Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Best Ball Picks, Values, and Sleepers for RIVAL (5/1/24)

May 1, 2024

Shaun Evans' MLB Best Ball picks for RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball contests for Wednesday, 5/1. See who he is liking to target in drafts and why.

Happy Wednesday RotoBallers, and welcome to our new series covering RIVAL Fantasy Best Ball daily action for the MLB season! We will be covering some of our favorite value players and sleepers that can help you win your league.

MLB best ball is similar to your everyday normal fantasy baseball leagues except you draft your team and don't have to worry about setting lineups. There is no need to stress over free-agent pickups or trying to make a trade with one of your league mates. You just draft your team, kick back, and enjoy the season.

RIVAL Fantasy does take a 10% rake but each draft type is snake and your timer is 45 seconds. There's no reason to have to wait 7 hours and 22 minutes for Billy to finally take his first pitcher. Quick and easy draft to get through, which ultimately means more drafts to do. Check here for the updated rules and scoring.

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• PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
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• MLB Props finder tool
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts

RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Value Players

Tyler Nevin, 3B - Oakland A's

Tyler Nevin has been producing consistently this season for the Oakland A's. Nevin is hitting .301 (22-for-73) with two doubles, three homers, eight runs, eight RBI, five walks, and 16 strikeouts. He will face Mitch Keller, who is on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates and it may be difficult. The A's third baseman has been connecting at the plate, though, recording seven straight hits while reaching base in eight of his last 10 games. He does play for one of the worst teams in MLB but Nevin has been producing and shouldn't be a huge early target in drafts.

Whit Merrifield, 2B - Philadelphia Phillies

Whit Merrifield has struggled to start this season but it seems like things may be turning around for the second baseman. Merrifield has now gone 6-for-18 (.333) in his last five games while recording one double, one homer, two RBI, and six runs. The Phillies will be facing Patrick Sandoval and the Los Angeles Angels and the away splits side with Merrifield. He is hitting 6-for-16 (.375) with one double, three runs, one RBI, and two stolen bases. Now, the sample size is small this early in the season, but Merrifield has turned things around and he has been seeing the plate well recently.

Brayan Rocchio, SS - Cleveland Guardians

Brayan Rocchio is an interesting target and one that can be put at the bottom of the drafting lists. Rocchio is hitting .215 (17-for-79) with seven doubles, four RBI, 12 runs, eight walks, and 17 strikeouts in 25 games. He may not be the prettiest hitter but he has a solid matchup against the Houston Astros tomorrow with Justin Verlander on the mound. He is similar to Whit Merrifield and has had some better numbers on the road with a .295 batting average in 44 at-bats. He would be a last priority, but the matchup and numbers make him an intriguing play.

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RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Sleepers

Patrick Wisdom, 3B - Chicago Cubs

Patrick Wisdom has only appeared in four games this season and the plate appearances have been limited since returning from the injured list (back). Wisdom struggled before the injury and with just two plate appearances since returning, many will sleep on him. He is 1-for-2 since returning with one double and two RBI. He batted second on Tuesday and we should see him in action on Wednesday against Jose Butto and the New York Mets. Using the RotoBaller matchup rating, this matchup is favorable to Wisdom at 106.8. If he can manage to have a full game with four at-bats, there is a nice upside on the Cubs outfielder.

Andy Pages, RF - Los Angeles Dodgers

Andy Pages is in a loaded Los Angeles Dodgers lineup and that is something that will help us in drafts. You have the likes of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman in the lineup and most will run to them first during drafts. Pages, though, should also be looked at. He is hitting .298 (14-for-47) with five doubles, two homers, 10 runs, and eight RBI with 10 strikeouts. He has recorded at least one hit in nine of the 12 games he has started. The 23-year-old outfielder is making noise in an already crowded room full of hitters, but he should drop through the rounds in drafts.

Wyatt Langford, LF - Texas Rangers

Wyatt Langford is another young player who is in a lineup full of consistent hitters and will probably be overlooked in drafts. Langford has had a consistent start to the season, hitting .248 (25-for-101) with three doubles, one triple, one homer, 13 runs, 11 RBI, 11 walks, and 24 strikeouts. He be facing Trevor Williams, who is on the mound for the Washington Nationals, but the matchup favors the Rangers hitter. Langford has hit right-handed pitchers at a good rate this season, giving him a boost in this matchup that is also at home where he does most of his damage.

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