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 eight-game main afternoon slate starting at 7:05 ET.
PITCHER
Shane Bieber - Cleveland (vs. Chicago White Sox)
Bieber checks in as the best overall pitching option of this slate, and it’s not even close. That especially holds true with Hyun-Jin Ryu of the Dodgers struggling lately (2 G, 14 ER, 9 IP). The Indians are convincing -320 moneyline favorites while facing a White Sox team that ranks 25th in wRC+ with the fourth-highest strikeout rate (25.6%). Add it all up, and I’m more than willing to entertain Bieber’s cumbersome salary through all formats.
Also Consider: Chris Paddack, Trevor Williams
CATCHER / FIRST BASE
Matt Beaty - LA Dodgers (vs. Colorado)
I’m all about a Dodgers’ stack tonight, and Beaty kicks things off as a quality mid-range option stepping in against Colorado RHP Antonio Senzatela’s .371 wOBA split to left-handed bats. Beaty has been stepping up lately, recording three multi-hit outings, six runs, five RBIs, and two stolen bases over his past five starts. This is an excellent spot to keep the momentum, and Beaty won’t break the bank either.
Also Consider: Carlos Santana, Ryan O’Hearn
SECOND BASE
Gavin Lux - LA Dodgers (vs. Colorado)
Lux is probably my favorite “per dollar” play of this slate. Most DFS sites still have the rookie priced too low despite coming out of the gate with three hits and three runs across his first two major league games. Lux is another left-handed bat who is poised to jump on the aforementioned generosity of Colorado RHP Senzatela, and I highly recommend him through all DFS formats.
Also Consider: Whit Merrifield, Jason Kipnis
THIRD BASE
Matt Chapman - Oakland (vs. LA Angels)
Chapman is heating up with four hits, one homer, and four RBI (one stolen base) over his past four outings. Tonight’s draw against Angels’ LHP Patrick Sandoval makes for an excellent spot to keep the heater alive. Sandoval looked better in his most recent start (5 IP, 0 ER, 9 K), but that came against a Rangers’ offense that ranks 27th in wRC+ while facing left-handed pitching. In other words, the rookie southpaw will have a tough time keeping that pace against an Oakland lineup that ranks seventh against lefties. Chapman is a prime candidate to jump all over the platoon advantage in this one.
Also consider: Rafael Devers, Justin Turner
SHORTSTOP
Corey Seager - LA Dodgers (vs. Colorado)
Let’s get back to this Dodgers’ stack against Colorado RHP Senzatela’s .371 wOBA split to left-handed bats. Los Angeles rightfully checks in with the highest scoring projection of this slate, and Seager is another mid-range lift within that. You can catch the Dodgers’ shortstop for a cheaper salary (on some DFS sites) than other top players at his position (Lindor, Bogaerts, Semien, Mondesi), making Seager even more enticing for cash games.
Also Consider: Xander Bogaerts, Adalberto Mondesi
OUTFIELD
Andrew Benintendi - Boston (vs. Minnesota)
Benintendi had been relatively quiet from a fantasy perspective over the past two weeks. His salary has fallen as a result, and the Red Sox outfielder enjoyed a nice breakout performance by going 2-4 with a double and homer last night. We could see more of the same against Minnesota RHP Jose Berrios, who has noticed a lack of velocity and consistency throughout the second half of the season. Berrios was able to end a stretch of four shaky outings with a quality start last week against the White Sox. However, facing an intimidating Boston offense in Fenway Park could tell a different story. Benintendi represents a solid buy-low opportunity against him.
Alex Gordon - Kansas City (vs. Detroit)
I’m almost embarrassed that we’ve made it this far in the article without picking on Detroit RHP Edwin Jackson. Let’s be real for a moment, Jackson is nothing more than a filler for the lowly Tigers to sacrifice in order to close out this nightmare season. The journeyman hurler has been generous against batters of either handedness while allowing 16 earned runs through 12.1 innings over his last three starts. I’m not expecting things to improve against the Royals tonight, and Alex Gordon makes for an intriguing mid-range lift opposite of Jackson.
Also consider: Nelson Cruz, Mookie Betts, A.J. Pollock, Jorge Soler, Khris Davis, Shohei Ohtani, Jake Bauers
