Welcome to our MLB DFS Opening Day Preview 3/28/24 article. It’s that time of the year again when the crack of the bat and the smell of fresh-cut grass signal the return of Major League Baseball. And with it, the thrill of Daily Fantasy Sports.
Let’s dive into an in-depth preview of the Opening Day slate, with a focus on key matchups and insights that could help you build those winning lineups.
Nationals @ Reds – Great American Ball Park, 4:10pm ET
- Weather: A cool 50° with winds around 9mph. Ideal conditions for pitchers, but this ballpark is known for its friendliness to hitters.
- Pitchers: Josiah Gray (R) for the Nationals vs. Frankie Montas (R) for the Reds. Gray shows a higher strikeout rate against lefties but struggles with home runs. Montas has minimal data against lefties this season but shows promise with a low xwOBA against righties.
- DFS Insights:
- Jonathan India and Elly De La Cruz look like solid plays for the Reds, with India’s consistent contact and De La Cruz’s power potential.
- CJ Abrams and Joey Gallo could be sleeper picks for the Nationals. Gallo’s high strikeout rate is balanced by his power upside, making him a boom-or-bust option.
Giants @ Padres – Petco Park, 4:10pm ET
- Weather: Mild at 61°, humidity at 70%, and winds at 12mph. Pitcher-friendly weather in a pitcher-friendly park.
- Pitchers: Logan Webb (R) for the Giants vs. Yu Darvish (R) for the Padres. Webb excels against lefties, while Darvish shows balanced performance with a slight edge against righties.
- DFS Insights:
- Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado stand out for the Padres, both bringing power and contact skills against right-handed pitching.
- For the Giants, LaMonte Wade Jr. offers high OBP potential and Jorge Soler brings power, making them intriguing against Darvish.
Cardinals @ Dodgers – Dodger Stadium, 4:10pm ET
- Weather: Pleasant 67°, perfect for a game of baseball. Dodger Stadium can play neutral to pitchers and hitters alike.
- Pitchers: Miles Mikolas (R) for the Cardinals vs. Tyler Glasnow (R) for the Dodgers. Mikolas has a balanced split but allows more power to lefties, while Glasnow boasts high strikeout rates with better control against righties.
- DFS Insights:
- Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman are must-plays given their exceptional performance against righties. Ohtani’s power-speed combo is unmatched.
- On the Cardinals’ side, Nolan Gorman and Paul Goldschmidt offer solid power against right-handed pitchers.
Blue Jays @ Rays – Tropicana Field, 4:10pm ET
- Pitchers: Jose Berrios (R) for the Blue Jays vs. Zach Eflin (R) for the Rays. Berrios shows consistent performance but can be prone to giving up power. Eflin has a high strikeout rate and excels against right-handed batters.
- DFS Insights:
- Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena from the Rays have solid upside, with Lowe providing power and Arozarena offering a blend of speed and contact.
- For the Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are prime picks with their ability to hit for both average and power.
Twins @ Royals – Kauffman Stadium, 4:10pm ET
- Weather: Clear skies and dry, with a slight breeze. Ideal conditions for hitters.
- Pitchers: Pablo Lopez (R) for the Twins vs. Cole Ragans (L) for the Royals. Lopez has impressive strikeout numbers, especially against righties. Ragans, although with limited data, shows potential for strikeouts but struggles with walks.
- DFS Insights:
- Bobby Witt Jr. stands out for the Royals with his blend of power and speed.
- From the Twins, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa offer high upside with their ability to impact the game both at the plate and on the field.
Quick Hits on Other Matchups:
- Tigers @ White Sox: Look for Spencer Torkelson to capitalize against lefties, while Luis Robert could be a key player for the White Sox with his power potential.
- Pirates @ Marlins: Jazz Chisholm Jr. brings exciting speed and power for the Marlins. On the Pirates side, keep an eye on Ke’Bryan Hayes for his balanced approach.
- Yankees @ Astros: Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton bring massive power for the Yankees. For the Astros, Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez offer strong left-handed bats in the lineup.
Opening Day is full of excitement and unpredictability, making it the perfect slate for DFS. Pay attention to lineup announcements and weather updates as they can have significant impacts. Good luck, and let’s start the MLB season with some wins in DFS!
