This article will outline the best daily fantasy MLB plays of the day at every position. We’ll take a comprehensive look across the DFS industry to uncover these core recommendations, factoring respective salaries into the analysis.
Please note, these player picks were organized early in the day. For MLB contests, always check lineups and weather closer to game time. Rain, wind, or unexpected managerial decisions could open up additional sources of value. Be sure to keep an eye on the MLB Headlines and Injuries desk.
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We will be looking at the 11-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
PITCHER
Robbie Ray - Arizona (vs. Baltimore)
You could flip a coin between Ray and Cleveland RHP Mike Clevinger for cash game usage tonight. I’m siding with Ray as a strong -250 moneyline home favorite against Baltimore’s bottom-five offense. The D-Backs lefty has been a buzzsaw lately, allowing six earned runs with 23 strikeouts through 18.1 innings over his past three starts. The punch-out upside should be present in this matchup, and Ray has all the makings of a safe DFS commodity through all formats.
Also Consider: Mike Clevinger, Alec Mills (tournaments)
CATCHER / FIRST BASE
Luke Voit - NY Yankees (at Minnesota)
The Yankees check in with one of the highest run-scoring projections of this slate. Voit could play a significant role within that while stepping in against Minnesota LHP Martin Perez and his .359 wOBA split to righties. Perez looked great through the month of May, but regression has taken hold after allowing four or more earned runs in four of his last six starts. Needless to say, the Yankees make for an intriguing stack tonight.
Also Consider: Christian Walker, Daniel Murphy
SECOND BASE
Ryan McMahon - Colorado (at Washington)
You’ll need to double-check the weather before selecting anyone from this game, as there’s a 60-70% chance of rain in Washington tonight. If things clear up, McMahon emerges as an interesting mid-range second baseman who has slapped two homers over his past four starts. This is a favorable draw against Nationals’ RHP Erick Fedde and his .376 wOBA split to left-handed bats. Keep an eye on other Colorado bats like Daniel Murphy, Charlie Blackmon, and David Dahl as well.
Also Consider: Eduardo Escobar, Kolten Wong (punt)
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez - Cincinnati (at Milwaukee)
Third base is competitive tonight, which is par for the course when it comes to this loaded position. Suarez checks in as one of my favorite overall options despite players like DJ LeMahieu, Jose Ramirez, Anthony Rendon, and others profiling as confident selections. The park factor in Milwaukee should help, and Brewers’ RHP Chase Anderson holds a .352 wOBA split to right-handed bats.
Also Consider: Jose Ramirez, Jake Lamb
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor - Cleveland (at Toronto)
Lindor has been my go-to recommendation at shortstop lately, and that’s not going to change tonight. The switch-hitting superstar has been on fire for the surging Indians, collecting eight hits with two homers, five runs, and five RBIs (one stolen base) over his past six games. This is an excellent opportunity to keep the heater alive against mediocre Toronto LHP Ryan Borucki in a hitter-friendly atmosphere.
Also Consider: Elvis Andrus, Nick Ahmed
OUTFIELD
Aaron Hicks - NY Yankees (at Minnesota)
Hicks will square off against the team that traded him away several years ago. As it turns out, this is a pretty good draw against the aforementioned vulnerabilities of Minnesota LHP Perez (.359 wOBA split to right-handed bats). Hicks is a switch-hitter who has been better from the right side of the plate throughout his career, and he’s showing plenty of confidence at the moment. The NYY outfielder has recorded five multi-hit performances over his last ten games (3 HR, 6 runs, 7 RBIs), and I wouldn’t be surprised if he strings together another two or three hits tonight.
Jordan Luplow - Cleveland (at Toronto)
Luplow had a rough stretch through late June and early July, sending his salary down to bargain levels. However, the Cleveland outfielder has successfully thawed the cold-streak with six hits and one homer over his past three starts. Luplow’s salary remains cheap on several DFS sites, creating an interesting buy-low opportunity for this righty/lefty matchup against the aforementioned mediocrity of Toronto LHP Borucki.
Also Consider: Ketel Marte, Nelson Cruz, Michael Brantley, Oscar Mercado, Adam Jones, Josh Reddick, Jose Martinez
