Strategy and Stats for 08/14/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

Today’s MLB fantasy slate is brimming with action as we gear up for an exhilarating lineup of 15 games, kicking off at 1:10 PM EST. Fantasy enthusiasts will have their eyes glued to the marquee matchup at Great American Ball Park, where the St. Louis Cardinals clash with the Cincinnati Reds at 6:40 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at a whopping 9.5, this game promises a plethora of scoring opportunities, making it a goldmine for fantasy points. As we delve into today’s top projected players at each position, keep an eye out for standout performers who are poised to capitalize on today’s high-scoring environment. This analysis will not only guide your player selections but also provide strategic insights to dominate in your daily fantasy contests.

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

Bryce Harper ($5700), Phillies – Projected 13.9 pts

Bryce Harper has shown a significant uptick in his performance in the recent games. Over the last ten games, Harper has averaged 8.6 DraftKings points per game, a substantial increase from 4.78 in the previous set of ten games, marking a 79.9% improvement. His hits per game have skyrocketed by 324.2%, and total bases per game have more than doubled, up 107.2%. Facing Edward Cabrera, who ranks poorly in hits allowed per game, Harper’s matchup looks promising. With a DFS Value Score of 2.4, he stands as a core value pick in today’s slate.

Freddie Freeman ($5100), Dodgers – Projected 13.6 pts

Freddie Freeman, while experiencing a slight dip in his recent performance metrics compared to his previous ten games, still holds strong potential for today’s fantasy lineup. His DraftKings points per game have seen a decrease of -11.1%, and his runs per game have nearly halved. However, Freeman’s ability to hit doubles has remained consistent, and he’s facing Frankie Montas, who has been relatively generous in allowing hits. With a DFS Value Score of 2.7, Freeman is categorized as having strong value and could be a strategic pick against Montas’s pitching vulnerabilities.

Top Second Basemen in Today’s DFS Slate

Marcus Semien ($9000), Texas Rangers – Projected 12 pts

Marcus Semien’s recent performance has shown a significant dip compared to his earlier games. Over the last 10 games, Semien has averaged only 5.4 DraftKings points, a stark contrast to his previous 8.33 points per game. This 35.2% decrease is concerning, especially given his high salary of $9000. His hitting metrics have also seen a decline, with hits per game dropping by 42.6% and total bases per game by 45.0%. Despite a slight increase in walks, his overall production isn’t justifying the investment, resulting in a DFS value score of 1.3. Facing Tanner Houck might not be enough to turn around his recent slump, considering Houck’s high hits allowed per game.

Jose Altuve ($5600), Houston Astros – Projected 12 pts

Jose Altuve presents a more appealing option in today’s lineup. With a DraftKings salary of $5600, Altuve has maintained a more consistent performance, averaging 7.0 points over his last 10 games, slightly up from 6.67 in the previous set. His stability is evident in maintaining his singles rate and showing a notable increase in walks and runs, each by 81.8%. Although there’s a slight decrease in total bases and doubles, his overall impact remains solid. Facing Zack Littell, who has a higher rate of hits allowed, could be advantageous for Altuve. His DFS value score stands at 2.1, making him a core value play in today’s games.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Royce Lewis ($5500), Twins – Projected 13.7 pts

Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins has shown a notable uptick in his performance, making him a compelling pick for today’s DFS. Over his last ten games, Lewis has averaged 9.3 DraftKings points per game, a significant improvement from his previous ten-game average of 5.33. This surge includes increases in hits, singles, home runs, and runs scored, suggesting a rising form that could exploit his upcoming matchup against Cole Ragans of KC, who has been generous in allowing hits. With a DraftKings salary of $5500 and a projected point total of 13.7, Lewis scores a DFS value of 2.5, positioning him as a strong value pick in today’s games.

