Strategy and Stats for 06/16/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

Today’s MLB fantasy landscape is buzzing with anticipation as we gear up for an action-packed slate of 16 games, kicking off at 1:05 PM EST. Fantasy enthusiasts will be particularly focused on the high-altitude clash at Coors Field, where the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Colorado Rockies at 3:10 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at a whopping 12.5, this game promises a plethora of scoring opportunities, making it a goldmine for hitters. As you set your lineups, keep an eye on key players across all positions who are poised to capitalize on today’s matchups. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into each game, providing you with the comprehensive analysis and expert insights needed to dominate your daily fantasy contests.

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

Freddie Freeman ($5600), Dodgers – Projected 12.9 pts

Freddie Freeman, a consistent performer for the Dodgers, enters today’s game with a 2.3 DFS value score. Over his last ten games, Freeman has averaged 10.2 DraftKings points, slightly down from his previous ten-game average of 10.56 points. Despite a slight dip in his hitting metrics, such as a -9.8% decrease in hits per game, Freeman’s ability to generate runs has impressively increased by 104.5%. Facing Brady Singer, who ranks #299 in hits allowed per game, Freeman’s matchup looks favorable, making him a solid core value pick for today’s fantasy lineups.

Paul Goldschmidt ($3900), Cardinals – Projected 12.5 pts

Paul Goldschmidt comes into today’s game with a 3.2 DFS value score, marking him as an elite value pick at a reduced DraftKings salary of $3900. Despite experiencing a significant drop in performance over the last ten games, with a 46.6% decrease in DraftKings points per game compared to his previous ten games, Goldschmidt’s matchup against Jameson Taillon could be a turning point. Taillon’s ranking of #196 for hits allowed per game presents an opportunity for Goldschmidt to capitalize and potentially revert to his higher scoring ways. His low salary and high projected points make him an attractive option for today’s fantasy rosters.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Nolan Gorman ($4000), Cardinals – Projected 13.3 pts

Nolan Gorman’s recent performance may seem underwhelming with an average of 2.8 DraftKings points over his last ten games, a stark contrast to his previous ten-game average of 13.0 points. However, facing Jameson Taillon, who ranks #196 in hits allowed per game, presents a favorable matchup for Gorman. His projected points stand at a robust 13.3, translating to a DFS value score of 3.3. This elite value, combined with his potential for improvement against a weaker pitcher, makes Gorman a compelling choice for today’s fantasy rosters.

Brandon Lowe ($3700), Rays – Projected 12.4 pts

Brandon Lowe shows a promising uptrend in his performance, with a significant increase in his DraftKings points per game from 5.78 to 9.0 in his latest ten-game stretch. This improvement is highlighted by a 104.5% increase in hits per game. Facing a pitcher from Atlanta who ranks #174 in hits allowed per game, Lowe’s matchup looks advantageous. With a DraftKings salary of $3700 and a projected point total of 12.4, his DFS value score reaches 3.4. Lowe’s strong recent form and favorable opposition make him an excellent value pick for today’s games.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Royce Lewis ($6200), Twins – Projected 13.6 pts

Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins has been showing a promising uptick in his performance, making him a noteworthy pick in today’s DFS lineup. With an average of 11.6 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, Lewis has demonstrated a solid hitting improvement, with a significant 46.1% increase in hits per game compared to his previous 10 games. Despite a slight decrease in DraftKings and FanDuel points, his overall hitting metrics, including a 13.6% increase in home runs per game, suggest a rising potential. Facing JP Sears, who ranks poorly in hits allowed per game, Lewis’s matchup is favorable, which enhances his appeal. His DFS value score stands at 2.2, categorizing him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Rafael Devers ($9000), Red Sox – Projected 12.9 pts

Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox, despite his high DraftKings salary of $9000, presents a challenging yet potentially rewarding option. Over his last 10 games, Devers has averaged 9.5 DraftKings points, showing a robust 47.5% improvement compared to his previous performance range. His ability to consistently hit and score runs, with a 104.5% increase in runs per game, aligns well against Marcus Stroman of the Yankees, who also has a high rate of hits allowed per game. However, his DFS value score of 1.4 places him in the category of players with bad value, suggesting that his high salary might not translate into equivalent fantasy points, making him a risky pick unless one is banking on his potential for a breakout game.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Elly De La Cruz ($5800), Reds – Projected 15.3 pts

Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds has shown a remarkable uptick in his performance, making him a compelling pick for today’s DFS lineup. Over his last ten games, De La Cruz has averaged 9.0 DraftKings points per game, a significant improvement from his previous average of 3.89. This surge is highlighted by an impressive 263.6% increase in total bases per game and a steady contribution in runs, with a 172.7% increase. Facing Colin Rea, who ranks low in hits allowed, De La Cruz’s matchup is favorable, reflected in his DFS value score of 2.6. His current form and matchup potential make him a strong value play in today’s games.

Oneil Cruz ($9800), Pirates – Projected 14.7 pts

Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite a high DraftKings salary of $9800, presents a more nuanced consideration for DFS players. Cruz’s recent performances have shown a robust improvement, with his DraftKings points jumping from 4.56 to 8.7 per game. Notably, his singles per game have increased by an astonishing 445.5%. However, his high salary and a DFS value score of 1.5 position him as a risky choice, especially when compared to other players who might offer better value for a lower cost. Facing Dakota Hudson, who also has a high rate of hits allowed, could be an opportunity for Cruz to capitalize, but the high investment might not match the potential return.

Top Catchers to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

William Contreras ($5500), Brewers – Projected 11.5 pts

William Contreras has been a consistent performer for the Brewers, averaging 6.2 DraftKings points over his last 10 games. Despite a slight dip in performance compared to his previous 10 games, where he averaged 8.0 points, Contreras remains a solid choice. His matchup against Frankie Montas, who ranks #263 in hits allowed per game, positions him well to potentially exceed his recent averages. With a 2.1 DFS value score, Contreras is a core value pick who could provide stability to your lineup.

Willson Contreras ($4800), Cardinals – Projected 11.5 pts

Willson Contreras of the Cardinals presents an intriguing option in today’s DFS. Averaging 8.6 DraftKings points in his last 10 games, Contreras shows a slight decrease from his 9.33 points in the prior set of games. However, his ability to consistently score runs and his decent hitting against Jameson Taillon—who allows 9.43 hits per game—makes him a valuable asset. With a 2.4 DFS value score, Contreras stands out as a core value player who could potentially outperform his recent stats and provide good returns on a modest investment.

Top Outfielders to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

Bryan Reynolds ($9000), Pirates – Projected 15.0 pts

Bryan Reynolds has been making waves with an average of 9.2 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, showing a notable improvement from his previous 10-game stretch where he averaged 7.11 points. This 29.4% increase in performance is particularly impressive considering Pittsburgh’s overall ranking at #117 in MLB for generating fantasy points. Reynolds’ matchup against Dakota Hudson, who ranks #284 in hits allowed per game, positions him to potentially exploit these weaknesses further. Despite this favorable matchup, his projected DFS value score of 1.7 places him in a risky category, especially given his high DraftKings salary of $9000. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent uptick in performance against his overall value risk.

Juan Soto ($9400), Yankees – Projected 14.8 pts

Juan Soto is another intriguing outfield option, averaging 12.3 DraftKings points in his recent performances, albeit with a slight decrease from 13.56 points in the preceding 10 games. His ability to consistently get on base, highlighted by an impressive 79.5% increase in walks per game recently, makes him a valuable asset in DFS lineups. Soto’s upcoming game against Kutter Crawford, who has a poor ranking of #353 for hits allowed per game, might seem like a golden opportunity. However, his projected DFS value score of 1.6 suggests a cautious approach due to his high salary of $9400 on DraftKings. Soto’s potential for high scoring needs to be balanced with the financial implications of his inclusion in DFS rosters.