Strategy and Stats for 05/21/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

As the clock strikes 6:10 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy slate kicks off with an exhilarating lineup of 15 games, promising a spectacle of home runs, strikeouts, and game-changing plays. Fantasy enthusiasts should particularly mark their calendars for the highlight of the day: an explosive encounter at Wrigley Field where the Atlanta Braves face off against the Chicago Cubs at 7:40 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at a whopping 10.0, this game is anticipated to be a treasure trove of fantasy points, making it crucial for players to strategically pick top performers. Whether you’re eyeing pitchers with impeccable ERAs or batters with slugging percentages that defy gravity, today’s games are your playground. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into each matchup, providing you with the insights needed to dominate your fantasy leagues.

Top 1B Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Matt Olson ($5100), Braves – Projected 14.8 pts

Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves has shown a remarkable uptick in his performance, making him a compelling pick for today’s DFS contests. Over his last ten games, Olson has averaged 9.1 DraftKings points, a significant increase from his previous ten-game average of 2.89 points. This surge is highlighted by a 400% increase in total bases per game, now averaging 2.2. Despite a slight decrease in walks, his consistent hitting, including an average of 0.3 home runs per game, positions him well against the Chicago Cubs, who rank 25th in hits allowed per game. With a DraftKings salary of $5100 and a projected point total of 14.8, Olson’s DFS value score stands at 2.9, indicating strong value for today’s slate.

Bryce Harper ($5800), Phillies – Projected 13.8 pts

Bryce Harper, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, continues to be a reliable fantasy asset. Harper has maintained a steady performance with an average of 9.7 DraftKings points over his last ten games, only slightly up from 9.33 in the previous ten games. His hitting remains robust, with a 79.1% increase in hits per game compared to the earlier stretch. However, a notable decrease in home runs and walks could impact his ceiling against Jon Gray of the Texas Rangers, who ranks 14th in hits allowed per game. Harper’s DraftKings salary is set at $5800, and with a projected point total of 13.8, his DFS value score is 2.4, marking him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Altuve ($5600), Astros – Projected 12.5 pts

Jose Altuve’s recent performance shows a slight dip compared to his previous 10 games, with a decrease in DraftKings points per game from 10.33 to 7.3. Despite this, Altuve’s matchup against Griffin Canning, who ranks 10th in hits allowed per game, positions him as a potentially lucrative pick. His current 2.2 DFS value score categorizes him as a core value player. Altuve’s ability to hit home runs has improved, suggesting potential for high-impact plays. However, fantasy managers should be cautious, given his overall decline in hits and walks.

Ozzie Albies ($5200), Braves – Projected 12.4 pts

Ozzie Albies presents a slightly improving picture in his recent performances, with a modest increase in DraftKings points per game from 5.56 to 5.7. Facing a pitcher from the Cubs who ranks 25th in hits allowed per game, Albies could capitalize on this matchup. His 2.4 DFS value score places him as another core value pick. Notably, Albies has shown improvements in singles and total bases, which could be key factors in boosting his fantasy output. However, his reduced walk rate might limit his scoring opportunities, making him a riskier play.

Top 3B Players to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Ramirez ($10000), Cleveland – Projected 13.5 pts

Jose Ramirez continues to be a pivotal player for Cleveland, especially noted in his recent uptick in performance. Over his last 10 games, Ramirez has increased his DraftKings points per game to 10.4 from 7.56, marking a 37.6% improvement. His hitting has been particularly impressive, with a 96.4% increase in hits per game compared to the previous 10-game stretch. Despite these strong numbers, his DFS value score stands at 1.4, primarily due to a high salary cost which may not align perfectly with his output against Adrian Houser of the NYM, who ranks 4th in hits allowed per game. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent surge against his high cost and challenging matchup.

