Strategy and Stats for 05/16/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

As the clock strikes 1:10 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy landscape is set to ignite with six thrilling games, but all eyes are particularly on the marquee matchup at Citizens Bank Park where the New York Mets clash with the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:40 PM EST. With an enticing Over/Under of 8.5, this game promises a plethora of scoring opportunities, making it a goldmine for fantasy players. Top projected talents across the board include Mets’ ace hurler and Phillies’ powerhouse slugger, both poised to rack up significant fantasy points. This high-stakes encounter not only sets the stage for an explosive battle but also serves as a critical pivot for fantasy lineups, seamlessly leading us into a deeper dive into today’s player projections and strategic fantasy plays.

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

Freddie Freeman ($5900), Dodgers – Projected 12.4 pts

Freddie Freeman’s recent performance has shown a steady output, averaging 8.8 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, a slight increase from his previous 10-game stretch. Despite the Dodgers’ overall rank at #92 in generating fantasy points, Freeman’s consistency at the plate, especially against pitchers like Nick Martinez who ranks #1 in hits allowed per game, makes him a reliable choice. His DFS value score stands at 2.1, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s slate. His ability to maintain solid hit and run rates, coupled with a slight uptick in home runs, suggests potential for a strong performance.

Bryce Harper ($5400), Phillies – Projected 11.8 pts

Bryce Harper has been on a significant upswing, with a remarkable 58.6% increase in DraftKings points per game over his last 10 games compared to the 10 before that. Facing Jose Quintana of the NYM, who is ranked #4 in hits allowed per game, Harper’s recent surge in hits, home runs, and total bases enhances his appeal. His DFS value score of 2.2 categorizes him as another core value player for today’s games. Harper’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, evidenced by a 150% increase in runs per game, underscores his potential to be a game-changer in today’s fantasy lineup.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Altuve ($5700), Astros – Projected 12.8 pts

Jose Altuve’s recent performance may not mirror his explosive potential, but a deeper dive into his numbers suggests a possible turnaround. Over the last ten games, Altuve has averaged 4.4 DraftKings points, a significant drop from his previous 10.56 points. Despite this, his upcoming matchup against None of the OAK, who ranks #13 in hits allowed per game, positions him for a potential rebound. With a DraftKings salary of $5700 and a projected point total of 12.8, Altuve holds a 2.2 DFS value score, categorizing him as a core value pick. His ability to bounce back against a middle-tier pitcher could be crucial for DFS rosters.

Edouard Julien ($7800), Twins – Projected 11.2 pts

Edouard Julien, despite his high DraftKings salary of $7800, presents a challenging case for DFS inclusion. Over his last ten games, Julien has averaged 5.9 points, a decrease from his previous average of 9.33 points. Facing Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees, who allows 8.23 hits per game, Julien could exploit this matchup. However, his recent performance metrics and high salary contribute to a 1.4 DFS value score, marking him as a risky play. Julien’s ability to capitalize on the matchup will be pivotal, but his current form and high salary make him a less attractive option for today’s slate.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Max Muncy ($5100), Dodgers – Projected 10.4 pts

Max Muncy of the Dodgers has shown a notable uptick in his performance over the last ten games, averaging 9.1 DraftKings points, a significant improvement from his previous ten-game average of 7.22 points. This 26.0% increase is largely fueled by a surge in home runs per game, jumping from 0.11 to 0.4, representing a whopping 263.6% increase. Despite a slight decrease in walks, Muncy’s total bases per game have increased by 63.9%, indicating more effective hits. Facing Nick Martinez of the Reds, who ranks first in hits allowed per game, Muncy’s matchup is favorable, potentially boosting his DFS value. With a DraftKings salary of $5100 and a projected point total of 10.4, Muncy holds a 2.0 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Rafael Devers ($4900), Red Sox – Projected 10.3 pts

Rafael Devers of the Red Sox, despite a slight dip in his recent performance, still presents a strong case for DFS consideration. Over the last ten games, Devers averaged 7.4 DraftKings points, down 18.8% from his previous average of 9.11 points. His hits per game have decreased by 30.6%, and his walks have significantly reduced by 70.1%. However, Devers has improved his doubles per game rate by 36.4% and slightly increased his home run rate. Facing Zack Littell of the Rays, who ranks third in hits allowed per game, Devers could capitalize on this matchup. With a DraftKings salary of $4900 and a projected point total of 10.3, Devers achieves a 2.1 DFS value score, making him another core value player for today’s slate.

