Strategy and Stats for 08/01/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clock strikes 6:40 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy slate kicks off with an exhilarating lineup of games, highlighted by a promising clash at Progressive Field where the Baltimore Orioles face off against the Cleveland Guardians. With an Over/Under set at a robust 9.5, this game is anticipated to be a treasure trove for hitters, making it a focal point for fantasy players scouting for high-scoring assets. Across today’s five-game slate, fantasy managers should keep an eye on standout performers poised to rack up points in key positions. This opening serves as your gateway into deeper dives and strategic breakdowns of each matchup, ensuring your fantasy lineup is both formidable and optimized.

Top First Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Matt Olson ($5000), Atlanta Braves – Projected 11.8 pts

Matt Olson has been a powerhouse in recent games, showing a significant uptick in his performance metrics. Over the last 10 games, Olson has averaged 8.7 DraftKings points, a sharp increase from 3.78 in the previous set of 10 games, marking a 130.2% improvement. His hitting has been particularly impressive, with a 172.7% increase in hits per game and a staggering 263.6% increase in home runs per game. Facing Max Meyer of Miami, who has a relatively high rate of 6.43 hits allowed per game, Olson’s potential for high fantasy points is further amplified. With a DraftKings salary of $5000 and a projected point total of 11.8, Olson holds a 2.4 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s lineup.

None ($4800), Kansas City Royals – Projected 11.6 pts

The player known as None has also shown promising signs in the recent games, averaging 9.2 DraftKings points over the last 10 games, up from 5.67 in the earlier games, reflecting a 62.3% increase. His consistency at the plate is notable with a 91.0% increase in hits per game. Despite a slight decrease in home runs per game, his overall performance, including a 65.4% increase in total bases, suggests a solid potential against Detroit’s pitching, which allows 10.31 hits per game. With a DraftKings salary of $4800 and a projected point total of 11.6, None also carries a 2.4 DFS value score, making him another core value player for today’s fantasy contests.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Second Base Spotlight

Michael Massey ($4200), Royals – Projected 11.7 pts

Michael Massey’s recent performance for the Kansas City Royals shows a slight dip in his fantasy output, with a decrease in DraftKings points from 5.67 to 5.3 per game over the last ten games. Despite this, his projected points stand at a promising 11.7 for the upcoming slate. Massey’s hitting has seen a downturn, particularly in singles and home runs, which could be a concern for DFS players. However, his matchup against Detroit, which ranks 19th in hits allowed per game, might provide him a chance to bounce back. His DFS value score of 2.8 indicates strong value at his current salary, making him a viable option in DFS lineups.

Andres Gimenez ($3900), Indians – Projected 9.2 pts

Andres Gimenez of the Cleveland Indians has also seen a decrease in his fantasy performance, with his DraftKings points dropping by 22.6% to 3.7 per game in his last ten outings. Despite the decline, Gimenez’s ability to hit doubles has improved, which could hint at potential upside. His projected DFS points are set at 9.2, which, coupled with his current DraftKings salary, gives him a DFS value score of 2.4. This score positions him as a core value play, suggesting that while there are risks, there might be enough upside to consider him for DFS rosters, especially in larger field tournaments where his lower ownership could provide leverage.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Jose Ramirez ($6000), Cleveland – Projected 13.9 pts

Jose Ramirez continues to be a pivotal player for Cleveland, showcasing a notable uptick in his performance. Over his last ten games, Ramirez has averaged 11.6 DraftKings points, a significant improvement from his previous set of games where he averaged 7.89 points. This 47.0% increase in fantasy output is underscored by his enhanced total bases per game, leaping from 1.56 to 2.7. His consistent ability to generate fantasy points, despite Cleveland’s overall ranking at #36 in MLB for fantasy production, makes him a valuable asset. With a DraftKings salary of $6000 and a projected point tally of 13.9, Ramirez holds a 2.3 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Austin Riley ($5100), Atlanta – Projected 12.3 pts

