Strategy and Stats for 07/26/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

As the clocks strike 6:40 PM EST today, the Major League Baseball universe ignites with 15 gripping games, promising a spectacle of fantasy riches. Among these, the spotlight shines brightly on the Chicago Cubs as they gear up to face the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, with the first pitch slated for 8:10 PM EST. This particular duel, with an enticing Over/Under of 9.0, forecasts a flurry of bats and perhaps, fantasy goldmines. Fantasy enthusiasts should keep an eye on power hitters and ace pitchers across today’s slate, as they look to capitalize on matchups and park factors. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into player projections and strategic picks that could dictate the outcomes of your daily fantasy lineups.

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

None ($3900), New York Yankees – Projected 13.2 pts

In today’s DFS landscape, None stands out with a remarkable 3.4 DFS value score, positioning him as an elite value pick at first base. Despite a challenging recent performance, where his DraftKings points per game plummeted by -73.8% from 11.44 to 3.0, his upcoming matchup against Brayan Bello, who ranks #197 in hits allowed per game, presents a favorable rebound opportunity. His low hit rate of 0.2 per game in the last 10 games is a concern, but his projected points suggest a potential resurgence. With a DraftKings salary of just $3900, None offers significant upside in today’s slate.

Bryce Harper ($6100), Philadelphia Phillies – Projected 12.3 pts

Bryce Harper, with a DFS value score of 2.0, is a core value pick today. Harper’s performance has seen a dip recently, with a -42.6% decrease in DraftKings points per game from 16.56 to 9.5. However, his consistent ability to contribute across multiple categories, including a slight increase in walks per game, positions him as a solid choice against Ben Lively of Cleveland, who ranks #363 in hits allowed per game. Despite a high salary of $6100, Harper’s all-around skill set and potential for high fantasy points make him a worthwhile consideration for today’s games.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Ketel Marte ($5500), Arizona Diamondbacks – Projected 11.6 pts

Ketel Marte has been showing a solid uptick in his performance, making him a noteworthy pick for today’s games. Over the last 10 games, Marte has averaged 13.0 DraftKings points per game, a significant improvement from his previous 10 games average of 10.11 points. This 28.6% increase is particularly impressive given the Diamondbacks’ overall struggle in the league. Marte’s hitting has been consistent, with an average of 1.4 hits per game recently, up from 1.22. His power hitting has seen a remarkable jump, with home runs per game increasing by 263.6%. Despite a slight decrease in walks, his total bases per game have surged by 37.6%. Facing a pitcher from Pittsburgh with a high rate of hits allowed, Marte’s current form and matchup give him a 2.1 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s slate.

Jose Altuve ($5400), Houston Astros – Projected 11.3 pts

Jose Altuve, on the other hand, has seen a downturn in his recent performances. His last 10 games have yielded only 7.4 DraftKings points on average, a 32.0% decrease from the 10.89 points in the previous set of games. His hitting metrics have dipped across the board, with a notable 28.1% decrease in hits per game and a 30.6% drop in singles per game. Doubles and home runs are slightly down as well, and his walks have drastically reduced by 69.7%. However, Altuve’s runs per game have slightly increased. Despite these challenges, facing the Dodgers who rank #347.0 in hits allowed per game, Altuve’s experience and potential for bounce-back, coupled with a 2.1 DFS value score, still make him a viable core value option for today’s games.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s MLB Slate

Royce Lewis ($5100), Twins – Projected 14.2 pts

Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins shows a mixed bag of recent performances but holds a promising outlook for today’s game. Over the last ten games, Lewis has seen a significant dip in his production with only 6.6 DraftKings points per game, a sharp decrease from his previous 12.0 points. Despite his struggles with consistency, highlighted by a 54.9% drop in hits per game, Lewis’s potential against Detroit’s weak defense, which ranks 204th in hits allowed, cannot be ignored. With a projected 14.2 points and a 2.8 DFS value score, Lewis stands out as a strong value pick in today’s slate.

