Strategy and Stats for 05/22/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

Today’s MLB fantasy slate is packed with action as 16 games kick off, starting at 12:15 PM EST, promising a full day of baseball excitement. Highlighting today’s matchups, the Texas Rangers will clash with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park at 6:40 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at a whopping 9.5, 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 this high-stakes battle in Philadelphia, which could be pivotal for those looking to dominate their fantasy leagues. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to make those critical fantasy picks.

Top 1B Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Bryce Harper ($5800), Phillies – Projected 14.4 pts

Bryce Harper continues to be a pivotal player for the Phillies, especially in daily fantasy sports. Over his last ten games, Harper has maintained a solid average of 12.0 DraftKings points per game, slightly down by 1.8% from his previous ten-game stretch. Despite a minor dip in FanDuel points and home runs per game, Harper has shown significant improvement in his hitting, with a 40.0% increase in hits per game and a remarkable 263.6% increase in doubles per game. Facing Dane Dunning, who ranks 24th in hits allowed per game, Harper’s matchup looks favorable. His DFS value score of 2.5 makes him a strong value pick at a $5800 salary on DraftKings.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($4900), Blue Jays – Projected 13.0 pts

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is another strong contender in today’s DFS lineup. Although the Blue Jays rank low in generating fantasy points, Guerrero’s personal performance has seen a positive trend. In his last ten games, he has averaged 8.6 DraftKings points per game, showing a 10.5% improvement over his previous performances. His hits per game have increased by 23.0%, and runs per game have surged by 81.8%. However, his power hitting has slightly declined, with a significant drop in home runs per game. Despite these mixed results, Guerrero’s DFS value score of 2.7 at a DraftKings salary of $4900 suggests he remains a strong value, especially given his consistent hitting and potential upside in today’s game.

Analyzing Top Second Basemen for Today’s DFS Slate

Marcus Semien ($5500), Texas Rangers – Projected 13.4 pts

Marcus Semien has shown a dip in his performance over the last ten games, averaging only 7.0 DraftKings points, a significant decrease from his previous average of 11.78 points. Despite this downturn, Semien’s matchup against Taijuan Walker, who ranks fourth in hits allowed per game, presents a potential rebound opportunity. His recent struggles, including a sharp decline in hits and runs, might concern some fantasy managers. However, his projected points sit at 13.4, giving him a 2.4 DFS value score. This positions Semien as a core value play today, potentially rewarding for those willing to bet on his recovery against a pitcher prone to allowing hits.

Edouard Julien ($4400), Minnesota Twins – Projected 13.0 pts

Edouard Julien, a less heralded option at second base, has maintained a relatively stable performance, with only a slight decrease in DraftKings points from 3.67 to 3.6 over his last ten games. Facing Jake Irvin, who ranks twelfth in hits allowed per game, Julien’s recent uptick in hits and total bases could translate into fantasy success. Notably, his walks have decreased, but his ability to get on base has improved dramatically, highlighted by a 218.2% increase in total bases. With a projected point total of 13.0 and a DFS value score of 3.0, Julien emerges as an elite value pick for today’s games, offering substantial upside at a lower cost.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Ramirez ($5900), Cleveland – Projected 12.3 pts

Jose Ramirez continues to be a pivotal player for Cleveland, especially in the realm of daily fantasy sports. Over his last ten games, Ramirez has shown a notable uptick in performance, averaging 10.8 DraftKings points, a 21.5% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. His ability to hit consistently is highlighted by a 64.2% increase in hits per game recently. Facing Jose Quintana, who ranks seventh in hits allowed per game, Ramirez’s matchup looks promising. His DraftKings salary stands at $5900 with a projected point total of 12.3, giving him a 2.1 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Manny Machado ($4800), San Diego – Projected 11.7 pts

Manny Machado, on the other hand, has experienced a dip in his recent performances. Over his last ten games, Machado’s average DraftKings points have decreased by 33.9% to just 5.0 points per game. His hits and total bases have seen significant drops, which are concerning indicators of his current form. However, facing Nick Martinez, who is also generous in allowing hits, there might be a window for Machado to turn things around. With a lower DraftKings salary of $4800 and a projected point total of 11.7, Machado earns a 2.4 DFS value score. This positions him as another core value player, potentially offering upside if he can capitalize on today’s matchup.

