Strategy and Stats for 08/19/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clocks strike 6:40 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy landscape ignites with a thrilling 10-game slate that promises fireworks and fierce competition. Highlighting tonight’s action, all eyes will be on Kauffman Stadium where the Los Angeles Angels clash with the Kansas City Royals at 8:10 PM EST. With an Over/Under set tantalizingly at 9.0, fantasy managers should brace for an offensive spectacle. This pivotal matchup not only sets the stage for potential high-scoring affairs but also serves as a beacon for identifying top fantasy prospects across all positions. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into each game, providing you with the insights needed to dominate your daily fantasy contests.

Top First Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($5700), Toronto Blue Jays – Projected 12.7 pts

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has shown fluctuating performance in his recent games, with a noticeable drop in his fantasy output. Over the last ten games, he’s averaged 10.7 points on DraftKings, a significant decrease from his previous average of 16.33 points. This downturn is reflected across several key statistics, including a -34.5% change in DraftKings points and a -31.2% drop in hits per game. Despite these challenges, Guerrero’s projected points stand at 12.7 for today’s game, giving him a DFS value score of 2.2, categorizing him as a core value pick. His current slump might concern some, but his potential for a rebound, especially given his raw talent and track record, could make him a strategic, albeit slightly risky, choice for today’s DFS lineups.

Pete Alonso ($5000), New York Mets – Projected 11.6 pts

Pete Alonso presents a slightly more optimistic picture in terms of recent performance stability. With an average of 10.0 DraftKings points over his last ten games, Alonso has shown a modest improvement from his previous average of 9.67 points. Notably, his hits per game have increased by 12.4%, and his home runs per game are up by 21.2%. These improvements give Alonso a DFS value score of 2.3, positioning him as another core value player for today’s games. Facing Trevor Rogers of Baltimore, who ranks poorly in hits allowed, Alonso might just leverage this matchup to deliver solid fantasy points, making his $5000 salary potentially a worthwhile investment for DFS players looking for consistent performers.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Christopher Morel ($4000), Rays – Projected 12.1 pts

Christopher Morel has been showing a mixed bag of results in his recent performances for the Tampa Bay Rays. Over the last ten games, Morel has averaged 4.0 DraftKings points per game, a slight dip from his previous average of 5.44 points. However, his ability to hit singles has dramatically improved, jumping from 0.11 to 0.6 per game. Despite a decrease in walks and runs, Morel’s matchup against Joe Boyle, who ranks #172 in hits allowed per game, positions him well for potential success. His projected DFS value score stands at 3.0, categorizing him as an elite value pick for today’s slate.

Marcus Semien ($5000), Rangers – Projected 11.5 pts

Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers enters today’s game with a promising uptrend in his performance metrics. Over the last ten games, Semien has averaged 6.8 DraftKings points, showing a 22.3% improvement over his prior ten-game stretch. His hits per game have increased significantly, and he has more than doubled his runs per game, which is crucial for DFS scoring. Facing an unspecified pitcher from Pittsburgh, who ranks #317 in hits allowed per game, Semien is poised to exploit this matchup. With a DFS value score of 2.3, he offers strong value at the second base position.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Max Muncy ($4700), Dodgers – Projected 11.3 pts

Max Muncy of the Dodgers has been showing a notable uptick in his performance recently. Over the last ten games, Muncy has averaged 9.1 DraftKings points, a significant increase from his previous set of games where he averaged 7.22 points. This 26.0% improvement is highlighted by a substantial rise in home runs per game, jumping from 0.11 to 0.4. His total bases per game have also seen a notable increase from 1.22 to 2.0. Facing a pitcher from Seattle who ranks #388 in hits allowed per game, Muncy’s matchup looks favorable. With a DraftKings salary of $4700 and a projected point total of 11.3, Muncy offers a 2.4 DFS value score, making him a core value pick for today’s games.

Rafael Devers ($5900), Red Sox – Projected 11.0 pts

Rafael Devers of the Red Sox, on the other hand, has seen a decrease in his performance metrics over the last ten games compared to the previous ten. His DraftKings points per game have dropped by 29.9%, from 12.56 to 8.8. This decline is reflected across several categories, including a significant 43.8% drop in hits per game and a 50% reduction in runs per game. Despite these challenges, Devers is set to face Yusei Kikuchi of Houston, who has a relatively high rank of #172 in hits allowed per game. Devers’ higher DraftKings salary of $5900 and a projected point total of 11.0 positions him with a 1.9 DFS value score, indicating a less favorable value for today’s slate.