Josh Rojas ($3400), Mariners – Projected 12.0 pts

Josh Rojas of the Seattle Mariners enters today’s game as an intriguing underdog pick. His recent form shows a significant downturn, managing only 2.3 DraftKings points per game over his last ten outings, compared to 4.56 in the previous set. Despite these challenges, Rojas’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox, who are 636th in hits allowed per game, positions him as a potentially overlooked asset. With a DraftKings salary of just $3400 and a projected 12.0 points, Rojas earns a 3.5 DFS value score, making him an elite value play for those looking to maximize their lineup’s potential.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Bobby Witt Jr. ($6300), Royals – Projected 14.9 pts

Bobby Witt Jr. has been on a tear recently, averaging 14.8 DraftKings points over his last 10 games, a significant improvement from his previous 10-game stretch where he averaged 11.78 points. This uptick is supported by a 34.6% increase in hits per game and a notable 36.4% increase in home runs per game. Facing Kyle Hendricks, who ranks 143rd in hits allowed per game, Witt Jr.’s matchup looks favorable. His DFS value score sits at 2.4, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s slate.

Gunnar Henderson ($6200), Orioles – Projected 14.5 pts

Gunnar Henderson, on the other hand, has seen a downturn in his performance, with his DraftKings points dropping by 52.1% to 4.1 points over the last 10 games compared to the previous 10-game period. His hitting metrics have similarly declined, with a 32.3% decrease in hits per game and a 100% drop in triples and home runs per game. Despite these struggles, Henderson’s projected points stand at 14.5, and his DFS value score is 2.3. This makes him a core value play, but fantasy managers should temper expectations given his recent form.

Analyzing Top Catchers for Today’s DFS Slate

Adley Rutschman ($5500), Orioles – Projected 13.1 pts

Adley Rutschman’s recent performance shows a slight dip in productivity, with his DraftKings points per game falling by 31.5% to 5.1 from a previous 7.44. Despite this, his matchup against the SD, who rank #118 in hits allowed per game, presents a favorable scenario. His ability to consistently get on base, albeit with fewer walks lately, still positions him as a potential core player in today’s lineup. His DFS value score of 2.4 indicates he holds core value, making him a viable option, especially considering his projected points of 13.1 against a relatively permissive opponent.

Austin Wells ($3800), Yankees – Projected 11.8 pts

Austin Wells appears to be an intriguing value pick today. With an average of 8.3 DraftKings points over his last ten games—a 13.2% increase from his previous ten-game stretch—Wells is showing signs of heating up at the plate. His matchup against Brayan Bello of the BOS, who ranks #197 in hits allowed per game, further boosts his appeal. Wells’ ability to contribute across multiple categories, including a significant increase in singles and home runs, underscores his potential high impact in today’s game. His DFS value score of 3.1 classifies him as an elite value option, offering substantial upside for a modest $3800 investment.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Outfielder Insights

Juan Soto ($6000), Yankees – Projected 17.8 pts

Juan Soto has been a revelation in recent games, showcasing a significant uptick in his performance metrics. Over the last ten games, Soto has averaged 17.2 DraftKings points per game, a sharp increase from his previous ten-game average of 8.78 points. His hitting has been particularly impressive, with an average of 2.1 hits per game, up from 0.78, marking a 169.2% improvement. This surge includes substantial increases in doubles and home runs, which have contributed to a total bases per game average of 4.5, up from 1.56. Despite a slight decrease in walks per game, Soto’s overall production makes him an elite value pick at a DraftKings salary of $6000, especially against Brayan Bello, who has been generous in allowing hits this season.

Aaron Judge ($6400), Yankees – Projected 15.1 pts

Aaron Judge, while not matching the explosive output of his teammate, still holds considerable value. With an average of 10.5 DraftKings points over his last ten games, Judge shows a modest improvement over his prior ten-game stretch. His performance includes a consistent showing in home runs and a significant increase in walks, jumping from 0.33 to 1.3 per game, a 293.9% increase. However, a decrease in singles and runs scored has slightly dampened his overall impact. With a DraftKings salary of $6400 and facing the same pitcher as Soto, Judge’s performance metrics suggest a core value play in today’s DFS slate.