Daily Fantasy Sports Analysis: Shortstops Spotlight

Mookie Betts ($6200), Dodgers – Projected 13.4 pts

Despite a recent dip in performance, Mookie Betts remains a pivotal player for DFS lineups. Over his last ten games, Betts has averaged 7.4 DraftKings points, a decrease from his previous 11.89 points per game. This downturn is reflected across several metrics, including a significant -77.3% change in doubles per game. However, facing Nick Martinez, who ranks #1 in hits allowed per game, Betts has a favorable matchup that could see him exploit these statistics. His DraftKings salary stands at $6200 with a projected point total of 13.4, leading to a 2.2 DFS value score. This positions him as a core value player who could potentially exceed expectations given the right game conditions.

Elly De La Cruz ($6000), Reds – Projected 11.9 pts

Elly De La Cruz, a less consistent but promising talent at shortstop, has shown some volatility in his recent performances. In the last ten games, he’s averaged 8.7 DraftKings points, down from 11.0 in the previous set of games. His hits per game have dropped by 30%, and his total bases saw a significant reduction of 40.1%. Despite these challenges, De La Cruz is set to face Tyler Glasnow, who ranks #12 in hits allowed per game. With a DraftKings salary of $6000 and a projected point total of 11.9, De La Cruz holds a 2.0 DFS value score, categorizing him as a core value player. His potential for higher performance remains, making him a risky but possibly rewarding pick.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Catcher Insights

J.T. Realmuto ($5100), Phillies – Projected 11.6 pts

J.T. Realmuto of the Phillies shows a promising uptick in his performance, making him a noteworthy pick for today’s DFS lineup. Over his last ten games, Realmuto has elevated his game, averaging 7.9 DraftKings points, a 9.4% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. Particularly impressive is his 79.5% increase in hits per game, now averaging 1.4. Facing Jose Quintana, who ranks fourth in hits allowed per game, Realmuto’s chances to exploit this matchup look favorable. Despite Philadelphia’s low rank in generating fantasy points, Realmuto’s recent surge and a DraftKings salary of $5100 position him with a 2.3 DFS value score, categorizing him as a core value player in today’s games.

Ryan Jeffers ($8600), Twins – Projected 11.3 pts

Ryan Jeffers, priced at a steep $8600 on DraftKings, presents a more complex case. His recent performance metrics show a mixed bag; while his home runs per game have impressively increased by 127.3%, his singles and walks have seen significant drops of 87.2% and 54.5%, respectively. These fluctuations contribute to a modest overall improvement of just 0.2% in his DraftKings points per game, now at 10.8. Facing Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees, who is also generous in allowing hits, might not be enough to justify Jeffers’ high salary, reflected in his 1.3 DFS value score. This positions him as a player with bad value for today’s slate, suggesting that fantasy managers might look elsewhere for stronger value.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Yordan Alvarez ($5300), Astros – Projected 13.8 pts

Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros continues to be a significant player in daily fantasy sports, especially considering his recent performance uptick. Over his last ten games, Alvarez has averaged 6.1 DraftKings points per game, showing a solid improvement from his previous set of games where he averaged 5.67 points. His hitting has been particularly impressive, with a 78.6% increase in hits per game recently. Facing a pitcher from Oakland who ranks #13 in hits allowed per game, Alvarez’s potential for high fantasy points is promising. His DFS value score stands at 2.6, marking him as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Aaron Judge ($9200), Yankees – Projected 13.0 pts

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is another outfielder who can’t be ignored in today’s DFS lineup. Judge has been on a tear, averaging 15.9 DraftKings points over his last ten games, a significant jump of 76.7% from his previous ten-game stretch. His performance metrics are stellar, with total bases per game increasing by 101.1% and runs per game by 150.0%. Despite his high DraftKings salary of $9200, Judge’s ability to consistently produce high fantasy points makes him a tempting albeit slightly risky choice due to a DFS value score of 1.4. However, his matchup against Joe Ryan, who ranks #8 in hits allowed, could tilt the scales in his favor.