Strategy and Stats for 09/16/24 MLB Daily Fantasy Slate

As the clocks strike 6:40 PM EST today, the MLB fantasy landscape is set to ignite with a thrilling 10-game slate that promises fireworks and fierce competition. Highlighting today’s action, fantasy enthusiasts will have their eyes glued to Coors Field where the Arizona Diamondbacks face off against the Colorado Rockies in what’s expected to be a slugfest, with an Over/Under set at a whopping 11.0. This high-altitude battle, starting at 8:40 PM EST, is a goldmine for hitters, making players from this game particularly valuable in today’s fantasy lineups. As we dive deeper into today’s matchups, keep an eye on top-projected players at each position, whose statistical prowess could make or break your fantasy outcomes. Stay tuned as we break down each game, providing you with the insights needed to dominate your daily fantasy sports contests.

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

Christian Walker ($9200), Arizona Diamondbacks – Projected 13.7 pts

Christian Walker has shown a notable uptick in his performance over the last ten games, averaging 8.1 DraftKings points, a significant increase from his previous 6.22 points. His hitting has improved dramatically, with a 60.7% increase in hits per game and an impressive 172.7% increase in doubles per game. Despite these gains, his DFS value score of 1.5 reflects a challenging matchup against Antonio Senzatela, whose stats are currently unavailable. Walker’s high salary on DraftKings might not justify the investment today, given the tough opposition and his overall value score.

Bryce Harper ($5500), Philadelphia Phillies – Projected 12.7 pts

Bryce Harper, priced much lower than Walker at $5500, offers a more appealing option in today’s slate. Harper has maintained a steady performance, with a 10.0 average on DraftKings points in his last ten games, up from 8.11 in the previous set. His total bases per game have seen a 30.0% increase, and his runs per game have improved by 36.4%. Facing Aaron Civale, who ranks 165th in hits allowed per game, Harper’s matchup looks favorable. His DFS value score of 2.3 indicates he’s a solid core value pick for today’s games.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Spotlight on Second Basemen

Ketel Marte ($9800), Diamondbacks – Projected 14 pts

Ketel Marte’s recent performance has shown a significant dip compared to his earlier games. Over the last ten games, his DraftKings points per game have fallen by over 50% to 5.1 from a previous 10.78, and his FanDuel points have similarly decreased. His hitting metrics have also seen a downturn, with a notable 82.1% decrease in home runs per game and a 60.9% drop in total bases per game. Despite a DraftKings salary of $9800, Marte’s projected points stand at 14.0, resulting in a 1.4 DFS value score, indicating a less favorable option for today’s slate.

Brendan Rodgers ($5200), Rockies – Projected 10.6 pts

Brendan Rodgers of the Rockies presents a modest option in today’s fantasy lineup. His performance has also seen a decline, with a 53.2% drop in DraftKings points per game in his last ten outings, averaging only 3.9 points. Despite these lower metrics, Rodgers’ lower DraftKings salary of $5200 and a projected point total of 10.6 give him a 2.0 DFS value score. This positions him as a core value pick, potentially beneficial for those looking to balance their roster with a reasonably priced, steady player.

Top Third Basemen Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Eugenio Suarez ($8800), Diamondbacks – Projected 10.8 pts

Eugenio Suarez has been a consistent performer for the Diamondbacks, showcasing a notable uptick in his recent games. Over the last ten games, Suarez has averaged 13.8 DraftKings points, a 12.9% increase from his previous ten-game stretch. His ability to hit effectively is highlighted by a 27.8% increase in hits per game and a significant 172.7% increase in walks per game. Despite these strong numbers, his projected DFS value score stands at 1.2, making him a risky pick at a high salary of $8800. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent performance spike against the overall value risk.

Ryan McMahon ($7800), Rockies – Projected 10.7 pts

Ryan McMahon, on the other hand, presents a slightly different scenario. His recent performance has seen a slight decline, with a 1.5% decrease in DraftKings points per game compared to his previous ten games. His hits have decreased by 27.9%, and his total bases have seen a 10.3% decrease. However, McMahon has shown some positives, such as an 81.8% increase in home runs per game and a significant 354.5% increase in runs per game. His DFS value score is 1.4. Given his lower salary of $7800 compared to Suarez, McMahon might appeal to those looking for a potentially lower-owned option with some upside in scoring runs.

