This article will outline the best daily fantasy MLB plays of the day at every position. We will 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.
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Today’s action is broken into tiny pieces. For ease, let’s examine the six-game evening slate.
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PITCHER
Max Scherzer – Washington Nationals (at Padres)
As this is a small slate, it should come as no surprise that Scherzer is easily the top play available. He’s had some misfortune with balls in play (.353 BABIP, career .289 BABIP) but otherwise looks like vintage Scherzer. You don’t need me to point out he’s the total package. Between 12.34 K/9, few baserunners, and a low home run rate, it’s green lights across the board. At first glance, he appears to be very expensive. When you consider his expected performance, he’s actually a bargain.
Also Consider: Steven Matz (best value), Jack Flaherty
CATCHER / FIRST BASE
Matt Olson – Oakland Athletics (at Rangers)
The Athletics feature perhaps the most stackable offense tonight. Rangers starter Adrian Sampson has achieved interesting results this season including an uptick in strikeout rate. His outings have tended to be feast or famine for opposing offenses. Sampson allows extreme rates of hard contact. Olson also has an extreme hard contact rate. Strike outs are likely in this matchup. If he does connect, there’s a good chance it’s going to the moon.
Also Consider: Wilson Ramos, Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger
SECOND BASE
Jurickson Profar – Oakland Athletics (at Rangers)
You’re basically forced to pursue bargains at second base today. The only pricey option is Tommy La Stella, and you probably don’t want to use him against a mid-tier southpaw. Since a three-hit game in mid-May, Profar has performed well. He’s batting .275/.333/.522 with four home runs over the 75 plate appearance mini-hot streak. That’s quite similar to his 2018 production. If Profar is truly back on track, he’s an excellent value in this matchup.
Also Consider: Brendan Rodgers (value), Robinson Cano (value)
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner – Los Angeles Dodgers (at Giants)
Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman is actually my top pick (and probably my favorite hitter in the entire slate), but let’s spend some time discussing a different game. It’s tempting to think Giants starter Jeff Samardzija has recovered from a terrible 2018. He has in some way – his 3.61 ERA, 7.36 K/9, and 2.74 BB/9 are all sharp improvements over last season. He’s also been rather fortunate. ERA estimators believe he’s a 5.00 ERA pitcher. The Dodgers are a tougher opponent than most, and Turner in particular is a hit machine. What he lacks in home run potential is more than reflected in today’s price. He’s an excellent value sandwiched between Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger.
Also Consider: Matt Chapman, Nolan Arenado, Evan Longoria (value)
SHORTSTOP
Paul DeJong – St. Louis Cardinals (at Chicago)
Shortstop is a deep position tonight, but most of the options are expensive. An Athletic is once again my favorite at the position. Let’s instead focus on Wrigley Field. A stiff 14-mph wind is blowing in from right field which should reduce power. It’s a bigger problem for left-handed hitters than for DeJong. Neither Lester nor DeJong feature prominent platoon splits. This is a fairly neutral matchup between a breakout hitter and a mid-tier pitcher.
Also Consider: Trevor Story, Marcus Semien, Elvin Andrus
OUTFIELD
Khris Davis – Oakland Athletics (at Rangers)
Davis is in the mix for top hitter available. Unlike most of the other premium outfielders, he comes at an over-$1,000 discount. Davis tends to be a volatile daily fantasy asset. When he’s affordable like this, he’ll always make my lineups. Regularly among the league leaders in multi-homer games, he also happens to have a cushy matchup against Sampson and a below average Rangers bullpen.
Jeff McNeil – New York Mets (vs Jon Gray)
Whereas most of the names listed below can be expected to outperform McNeil, they’re all quite expensive. McNeil offers a leadoff role blended with a high average and on base batting style. Home runs aren’t really part of the equation. His game plan is to make hard, low-angle contact, reach base, and score multiple runs. For McNeil to return value, at least one other Met has to have a good game. As such, he’s best used as part of a stack.
Also Consider: Ramon Laureano, Mike Trout, Cody Bellinger, Shin-Soo Choo, Joc Pederson
