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.
Editor’s Note: Stay ahead of the competition from wire to wire with rankings, customizable projections, trade evaluator, exclusive columns and more in our Season Pass. And start using optimized lineups with our DFS Toolkit!
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We will be looking at the 10-game main afternoon slate starting at 1:05 ET.
PITCHER
Robbie Ray - Arizona (at Miami)
It’s hard to deny Ray in this spot, facing a Miami offense that ranks dead last in wRC+ on the season. Making matters even better is the fact that he’s starting in the spacious, pitcher-friendly atmosphere of Marlins Park. Ray checks in at a slight discount from other top options like Trevor Bauer and company, which has me seriously considering the D-Backs’ southpaw through all formats.
Also Consider: Trevor Bauer, Kyle Gibson
CATCHER / FIRST BASE
Joey Votto - Cincinnati (vs. Colorado)
Cincinnati unsurprisingly checks in with one of the highest run-scoring projections of this afternoon slate. Colorado RHP Peter Lambert owns a generous .394 wOBA split to left-handed bats over his brief MLB career, and that could lead to trouble. Granted, he’s not starting in the hitting utopia of Coors Field in Colorado, but Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark isn’t exactly kind to pitchers either. Votto will look to take full advantage as a sufficient stacking piece for the Reds.
Also Consider: Jose Abreu, Ji-Man Choi
SECOND BASE
Joey Wendle - Tampa Bay (at Toronto)
Per usual, the second base position doesn’t offer many exciting players for a reasonable salary. You can look towards Ketel Marte or Ozzie Albies for upside, but my cash game strategy will revolve around punting this spot and taking the savings to beef up the rest of my lineup. Wendle represents a serviceable value filler while looking to jump on Toronto RHP Aaron Sanchez and his .370 wOBA split to lefty hitters.
Also Consider: Ketel Marte, Ozzie Albies
THIRD BASE
Eugenio Suarez - Cincinnati (vs. Colorado)
As it turns out, our friend Peter Lambert hasn’t exactly shut down right-handed bats in his young MLB career either. He currently holds a .372 wOBA split in that category. Suarez has been a fantasy monster lately with six hits and four homers over his last four starts. He’s one of the better third base lifts of the day, considering this confident draw.
Also Consider: Eduardo Escobar, Nolan Arenado
SHORTSTOP
Jorge Polanco - Minnesota (at Chicago White Sox)
Minnesota’s offense disappointed last night, but I’m jumping back on the wagon today. White Sox RHP Dylan Covey holds a .368 wOBA split to left-handed bats, so players like Polanco, Max Kepler, and Eddie Rosario are instantly propelled into fantasy consideration. Polanco is a solid switch-hitter with an inviting contact/power profile to deliver in this appealing matchup.
Also Consider: Trevor Story, Corey Seager
OUTFIELD
Austin Meadows - Tampa Bay (at Toronto)
The Rays will continue to see a reasonable park boost in Toronto, and the matchup looks great against Jays’ RHP Sanchez’s .370 wOBA split to lefty hitters. Meadows is having a breakout season while currently hitting .288 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs. He holds a comfortable salary that fits effortlessly into most lineup configurations.
Jesse Winker - Cincinnati (vs. Colorado)
I’m going to close out this article with another player from my favorite stack of the day. You know all about Colorado RHP Lambert and his struggles to hitters from both sides of the plate (especially lefties). Winker should hold a premium lineup spot to inflict some damage against that. Sure, he’s a boom-or-bust fantasy commodity, but that’s factored into this bargain salary.
Also Consider: Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler, David Peralta, Yasiel Puig, Jordan Luplow
