Strategy and Stats for 07/08/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

As the clock strikes 12:35 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy slate kicks off with an exhilarating lineup of 7 games, promising a day filled with pivotal plays and standout performers. Fantasy enthusiasts will have their eyes glued to the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds battle at Great American Ball Park, starting at 7:10 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at 9.5, this game is anticipated to be a treasure trove of fantasy points, making it a critical focus for those looking to dominate their leagues. As we delve deeper into today’s matchups, keep an eye on the top projected players at each position, whose performances could make or break your fantasy outcomes. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to craft your winning strategy.

Top First Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Matt Olson ($5000), Atlanta Braves – Projected 13.7 pts

Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves shows a promising outlook for today’s DFS contests. With a DraftKings salary set at $5000, Olson has been consistently performing, averaging 4.8 points per game over his last 10 games. Although there’s a slight dip in his performance compared to the previous 10 games, where he averaged 5.0 points per game, his ability to maintain a steady hit rate and increase his walks by a significant 81.8% is notable. His DFS value score stands at 2.7, marking him as a strong value pick for today’s slate. Olson’s consistent hitting and potential for walks make him a solid choice, especially considering his moderate salary.

Pete Alonso ($9600), New York Mets – Projected 12.3 pts

Pete Alonso from the New York Mets, despite a higher DraftKings salary of $9600, presents a more challenging value proposition. Over his last 10 games, Alonso has averaged 7.7 points per game, a decrease from 10.56 points in the previous set of 10 games. This decline is reflected across several metrics, including a notable 18% drop in hits per game and a 55.2% reduction in walks per game. With a DFS value score of 1.3, Alonso is considered to have bad value for today’s DFS contests. The high salary combined with the recent dip in performance metrics suggests that Alonso might not be the best investment for today’s lineup, despite his potential for home runs and total bases.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Top Second Basemen Picks

Ozzie Albies ($5200), Braves – Projected 13.1 pts

Ozzie Albies continues to be a pivotal player for the Braves, showcasing a notable improvement in his performance over the last ten games. With an average of 9.5 DraftKings points per game recently, up from 8.11 in the previous set of games, Albies has demonstrated a 2.5 DFS value score, marking him as a strong value pick for today’s slate. His hitting has been particularly impressive, with a 79.5% increase in hits per game and a significant jump in singles per game. Despite a slight decrease in home runs, his total bases per game have risen by 29.2%, indicating more consistent production at the plate. Albies’ ability to contribute across multiple categories makes him a strong candidate for any DFS lineup.

Marcus Semien ($4900), Rangers – Projected 12.4 pts

Marcus Semien, on the other hand, presents a bit of a conundrum. His recent performance dip, with a 30.9% decrease in DraftKings points per game compared to his previous ten games, might raise concerns. However, he still holds a 2.5 DFS value score. Semien’s hits per game have nearly halved, and his doubles per game have dropped to zero, which are significant factors to consider. Despite these declines, his runs per game have seen a substantial increase, which could hint at potential for rebounding in the scoring department. Facing Davis Daniel of the LAA, who has a relatively high rate of hits allowed per game, could offer Semien a chance to improve his hitting statistics and justify his place in DFS selections.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Austin Riley ($5100), Braves – Projected 13.2 pts

Austin Riley’s recent performance has shown a slight dip compared to his previous games, with a decrease in hits and home runs. Despite this, his DraftKings points per game have only fallen by 15.8% to an average of 8.7, while his FanDuel points have seen a smaller decrease of 11.3%. His ability to maintain a decent scoring rate, even during a slump, highlights his resilience. With a projected DFS value score of 2.6, Riley offers strong value at his current salary, making him a solid pick for today’s games.

Nolan Arenado ($7200), Cardinals – Projected 10.9 pts

Nolan Arenado has shown significant improvement in his recent performances, with a notable 41.5% increase in DraftKings points per game, now averaging 7.7. His hits per game have surged by 57.3%, and his total bases per game have increased by 62.2%, indicating a strong upward trend in his offensive output. However, his high salary and a DFS value score of 1.5 suggest that he might not provide the best value for today’s slate, especially when compared to other options available at third base.

