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.
We will be looking at the 12-game main slate starting at 7:05 ET.
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PITCHER
Mike Minor – Texas (vs. Baltimore)
Minor checks in with salary that is similar to pitchers like Charlie Morton, James Paxton, and Chris Sale. However, the Texas lefty doesn’t have the same name recognition as that trio, leading me to believe that he’ll carry a much lower ownership rate. That comes despite a healthy matchup against Baltimore, who ranks 24th in wRC+ with an above-average strikeout rate at 23.4%. Minor has been dominant at times this season, picking up eight or more strikeouts in four of his past seven starts. There’s a chance he outperforms those aforementioned popular hurlers tonight.
FIRST BASE
Tyler Austin – San Francisco (at NY Mets)
Austin doesn’t see consistent playing time, but he should crack the lineup against a lefty tonight. The San Francisco first baseman carries tremendous power for a bargain salary, and he has smacked three homers over his last 14 at-bats. Mets’ LHP Jason Vargas has been reasonably effective lately, but that seems like a house of cards that could collapse at any point in time. His .357 wOBA split to right-handed bats will lead to trouble sooner or later, and Austin has the ability to take advantage tonight.
SECOND BASE
Derek Dietrich – Cincinnati (at St. Louis)
Dietrich has been the hero of this column series, and I believe you could look towards him through all formats tonight. My optimism is backed by the generosity of St. Louis RHP Dakota Hudson and his .421 wOBA split to left-handed hitters. There aren’t too many legitimate second basemen with power upside and a great matchup on this slate (Mike Moustakas is the only other), so Dietrich makes sense as a promising “per dollar” lift.
THIRD BASE
Kyle Seager – Seattle (vs. Houston)
Seager has been back in action for more than a week now, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he started to find his swing. This makes for a savvy buy-low opportunity with the Seattle third baseman getting off to a slow start following a hand injury. However, the matchup is sneaky-good against Houston RHP Brad Peacock, who holds a vulnerable .351 wOBA split despite posting solid lines over the past month. As a result, Seager and teammate Daniel Vogelbach are on my list of GPP Pivots.
SHORTSTOP
Orlando Arcia – Milwaukee (vs. Miami)
Milwaukee checks in with one of the highest run-scoring projections of the night, and I’m thinking that Arcia will carry low ownership within that. The Brewers’ shortstop isn’t very consistent, but that’s not exactly what we are looking for in a tournament pick. Arcia does carry upside with four homers, 12 hits, 11 RBIs, and one stolen base over his past 10 games. Opposing pitcher Sandy Alcantara has been all over the place this season, but he’s usually generous against quality offenses. Arcia and the Brewers definitely fit the bill here.
OUTFIELD
Eddie Rosario – Minnesota (at Cleveland)
Rosario isn’t cheap, but I’m expecting him to carry a low ownership rate despite stepping into a sneaky-good matchup with legitimate multi-homer upside in an upgraded park factor. Rosario has an excellent blend of power and contact to post monstrous fantasy scores, and he has had success against Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco in the past. As it turns out, the 2019 version of Carrasco isn’t nearly as intimidating while allowing 11 earned runs and 19 hits through 12.2 innings over his last two starts. The Twins have been one of the best hitting teams in baseball this season, and don’t be surprised if Rosario and company continue that trend in Cleveland.
Jesse Winker – Cincinnati (at St. Louis)
Remember earlier when I outlined St. Louis RHP Hudson and his .421 wOBA split to left-handed bats? Well, Joey Votto and Jesse Winker are two more candidates who will be looking to take advantage. Winker hasn’t done much lately, but he has smacked 10 homers on the season while checking in with a bargain basement price in this confident draw.
