Welcome to the MLB GPP Pivots article, where we’ll be looking to uncover some sneaky-good DFS plays away from the popular lifts. These recommendations are usually risk/reward commodities meant to be used in large-field tournaments. Typically, blending these low-owned hidden gems with well-aligned staples contributes to a viable GPP strategy.
Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our MLB News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
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We will be looking at the 14-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
PITCHER
Brad Keller - Kansas City (at Detroit)
Detroit has a knack for making mediocre pitchers look like defacto aces; after all, the Tigers’ offense ranks 29th in wRC+ (78) with the third-highest strikeout rate (25.8%) in baseball. Keller has pitched very well lately, recording a quality start in four of his last five outings. That includes a sharp performance against the Tigers on July 13, spinning eight innings with four hits and one earned run allowed (7 K’s). Keller could realistically come away with a similar line at Comerica Park this evening.
CATCHER / FIRST BASE
Josh Bell - Pittsburgh (at St. Louis)
Bell had an amazing start to the season, and he easily cracked the All-Star squad because of that. However, the Pittsburgh switch-hitter has had a difficult time resuming that form since the Midsummer Classic. As a result, his salary has waned despite holding a strong .279 average with 27 homers and 89 RBIs on the season. Bell took a few days off to clear his head, so he could rebound in a sneaky-good matchup against St. Louis RHP Dakota Hudson’s .392 wOBA split to left-handed bats.
SECOND BASE
Kolten Wong - St. Louis (vs. Pittsburgh)
I think we can all agree that second base is the worst fantasy position in baseball (outside of catcher). There’s not much opportunity cost even within tonight’s massive 14-game slate, so you are free to cut against the grain in tournaments. Keston Hiura and Michael Chavis are my favorite cash game picks, but they aren’t “locks” by any stretch of the imagination. Keeping that in mind, Wong represents an interesting pivot while holding capable upside for a bargain salary. That could be on full display in a home date against the generosity of Pittsburgh RHP Chris Archer, who has allowed three or more earned runs in five straight while holding a .351 wOBA split to left-handed bats.
THIRD BASE
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - Toronto (vs. NY Yankees)
We all know Vlad Jr. can offer a rewarding fantasy performance with just one swing of the bat. He definitely proved that in a hot streak from late July to early August, as the rookie collected 18 hits, five doubles, four homers, and 18 RBIs over an eight-game span. Tonight could represent the beginning of another heater while facing the high-contact tendencies of Yankee LHP J.A. Happ, who has allowed 13 earned runs and 21 hits across 15 innings over his past three starts.
SHORTSTOP
Orlando Arcia - Milwaukee (vs. Texas)
Milwaukee could pile on the runs tonight in their hitter-friendly ballpark. Texas will send left-handed pitcher Kolby Allard to the mound, and the 21-year-old southpaw has gotten shelled (19 H, 11 ER) through eight career major league innings. Facing a dangerous Brewers’ offense on the road probably isn’t the best situation for Allard to get his footing. Don’t forget about Arcia as a bargain hitter capable of upside in this enticing draw.
OUTFIELD
Alex Gordon - Kansas City (at Detroit)
Edwin Jackson has bounced-around this season, and now the Tigers will reluctantly call on him to eat some innings. The problem stems from Jackson’s inability to do just that, as the veteran has allowed 35 earned runs across 28.1 innings this year. Gordon is one of several Royals who could tee-off on him, and the Kansas City left fielder snapped his cold streak with a three-run homer last night. Perhaps that will jumpstart his bat moving forward.
Manuel Margot - San Diego (vs. Colorado)
You could look towards any of the San Diego outfielders tonight, as Wil Myers and Hunter Renfroe will benefit from this matchup as well. However, Margot is swinging a confident bat while launching three homers over his past four outings. He’s not known for power, so there’s definitely some risk while banking on him to continue this homer surge. However, Margot steps into a friendly matchup against Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland, who holds a 7.24 ERA on the season.