Daily Fantasy Sports: Shortstop Analysis

Ezequiel Tovar ($8400), Rockies – Projected 12.6 pts

Ezequiel Tovar, despite his high DraftKings salary, presents a challenging case for DFS players. Over his last ten games, Tovar has averaged 7.1 points on DraftKings, a significant drop from his previous 10-game average of 10.67 points. This downward trend is reflected across several key statistics, including a decrease in hits, doubles, and total bases. Facing Merrill Kelly, who ranks low in hits allowed per game, might seem an advantage, but Tovar’s recent performance dip and a 1.5 DFS value score suggest caution. His current form indicates a risky pick, especially considering the premium cost.

Trea Turner ($5800), Phillies – Projected 12.1 pts

Trea Turner of the Phillies offers a more promising outlook for DFS enthusiasts. With a DraftKings salary of $5800, Turner has shown a positive trend in his recent performances, averaging 8.8 points per game over the last ten games, an improvement over his previous stretch. Notably, Turner has increased his home run rate and total bases, contributing to a more robust fantasy output. Facing Aaron Civale, who has a relatively high rate of hits allowed, Turner could capitalize and is a more attractive option with a 2.1 DFS value score. His recent uptick in runs and consistent scoring make him a solid core value pick for today’s games.

Top Catchers to Watch in Today’s DFS Slate

William Contreras ($5000), Brewers – Projected 10.6 pts

William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers shows a slight dip in his recent performance, with a decrease in DraftKings points per game from 9.89 to 8.5, marking a -14.1% change. However, his hits per game have seen an improvement, rising by 15.4%. Despite a decrease in home runs and walks, Contreras’s ability to maintain a steady hit rate positions him as a viable option. With a DraftKings salary of $5000 and a projected point total of 10.6, Contreras earns a DFS value score of 2.1, categorizing him as a core value player in today’s lineup.

Willson Contreras ($4900), Cardinals – Projected 10.6 pts

Willson Contreras, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, has experienced a more significant reduction in his fantasy output, with his DraftKings points per game falling by 23.4% to 6.3. Despite this, his singles per game have increased impressively by 42.9%, and his overall hits per game are up by 12.4%. However, the sharp decline in home runs and runs scored highlights some inconsistencies in his performance. With a DraftKings salary of $4900 and the same projected points as William, at 10.6, Willson Contreras also secures a DFS value score of 2.2. This places him slightly above William in terms of core value for today’s games.

Top Outfielder Picks for Today’s DFS Slate

Corbin Carroll ($9400), Diamondbacks – Projected 14.7 pts

Corbin Carroll, despite his high DraftKings salary, has shown a dip in his performance metrics over the last ten games compared to the previous set, with a significant drop in home runs and total bases. His DraftKings points per game decreased by 45.4%, and his FanDuel points by 47.2%. However, his projected points stand at 14.7 for today’s game. With a DFS Value Score of 1.6, Carroll’s current form might not justify his premium price, especially against Antonio Senzatela, whose stats are not available but generally poses a challenge for hitters. Fantasy managers should weigh his recent downturn in production against his potential to bounce back in today’s matchup.

Jake McCarthy ($8000), Diamondbacks – Projected 12.7 pts

Jake McCarthy also shows a decline in his recent performance, with a 37.8% decrease in DraftKings points and a 39.5% drop in FanDuel points over the last ten games. His hits and total bases have similarly fallen, reflecting a struggle at the plate. Despite this, McCarthy’s projected points are 12.7 for today’s game. His DFS Value Score, like Carroll’s, is 1.6. Given his lower salary compared to Carroll, McCarthy might offer a slightly better value for risk-tolerant managers, but his recent stats suggest caution. Facing Senzatela might not provide the rebound opportunity fantasy players are hoping for.