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I can't tell what I am more excited for today: The launch of our DFS Playbook PRO or a return to a normal, non-broken up full slate of daily fantasy baseball. Either way, today is a great day.
I really like all four of my starting pitchers in the Playbook today. Obviously Felix Hernandez is the best one and I always advocate for rolling with the best possible arm on the board but I may just pivot a bit tonight and go with a Kazmir/Greene/Martinez mix. The Brewers are an absolute trainwreck and thus it wouldn't surprise me if Martine hurls a no hitter against them tonight.
The position player tonight read like a who's who of studs and hot bats with some interesting value plays mixed about. Stay tuned throughout the day as I will be updating the DFS MLB Playbook and the Daily Fantasy Baseball Rankings will be out shortly as well. I anticipate some changes once we start getting some injury updates and lineup info so make sure you pay close attention to the pages within this Playbook.
Here is the DFS MLB Playbook for Friday April 24th:
| PLAYER | POS | TEAM | OPP | ACES | FANDUEL | DRAFTKINGS | BREAKDOWN |
| Felix Hernandez | SP | SEA | MIN | 7,750 | 11,500 | 11,300 | By far best pitcher on board tonight |
| Carlos Martinez | SP | STL | MIL | 5,750 | 8,200 | 7,200 | Brewers have 5 runs in last 7 games |
| Scott Kazmir | SP | OAK | HOU | 6,750 | 9,100 | 8,500 | Astros K 27.3% of AB's this year |
| Shane Greene | SP | DET | CLE | 6,000 | 8,700 | 7,100 | 3-0 0.39 ERA 0.74 WHIP this season |
| Salvador Perez | C | KC | CWS | 4,950 | 3,400 | 3,700 | 12-33 (.364) Vs Quintana |
| Yadier Molina | C | STL | MIL | 4,800 | 3,000 | 3,900 | Starting to come alive, price deflated |
| Brian McCann | C | NYY | NYM | 4,750 | 3,300 | 3,800 | Good hot zone matchup Vs deGrom |
| Brayan Pena | C | CIN | CHI | 3,800 | 2,300 | 2,600 | 8-20 (.400) Vs Jon Lester |
| Jose Abreu | 1B | CWS | KC | 5,850 | 4,400 | 5,400 | .326/.388/.558 Vs Finesse LHP |
| Billy Butler | DH | OAK | HOU | 4,750 | 3,500 | 4,400 | .315/.395/.521 career Vs LHP |
| Matt Adams | 1B | STL | MIL | 4,600 | 3,200 | 4,400 | 7-12 Vs Garza; Hot zone DREAM pairing |
| Jose Altuve | 2B | HOU | OAK | 5,550 | 4,100 | 4,800 | Always play Jose Altuve Vs LHP |
| Devon Travis | 2B | TOR | TB | 4,250 | 3,100 | 3,100 | .462 3 HR 7 RBI in last 7 games |
| Ian Kinsler | 2B | DET | CLE | 5,000 | 3,600 | 3,900 | .489 slugging Vs 4 seam fastballs |
| Jimmy Paredes | 2B | BAL | BOS | 4,250 | 3,000 | 2,000 | Value Play |
| Josh Donaldson | 3B | TOR | TB | 5,650 | 4,300 | 4,200 | .295/.378/.583 career Vs LHP |
| Matt Carpenter | 3B | STL | MIL | 5,100 | 4,400 | 4,800 | .429 2 HR 6 RBI in last 6 games |
| Manny Machado | 3B | BAL | BOS | 4,650 | 3,200 | 4,100 | Getting hot, belted 2 HR yesterday |
| Danny Valencia | 3B | TOR | TB | 3,800 | 2,500 | 2,700 | Value Play, .321/.348/.511 Vs LH last 3 yrs |
| Starlin Castro | SS | CHI | CIN | 4,900 | 3,800 | 3,900 | 14-46 (.348) Vs Leake |
| Adeiny Hechavarria | SS | MIA | WSH | 4,050 | 2,800 | 3,400 | Value play hitting .370 in last 6 games |
| Troy Tulowitzki | SS | COL | SF | 5,650 | 5,100 | 5,200 | Best SS in MLB |
| Lorenzo Cain | CF | KC | CWS | 4,900 | 4,000 | 4,400 | 11-34 (.324) Vs Quintana |
| Justin Upton | LF | SD | LA | 5,250 | 3,900 | 4,100 | .471/.571/.882 Vs Zack Greinke |
| Seth Smith | LF | SEA | MIN | 4,700 | 2,300 | 3,400 | May leadoff, great value across board |
| Matt Holliday | LF | STL | MIL | 4,950 | 3,500 | 4,300 | 11-28 (.393) Vs Garza |
| Gregory Polanco | RF | PIT | ARI | 4,650 | 3,400 | 4,500 | 8-21 (.381) HR 3 2B in last 5 games |
| Eric Young Jr. | OF | ATL | PHI | 4,050 | 2,400 | 3,000 | Value Play |
| Jeff Francoeur | OF | PHI | ATL | 3,750 | 2,200 | 2,200 | Value Play, Hitting 4th Vs LHP |
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Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.