Austin Riley of the Braves, although experiencing a dip in his recent performance with a 31.1% decrease in DraftKings points per game compared to his previous ten games, still presents as a strategic pick against Max Meyer of Miami. Meyer’s tendency to allow 6.43 hits per game might play to Riley’s advantage. Despite the recent downturn, Riley’s ability to maintain a steady hit rate and his potential for recovery in runs and total bases offers hope for fantasy managers. With a DraftKings salary set at $5100 and a projected score of 12.3 points, Riley achieves a 2.4 DFS value score, making him another core value player worth considering for today’s lineup.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

Bobby Witt Jr. ($6500), Royals – Projected 14.7 pts

Bobby Witt Jr. continues to impress in his role at shortstop for the Kansas City Royals. Over his last ten games, Witt Jr. has averaged a robust 15.3 DraftKings points per game, showing a noticeable improvement from his previous ten-game stretch where he averaged 13.67 points. This uptick in performance is highlighted by a significant increase in walks per game, jumping from 0.11 to 0.4, a whopping 263.6% increase. His ability to get on base combined with a steady rate of hits and runs contributes to his 2.3 DFS value score. Facing a Detroit pitching staff that ranks 19th in hits allowed per game, Witt Jr. is poised to be a core value pick in today’s fantasy lineup.

Gunnar Henderson ($6300), Orioles – Projected 12.5 pts

Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles presents a more challenging case for fantasy managers. With an average of 7.0 DraftKings points over his last ten games, Henderson’s performance has remained static compared to his previous ten games. Despite this consistency, there are areas of concern, such as a 37.5% decrease in hits per game and a significant drop in singles per game. However, Henderson has shown a substantial increase in walks, which could indicate a growing patience at the plate. Facing Ben Lively of Cleveland, who ranks 65th in hits allowed per game, Henderson might find opportunities to exploit. His DFS value score is a 2.0, making him a core value play but with a cautious approach given his recent hitting struggles.

Catcher Insights: Daily Fantasy Analysis

Adley Rutschman ($5600), Orioles – Projected 11.1 pts

Adley Rutschman’s recent performance has shown a steady increase, making him a noteworthy option in today’s DFS slate. Over the last ten games, Rutschman has managed an average of 5.4 DraftKings points, a 13.0% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. His matchup against Ben Lively, who ranks 65th in hits allowed per game, presents a favorable scenario. Despite Baltimore’s lower rank in fantasy point generation, Rutschman’s ability to capitalize on opportunities is evident from his 218.2% increase in runs per game recently. His projected DFS value score stands at 2.0, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s games.

David Fry ($4500), Indians – Projected 10.8 pts

David Fry of the Cleveland Indians emerges as a strong contender in the catcher position for DFS lineups, especially considering his significant improvement in performance. Fry has escalated his DraftKings points per game by 137.0% in the latest ten-game span compared to the previous set, now averaging 5.0 points per game. His hitting has been particularly impressive, with a 203.0% increase in hits per game. Although specifics on his opposing pitcher are unavailable, Fry’s recent upswing in form and a lower salary cap make him an attractive option. His DFS value score is 2.4, categorizing him as another core value player for today’s fantasy contests.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Lane Thomas ($5000), Indians – Projected 13.3 pts

Lane Thomas has been showing a mixed bag of results in his recent performances for the Indians. Over his last ten games, Thomas averaged 9.3 DraftKings points per game, slightly down by 3.8% from his previous ten-game stretch where he averaged 9.67 points. Despite a noticeable drop in singles and hits per game, Thomas has improved in walks and runs, showing a potential for high on-base opportunities. His projected DFS value score stands at 2.7, categorizing him as a strong value pick for today’s slate. His ability to get on base and score runs could be crucial, especially with a DraftKings salary of $5000, making him an intriguing option for DFS players looking for value.

Steven Kwan ($5400), Indians – Projected 12.1 pts

Steven Kwan, another outfielder for the Indians, has seen a decline in his fantasy output recently. His DraftKings points per game have decreased by 28% in his last ten games, averaging only 5.2 points compared to 7.22 in the previous set of games. This downturn is mirrored in his hitting metrics, with a significant reduction in singles, doubles, and runs scored. Despite these challenges, Kwan’s projected DFS value score is 2.2, positioning him as a core value player. With a DraftKings salary of $5400, Kwan might still hold some appeal due to his potential to bounce back and contribute across multiple statistical categories.