Rafael Devers ($9800), Red Sox – Projected 13.4 pts

Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox, despite his higher DraftKings salary of $9800, presents a challenging decision for DFS players today. His recent performance metrics indicate a decline, with a drop in DraftKings points per game from 11.33 to 7.7, and similar downward trends in hits, doubles, and total bases. Facing Dane Dunning of the Texas Rangers, who also allows a high number of hits per game, might not be enough to justify Devers’ high cost given his current form. With a projected point total of 13.4, his DFS value score comes in at 1.4, marking him as a player with bad value for today’s slate.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Spotlight on Shortstops

Trea Turner ($5900), Phillies – Projected 14.5 pts

Trea Turner, playing at SS for the Phillies, has shown fluctuating performance metrics over his last 20 games. With a DraftKings salary of $5900, Turner’s recent average of 4.5 daily fantasy points has dipped by 26.4% from his previous average of 6.11 points. Despite this decline, Turner’s upcoming matchup against Edward Cabrera, who ranks #456 in hits allowed per game, positions him for potential recovery. Cabrera’s 7.81 hits allowed per game could provide Turner the opportunity to improve on his modest hit rate of 0.8 per game. His DFS value score is 2.5, marking him as a strong value pick for the upcoming slate.

Elly De La Cruz ($6300), Reds – Projected 13.4 pts

Elly De La Cruz of the Reds, with a DraftKings salary of $6300, has been a standout performer in recent games. Over his last ten games, De La Cruz has averaged 12.9 daily fantasy points, showing an 8.5% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. Facing Kyle Gibson of the STL, who allows 8.48 hits per game, De La Cruz’s recent improvements in doubles and home runs could continue, given his significant increases of 127.3% in doubles and 172.7% in home runs per game. However, his DFS value score stands at 2.1, positioning him as a core value pick, which suggests careful consideration for DFS lineups.

Catcher Insights: Contreras Brothers’ DFS Impact

Willson Contreras ($5300), Cardinals – Projected 11.3 pts

Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals has shown a notable uptick in his performance over the last ten games, averaging 8.2 DraftKings points compared to 6.44 in the previous set, marking a 27.3% increase. His FanDuel points also rose by 26.0%, alongside improvements in hits, singles, and doubles. Despite a slight decrease in home runs and runs scored, Contreras’s overall contribution in total bases and walks has grown significantly. With a DraftKings salary of $5300 and a projected point tally of 11.3, his DFS value score stands at 2.1, positioning him as a core value pick for the upcoming slate.

William Contreras ($5200), Brewers – Projected 11.3 pts

William Contreras, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, has dramatically increased his fantasy output, jumping from 5.0 to 12.7 DraftKings points in the last ten games—a massive 154.0% increase. His performance on FanDuel mirrors this surge, with an increase of 168.8%. His total bases saw a significant rise of 170.3%, and his runs scored skyrocketed by 718.2%. Facing Walker Buehler, who ranks #107 in hits allowed per game, William’s DFS value score is 2.2, making him another core value player worth considering for DFS lineups.

Top Outfielders to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

Aaron Judge ($6900), Yankees – Projected 16.3 pts

Aaron Judge continues to be a formidable presence at the plate for the Yankees, averaging 12.7 DraftKings points over his last 10 games. Despite a slight dip in performance compared to his previous 10 games, where he averaged 14.56 points, Judge’s ability to generate hits and walks remains strong. His matchup against Davis Martin, who ranks poorly in hits allowed per game, positions Judge as a potentially lucrative pick. With a 2.4 DFS value score, he stands as a core value player who could provide solid returns on your investment today.

Juan Soto ($6400), Yankees – Projected 16.2 pts

Juan Soto, another key outfielder for the Yankees, has shown consistent fantasy performance, averaging 13.1 DraftKings points in his recent outings. Soto’s power at the plate is highlighted by an increase in home runs per game in his last 10 games compared to the previous set. Facing the same pitcher as Judge, Soto could exploit Martin’s vulnerability in allowing hits. With a 2.5 DFS value score, Soto is marked as a strong value pick for today’s games, potentially outperforming his recent stats and providing excellent value for DFS players.