Strategy and Stats for 07/29/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Today’s MLB fantasy slate is packed with action as 12 games kick off, starting at 3:05 PM EST, promising a full day of baseball thrills. Highlighting the lineup, the Chicago Cubs are set to clash with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM EST. This particular game, with an Over/Under set at a whopping 9.0, is anticipated to be a hitter’s paradise, making it a crucial focal point for fantasy players. As we delve into the top projected players at each position, keep an eye on emerging trends and standout performances that could make or break your fantasy lineup. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to dominate today’s fantasy baseball contests.

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

None ($4700), Royals – Projected 13.3 pts

None, playing first base for the Royals, has been showing a consistent performance in the recent games. Over the last ten games, he has averaged 6.3 DraftKings points per game, a slight decrease from his previous ten-game average of 7.22. Despite this dip, his matchup against Chris Flexen of the CWS, who ranks #174 in hits allowed per game, positions him favorably for today’s slate. With a DraftKings salary of $4700 and a projected point total of 13.3, None offers a 2.8 DFS value score, making him a strong value pick for today’s games.

Bryce Harper ($5800), Phillies – Projected 12.8 pts

Bryce Harper of the Phillies faces a challenging matchup against Luis Gil of the NYY, who has a relatively low rank of #457 in hits allowed per game. Harper’s recent performance shows a decline, with his last ten games averaging 9.9 DraftKings points compared to 12.89 in the previous set. Despite the decrease, Harper’s ability to contribute across multiple categories can’t be ignored. With a DraftKings salary of $5800 and a projected point total of 12.8, Harper’s DFS value score sits at 2.2, categorizing him as a core value for today’s roster considerations.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Top 2B Players Analysis

Ketel Marte ($5600), Diamondbacks – Projected 12.9 pts

Ketel Marte’s recent performance has been a beacon of consistency for fantasy managers. Over the last ten games, Marte has averaged 12.7 DraftKings points, showing a significant improvement from his previous ten-game stretch where he averaged 7.89 points. This 61.0% increase in fantasy scoring is largely attributed to a notable uptick in home runs per game, jumping from 0.11 to 0.4, and total bases per game which rose from 1.33 to 2.5. Facing Mitchell Parker, who ranks #223 in hits allowed per game, Marte’s matchup looks favorable. Despite Arizona’s low rank in fantasy point generation, Marte’s individual performance and matchup give him a 2.3 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value play in today’s slate.

Marcus Semien ($4900), Rangers – Projected 12.9 pts

Marcus Semien, priced at a modest $4900 on DraftKings, presents an intriguing option for DFS players. Over his last ten games, Semien has averaged 8.8 points, a slight decrease from his previous ten-game average of 9.11 points. Despite this minor dip, Semien’s ability to contribute across multiple categories, including a slight increase in home runs per game from 0.11 to 0.2, makes him a valuable asset. His matchup against an unspecified pitcher from STL, who ranks #221 in hits allowed, further enhances his appeal. With a 2.6 DFS value score, Semien stands out as a strong value pick for today’s games.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Royce Lewis ($5200), Twins – Projected 13.3 pts

Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins, despite a recent dip in performance, shows promising DFS potential today. Over his last ten games, Lewis averaged 4.8 DraftKings points, a stark contrast to his previous 14.89 points. However, his matchup against Jose Quintana, who ranks 262nd in hits allowed per game, positions him for a potential rebound. Notably, Lewis’s doubles per game have improved significantly, indicating potential for extra-base hits. With a DraftKings salary of $5200 and a projected point total of 13.3, Lewis holds a DFS value score of 2.6, marking him as a strong value pick for today’s slate.