Top Shortstop Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Elly De La Cruz ($6200), Reds – Projected 13.8 pts

Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds shows a mixed bag of recent performances but holds a promising outlook for today’s game. Over his last ten games, De La Cruz has seen a significant drop in production, averaging only 5.6 DraftKings points per game, a stark contrast to his previous average of 13.56 points. This decline of -58.7% might raise concerns. However, his matchup against Kevin Gausman, who ranks #210 in hits allowed per game with 8.72, could be an opportunity for De La Cruz to bounce back. Despite the recent slump, his projected DFS value score of 2.2 categorizes him as a core value pick, potentially rewarding for those willing to take a calculated risk on his rebound potential.

Bobby Witt Jr. ($6600), Royals – Projected 13.6 pts

Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals emerges as a strong contender in today’s DFS lineup. With an impressive uptick in his recent performances, Witt Jr. has averaged 15.8 DraftKings points over his last ten games, marking a 23.6% increase from his previous average of 12.78 points. His ability to consistently hit, evidenced by an average of 1.6 hits per game recently, up 11.1% from before, positions him well against Carson Fulmer of the LAA, who has a higher rank of #310 in hits allowed per game at 7.68. Witt Jr.’s projected DFS value score stands at 2.1, making him a core value player who could be a pivotal part of your fantasy lineup.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Catcher Insights

Cal Raleigh ($4500), Mariners – Projected 10.7 pts

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, with a DraftKings salary of $4500, has been navigating through a somewhat challenging phase. Over his last ten games, Raleigh has averaged 8.9 daily fantasy points, a slight dip from his previous 10-game average of 10.22 points. This represents a -12.9% change in performance. His hits per game have also seen a decrease from 1.0 to 0.7, marking a significant -30.0% shift. However, Raleigh has shown resilience in power hitting, with home runs per game increasing by 21.2%. Despite these fluctuations, his projected DFS value score stands at 2.4, positioning him as a core value pick against the Dodgers, who rank #190 in hits allowed per game.

Tyler Stephenson ($4000), Reds – Projected 10.5 pts

Tyler Stephenson of the Cincinnati Reds shows promising signs of improvement and consistency. With a DraftKings salary of $4000, Stephenson has recently upped his game, averaging 9.9 points over his last ten games compared to 6.78 in the previous set, a robust increase of 46.0%. His hits per game have surged by 53.8%, and total bases per game have impressively increased from 1.44 to 2.5, a 73.6% jump. These enhancements contribute to a DFS value score of 2.6, making him a strong value pick, especially facing Kevin Gausman of the Blue Jays, who ranks #210 in hits allowed per game.

Analyzing Top Outfielders’ DFS Value

Josh Lowe ($3700), Rays – Projected 13.7 pts

Josh Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays shows a promising uptick in his daily fantasy sports performance, making him a noteworthy pick for the upcoming slate. Over his last ten games, Lowe has maintained an average of 8.8 DraftKings points per game, slightly down by 2.2% from his previous ten-game stretch. Despite a slight decrease in hits and total bases, Lowe’s consistent performance against pitchers like Joe Boyle—who ranks low in limiting hits—positions him well for potential scoring. With a DraftKings salary of $3700 and a projected point tally of 13.7, Lowe’s DFS value score stands impressively at 3.7, categorizing him as an elite value pick for DFS enthusiasts.

Joc Pederson ($8400), Diamondbacks – Projected 13.2 pts

Joc Pederson of the Arizona Diamondbacks, however, presents a more complex case. His recent performance shows a significant drop, with a 42.7% decrease in DraftKings points per game compared to his previous ten games. This downturn is mirrored across several metrics, including a sharp decline in home runs and total bases. Despite these challenges, Pederson’s higher salary of $8400 and a projected point score of 13.2 reflect a DFS value score of 1.6. This positions him as a risky choice, potentially not justifying his high cost in the context of his current form and the lack of specific pitcher matchup data.