Matt Chapman ($4100), San Francisco – Projected 12.9 pts

Matt Chapman of the Giants presents an intriguing option in today’s DFS lineup. With a DraftKings salary of just $4100, Chapman has shown a remarkable improvement in his performance, with his points per game on DraftKings soaring by 357.0% to 11.7 in his last 10 games. His ability to contribute across the board has been notable, including a 400.0% increase in runs per game. Given his lower salary and high level of recent production, Chapman offers an exceptional value with a DFS value score of 3.1. He stands out as a potentially underpriced asset that could provide significant returns in today’s games.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Shortstop Analysis

Gunnar Henderson ($5900), Orioles – Projected 14.5 pts

Gunnar Henderson has been a beacon of consistency for fantasy managers, especially over his last ten games, where he’s averaged an impressive 13.7 points on DraftKings. This surge represents a significant improvement from his previous ten-game stretch, where he averaged only 7.78 points. His performance metrics are particularly eye-catching in the home run category, with a 172.7% increase in his last ten games compared to the ten before that. Facing Lance Lynn, who ranks ninth in hits allowed per game, Henderson’s matchup looks favorable. His current DraftKings salary of $5900 reflects a solid investment, considering his upward trajectory and the matchup. With a DFS Value Score of 2.5, Henderson stands out as a strong value pick in today’s slate.

Francisco Lindor ($8800), Mets – Projected 13.8 pts

In contrast, Francisco Lindor has been struggling to match his usual fantasy output, with a sharp decline in his recent performances. Over his last ten games, Lindor has averaged only 5.1 points on DraftKings, a stark drop from the 8.22 points in the prior ten-game span. His hitting metrics have seen significant declines across the board, including a worrying 100% decrease in home runs and a 61.5% decrease in total bases. Despite facing Carlos Carrasco, who is also generous in allowing hits, Lindor’s high salary of $8800 on DraftKings seems steep given his current form. His DFS Value Score is a mere 1.6, categorizing him as a player with bad value for today’s games.

Catcher DFS Analysis for Today’s Slate

Ryan Jeffers ($5000), Twins – Projected 13.9 pts

Ryan Jeffers, the Minnesota Twins’ catcher, has been navigating a rocky stretch with an average of 6.8 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, a significant drop from his previous 10-game average of 11.33 points. Despite this downturn, Jeffers faces a favorable matchup against Patrick Corbin of the Nationals, who leads the league in hits allowed per game with 12.29. This could be a prime opportunity for Jeffers to capitalize and improve his hitting metrics, which have seen a sharp decline in singles and doubles recently. With a projected DFS value score of 2.8, Jeffers offers strong value at a $5000 salary on DraftKings, making him a potentially savvy pick for today’s fantasy lineup.

Willson Contreras ($5300), Cardinals – Projected 13.0 pts

Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals presents an interesting case for today’s DFS slate. Over his last 10 games, Contreras has averaged 8.6 DraftKings points, slightly down from 9.33 points in the prior 10-game span. Despite a slight decrease in hits and walks, Contreras has shown an increase in home runs and runs scored, which could play well against Kyle Bradish of the Orioles, who ranks 17th in hits allowed per game with 7.9. With a DraftKings salary of $5300 and a projected point total of 13.0, Contreras holds a DFS value score of 2.5, positioning him as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Top Daily Fantasy Outfielders to Watch

Kyle Tucker ($6100), Astros – Projected 14.9 pts

Kyle Tucker has been a beacon of consistency for the Astros, and his recent performances suggest he’s a valuable pick for today’s DFS slate. Over the last ten games, Tucker has averaged 14.7 DraftKings points per game, showing a significant improvement from his previous ten-game average of 10.67 points. This 37.8% increase is bolstered by his enhanced ability to get on base, with walks per game nearly doubling from 0.67 to 1.3. Facing Griffin Canning, who ranks 10th in hits allowed per game, Tucker’s matchup looks favorable. His DFS value score stands at 2.4, positioning him as a core value pick with potential upside in today’s game.

Ronald Acuna Jr. ($6000), Braves – Projected 14.9 pts

Ronald Acuna Jr., despite the Braves’ overall struggles in generating fantasy points, remains a player with untapped potential. His recent performances have seen a slight dip, with a decrease from 8.56 to 6.8 DraftKings points per game over the last ten games. However, his matchup against a pitcher from the Cubs, who ranks 25th in hits allowed per game, might provide him with a chance to rebound. Acuna’s ability to contribute across various categories, albeit inconsistently, keeps him in the conversation for DFS. His current DFS value score is 2.5, marking him as a strong value pick for today’s slate, especially if he can capitalize on his opponent’s vulnerability.