Austin Riley ($5000), Braves – Projected 12.3 pts

Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves also presents a compelling option at third base. Riley’s recent performance shows a decrease, averaging 5.9 DraftKings points compared to 11.11 points in the earlier games. Despite this, facing Colin Rea, who has a high rate of hits allowed, could provide Riley with opportunities to improve his stats, particularly in total bases and runs. With a DraftKings salary of $5000 and a projected point total of 12.3, Riley’s DFS value score is 2.5. This positions him as another strong value player who could potentially outperform expectations in today’s games.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Spotlight on Shortstops

Bobby Witt Jr. ($6400), Royals – Projected 14.8 pts

Bobby Witt Jr. has been a consistent performer for the Royals, averaging 13.1 points on DraftKings over his last ten games. Despite a slight dip in performance compared to his previous ten games, Witt Jr. remains a solid choice, especially considering his matchup against Chris Flexen of the CWS, who ranks 174th in hits allowed per game. His recent stats show a notable stability in singles and an impressive increase in walks, which could translate into more scoring opportunities. With a DraftKings salary of $6400 and a projected point total of 14.8, Witt Jr. holds a 2.3 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick in today’s fantasy lineup.

Elly De La Cruz ($6200), Reds – Projected 14.1 pts

Elly De La Cruz of the Reds presents an intriguing option at shortstop. Over his last ten games, he has significantly improved, averaging 14.8 DraftKings points, a substantial increase from his earlier performances. De La Cruz’s recent surge is highlighted by a remarkable 92.3% increase in hits per game and a strong showing in total bases, which jumped by 66.7%. Facing Jameson Taillon, who ranks 248th in hits allowed per game, De La Cruz is poised to exploit a favorable matchup. With a salary of $6200 and a projected point total of 14.1, he also scores a 2.3 on the DFS value scale, making him another core value player for today’s games.

Top Catcher Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Cal Raleigh ($4500), Mariners – Projected 12 pts

Cal Raleigh’s recent performance might not mirror his explosive potential earlier in the season, but he’s still a noteworthy pick for today’s games. Over the last ten games, Raleigh has seen a significant drop in his fantasy output, averaging only 7.0 DraftKings points compared to 13.22 in the previous set of ten games. Despite this downturn, his matchup against Nick Pivetta, who ranks #244 in hits allowed per game, positions Raleigh for a potential bounce-back. His projected DFS value score of 2.7 indicates strong value at a DraftKings salary of $4500, making him a viable option for those looking to invest in a catcher with upside potential.

William Contreras ($5000), Brewers – Projected 11 pts

William Contreras has been navigating through a rough patch, with a decrease in his fantasy points production over the last ten games, averaging only 5.5 points on DraftKings. This represents a 37.4% drop from his previous ten-game average. However, Contreras faces Grant Holmes today, who has a high rank of #405 in hits allowed per game, which might offer Contreras an opportunity to improve his stats. Despite the challenging recent performances, his projected DFS value score of 2.2 still categorizes him as a core value pick at his current salary. Contreras could be a strategic play for DFS managers looking for a potentially under-the-radar catcher.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Juan Soto ($6100), Yankees – Projected 13.9 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 16.1 DraftKings points per game, a substantial improvement from his previous 10-game stretch where he averaged only 8.56 points. This 88.1% increase is mirrored across multiple categories, with notable jumps in hits per game from 0.89 to 1.7 and runs per game from 0.44 to 1.3. His power stats have also seen a boost, with home runs per game climbing from 0.22 to 0.5. Facing Zack Wheeler, who ranks 432nd in hits allowed per game, Soto’s matchup is favorable, enhancing his potential for high fantasy output. His DFS value score stands at 2.3, positioning him as a core value pick in today’s DFS contests.

Byron Buxton ($4800), Twins – Projected 12.9 pts

Byron Buxton, on the other hand, has seen a downturn in his recent performance. His last ten games have yielded an average of only 9.7 DraftKings points per game, a significant drop of 36.7% from the 15.33 points he averaged in the prior ten-game span. His hits have decreased from 1.56 to 1.1 per game, and his runs scored have more than halved, dropping from 1.33 to 0.6. Despite these declines, Buxton’s matchup against Jose Quintana, who allows 8.14 hits per game, could offer him a chance to rebound. With a DFS value score of 2.7, Buxton remains a strong value pick, potentially offering upside if he can capitalize on this favorable pitching matchup.