Daily Fantasy Sports Analysis: Shortstops to Watch

Corey Seager ($5000), Texas Rangers – Projected 13.5 pts

Corey Seager has been on a notable uptrend, as evidenced by his recent performance metrics. Over the last 10 games, Seager has averaged 10.7 DraftKings points per game, a significant improvement from his previous 10 games where he averaged only 4.78 points. This increase of 123.8% in fantasy points is backed by a substantial rise in hits per game, from 0.44 to 1.4, showcasing his enhanced offensive capabilities. Additionally, his total bases per game have skyrocketed by 220.5%, indicating more potent at-bats. Facing Davis Daniel, who has a high rate of hits allowed per game, Seager’s matchup looks promising. With a DFS value score of 2.7, he offers strong value at his current salary.

CJ Abrams ($9800), Washington Nationals – Projected 12.3 pts

CJ Abrams, despite his high salary, presents a challenging case for DFS selection. His performance has seen a decline in the last 10 games, with a drop in DraftKings points from 14.78 to 10.7, a decrease of 27.6%. This downturn is mirrored in his hits per game, which have fallen sharply by 52.6% from 2.11 to 1.0. His total bases and runs scored have also seen significant decreases. Without a specific pitcher matchup to potentially exploit, Abrams’ current form does not justify his steep price tag, reflected in his DFS value score of 1.3. This positions him as a risky pick in today’s slate.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Catcher Insights

Willson Contreras ($9000), Cardinals – Projected 11.8 pts

Willson Contreras has shown a notable uptick in his performance in the recent games, making him a player to watch in today’s DFS slate. Over his last 10 games, Contreras has averaged 11.3 DraftKings points, a significant improvement from his previous 10-game average of 9.0 points. This 25.6% increase is mirrored across multiple categories, including a 104.5% increase in walks per game and a 36.4% increase in home runs per game. Despite these improvements, his DFS value score sits at 1.3, primarily due to his high salary on DraftKings. While Contreras is performing well, his current price point may not provide the best value for DFS lineups.

Sean Murphy ($3400), Braves – Projected 11.0 pts

Sean Murphy, on the other hand, presents a contrasting scenario. Despite a decrease in his performance metrics over the last 10 games compared to the 10 games prior, his lower salary and consistent scoring contribute to a DFS value score of 3.2. His points per game dropped from 8.0 to 4.2 on DraftKings, and his total bases saw a nearly 48% decrease. However, the significant drop in salary combined with a still reasonable projected point total makes Murphy an elite value pick for today’s games. This value is especially compelling for DFS players looking to allocate funds to more expensive, high-output players in other positions.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Byron Buxton ($16000), Twins – Projected 13.5 pts

Byron Buxton’s recent surge in performance makes him a notable mention in today’s DFS lineup. Over the last ten games, Buxton has significantly improved, posting a 14.6 on DraftKings, a stark contrast to his previous average of 7.78. His total bases per game have seen a remarkable increase of 129.2%, and his runs per game have more than doubled, showcasing a 132.1% increase. Despite these impressive stats, his DFS value score sits at a 0.8, primarily due to his high salary. However, facing Chris Flexen, who ranks #95 in hits allowed per game, might just tilt the value in favor of risk-taking DFS players looking for a high-reward outfielder.

Trevor Larnach ($16000), Twins – Projected 13.2 pts

Trevor Larnach presents a more modest improvement in his recent performances, with a slight uptick in DraftKings points per game from 5.33 to 6.4. His metrics show a mixed bag of results; while his runs per game have increased by 51.5%, his total bases and hits per game have seen declines of -17.3% and -23.1%, respectively. Like Buxton, Larnach’s DFS value score is a 0.8, reflecting the challenge his high salary poses against his inconsistent outputs. Facing the same pitcher as Buxton, Larnach might not be the top pick for today’s slate but could serve as a differential pick for those looking to diversify their DFS portfolio.