Strategy and Stats for 08/22/24 Daily Fantasy MLB Slate

Today’s MLB fantasy slate is brimming with action as 10 games kick off, starting at 1:05 PM EST, promising a full day of baseball excitement. Highlighting today’s lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies will clash with the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park at 7:08 PM EST. With an Over/Under set at 8.5, this game is anticipated to be a treasure trove for hitters, making it a focal point for fantasy players. As we delve into the top projected players at each position, keep an eye on the power hitters and ace pitchers slated to make a mark. This comprehensive breakdown will guide your fantasy picks, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions for today’s games.

Top First Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($5500), Toronto Blue Jays – Projected 13.3 pts

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a consistent performer for the Blue Jays, and despite a slight dip in his recent game stats, he remains a valuable pick for today’s DFS. Over his last ten games, Guerrero Jr. has seen a decrease in most of his batting metrics compared to the previous set of ten games, with his DraftKings points per game dropping by 29.8% and his hits per game by 34.1%. However, his home runs per game have seen an increase of 36.4%, showcasing his potential to score big. Facing Griffin Canning, who ranks #149 in hits allowed per game, Guerrero Jr. could capitalize on this matchup. His DFS value score stands at 2.4, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s slate.

Bryce Harper ($9200), Philadelphia Phillies – Projected 11.7 pts

Bryce Harper, although priced at a premium, has shown improvement in his recent performances. His DraftKings points have increased by 26.3% in the last ten games, and his FanDuel points by 33.6%. Particularly notable is his runs per game, which have skyrocketed by 354.5%. Despite these gains, Harper’s overall impact remains lower than expected for his high salary, reflected in a DFS value score of 1.3. While he faces a relatively weaker pitcher from Atlanta, his high salary and lower total bases and home runs per game suggest caution. Harper remains a risky, albeit potentially rewarding, play in today’s DFS contests.

Top Second Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Brendan Rodgers ($7400), Rockies – Projected 11.8 pts

Brendan Rodgers, playing at second base for the Rockies, has shown a consistent performance in his recent games. With an average of 8.9 DraftKings points over the last ten games, Rodgers has slightly improved from his previous ten-game stretch, where he averaged 8.56 points. Despite a slight dip in hits and runs, Rodgers has increased his home run rate, which could be pivotal in today’s matchup against Patrick Corbin of the Nationals, who is notably generous in allowing hits. However, Rodgers’ projected DFS value score stands at 1.6, indicating a risky pick at a DraftKings salary of $7400.

Jose Altuve ($5300), Astros – Projected 11.3 pts

Jose Altuve of the Astros presents a compelling case for inclusion in today’s DFS lineups. Over his last ten games, Altuve has significantly improved, scoring an average of 8.4 DraftKings points compared to just 4.89 in the previous set of ten games. This surge includes substantial increases in hits, total bases, and runs scored. Facing Corbin Burnes of the Orioles, who ranks low in hits allowed per game, Altuve’s matchup looks favorable. His DraftKings salary of $5300 paired with a projected point total of 11.3 translates to a DFS value score of 2.1, marking him as a core value pick for today’s games.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Jose Ramirez ($6300), Cleveland – Projected 12.6 pts

Jose Ramirez, despite a recent dip in his performance metrics, still holds a 2.0 DFS value score, positioning him as a core value pick for today’s games. Over the last ten games, Ramirez has seen a significant decrease in production compared to his previous ten, with a 39.8% drop in DraftKings points per game and a 51.4% reduction in hits per game. However, facing Gerrit Cole, who ranks #152 in hits allowed per game, might provide Ramirez with a chance to bounce back. His current DraftKings salary of $6300 and projected points suggest he could be a strategic, if not stellar, choice for DFS players looking to balance cost with potential upside.

