Tonight features a full slate of games with all 30 teams in action. Using STATS’ daily projections alongside the salaries of each player on the respective contest site, this article will pinpoint the top projected players and best value players of each position on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Pitchers
Top Projected: Noah Syndergaard ($10,100 DraftKings / $9,000 FanDuel) After a mediocre start to the season, Syndergaard was spectacular in his most recent start as he pitched a complete game shutout of the Reds. He looks to build on his momentum tonight with a start against the Padres, who sit in the bottom third of the league in both total team hits and runs scored.
Best Value: Dakota Hudson ($6,300 DraftKings / $6,000 FanDuel) Since moving into the Cardinals rotation earlier this year, Hudson has had mixed results. That said, at his salary, his projected seven-plus strikeouts make Hudson a strong value play.
Catchers
Top Projected: Gary Sanchez ($5,500 DraftKings / $4,100 FanDuel) While Sanchez’ batting average sits at a modest .260 on the year, his .714 slugging make him our clear top choice at catcher for the slate.
Best Value: Danny Jansen ($2,500 DraftKings), Max Stassi ($3,200 FanDuel) Neither Jansen nor Stassi project particularly well, but at their salary points, they make for modest bargain options.
First Base
Top Projected: Pete Alonso ($4,900 DraftKings), Brandon Belt ($3,500 FanDuel) Alonso is our top first baseman on DraftKings as he’s getting a crack at the Padres’ Cal Quantril in only his second career start. Belt is our top play on FanDuel as he’s been teeing off against righties this season to the tune of a .523 slugging percentage.
Best Value: Tyler White ($3,600 DraftKings / $2,300 FanDuel) Another week, another Tyler White value play. White is having a modest season but continues to be undervalued thus making for a strong bargain option.
Second Base
Top Projected: Jose Altuve ($4,300 DraftKings / $4,000 FanDuel) Though Altuve is looking human as of late, he projects as our top second baseman for the slate, as well as our top DraftKings value play. Altuve is slugging an otherworldly .889 against lefties this year and he faces another one tonight in the form of Danny Duffy.
Best Value: Jason Kipnis ($2,300 FanDuel) Kipnis hasn’t done much this season but he projects to outscore his meager salary for the slate.
Third Base
Top Projected: Alex Bregman ($5,000 DraftKings / $4,300 FanDuel) Bregman sits atop our projections at the position as he continues his rise as one of the best young stars in our game with another brilliant campaign. He is slashing an impressive .282/.403/.556 on the year.
Best Value: Brian Anderson ($3,100 DraftKings), Colin Moran ($2,200 FanDuel) Anderson and Moran are both having middling seasons but should outproduce their salaries for the slate.
Shortstop
Top Projected: Trevor Story ($5,500 DraftKings / $4,500 FanDuel) One of the biggest bats at the position, Story is our top play at shortstop as he is slashing a lofty .304/.385/.607 in Coors Field, where he’ll get to hit again tonight.
Best Value: Jordy Mercer ($3,000 DraftKings), Aldemyz Diaz ($2,400 FanDuel) Both Mercer and Diaz project as capable bargain options at their meager salary points.
Outfield
Top Projected: Mike Trout($5,600 DraftKing / $4,600 FanDuel) So long as Trout is healthy, he’s sure to project as the top play in the outfield, with few exceptions. This week is not one.
Best Value: J.D. Martinez ($5,100 DraftKings), Steve Pearce ($2,100 FanDuel) Martinez and Pearce serve as foils to one another as our top outfield value plays with Martinez projected to make the most of his lofty salary point and Pearce projecting moderately, but well enough to serve as a bargain option.
STATS Picks (DraftKings) STATS Picks are what our model considers to be the most optimal lineup for the slate (on DraftKings) based on a mix of our projections and how the salary cap would be best spent to get the most out of every single roster selection.
Pitching Madison Bumgarner ($7,600) Dakota Hudson ($6,300)
Catcher Max Stassi ($3,200)
First Base Brandon Belt ($4,400)
Second Base Jose Altuve ($4,300)
Third Base Vlad Guerrero Jr. ($3,600)
Shortstop Carlos Correa ($4,800)
Outfield Mike Trout ($5,600) J.D. Martinez ($5,100) Andrew Benintendi ($5,100) [/av_textblock]
