Strategy and Stats for 06/17/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clocks strike 6:40 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy landscape ignites with an exhilarating slate of 9 games, promising a spectacle of skill and strategy. Among the highlights, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ trip to Coors Field to face the Colorado Rockies at 8:40 PM EST stands out as a potential fantasy goldmine, with an Over/Under of 11.5 signaling a high-scoring affair. Fantasy aficionados should keep a keen eye on this matchup, as the altitude and hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field set the stage for some of the day’s top projected players to possibly exceed expectations. This game not only offers a treasure trove of points but also serves as a perfect segue into our detailed breakdown of today’s matchups, where we’ll dive deeper into player stats, potential sleepers, and must-starts to help you dominate your daily fantasy contests.

Top 1B Picks for Today’s MLB Slate

Freddie Freeman ($6300), Dodgers – Projected 15.3 pts

Freddie Freeman, the stalwart at first base for the Dodgers, continues to be a beacon of consistency in daily fantasy sports. Over his last ten games, Freeman has averaged 10.9 DraftKings points per game, a slight uptick from his previous ten-game stretch. His ability to consistently hit and score runs, highlighted by a 104.5% increase in runs per game, makes him a valuable asset. Facing Cal Quantrill of the Rockies, who ranks #212 in hits allowed per game, Freeman’s matchup looks promising. Despite a slight decrease in doubles and triples, his home run rate has seen a significant increase of 36.4%. With a DFS value score of 2.4, Freeman holds strong core value at a DraftKings salary of $6300, projecting to score 15.3 points.

Bryce Harper ($9600), Phillies – Projected 13.8 pts

Bryce Harper, playing at first base for the Phillies, shows a notable improvement in his performance over the last ten games compared to the previous set. Harper has increased his DraftKings points per game to 8.8, up 21.9% from earlier games. His hits per game have surged by 53.8%, with significant improvements in singles and walks, where he’s seen an increase of 81.8% and 172.7%, respectively. However, his home run rate has decreased, which is a concern for power-hitting metrics. At a high DraftKings salary of $9600, Harper’s projected points are 13.8, resulting in a DFS value score of 1.4. This positions Harper as a risky pick considering his high cost and mixed performance improvements.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Second Base Spotlight

Marcus Semien ($5100), Texas Rangers – Projected 12.0 pts

Marcus Semien has shown a notable uptick in his performance over the last ten games, averaging 8.2 DraftKings points, a 25.0% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. His consistent hitting, with an average of 0.9 hits per game recently, positions him as a reliable player in daily fantasy sports. Facing David Peterson, who ranks #71 in hits allowed per game, Semien’s matchup looks favorable. His DraftKings salary stands at $5100, with a projected point total of 12.0, giving him a DFS value score of 2.4. Semien’s steady improvement and matchup potential make him a core value pick for today’s games.

Ozzie Albies ($5500), Atlanta Braves – Projected 11.9 pts

Ozzie Albies, however, has seen a downturn in his recent performances, with a 38.2% decrease in DraftKings points per game compared to his previous ten games. His current average stands at 5.7 points per game, reflecting challenges in maintaining his earlier form. Albies is set to face Reese Olsen of the Tigers, who has a middling rank of #168 in hits allowed per game. Despite this seemingly advantageous matchup, Albies’ recent game metrics, including a significant drop in walks and home runs, suggest caution. With a DraftKings salary of $5500 and a projected point total of 11.9, his DFS value score is 2.2. Albies presents as a core value player, but fantasy managers should temper expectations given his recent slump.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Joseph Ortiz ($3700), Brewers – Projected 12.5 pts

Joseph Ortiz of the Milwaukee Brewers, with a DraftKings salary of $3700, presents an intriguing option in today’s DFS lineup. Over his last ten games, Ortiz has averaged 7.3 points per game on DraftKings, showing a slight decrease from his previous 10-game average of 8.44. Despite this dip, his matchup against Jose Soriano of the LAA, who ranks #270 in hits allowed per game, positions Ortiz for potential success. Notably, Ortiz has maintained a consistent ability to get on base with an increase in singles and walks, although his power metrics like doubles and home runs have seen a decline. Given his 3.4 DFS value score, Ortiz stands out as an elite value pick who could exceed expectations against a weaker pitcher.

