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

As the clock strikes 1:15 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy landscape buzzes with anticipation for a thrilling 15-game slate, headlined by a high-stakes encounter at Nationals Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Washington Nationals at 6:45 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at a robust 9.5, fantasy managers should keep their eyes peeled for potential high scorers, making this game a pivotal focus. Across the board, today’s matchups feature top-tier talent, promising a day filled with strategic plays and standout performances. Whether you’re looking to dominate the pitcher’s mound or capitalize on batting prowess, understanding the nuances of each position will be key. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into today’s games, providing you with comprehensive analyses and expert insights to help you craft your winning fantasy lineup.

Top 1B Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Freddie Freeman ($5700), Dodgers – Projected 14.4 pts

Freddie Freeman, the stalwart at first base for the Dodgers, has shown a slight dip in his fantasy output recently. Over the last ten games, his DraftKings points per game have decreased by 18.8% to 6.5, compared to 8.0 in the previous ten games. Despite this, Freeman’s ability to draw walks has impressively increased, boasting a 112.1% rise. Facing Jake Irvin, who ranks #42 in hits allowed per game, Freeman’s matchup looks favorable. His projected DFS value score of 2.5 indicates strong value at a $5700 salary, making him a solid pick for today’s games.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($4600), Blue Jays – Projected 12.9 pts

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays presents an intriguing option at first base. His recent performance shows a notable increase in singles per game, up 309.1% in the last ten games. However, his overall fantasy points on DraftKings have seen a decrease of 15.8%, settling at 5.8 points per game. Facing Michael Wacha, who is #23 in hits allowed per game, Guerrero’s potential to exploit this matchup could be key. With a DFS value score of 2.8 at a modest $4600 salary, Guerrero stands out as a strong value pick for today’s slate.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Altuve ($5500), Astros – Projected 14.4 pts

Jose Altuve continues to be a pivotal player for the Astros, and his recent performances suggest he’s in fine form. Over his last ten games, Altuve has seen a significant increase in his hitting, averaging 1.5 hits per game, which is up 23.0% from his previous ten-game stretch. His ability to get on base, highlighted by a 64.2% increase in singles, makes him a valuable asset in daily fantasy sports. Despite a slight decrease in walks and runs, his overall fantasy output has improved, with a 2.6 DFS value score on DraftKings. Facing Jameson Taillon, who ranks #53 in hits allowed per game, Altuve’s matchup looks favorable, making him a strong play in today’s DFS lineups.

Xander Bogaerts ($5000), Padres – Projected 13.9 pts

Xander Bogaerts, although experiencing a dip in his last ten games compared to the previous set, still holds considerable value. His hits per game have decreased by 32.6%, and his total bases dropped significantly by 37.5%. However, his ability to draw walks has improved, seeing an 81.8% increase. Bogaerts’ matchup against Ryan Feltner, who is notably generous in allowing hits, ranking #6 in the MLB, could be an opportunity for him to bounce back. With a 2.8 DFS value score on DraftKings, Bogaerts presents a strong value play at second base, potentially offering solid returns for a moderate investment.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Alex Bregman ($4600), Astros – Projected 12.6 pts

Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros shows a promising uptick in his recent performances. Over the last ten games, Bregman has averaged 4.5 DraftKings points per game, an improvement from his previous ten-game stretch. His matchup against Jameson Taillon, who ranks #53 in hits allowed per game, positions Bregman for potential success. Notably, his hits per game have increased by 25.0%, and his runs per game have surged by 81.8%. With a DFS value score of 2.7, Bregman stands out as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Max Muncy ($4700), Dodgers – Projected 12.4 pts

Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers continues to be a solid contributor in daily fantasy sports. Averaging 6.9 DraftKings points in his last ten games, Muncy has maintained a steady performance. Facing Jake Irvin, who allows a significant number of hits per game, could benefit Muncy. Despite a slight decrease in hits and singles, his home runs per game have impressively increased by 81.8%. With a DFS value score of 2.6, Muncy offers strong value and could be a pivotal player in today’s DFS lineups.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Gunnar Henderson ($5800), Orioles – Projected 13.7 pts

