLB with a full slate of 15 games, promising a spectacle of home runs, strikeouts, and fantasy points galore. Fantasy managers, take note: the spotlight shines brightly on Coors Field where the San Diego Padres face off against the Colorado Rockies at 8:40 PM EST in what’s expected to be a hitter’s paradise, with an Over/Under set tantalizingly at 10.0. This high-altitude clash could be a goldmine for those looking to capitalize on batting prowess. As we delve deeper into today’s matchups, keep an eye on top projected players at each position, whose recent performances and favorable matchups position them as key assets in your fantasy lineup. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to dominate your daily fantasy contests.

Top 1B Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Freddie Freeman ($5800), Dodgers – Projected 15.0 pts

Freddie Freeman’s recent performance might raise some eyebrows, but there’s potential for a rebound. Over his last 10 games, Freeman has seen a dip in production, averaging 6.2 DraftKings points, a -30.3% change from his previous 10-game stretch. Despite this, his matchup against Patrick Corbin, who ranks second in hits allowed per game, positions Freeman for a potentially lucrative outing. With a DraftKings salary of $5800 and a projected 15.0 points, Freeman earns a DFS value score of 2.6. This places him in the strong value category, making him a compelling choice for today’s slate.

Matt Olson ($5900), Braves – Projected 13.4 pts

Matt Olson’s recent stats might not jump off the page, but there’s underlying value to be tapped. Olson has averaged 5.1 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, a stark -49.0% decline from his earlier performances. However, facing Trevor Rogers, who is 14th in hits allowed per game, could offer Olson a chance to improve his numbers. With a DraftKings salary of $5900 and a projected 13.4 points, his DFS value score of 2.3 categorizes him as a core value pick. Olson might be a riskier play, but he offers potential upside in today’s lineup.

Top Second Basemen in Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Altuve ($5500), Astros – Projected 14.7 pts

Jose Altuve remains a beacon of consistency for the Astros, and his recent performances underline his potential in daily fantasy sports. Over the last ten games, Altuve has averaged 11.1 DraftKings points, showing a slight improvement from his previous set of games. Notably, his singles per game have surged by an impressive 64.2%, reflecting his ability to get on base more frequently. However, there’s been a noticeable drop in walks and runs, which could concern potential DFS investors. Facing a pitcher from the Cubs who ranks 10th in hits allowed per game, Altuve’s matchup is favorable. His projected DFS value score of 2.7 positions him as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Xander Bogaerts ($5000), Padres – Projected 14.2 pts

Xander Bogaerts has faced some challenges in the recent stretch, with a decrease in most of his hitting metrics, including a significant 35.9% drop in hits per game compared to his previous ten games. Despite these struggles, Bogaerts has managed to increase his walk rate by 81.8%, which could be a silver lining for DFS players looking for potential scoring through bases on balls. Facing Ryan Feltner of the Rockies, who is ranked 15th in hits allowed per game, might provide Bogaerts an opportunity to improve his hitting stats. With a DraftKings salary of $5000 and a projected point total that suggests potential, his DFS value score of 2.8 makes him another strong value option at second base.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Austin Riley ($5800), Atlanta Braves – Projected 14.1 pts

Austin Riley’s recent performance might raise some eyebrows among daily fantasy sports enthusiasts. Over his last ten games, Riley has seen a significant dip in production, averaging only 6.4 DraftKings points per game, a stark contrast to his previous 10.67 points. This 2.4 DFS value score places him in the core value category, suggesting he could still be a viable option, especially considering his matchup against Trevor Rogers of Miami, who ranks 14th in hits allowed per game. While his recent stats show a decrease in hits and home runs, Riley’s potential for recovery against a pitcher like Rogers could make him a strategic, if not entirely safe, pick.

