MLB DFS Winners and Losers: Aguilar, Odorizzi, and More

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Here is a look at a few of the players who dominated and a couple who faltered around the DFS circuit yesterday. All salaries and points are based on DraftKings.

Winners

Jesus Aguilar ($3300)

Jesus Aguilar paced all MLB players yesterday, achieving a DFS score of 35 on the heels of a two-homer day versus the Colorado Rockies. Aguilar broke out of a season-long slump in a big way, going 3-4 with two bombs and four Runs Batted In. Even with the stellar day under his belt, Aguilar is still batting well below the Mendoza Line with a .156 average. The round-trippers were also the first two on the season for the 28-year old All-Star, who slugged 35 last season.

Aguilar’s Outlook

The first baseman has struggled mightily to date and will unfortunately, need to string a few more games like yesterday before he becomes a reliable DFS pick moving forward. Prior to last night, Aguilar was hitting a pitiful .122 with 20 whiffs in 85 plate appearances. The Brewers face Rockies ace German Marquez today at Miller Park, so Aguilar’s struggles could very well continue. Avoid Aguilar until he consistently regains his 2018 form.

Jake Odorizzi ($7100)

The Minnesota Twins continue to impress and yesterday it was pitcher Jake Odorizzi’s time to shine. The hurler led all pitchers with a DFS score of 30.75 yesterday, tossing a shutout versus the always dangerous Houston Astros. Odorizzi went seven scoreless, fanning seven and limiting the Astros offense to just four hits on the day. The 29-year old lowered his Earned Run Average to 3.34 on the season and has now limited the opposition to two runs or less in three consecutive starts. He was a nice affordable play that paid big dividends yesterday for anyone who invested in Odorizzi.

Odorizzi’s Outlook

Jake Odorizzi appears to be rounding into form and looks to be a solid DFS bet moving forward. His next start will be in the Bronx versus the New York Yankees, a team he dominated in two starts in 2018. Last season, Odorizzi limited the Yankees to a .137 batting average, surrendering just a lone run in each of his two starts versus the Bronx Bombers. His recent run coupled with his past success makes him a solid DFS bet in his next start.

Mike Soroka ($8600)

Mike Soroka continues to make a case for himself to stick in the Atlanta Braves rotation. Soroka was dominant against the Padres, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight last night. The outing secured him 28.50 DFS points, second to only Jake Odorizzi for the best outing of the day. The rookie now sports a 2-1 record with an impressive 1.62 Earned Run Average while fanning 21 in 16.2 innings on the bump this season. The young hurler has only allowed a single run in each of his three starts this season and appears to be on the cusp of greatness.

Soroka’s Outlook

The rookie has dazzled this season and his next start will be no exception as Soroka looks like he will draw the uninspiring Miami Marlins. Soroka has dominated the Diamondbacks, Reds and Padres thus far and the Marlins will be the next team to join his list. The 21-year old faced the Marlins last season, pitching 4.2 innings of one-run ball while striking out seven. Put a Gold Star next to his name on Saturday, as Soroka takes the ball and squishes the Fish.

Losers

Freddie Freeman ($5100)

The Atlanta Braves All-Star first baseman did nothing to help out his owners yesterday, achieving a goose egg in terms of DFS points. Freeman was baffled by Padres starter Nick Margevicius, going 0-4 with a strikeout and squandering three men on base. Freeman is enjoying a successful campaign thus far, hitting .311 with five homers, but yesterday he produced zilch on the offensive side.

Freeman’s Outlook

Freeman has been on a roll of late and yesterday was definitely a one-off in terms of production. The first baseman is hitting .296 with three home runs in the past seven days and is a generally a safe DFS bet, although today may be a good day to pass on Freeman. The Braves face the young phenom Chris Paddack, who sports a tidy 1.67 Earned Run Average and has been phenomenal to start the season.

Jose Altuve ($4700)

It’s not very often that Jose Altuve will be mentioned in the “Losers”, but yesterday Altuve let DFS owners down. The former MVP went hitless with a strikeout, registering zero points on the day. Altuve and the Astros were crippled by the craftiness of Jake Odorizzi as the Twins claimed a 1-0 victory over Houston. On the season, Altuve is now hitting a pedestrian .248 although his low average is complemented by nine home runs and 20 Runs Batted In.

Altuve’s Outlook

Jose Altuve is mired in somewhat of a mini-slump, hitting .170 over his last 15 games and just .087 over the past week. The second baseman has seen an uptick in power this season, but his average has suffered as a result. Perhaps today’s matchup versus Michael Pineda will be what Altuve needs to bust out. In 19 career at-bats versus Pineda, Altuve is hitting .316 with two Runs Batted In. The Twins hurler also boasts an inflated 5.63 Earned Run Average, so there is a good possibility the Astros bats come to life in a big way.

Injury News

Robinson Cano was not in the lineup yesterday after getting hit in the hand by Gio Gonzalez. It does not appear like anything serious but it is something to be mindful of in the next few days.

Ender Inciarte left yesterday’s contest with an apparent leg injury suffered running to first. The injury concern, coupled with his slow start, is a good reason to avoid Inciarte today.

Christian Yelich sat out Monday’s game after tweaking his back the previous day. Yelich is considered day-to-day with no definite timeline on a possible return just yet.

Fernando Tatis Jr. was not in the Padres starting lineup on Monday after suffering a hamstring injury. Tatis is considered day-to-day but it is something to monitor.