Strategy and Stats for 05/18/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate: Optimize Your Lineup

Today’s MLB fantasy slate is brimming with action as we cover 15 games kicking off at 1:05 PM EST, promising a full day of baseball excitement. The spotlight shines on Globe Life Field where the Los Angeles Angels clash with the Texas Rangers at 7:15 PM EST. With a hefty Over/Under of 9.0, this game is anticipated to be a treasure trove for hitters, making it a focal point for fantasy players. As we delve into the top projected players at each position, keep an eye on the Angels’ dynamic lineup and the Rangers’ power hitters who are poised to capitalize on this high-scoring environment. This comprehensive analysis will guide you through selecting the crème de la crème for your fantasy team, ensuring you make informed decisions that could lead to victory in today’s competitive matchups.

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

Freddie Freeman ($5400), Dodgers – Projected 12.3 pts

Freddie Freeman’s recent performance shows a slight dip in production, with his DraftKings points per game dropping from 8.33 to 7.6, a decrease of -8.8%. Despite this, Freeman’s matchup against Graham Ashcraft, who ranks ninth in hits allowed per game, positions him as a potentially lucrative pick. His ability to maintain a steady hit rate and increase in runs per game by 60.7% suggests resilience. With a DFS Value Score of 2.3, Freeman holds core value in today’s slate, making him a solid choice for your lineup.

None ($4600), Royals – Projected 12.1 pts

The player known as None has shown significant improvement in his recent performances, with a notable increase in DraftKings points per game from 5.0 to 6.6, a surge of 32.0%. Facing Ross Stripling, who is second in hits allowed per game, None’s chances of scoring are promising. His total bases per game have more than doubled, highlighting his potential for impactful plays. With a DFS Value Score of 2.6, None emerges as a player with strong value, offering an intriguing option for today’s fantasy contests.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Top Second Basemen Picks

Marcus Semien ($5400), Rangers – Projected 12.2 pts

Marcus Semien has shown a notable uptick in his performance over the last ten games, making him a player to watch in today’s DFS lineup. With an average of 12.6 DraftKings points in his recent outings, Semien has demonstrated a significant improvement from his previous 10-game stretch where he averaged only 7.0 points. This 80.0% increase is backed by a rise in hits, home runs, and total bases, highlighting his potential for high fantasy output. Facing Patrick Sandoval, who ranks #6 in hits allowed per game, Semien’s chances of maintaining his high scoring seem promising. His DFS value score stands at 2.3, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Jose Altuve ($5600), Astros – Projected 12.1 pts

Jose Altuve, on the other hand, has experienced a downturn in his recent performances. Over the last ten games, he’s averaged only 4.4 DraftKings points, a stark contrast to the 11.22 points from the games prior, marking a decrease of 60.8%. His hits, home runs, and total bases have all seen significant drops, which is concerning for fantasy players considering his high salary. Despite facing Bryse Wilson, who is not among the top pitchers in terms of restricting hits, Altuve’s recent form casts doubt on his ability to capitalize. His DFS value score is 2.2, making him another core value player, but with a higher risk factor compared to Semien.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Christopher Morel ($4600), Cubs – Projected 12.1 pts

Christopher Morel, despite a recent dip in performance, shows promising signs for today’s game. Over the last ten games, Morel has averaged 5.2 DraftKings points, a significant drop from his previous average of 10.78 points. However, his matchup against Bailey Falter, who ranks 22nd in hits allowed per game, positions him for a potential rebound. Morel’s ability to hit singles has improved, and his overall contact quality suggests an uptick could be imminent. With a DraftKings salary of $4600 and a DFS value score of 2.6, Morel offers strong value and could be a savvy pick for those looking to capitalize on a favorable pitching matchup.

