Strategy and Stats for 04/28/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate: Optimize Your Lineup

Today’s MLB fantasy slate is brimming with excitement as 15 games kick off, starting at 1:35 PM EST, promising a full day of baseball action. The spotlight shines on the Houston Astros as they take on the Colorado Rockies at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, with the first pitch at 4:05 PM EST. This particular matchup, with an Over/Under set at a staggering 16.5, is anticipated to be a veritable feast for hitters, making it a critical focus for fantasy players. As we dive into today’s games, we’ll explore top projected players at each position, leveraging recent performance data and matchup analytics to guide your fantasy selections. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to dominate your daily fantasy sports competitions.

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

Matt Olson ($5800), Atlanta Braves – Projected 13.6 pts

Matt Olson’s recent performance has shown a notable dip compared to his explosive earlier games. Over his last 10 games, Olson has averaged only 3.8 DraftKings points per game, a stark contrast to the 11.89 points from the previous set of 10 games. This represents a significant decrease of 68.0% in fantasy output. Despite this downturn, Olson’s upcoming matchup against Ben Lively, who ranks #22 in hits allowed per game, presents a potential rebound opportunity. Lively’s 6.35 hits allowed per game could be the opening Olson needs to regain his form. With a DFS value score of 2.3, he holds core value for today’s fantasy lineup.

Bryce Harper ($6000), Philadelphia Phillies – Projected 12.8 pts

Bryce Harper, on the other hand, has been on an upward trajectory. His last 10 games have seen him average 10.2 DraftKings points, more than doubling the 4.89 points from the games 11-20 ago, marking an impressive increase of 108.6%. Harper’s consistent hitting, with an average of 1.1 hits per game recently, up from 0.89, shows his capability to exploit matchups, like the upcoming one against Michael King of San Diego, who allows 7.24 hits per game. Despite a slightly lower DFS value score of 2.1, Harper remains a strong contender in today’s fantasy drafts, given his recent surge and favorable matchup.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Second Base Spotlight

Jose Altuve ($5800), Astros – Projected 17.8 pts

Despite the Astros’ low ranking in generating fantasy points, Jose Altuve presents a compelling case for inclusion in your DFS lineup. Over his last ten games, Altuve has seen a dip in production compared to the previous ten, with a decrease in DraftKings points per game from 8.56 to 6.6. However, his matchup against Austin Gomber, who ranks seventh in hits allowed per game, positions Altuve for potential success. Notably, his projected DFS value score of 3.1 categorizes him as an elite value pick, especially considering his ability to capitalize on Gomber’s vulnerability. While his recent stats show declines in hits and walks, his stable home run and triples performance, coupled with a slight increase in singles, suggest underlying consistency. Altuve’s current form and favorable matchup make him a top candidate for today’s games.

Ozzie Albies ($5400), Braves – Projected 13.2 pts

Ozzie Albies of the Braves also offers significant DFS potential, albeit with some caveats. His recent performance shows a decrease in DraftKings points per game from 13.33 to 10.2. Facing Ben Lively, who is less generous in allowing hits compared to Gomber, Albies’ opportunities might be slightly constrained. Despite this, his remarkable increase in doubles per game (up 445.5%) highlights his potential for extra-base hits, which are crucial in DFS scoring. However, a notable decline in walks and runs could impact his overall scoring potential. With a DFS value score of 2.4, Albies is categorized as a core value player. His ability to adapt and score against a moderately challenging pitcher like Lively should not be underestimated, making him a solid choice, particularly for those looking to balance cost and potential output in their lineup.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Alex Bregman ($5100), Astros – Projected 17.0 pts

Alex Bregman’s recent performance might raise a few eyebrows among daily fantasy sports enthusiasts. Over his last ten games, Bregman has managed an average of 3.8 DraftKings points per game, a noticeable dip from his previous 5.22 points. Despite this decline, his matchup against Austin Gomber, who ranks seventh in hits allowed per game, positions him for a potential bounce-back. Bregman’s ability to draw walks has improved, suggesting an uptick in on-base potential. With a DFS value score of 3.3, Bregman stands out as an elite value pick in today’s slate.

