Today’s MLB slate features several matchups that provide valuable opportunities for hitters in daily fantasy sports. Here, we break down top hitter picks along with some under-the-radar plays who could provide great value for your DFS lineups. Let’s dive into the most promising hitters based on today’s pitching matchups and recent performances.
Top DFS Plays
Rafael Devers (3B, Boston Red Sox)
- Matchup: Red Sox at Cleveland Guardians (Triston McKenzie, RHP)
- Insight:
- Strong Performance: Devers boasts a significant .243 ISO and .404 xwOBA against RHP, positioning him well against McKenzie, who has an inflated xERA of 5.70 and struggles with control.
- Key Stats: High power potential and excellent hitting metrics suggest a favorable day for Devers, especially with McKenzie’s tendency to give up walks (18% BB rate).
Bryce Harper (OF, Philadelphia Phillies)
- Matchup: Phillies at Cincinnati Reds (Nick Martinez, RHP)
- Insight:
- Ballpark Factor: Playing at Great American Ball Park, known for its hitter-friendly confines, enhances Harper’s already potent bat.
- Matchup Advantage: Martinez’s xERA of 3.54 and a modest K% suggest Harper can leverage his .406 xwOBA against right-handed pitching to generate significant DFS points.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (SS, San Diego Padres)
- Matchup: Padres at Colorado Rockies (Dakota Hudson, RHP)
- Insight:
- Coors Field Effect: The high-altitude environment boosts Tatis’s potential for extra-base hits and RBIs.
- Exploiting Matchup: Hudson’s elevated 5.00 ERA and struggles at Coors Field suggest Tatis could have a standout performance in today’s game.
Yordan Alvarez (OF, Houston Astros)
- Matchup: Astros at Chicago Cubs (Javier Assad, RHP)
- Insight:
- Power Hitting: Alvarez, with a .292 ISO and .463 xwOBA against RHP, is set to capitalize on Assad’s relatively inexperienced pitching in the majors.
- Solid Metrics: Alvarez’s powerful hitting profile is expected to exploit any mistakes by Assad, making him a top pick for today.
Under-the-Radar Plays
Josh Naylor (1B/OF, Cleveland Guardians)
- Matchup: Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox (Chase Anderson, RHP)
- Insight:
- Opportunistic Matchup: Anderson’s higher xERA of 3.56 and vulnerability in recent starts make Naylor, with a .191 ISO and .362 xwOBA, a sneaky good play.
- Potential for RBIs: Positioned well in the Guardians lineup, Naylor could drive in multiple runs, especially with Anderson’s struggle to contain hitters.
Byron Buxton (OF, Minnesota Twins)
- Matchup: Twins vs. Chicago White Sox (Mike Soroka, RHP)
- Insight:
- Coming Off Injuries: Soroka’s return from injury and a high 6.89 xERA indicate he might not be at his best, which Buxton could exploit given his speed and power.
- Home Advantage: Playing at Target Field, Buxton’s combination of power (.227 ISO against RHP) and speed could see him score runs and steal bases.
Each of these players offers a mix of high upside and strategic value based on today’s pitching matchups and their recent performance metrics. As you build your DFS lineups, consider how these hitters might provide a balance of stability and potential for breakout performances to maximize your points and ROI in today’s slate.