Matt Chapman ($4800), Giants – Projected 11.8 pts

Matt Chapman of the San Francisco Giants carries a higher DraftKings salary of $4800 but comes with solid DFS potential. Chapman has slightly improved his performance in his recent ten games, averaging 6.3 points on DraftKings compared to 6.11 in his previous stint. His ability to hit doubles has notably increased by 172.7%, and he continues to take walks at an improved rate. However, his run production and home run rate have decreased, which could be concerning. Facing a pitcher from the CHC who ranks #241 in hits allowed per game, Chapman’s matchup is favorable. With a DFS value score of 2.5, he offers strong value and could be a key component in today’s fantasy lineups.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s MLB DFS Slate

Trea Turner ($8400), Phillies – Projected 11.9 pts

Trea Turner’s recent performance shows a dip in his usual stellar output, with a decrease in DraftKings points from 13.56 to 10.0 per game over the last ten games. This represents a significant -26.3% change. His hitting has also seen a downturn, with hits per game falling by -20.6% and total bases per game by a stark -47.2%. Despite these struggles, Turner’s speed and ability to generate runs remain intact, though his overall DFS value score sits at a 1.4, indicating a less favorable value at his current salary.

Francisco Lindor ($4800), Mets – Projected 11.9 pts

On the flip side, Francisco Lindor presents a more intriguing option in today’s DFS landscape. His recent performances have shown improvement, with an increase in DraftKings points from 9.78 to 10.9, marking an 11.5% rise. Notably, his runs per game have more than doubled, jumping by 127.3%. While his singles have decreased significantly, his home runs and doubles have seen an upswing. With a DFS value score of 2.5, Lindor offers strong value for his lower salary, especially against a pitcher who ranks poorly in hits allowed per game.

Catcher Insights: Daily Fantasy Analysis

Will Smith ($5800), Dodgers – Projected 12.7 pts

Will Smith of the Dodgers has shown fluctuating performance in his recent outings. Over the last 10 games, he’s averaged 6.1 DraftKings points, a significant dip from his previous 10-game average of 10.44 points. Despite this downturn, Smith’s matchup against Cal Quantrill, who ranks #212 in hits allowed per game, presents a rebound opportunity. His ability to capitalize on Quantrill’s 7.86 hits allowed per game could be crucial. With a DraftKings salary of $5800 and a projected point total of 12.7, Smith’s DFS value score stands at 2.2, marking him as a core value pick for today’s slate.

Patrick Bailey ($3800), Giants – Projected 10.4 pts

Patrick Bailey, the young catcher for the Giants, has also seen a decline in his performance, averaging 5.3 DraftKings points over his last 10 games compared to 9.0 in the previous set. Despite this, Bailey’s lower salary of $3800 and a favorable matchup against a Chicago Cubs pitcher who allows 7.45 hits per game could make him an intriguing value play. His DFS value score of 2.7 positions him as a strong value in today’s games, potentially offering significant upside for fantasy managers looking for a budget-friendly option with growth potential.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Kyle Schwarber ($9000), Phillies – Projected 14.1 pts

Kyle Schwarber, the powerhouse outfielder for the Phillies, has been consistently delivering solid performances, averaging 10.6 DraftKings points over his last ten games. Despite a slight uptick in his performance metrics, including a significant 81.8% increase in doubles per game and a 36.4% rise in home runs per game compared to his previous ten games, his projected DFS value score of 1.6 suggests caution. His high salary might not fully justify the investment today, considering the overall team rank and his recent stats.

Teoscar Hernandez ($6000), Dodgers – Projected 14.0 pts

Teoscar Hernandez of the Dodgers presents an intriguing option in today’s DFS. With a remarkable 200.2% increase in DraftKings points per game over his last ten outings compared to the previous set, Hernandez is showing signs of significant improvement. His ability to capitalize on matchups is evident, especially facing a pitcher with a high rate of hits allowed. With a DFS value score of 2.3, Hernandez offers strong potential for today’s game at a more reasonable cost than some of his high-priced peers.