Gunnar Henderson has been on a notable upswing, making him a compelling pick for today’s games. Over his last ten games, Henderson has averaged 13.0 DraftKings points, a significant improvement from his previous set of games where he averaged 9.0 points. This 44.4% increase is backed by a substantial rise in hits per game, jumping from 0.78 to 1.6. His ability to convert singles has nearly tripled, and his home run rate has also seen an 81.8% increase. Facing Griffin Canning, who ranks ninth in hits allowed per game, Henderson’s matchup looks favorable. His DFS value score stands at 2.4, positioning him as a core value pick with potential upside.

Corey Seager ($5700), Rangers – Projected 13.0 pts

Corey Seager, on the other hand, has seen a downturn in his recent performance. His last ten games have yielded an average of only 4.2 DraftKings points, a stark contrast to the 9.56 points from the previous ten-game stretch, marking a -56.1% decline. His hits per game have decreased by 44.4%, and his total bases per game have nearly halved. Despite this slump, Seager is facing Logan Gilbert, who is ranked 55th in hits allowed per game, which might offer some room for recovery. However, with a DFS value score of 2.3, Seager is considered a core value play but carries a higher risk given his recent form.

Top Catchers to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

Will Smith ($4600), Dodgers – Projected 13.9 pts

Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers has shown fluctuating performance in the recent games, but his upcoming matchup against Jake Irvin of the Nationals, who ranks #42 in hits allowed per game, presents a favorable scenario. Over the last ten games, Smith has averaged 5.1 DraftKings points, a drop from his previous average of 7.67 points. Despite a significant decrease in hits and total bases, his walk rate has impressively increased by 127.3%. With a DraftKings salary of $4600 and a projected point total of 13.9, Smith offers an 3.0 DFS value score, categorizing him as an elite value pick for today’s games.

Adley Rutschman ($5100), Orioles – Projected 13.2 pts

Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles comes into today’s game against Griffin Canning of the Angels, who is notably generous in allowing hits, ranking #9 in the league. Rutschman’s recent performance has been impressive, with a 78.1% increase in DraftKings points per game compared to his earlier games, now averaging 10.1 points. His hitting has substantially improved, with a notable 70% increase in hits per game and a 112.1% increase in runs scored. With a DraftKings salary of $5100 and a projected point total of 13.2, Rutschman is marked as a 2.6 DFS value score, making him a strong value in today’s lineup.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Fernando Tatis Jr. ($6100), Padres – Projected 16.9 pts

Fernando Tatis Jr. continues to be a pivotal player for the Padres, especially in today’s matchup against Ryan Feltner of the Rockies, who has been generous in allowing hits. Over his last ten games, Tatis Jr. has maintained a steady performance with an average of 8.0 DraftKings points per game. Although there’s a slight decrease in his home run rate and total bases compared to the previous ten games, his ability to draw walks has impressively increased by 81.8%. Facing a pitcher ranked 6th in hits allowed per game, Tatis Jr.’s prospects look promising. His DFS value score of 2.8 makes him a strong value pick in today’s fantasy lineup.

Yordan Alvarez ($5400), Astros – Projected 16.4 pts

Yordan Alvarez, despite a recent dip in his performance metrics, presents a rebound opportunity against Jameson Taillon of the Cubs. Alvarez’s last ten games have seen a significant drop in DraftKings points per game, hits, and especially power hitting, with home runs per game decreasing by 77.3%. However, his matchup potential and lower salary make him an intriguing option. His ability to capitalize on Taillon’s pitching could be key, as Taillon ranks 53rd in hits allowed per game. With a DFS value score of 3.0, Alvarez stands out as an elite value pick for today’s games, potentially offering high returns at a moderate cost.