Rafael Devers ($4900), Red Sox – Projected 11.9 pts

Rafael Devers has been more consistent recently, averaging 9.0 DraftKings points over his last ten games, an improvement over his previous 7.78 points. Facing Miles Mikolas, who is notably generous in allowing hits, Devers’ prospects look bright. Although his singles and walks have decreased, his power metrics, including home runs and total bases, have seen an increase. This positions him well to exploit Mikolas’ weaknesses. With a DraftKings salary of $4900 and a DFS value score of 2.4, Devers is a core value pick today. His recent uptick in run production and solid power-hitting make him a potentially impactful player in DFS lineups.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Mookie Betts ($6000), Dodgers – Projected 14 pts

Mookie Betts, playing at SS for the Dodgers, shows a promising setup against Graham Ashcraft of the Cincinnati Reds. Despite Los Angeles ranking #38 in MLB for generating fantasy points, Betts has maintained a solid performance with an average of 8.2 DraftKings points over his last ten games. His matchup against Ashcraft, who ranks #9 for hits allowed per game at 9.89, positions Betts for potential success. Analyzing his recent performance metrics reveals a slight dip in some areas such as singles and walks, but an impressive 81.8% increase in runs per game. With a DraftKings salary of $6000 and a projected point tally of 14.0, Betts holds a 2.3 DFS value score, categorizing him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Bobby Witt Jr. ($6400), Royals – Projected 13.3 pts

Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals faces a favorable opponent in Ross Stripling of the Oakland Athletics, who allows a high average of 11.49 hits per game, ranking him #2 in this undesirable metric. Despite Kansas City’s low rank of #72 in MLB for fantasy point generation, Witt Jr. has managed to average 8.4 DraftKings points in his recent ten-game stretch. His performance has seen a notable decline compared to the previous ten games, particularly in hits and total bases. However, the matchup against Stripling offers a potential rebound opportunity. With a DraftKings salary of $6400 and a projected point output of 13.3, Witt Jr. achieves a 2.1 DFS value score, making him another core value selection for today’s fantasy contests.

Top Catcher Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Ryan Jeffers ($4800), Twins – Projected 12.3 pts

Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins has been showing a mixed bag of results in his recent performances. With an average of 9.9 DraftKings points over the last ten games, Jeffers has seen a slight downturn compared to his previous set of games where he averaged 11.44 points. Despite this decline, his home run rate has impressively increased by 127.3%, signaling his potential for high-scoring plays. Facing the Cleveland team, which ranks 7th in hits allowed per game, Jeffers could exploit this matchup. His projected DFS value score stands at 2.6, categorizing him as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Will Smith ($5000), Dodgers – Projected 11.8 pts

Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers has encountered a significant drop in his performance, with his recent ten-game average at only 6.3 DraftKings points, a stark contrast to his previous average of 12.89 points. His hitting metrics have notably decreased, including a drastic 100% reduction in home runs and a 70% drop in total bases. However, facing Graham Ashcraft of Cincinnati—ranked 9th in hits allowed—might offer Smith a chance to turn around his recent slump. With a DFS value score of 2.4, Smith is considered a core value pick, potentially providing solid returns for a moderate investment.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Ronald Acuna Jr. ($6100), Braves – Projected 14.5 pts

Ronald Acuna Jr. has been a consistent performer for the Braves, delivering an average of 6.4 DraftKings points over his last ten games. Despite a slight dip in performance compared to his previous ten games, where he averaged 7.56 points, his ability to generate total bases has seen a significant increase of 53.8%. Facing Yu Darvish, who ranks #27 in hits allowed per game, Acuna’s matchup is favorable. His DFS value score stands at 2.4, positioning him as a core value pick in today’s fantasy lineup.

Juan Soto ($6200), Yankees – Projected 14.5 pts

Juan Soto, now with the Yankees, shows a promising setup against Brad Keller. Soto’s recent performance has seen a decrease, scoring an average of 7.7 DraftKings points in his last ten games, down from 10.56 in the prior set. Despite the drop, he maintains a solid hitting rate with an average of 1.0 hits per game. His projected points and DraftKings salary give him a DFS value score of 2.3, making him another core value player who could potentially outperform expectations against a pitcher ranked #21 in hits allowed per game.