Rafael Devers ($9400), Boston Red Sox – Projected 12.9 pts

Rafael Devers, priced at a premium $9400 on DraftKings, presents a more complicated case. His performance has slightly improved in his last ten games compared to the previous set, with a mild increase in DraftKings points per game from 5.33 to 5.7. However, his overall impact in the fantasy lineup has been less than stellar, reflected in his 1.4 DFS value score. Facing Ben Lively of Cleveland, who is ranked 44th in hits allowed per game, Devers might struggle to justify his high salary. Despite a notable increase in walks and runs, his limited power hitting and base-reaching ability make him a risky play for today’s games.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Trea Turner ($6300), Phillies – Projected 14.2 pts

Trea Turner has been on a notable uptick, showcasing a significant improvement in his performance metrics over the last 10 games compared to the previous set. With a DraftKings points per game average of 12.5 recently, up from 8.22, Turner’s offensive output has surged by 52.1%. Particularly impressive are his doubles per game, which have increased by a whopping 172.7%, and his total bases per game, up by 108.3%. Facing Hunter Greene, who ranks 24th in hits allowed per game, Turner’s matchup looks favorable. His DFS value score of 2.3 positions him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Bobby Witt Jr. ($6300), Royals – Projected 13.2 pts

Bobby Witt Jr., on the other hand, has seen a downturn in his recent performances. His DraftKings points per game have decreased by 27.3%, falling to 5.9 from 8.11. This decline is mirrored across several key statistics, including a 27.0% drop in total bases per game and a significant 100% decrease in home runs per game. Despite these challenges, Witt Jr. faces Kevin Gausman, who is notably generous in hits allowed, ranking 5th overall. This could present an opportunity for Witt Jr. to bounce back. His DFS value score stands at 2.1, making him another core value player to consider despite recent struggles.

Top Catcher Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Cal Raleigh ($3900), Mariners – Projected 12.8 pts

Cal Raleigh’s recent performance has been nothing short of impressive, making him a standout choice in today’s DFS lineup. Over his last ten games, Raleigh has seen a significant uptick in his production, averaging 10.3 DraftKings points per game, a sharp increase from 4.78 in the previous set of ten games. This surge is highlighted by his increased power at the plate, with home runs per game jumping from 0.11 to 0.4. His total bases have also climbed from 1.0 to 2.3 per game, indicating more consistent hitting. Facing Dane Dunning, who ranks 40th in hits allowed per game, Raleigh’s matchup looks favorable. With a DraftKings salary of $3900 and a projected point total of 12.8, his DFS value score stands at an 3.3, categorizing him as an elite value pick.

Luis Campusano ($3900), Padres – Projected 11.8 pts

Luis Campusano, on the other hand, presents a more nuanced option. His recent performances have shown some decline, with his DraftKings points dropping from 7.56 to 5.4 per game in his last ten outings. This reduction is mirrored in several key areas such as hits per game, which decreased significantly from 1.44 to 0.8. Despite these challenges, Campusano faces Ryan Feltner, who is notably generous in allowing hits, ranking 15th in the league. Given his current DraftKings salary of $3900 and a slightly lower projected point total of 11.8, Campusano still holds a DFS value score of 3.0. This positions him as a strong value pick, especially considering the potential for a bounce-back performance against a weaker pitcher.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Fernando Tatis Jr. ($6000), Padres – Projected 16.3 pts

Fernando Tatis Jr. has shown a promising uptick in his performance metrics over the last ten games, making him a notable contender in today’s DFS lineup. With an average of 9.6 DraftKings points per game recently, Tatis Jr. is facing Ryan Feltner, who ranks #15 in hits allowed per game. This matchup positions Tatis Jr. to potentially exploit these stats favorably. His improvement in walks per game, up by a staggering 142.4%, combined with a consistent hitting performance, underscores his capability to rack up DFS points. His DFS value score stands at a 2.7, categorizing him as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Yordan Alvarez ($5400), Astros – Projected 15.4 pts

Yordan Alvarez, despite a recent dip in his performance metrics, still holds potential for today’s DFS. Over the last ten games, Alvarez has averaged 6.3 DraftKings points per game, a sharp decrease from his previous performance. However, facing a pitcher from the Cubs who ranks #10 in hits allowed per game could be an opportunity for Alvarez to turn the tide. His total bases and home runs have seen significant drops, but his ability to draw walks has increased by 51.5%. With a DFS value score of 2.9, Alvarez is positioned as a strong value pick, potentially underpriced for the upside he can bring to today’s DFS contests.