MLB Season Reaches Key Milestones
As Monday approaches, many MLB teams are poised to hit a significant milestone with their 100th game of the season. This milestone brings teams one step closer to the culmination of what has been an eventful year for the players in the MLB Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) player pool. With each passing game, anticipation builds as teams and players strive to leave their mark during the remaining weeks of the season.
Player Performances Under the Microscope
Several players have showcased varying degrees of success and challenges throughout this season. Cody Bellinger, for instance, has hit nine home runs in 79 games this year, a noticeable decline compared to his 26 home runs in 130 games last season. The numbers tell a story of struggle for Bellinger as he works to find his rhythm in the batter's box.
Nolan Arenado, a consistent performer throughout his 12-year career, is facing a similarly tough season with a .702 OPS, the lowest of his career. The usually reliable bat of Arenado hasn't produced the expected output, leaving fans and analysts speculating on the factors behind the dip in performance.
Meanwhile, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals remains a beacon of hope and consistency. Witt Jr. recently delivered a stellar performance, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored in their Saturday matchup. His contributions have been crucial for the Royals as they navigate the latter part of the season.
Fantasy Baseball Insights
For MLB DFS enthusiasts, player valuations and recent form hold significant importance. Alex Bregman, priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,200 on FanDuel, represents an intriguing option. Since July 4, Bregman has been on a hot streak, hitting .314 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and 10 runs scored, culminating in an impressive .885 OPS over 13 games. His career performance against left-handed pitching (LHP), with a .278 batting average and .862 OPS, further underscores his potential value. It's worth noting that the Athletics are scheduled to start LHP Hogan Harris on Monday, who carries a career 5.53 ERA, making Bregman a potentially profitable play.
J.P. Crawford, another player on DFS radars, is priced at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,000 on FanDuel. Crawford's career performance against Tyler Anderson (3-for-10 with two walks) suggests a favorable matchup. This season, Crawford has been particularly effective against southpaws, batting .284 with an .805 OPS. Notably, he has four home runs in 88 at-bats against LHP this season, alongside five home runs in 206 at-bats against right-handed pitching (RHP). However, it's also worth mentioning that Crawford is currently experiencing the lowest batting average (.204) and OPS (.643) of his eight-year career. Fantasy players will need to weigh these stats when considering Crawford for their lineups.
McClure's Endorsement
In the realm of fantasy sports, endorsements and recognitions carry weight. McClure, recognized in the book "Fantasy Football (and Baseball) for Smart People: How to Turn Your Hobby into a Fortune," is a noteworthy authority in MLB DFS. His choices, including rostering J.P. Crawford, provide DFS players with insights from one of the top minds in the game. McClure's expertise and strategic picks continue to influence how fantasy enthusiasts approach their game day decisions.
As the season progresses, the performances of these players and the strategic plays by DFS enthusiasts will continue to shape the excitement and outcomes in MLB. Each game, each hit, and each strategic fantasy play brings fans and players closer to the ultimate goal of the season: triumph on the field and in the fantasy arena.