Daily Fantasy Sports Analysis: Shortstops Spotlight

Mookie Betts ($6100), Dodgers – Projected 14.0 pts

Mookie Betts, traditionally known for his outfield prowess, has been making waves at shortstop for the Dodgers. Over his last ten games, Betts has shown a significant uptick in performance, averaging 8.7 DraftKings points per game, a 59.9% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. His matchup against the ARI, who lead the league in hits allowed per game, positions him favorably for continued success. Despite his high salary, Betts offers a 2.3 DFS value score, making him a core value pick in today’s slate. His ability to generate total bases and runs significantly improved, marking him as a potential high-impact player in DFS lineups.

Corey Seager ($5400), Rangers – Projected 13.7 pts

Corey Seager of the Rangers is another shortstop to watch. Facing Taijuan Walker of the Phillies, who ranks fourth in hits allowed per game, Seager’s recent form suggests he could exploit this matchup. Over his last ten games, he has averaged 9.9 DraftKings points, a 68.1% increase from his earlier performances. Notably, Seager’s power hitting has surged, with a dramatic increase in home runs per game and total bases. His ability to draw walks has also skyrocketed, enhancing his value in point-per-reception formats. With a DraftKings salary of $5400, Seager’s 2.5 DFS value score categorizes him as a strong value pick, potentially underpriced for the production he’s poised to deliver.

Catcher Insights: Daily Fantasy Analysis

Danny Jansen ($4500), Toronto Blue Jays – Projected 12.6 pts

Danny Jansen of the Toronto Blue Jays has been a consistent performer in recent games, averaging 9.2 DraftKings points over his last ten outings. Despite a slight dip of -3.8% in performance compared to his previous ten games, Jansen shows promising signs, especially with an increase of 20.0% in hits per game. Facing a Chicago White Sox team that ranks fifth in hits allowed per game, Jansen’s matchup looks favorable. His projected DFS value score of 2.8 positions him as a strong value pick for today’s slate.

Ryan Jeffers ($5000), Minnesota Twins – Projected 11.6 pts

Ryan Jeffers, on the other hand, faces a tougher challenge. His recent performance shows a significant decline, with a -52.7% drop in DraftKings points per game compared to his earlier form. The matchup against Jake Irvin of the Washington Nationals, who ranks twelfth in hits allowed per game, does not offer much relief. Jeffers has seen a drastic reduction in hits, doubles, and runs scored, contributing to a lower DFS value score of 2.3. This positions him as a core value player, suggesting that fantasy managers should tread carefully when considering him for their lineup.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Fernando Tatis Jr. ($5500), Padres – Projected 14.1 pts

Fernando Tatis Jr. has been a topic of much discussion lately, and today’s matchup against Nick Martinez of Cincinnati, who ranks 8th in hits allowed per game, sets the stage for a potential rebound. Over his last ten games, Tatis Jr. has averaged 6.4 DraftKings points, a dip of 38.0% from his previous ten-game stretch. Despite this recent downturn, his projected points today stand at a promising 14.1. His DFS value score of 2.6 indicates strong value, making him a viable pick in today’s fantasy lineup. His ability to bounce back against a pitcher prone to allowing hits could be the key to unlocking significant fantasy points.

Juan Soto ($6400), Yankees – Projected 13.9 pts

Juan Soto, now with the Yankees, faces Bryce Miller of Seattle today, a pitcher who ranks 26th in hits allowed per game. Soto’s performance has seen a slight decline, with an 8.4 average on DraftKings points in his last ten games, down 30.0% from his earlier performances. However, his ability to consistently get on base and score runs, highlighted by a 60.7% increase in runs per game in the last ten games, underscores his potential. With a DFS value score of 2.2, he represents core value. While his recent stats may not dazzle, Soto’s solid fundamentals and matchup potential make him a player to consider for today’s DFS contests.