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Today’s MLB Daily Fantasy Best Ball Picks, Values, and Sleepers for RIVAL (5/15/2024)

Juan Soto - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Shaun Evans' MLB Best Ball picks for RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball contests for Wednesday, 5/15. 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 take his first pitcher finally. It's quick and easy draft to get through, which ultimately means more drafts to do. Check here for the updated rules and scoring.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball draft tools and resources:

 

RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Infielder Plays

Elly De La Cruz, SS - Cincinatti Reds

Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds will finish the road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Brandon Pfaadt on the mound Wednesday. This matchup favors De La Cruz and the Reds lineup.  The Reds shortstop is hitting .262 (38-for-145) this season with seven doubles, one triple, nine homers, 21 RBI, 32 runs, 22 walks, 54 strikeouts, and 25 stolen bases. His ceiling remains high because of his power and ability to steal bases. De La Cruz is projected near 12 fantasy points and makes for a top infield candidate for Best Ball Drafts.

Michael Massey, 2B - Kansas City Royals

Michael Massey and the Kansas City Royals will be finishing off their road trip against Bryan Woo and the Seattle Mariners. Woo made his first start last week and showed upside pitching 4 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and one walk against the Oakland A's. However, the Royals provide a more dangerous lineup. Massey will most likely go overlooked in drafts but has had back-to-back games with a hit. He's batting .247 (18-for-73) with four doubles, three homers, 16 RBI, 9 runs, one walk, and 12 strikeouts in 21 games.

 

Featured Promo: Our friends at RIVAL Fantasy are hooking you up. Get a risk-free deposit match up to $50 using promo code BALLER with your first deposit, and also a free year of RotoBaller Premium access ($199 value)!

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RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Outfielder Plays

Juan Soto, RF - New York Yankees

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto should be targeted as a first-round pick with his matchup against Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins. Using the RotoBaller tools, he has a matchup rating of 121.2 for Wednesday which isn't even the highest for this series overall. Soto has been dominating all season long for the Yankees, batting .314 (50-for-159) with seven doubles, one triple, nine homers, 27 runs, 34 RBI, 28 walks, and 24 strikeouts.

Tyler O'Neill, LF - Boston Red Sox

There shouldn't be much discussion or convincing needed for Tyler O'Neill. O'Neill has had a solid start to the season for the Boston Red Sox and is currently hitting .265 (30-for-113). He has hit 10 homers with 24 runs, 16 RBI, and seven stolen bases. The only concern is that he has struck out 40 times in 32 games. Taj Bradley is the projected starter for the Tampa Bay Rays and pitched a six-inning, seven-strikeout game versus the New York Yankees in his debut. This could make a challenging matchup for O'Neill but he has proven he can reach his ceiling in similar situations.

 

RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Starting Pitcher Plays

Ranger Suarez, SP - Philadelphia Phillies

Juan Soto and Ranger Suarez should be your first two picks in Best Ball drafts. Suarez is 7-0 in eight starts, pitching 54 innings with a 1.50 ERA. He has 55 strikeouts, and eight walks while allowing nine runs, 31 hits, and four homers. The New York Mets have a .224 (73-for-326) batting average against left-handed pitchers and have struck out 69 times.

Alec Marsh, SP - Kansas City Royals

Alec Marsh should be the next targeted pitcher if you can't draft Ranger Suarez. Marsh will be facing the Seattle Mariners who continue to struggle against righties. He has a 3-0 record in six starts while pitching 32 innings with 24 strikeouts, nine walks, nine runs, and just two homers. He is also coming off a season-high seven strikeouts against the Los Angeles Angels and will look to continue his consistent play.

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Noah Cates

has Two-Point Game on Thursday
Tetairoa McMillan

Headed for a Big Year 2?
T.J. Hockenson

Still Trending Down in Dynasty Leagues
Jordan Love

Still Not Back in the QB1 Tier
Kyle Filipowski

Expected Back After Illness
Terrance Ferguson

a Sneaky Dynasty Buy?
Isaiah Collier

to Miss Fifth Straight Game
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes a Statement on Opening Day With 10 Strikeouts
Deandre Ayton

Off Injury Report Friday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Questionable Against Brooklyn
Ty Jerome

to Miss Second Straight Game
Anfernee Simons

Unlikely to Play Friday
Jarrett Allen

Iffy for Miami Game
Aaron Nesmith

Expected to Play Friday
Neemias Queta

Questionable for Friday
Derrick White

Iffy Against Hawks
Kevin McGonigle

has Four Hits in Impressive MLB Debut
Killian Hayes

is Returning on Thursday
Tobias Harris

is Active on Thursday
Ausar Thompson

is Cleared for Thursday's Game
Jalen Duren

is Upgraded to Available
Nico Hoerner

Cubs Agree to Six-Year Deal With Nico Hoerner
Trey Murphy III

Ruled Out for Thursday
Precious Achiuwa

is Available on Thursday
Caris LeVert

is Ruled Out for Thursday
Jacob Misiorowski

Shows Off his High-Strikeout Upside in Opening Day Win
Marcus Foligno

Available Against Panthers
Jaylen Brown

Considered Questionable for Friday
Tony DeAngelo

Unavailable Thursday
Anthony Mantha

Good to Go Thursday
Paul Skenes

Greeted Harshly by Mets on Opening Day
Thomas Chabot

Out 4-8 Weeks After Surgery
Jalen Suggs

Available on Thursday
Robert Thomas

Sits Out Thursday's Action
Tyler Toffoli

a Game-Time Call Thursday
Artturi Lehkonen

Returns to Action Thursday
Daniel Gafford

Unavailable for Friday
Brandon Lowe

Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day
Buffalo Bills

Bills Sign Receiver Trent Sherfield
Immanuel Quickley

Ruled Out for Friday
Ketel Marte

Active, Leading Off on Opening Day
Tyler Goodson

Falcons Sign Tyler Goodson for Running Back Depth
Myles Garrett

Browns Won't Trade Myles Garrett
Kevin McGonigle

Batting Sixth in MLB Debut
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Not in the Lineup on Opening Day
Jonathan Greenard