Manny Machado ($9400), San Diego – Projected 9.9 pts

Manny Machado’s recent performance trajectory presents a challenge for DFS enthusiasts. With a 1.1 DFS value score, Machado falls into the category of a player with bad value this slate. His last ten games have witnessed a 46.3% decrease in DraftKings points and a 44.4% drop in hits per game compared to the ten games prior. Despite this, Machado’s high salary of $9400 on DraftKings might not justify the investment today, especially when considering his matchup against Luis Severino of the NYM, who has been relatively stingy with hits. This matchup and his recent form suggest that Machado might not be the optimal pick for high returns today.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Shortstop Analysis

Elly De La Cruz ($5800), 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 the upcoming games. Despite a decrease in his DraftKings points per game from 12.22 to 8.5, a -30.4% change, his matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates could be a turning point. The Pirates have been generous, allowing 6.52 hits per game, ranking them 387th in this metric. De La Cruz’s ability to capitalize on this, combined with his slight improvement in walks per game, suggests potential for rebound. His DFS value score stands at 2.4, categorizing him as a core value pick for your fantasy lineup.

Ezequiel Tovar ($9000), Rockies – Projected 12.3 pts

Ezequiel Tovar of the Colorado Rockies faces a challenging period, with a significant drop in performance metrics across the board. His DraftKings points have plummeted by -36.8%, moving from 7.44 to 4.7 points per game. Facing Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals, who allows a high number of hits per game (11.17), might seem like an opportunity, but Tovar’s recent form casts doubt on his ability to exploit this matchup effectively. With a high DraftKings salary of $9000 and a low DFS value score of 1.4, Tovar is considered a risky play with bad value this session.

Top Catchers to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

Travis d’Arnaud ($6600), Braves – Projected 10.6 pts

Travis d’Arnaud of the Braves has shown a notable uptick in his performance, with a significant increase in both DraftKings and FanDuel points per game over his last 10 games compared to the previous 10. His DraftKings points jumped from 5.0 to 8.5, and his FanDuel points from 6.27 to 11.67, marking improvements of 70.0% and 86.1% respectively. However, his hits per game have decreased slightly, and his walks per game have nearly halved, which might concern some DFS players. Despite these mixed signals, d’Arnaud’s total bases per game have increased impressively from 1.11 to 2.0. With a DraftKings salary of $6600 and a projected point total of 10.6, his DFS value score stands at 1.6, indicating a challenging value proposition for today’s slate.

Adley Rutschman ($5000), Orioles – Projected 10.6 pts

Adley Rutschman, the young catcher for the Orioles, has had a mixed performance in his recent outings. His DraftKings points have decreased by 20.2%, dropping from 5.89 to 4.7, and his FanDuel points have similarly fallen by 26.6%. Despite this, Rutschman has shown improvement in his hitting, with an increase in singles and doubles per game. However, his walks and runs per game have seen significant reductions, which could impact his overall fantasy output. Facing a Houston team that allows 8.86 hits per game, Rutschman’s potential for hits might be higher, but his overall contribution might still be limited. With a more affordable DraftKings salary of $5000 and the same projected points as d’Arnaud, Rutschman’s DFS value score is 2.1, making him a core value pick for today’s games.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Aaron Judge ($7000), Yankees – Projected 14.8 pts

Aaron Judge continues to be a powerhouse for fantasy lineups, especially considering his recent performance uptick. Over his last 10 games, Judge has seen a 21.8% increase in DraftKings points per game compared to the previous set of 10 games, now averaging 16.1 points. His ability to connect with the ball is evident with a 36.4% increase in home runs per game and a significant 36.7% rise in total bases per game. Despite a slight decrease in walks, his overall productivity makes him a formidable choice, especially against Gavin Williams of CLE, who ranks poorly in hits allowed per game. With a DFS Value Score of 2.1, Judge stands as a core value pick in today’s lineup.

Juan Soto ($6500), Yankees – Projected 14.0 pts

Juan Soto is another strong contender in the outfield, showing remarkable improvements in his recent performances. His DraftKings points per game have surged by a whopping 75.7%, now averaging 16.8 points over the last 10 games. This spike is driven by an impressive 627.3% increase in home runs per game and consistent scoring, with runs per game up by 66.7%. Soto’s ability to maximize his at-bats against a pitcher like Williams, who has a high rate of hits allowed, makes him an attractive option for DFS players. His DFS Value Score is 2.2, positioning him as another core value player who could potentially outperform his salary expectations.