Rafael Devers ($9400), Red Sox – Projected 13.9 pts

Rafael Devers continues to be a powerhouse at the hot corner for Boston. In his last ten outings, Devers has surged to an average of 8.3 DraftKings points per game, showing a robust improvement over his prior performances. His hit rate and total bases have seen significant increases, which is crucial against Hayden Wesneski of the Cubs, who has a relatively low rank in hits allowed per game. However, with a high DraftKings salary of $9400 and a DFS value score of 1.5, Devers is considered to have bad value today, making him a risky, albeit potentially rewarding, choice.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Spotlight on Shortstops

Jeremy Pena ($4700), Astros – Projected 14.5 pts

Jeremy Pena, the Astros’ shortstop, has been showing consistent performance in the fantasy realm. Over the last ten games, Pena has averaged 6.3 DraftKings points per game. Despite a slight decrease from his previous 10-game average of 6.56 points, Pena’s ability to maintain a steady output is notable. Particularly, his total bases per game have seen an increase, which is a positive indicator of his potential to rack up points. Facing Austin Gomber, who ranks 7th in hits allowed per game, Pena’s matchup looks favorable. His projected DFS value score stands at 3.1, categorizing him as an elite value pick for the upcoming slate.

Elly De La Cruz ($5900), Reds – Projected 14.1 pts

Elly De La Cruz of the Reds presents an intriguing option at shortstop. With an impressive average of 15.4 DraftKings points over his last ten games, De La Cruz has shown a notable improvement from his previous average of 14.11 points. His performance is highlighted by a significant increase in walks per game, which has more than doubled, enhancing his on-base potential. Despite facing Dane Dunning, who has a moderately high rank for hits allowed per game, De La Cruz’s ability to contribute across multiple categories boosts his appeal. His DFS value score is 2.4, making him a core value play in daily fantasy lineups.

Top Catcher Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Yainer Diaz ($4700), Astros – Projected 15.6 pts

Yainer Diaz, the young catcher for the Houston Astros, has been showing consistent performance in the recent games. Over the last ten games, Diaz has averaged 6.2 DraftKings points per game, a slight dip from his previous ten-game average of 6.56 points. Despite this minor decrease, his matchup against Austin Gomber, who ranks seventh in the MLB for hits allowed per game, positions Diaz for potential success. Gomber’s tendency to give up 9.36 hits per game could be advantageous for Diaz, who has maintained a steady hit rate. With a DraftKings salary of $4700 and a projected point total of 15.6, Diaz offers significant value. His DFS value score stands at 3.3, categorizing him as an elite value pick for today’s slate.

William Contreras ($5300), Brewers – Projected 12.2 pts

William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers presents an interesting case for today’s DFS. Contreras has seen a notable decline in his performance metrics compared to his previous ten games, with his DraftKings points per game dropping from 17.11 to 8.8. This 48.6% decrease could raise concerns; however, it’s essential to consider his upcoming matchup against Marcus Stroman of the NYY, who allows 7.81 hits per game. Despite the recent downturn, Contreras’s ability to hit and score could rebound against Stroman, making him a player to watch. With a DraftKings salary of $5300 and a projected point total of 12.2, Contreras’s DFS value score is 2.3, making him a core value pick for today’s games.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Yordan Alvarez ($5900), Astros – Projected 17.8 pts

Yordan Alvarez has been a consistent performer for the Astros, but his recent stats show a slight dip in production. Over the last 10 games, Alvarez has averaged 7.5 DraftKings points per game, a -34.4% decrease from his previous 10-game stretch. Despite this, his matchup against Austin Gomber, who ranks #7 in hits allowed per game, positions him for a potential bounce-back. Alvarez’s projected DFS value score of 3.0 indicates elite value, making him a top pick for today’s games. His ability to capitalize on Gomber’s vulnerability could be key in achieving his projected 17.8 points.

Kyle Tucker ($6200), Astros – Projected 16.7 pts

Kyle Tucker shows an upward trend in his recent performances, averaging 11.8 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, which is a 28.0% increase compared to the previous set of games. This improvement is significant, especially considering his consistent ability to generate hits and runs. Facing the same pitcher as Alvarez, Tucker could exploit Gomber’s tendency to allow hits. With a DFS value score of 2.7, Tucker offers strong value and is expected to be a pivotal player in today’s fantasy lineup. His projected 16.7 points reflect his potential impact.