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This article outlines the best daily fantasy MLB plays of the day at every position. We take a comprehensive look 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.
We’ll focus our attention on the two-game main slate starting at 8:40 ET.
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PITCHER
Top Play: Chris Flexen - Seattle (vs. Oakland)
Calling Chris Flexen a “top play” is too generous. He’s one of the least risky plays on tonight’s brief two-game slate. The Seattle righty has been serviceable this season while holding a solid 3.56 ERA. He twirled a game last week against this same Oakland team, allowing just three hits and one earned run across seven innings. Flexen had eight strikeouts in that start as well. While it will be difficult to replicate those numbers, Flexen should at least hold his own once again.
Also Consider: Cole Irvin
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CATCHER
Top Play: Keibert Ruiz - Washington (at Colorado)
You’ll definitely want to target as many bats as you can from both sides of this Washington-Colorado game. Rockies RHP German Marquez has allowed 14 hits and 11 earned runs across eight innings over his last two starts. There’s a chance he’ll continue to slide against the Nationals. Meanwhile, Ruiz is swinging a hot bat with five multi-hit outings in his last eight.
Also Consider: Luis Torrens
FIRST BASE
Top Play: C.J. Cron - Colorado (vs. Washington)
Cron makes plenty of sense through all formats tonight. He’s not overly expensive despite having capable power to take advantage of the park boost at Coors Field. The matchup is outstanding as well, facing Washington RHP Josiah Gray, who has allowed five or more earned runs in four of his last five starts.
Also Consider: Ty France
SECOND BASE
Top Play: Brendan Rodgers - Colorado (vs. Washington)
Let’s keep the theme rolling with Colorado bats. As mentioned in the previous write-up, the Rockies should inflict plenty of damage on Washington RHP Gray. Making matters even better for the Colorado bats, Gray holds a .380 wOBA split to righty hitters. Cron, Rodgers, Story, and others will look to cash in.
Also Consider: Luis Garcia
THIRD BASE
Top Play: Kyle Seager - Seattle (vs. Oakland)
Most DFS enthusiasts avoid lefty-lefty matchups, but there aren’t a ton of options to choose from on tonight’s two-game slate. On top of that, facing a left-handed pitcher doesn’t seem to bother Seager. In fact, he has admirable numbers against Oakland LHP Irvin. For those reasons, I don’t mind the Seattle third baseman as a respectable filler at third base.
Also Consider: Josh Harrison
SHORTSTOP
Top Play: Alcides Escobar - Washington (at Colorado)
You really can’t go wrong when choosing between Alcides Escobar and Trevor Story at shortstop. Perhaps you could take the other in your utility spot? Escobar has been sizzling with five multi-hit games in his past 11 starts. I’m expecting his heater to carry into a fantasy-friendly matchup at Colorado. It doesn’t hurt that the Rockies have a bottom-ten bullpen as well.
Also Consider: Trevor Story
OUTFIELD
Top Play: Juan Soto - Washington (at Colorado)
You could argue that Soto is the best play of the night. The MVP candidate doesn’t need a park boost to put up strong fantasy numbers, but he’ll definitely take the advantage at Coors Field. Soto is hitting .321 with 29 homers and 92 RBI on the season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if all those categories improve tonight.
Top Play: Raimel Tapia - Colorado (vs. Washington)
Tapia is marginally cheaper than the other bats in this game. He doesn’t have much power upside, but the Colorado outfielder has multi-hit potential to serve as a nice stacking extension for the Rockies. Go ahead and lean on him as a value prospect while hitting leadoff for Colorado.
Also Consider: Lane Thomas, Sam Hilliard, Mark Canha
