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 will be looking at the six-game slate starting at 7:05 ET.
HITTING STACKS
LA Dodgers - The Dodgers are in Colorado tonight. Do I need to say more? Okay, then: Rockies’ LHP Kyle Freeland has allowed 10 earned runs and 19 hits over his last three home starts (12.1 IP), and that probably won’t subside against one of the best offenses in baseball.
NY Yankees - The Yankees have been on fire with 13 and 20 runs respectively over their last two games. They’ll look to keep it going against Toronto RHP Chase Anderson, who has allowed 10 earned runs over his last two starts (6.2 IP).
Houston Astros - The Astros will settle into a comfortable home matchup against Texas RHP Jordan Lyles, who has struggled with a 7.80 ERA through 42.2. Innings this season.
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PITCHER
Shane Bieber - Cleveland (at Detroit) - DK: $10,900 FD: $11,900 Yahoo: $62
This recommendation is pretty much a no-brainer. Bieber has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, and he’s listed as a whopping -280 moneyline favorite against a non-imposing Detroit offense. The Tigers have been struggling lately, as they now rank 22nd in wRC+ with the highest strikeout rate (27.1 K%) to boot. The last time Bieber faced Detroit (8/15) he posted 11 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings (three hits). I wouldn’t be surprised if he came in with a similar line tonight.
Also Consider: Dakota Hudson, Masahiro Tanaka
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CATCHER
Gary Sanchez - NY Yankees (vs. Toronto) - DK: $4,200 FD: $3,000 Yahoo: $12
Sanchez is part of a well-aligned Yankees stack. Toronto RHP Chase Anderson carries a .346 career wOBA against right-handed batters. New York, of course, is loaded with capable righty sluggers to take full advantage. That includes Sanchez, who settles in with a cheaper salary than the other top catcher of the night: Will Smith of the Dodgers.
Also Consider: Will Smith, Martin Maldonado
FIRST BASE
Carlos Santana - Cleveland (at Detroit) - DK: $3,600 FD: $2,900 Yahoo: $13
Paul Goldschmidt and Luke Voit are the top overall options at first base. I’ll be looking towards them on FanDuel and Yahoo. However, the salary cap is very tight on DraftKings, especially when trying to squeeze Bieber and some expensive bats in the same lineup. That’s where Santana comes in with some savings. The Cleveland first baseman should see several RBI opportunities in a decent matchup against Detroit RHP Casey Mize, who has struggled to adjust to MLB hitting with a 5.85 ERA.
Also Consider: Luke Voit, Paul Goldschmidt
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve - Houston (vs. Texas) - DK: $3,600 FD: $3,200 Yahoo: $18
Altuve was just activated from the injured list a few days ago. We are hoping that he’s healthy and ready to go in tonight’s strong matchup against the Rangers. Altuve is extremely cheap on DraftKings, providing some much-needed savings. That’s the route I’m looking towards over there, as he’ll square off against the recent struggles of Texas RHP Jordan Lyles - who carries a 7.80 ERA on the year.
Also Consider: DJ LeMahieu, Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner - LA Dodgers (at Colorado) - DK: 5,000 FD: $3,600 Yahoo: $20
You better believe we’ll have some exposure to the Dodgers in hitter-friendly Coors Field. As mentioned earlier, Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland has allowed 10 earned runs and 19 hits across 12.1 innings over his last three home starts. He also holds and inflated .346 career wOBA to right-handed bats. Justin Turner headlines a loaded third base position as a premium option who should be worth every penny.
Also Consider: Nolan Arenado, Alex Bregman
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story - Colorado (vs. LA Dodgers) - DK: $5,500 FD: $4,400 Yahoo: $23
Let’s start this write-up with the usual caveat: you probably won’t be able to make Story work on DraftKings. He’s a better play on Yahoo and FanDuel, where it’s easier to blend a comfortable lineup around him. For DraftKings, Paul DeJong is a sensible value play … As for Story, he’s one of the best hitters in the league against left-handed pitching. He’ll step in against Dodgers’ LHP Julio Urias, who has allowed four earned runs in two of his last four starts. The hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field doesn’t hurt either.
Also Consider: Chris Taylor, Carlos Correa, Paul DeJong
OUTFIELD
Clint Frazier - NY Yankees (vs. Toronto) - DK: $4,300 FD: $3,400 Yahoo: $15
Frazier could be somewhat underrated tonight, as he’s not exactly a “headliner” within this Yankees offense. However, he’s producing like a superstar with six hits, two homers, five runs, and four RBI over his last three games. There’s a good chance the heater will continue against Toronto RHP Anderson’s vulnerability to right-handed bats.
AJ Pollock - LA Dodgers (at Colorado) - DK: $4,200 FD: $3,800 Yahoo: $20
Pollock is currently listed as day-to-day, so we’ll need to double-chek his status before locking him into our lineups. If Pollock ends up playing, he’ll benefit from the same situation outlined earlier with teammate Justin Turner. Pollock has found somewhat of a groove recently, smacking three homers over his last five games. Holding the platoon advantage in Coors Field should keep him going as long as this injury doesn’t get in the way.
Also Consider: Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, George Springer, Matt Kemp
BARGAINS
Tyler O’Neill (OF - STL) is a cheap filler to help you stack the aforementioned top-dollar picks of this article. He’s inexpensive on all DFS sites while holding a legitimate righty/lefty matchup against Pittsburgh’s mediocre southpaw, Steven Brault. While the hitting environment of PNC Park isn’t’ great, O’Neill still carries power upside and extra-base potential.
GPP PIVOTS
Gio Urshela (3B - NYY) could fly under the radar tonight, as there are so many legitimate third base options to consider. Urshela will look to jump on Chase Anderson’s struggles to right-handed bats, and the Yankees cornerstone option is brimming with confidence after recording multiple hits in four of his last five games.
