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 eight-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
PITCHER
Brandon Woodruff – Milwaukee (at Houston)
This may seem like a curious recommendation while looking towards Woodruff in tournaments while starting at Houston. However, we need to remember that the Astros are currently without Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and George Springer. That makes one of the best offenses in baseball mortal, and Woodruff could continue his hot streak tonight. The Milwaukee righty has piled up 20 strikeouts across 14 innings with four earned runs in two quality starts over his last three appearances. Meanwhile, the Astros were pinned down by Mike Leake and Andrew Cashner over the past week, so anything is possible. Woodruff has promising strikeout upside in this better-than-perceived matchup.
FIRST BASE
J.T. Realmuto – Philadelphia (vs. Arizona)
Realmuto may slip through the proverbial cracks tonight. Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly has looked sharp over his past two starts, which may discourage some people from selecting Philadelphia bats. However, let’s not forget that Kelly has gone through his fair share of struggles this season while currently holding a .348 wOBA to right-handed bats. The Phillies check in with a top five run-scoring projection on this evening slate, signifying that regression could come calling for Kelly. Realmuto is a promising bat to take advantage if that’s the case.
SECOND BASE
Hanser Alberto – Baltimore (vs. Toronto)
Baltimore represents an interesting stack tonight. Sure, they are playing in one of the highest over/under (10.5) of the night. However, a lack of name recognition (and reliability) could leave some Oriole bats with a lower-than-deserved ownership backing. Alberto could fall into that group despite holding a dirt-cheap salary and .305 average after racking up multiple hits in five of his past seven games. He’ll tee-off against Toronto RHP Edwin Jackson’s .369 wOBA split to right-handed bats.
THIRD BASE
Renato Nunez – Baltimore (vs. Toronto)
The Blue Jays don’t want to start veteran pitcher Jackson tonight, but injuries and lacking depth continue to force their hand. Jackson holds an 11.90 ERA through four starts this season, and his .369 wOBA split to right-handed bats could rise tonight. Nunez has been somewhat mediocre lately, but his salary is relaxed because of that. The Baltimore third baseman carries legitimate homerun upside with 16 round-trippers on the season. This could be one of the best matchups to date, so definitely keep Nunez in firm consideration through all formats.
SHORTSTOP
Ketel Marte – Arizona (at Philadelphia)
Truth be told, I’m not sure what Marte’s ownership will look like tonight. He has been on fire lately with seven hits and three homers over his past three games. Having said that, DFS enthusiasts may have sticker shock with his ascending salary. He’s just as expensive as probable All-Stars like Alex Bregman and Jorge Polanco on this slate, and there are a handful of cheaper cash plays at the position (Villar, Galvis, Mondesi, etc). Either way, Marte needs to be seriously considered while stepping in against Philadelphia RHP Zach Eflin and his .357 wOBA split to left-handed hitters.
OUTFIELD
Nicholas Castellanos – Detroit (at Kansas City)
It appeared that Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy was regaining his form, but coughing-up 10 earned runs across 7.2 innings over his past two starts silenced any enthusiasm. If those struggles continue to persist, Castellanos will look to take advantage as the most confident bat for Detroit. The Tigers’ outfielder has been somewhat mediocre this season, but he currently holds an eight-game hitting streak along with a home run in yesterday’s contest.
Jorge Soler – Kansas City (vs. Detroit)
Soler is another boom-or-bust fantasy commodity who will either give you a home run or three strikeouts. The KC outfielder has been swinging a reasonably confident bat with five homers over his past 12 contests. This is a promising spot to call for more production, squaring off against Detroit LHP Daniel Norris, who has allowed 10 earned runs and 23 hits across 16.2 innings over his past three starts.