Colts Interested in Jonathan Greenard
JJ Wetherholt

Batting Leadoff in MLB Debut
Micah Parsons

Expected to Miss First Three or Four Games of 2026
Breece Hall

Still a Chance Breece Hall Plays 2026 on Franchise Tag
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Browns Modify Myles Garrett's Contract
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Remains a Risky Tight End Option Despite 2025 Breakout
Dalton Schultz

Upside Remains Limited Despite Resurgent 2025 Production
Kimani Vidal

Could Be Sliding Down the Running Back Depth Chart in Los Angeles
Juwan Johnson

Can Juwan Johnson Repeat Steady 2025 Production in 2026?
Jackson Chourio

Placed on Injured List with Fractured Hand
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Officially Starting on Opening Day
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Pots Two Goals Versus Toronto
Pavel Zacha

Adds Two More Points Against Buffalo
Jordan Addison

in Line for 2026 Resurgence with Improved Quarterback Play?
Gunnar Helm

Appears Well-Positioned for 2026 Breakout
Dalton Kincaid

Facing Durability and Usage Questions Heading into 2026
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Poised for Superstar Breakout in 2026?
Nicolas Roy

to Be Out For "a Little Bit"
Anton Lundell

Likely Out for Rest of Regular Season
Anthony Mantha

Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Evgeni Malkin

to Remain Out Thursday
Mattias Samuelsson

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Jonathan Quick

Remains Unavailable Wednesday
Victor Hedman

Takes Leave of Absence
Sean Murphy

Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Bryce Miller

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Lars Nootbaar

Will Begin the Season on 60-Day Injured List
Jackson Holliday

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena on the Astros Opening Day Roster
Blake Snell

Dodgers Place Blake Snell on 15-Day Injured List
John Carlson

Sets Up Three Goals Tuesday Night
Joel Hofer

Picks Up Sixth Shutout of the Season
John Tavares

Records Three Assists in Tuesday's Win
NJ

Arseni Gritsyuk Scheduled for Imaging Wednesday
Ryan Fox

a High-Upside Value in Houston
Marco Penge

a Boom-or-Bust Option in Houston
Aaron Rai

Looks to Bounce Back in Houston
Jason Day

a Volatile Option at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Kirby Yates

Angels Place Kirby Yates on 15-Day Injured List
Harris English

Eyes a Bounce-Back at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Ben Griffin

Looks for Turnaround at the Texas Children's Houston Open
Rickie Fowler

Brings Strong Form Into Texas Children's Houston Open
Nick Lodolo

Will Open 2026 on the Injured List Due to Finger Ailment
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Agrees to Six-Year, $115 Million Extension With the Cubs
Ryan Gerard

Can Continue Rolling at Texas Children's Houston Open
Pierceson Coody

Bounces Back at Valspar Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trying to Get Back on Track at Texas Children's Houston Open
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well Heading to Texas Children's Houston Open
Harry Hall

Looking for Consistency at Texas Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka

Continues Building Momentum
Scottie Scheffler

Withdraws From Texas Children's Houston Open
Luke Clanton

Might Have a Problem in Houston
Sam Stevens

Happy to See Houston This Week
Keith Mitchell

Tries to Rebound After The Players Championship
Will Zalatoris

Returning This Week at Houston
Wyndham Clark

Trending in the Wrong Direction Heading to Houston
Shane Lowry

Seeking Better Luck in Houston This Weekend
Kurt Kitayama

Poised to Bounce Back at the Houston Open
Lerone Murphy

Suffers His First Loss
Movsar Evloev

Edges Out Lerone Murphy
CFB

Notre Dame Ranks No. 1 in Returning Production for 2026
Michael Aswell

Jr. Drops Decision At UFC London
Michael Aswell

Luke Riley Outclasses Michael Aswell Jr.
Sam Patterson

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Michael Page

Wins Lackluster Decision
Austen Lane

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Iwo Baraniewski

Delivers 28-Second TKO
Tyler Reddick

Overcomes Adversity for Fourth Victory of the Season At Darlington
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Darlington Victory Despite Domination
Ryan Blaney

Recovers From Pit-Road Struggles to Score Career-Best Darlington Finish
Carson Hocevar

Rallies to Finish Fourth at Darlington
Kyle Larson

Decent Performance Ends with Technical Issues At Darlington
Tyler Reddick

the Clear Favorite at Darlington
Kyle Larson

a High-Risk, High-Reward Driver at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Is Getting Better at Darlington
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not Slowing Down at Darlington
Chris Buescher

Should be a Top-10 Contender at Darlington
Austin Cindric

a Sleeper at Darlington
Erik Jones

Quickest in Practice at Darlington
Denny Hamlin

Qualifies Ninth for this Week's Cup Race at Darlington
Chase Briscoe

Is One of the Top DFS Options of the Week for Darlington
William Byron

Is William Byron A Playable DFS Option for Darlington Lineups?
Christopher Bell

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Chase Elliott

Is Chase Elliott Worth Rostering At Darlington This Week For DFS?
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May Not Have the Speed to Warrant A Darlington DFS Lineup Spot
Ross Chastain

Should DFS Players Trust Ross Chastain at Darlington?
Kyle Busch

Could Kyle Busch Be A Worthy DFS Option for Darlington?
Brad Keselowski

May be A Contriarian DFS Tournament Option At Darlington
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