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Shaun Evans' MLB Best Ball picks for RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball contests for Wednesday, 5/22. 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.
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RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Infielder Plays
Elly De La Cruz, SS - Cincinnati Reds
Elly De La Cruz has been in a slump, going hitless in his last three games with a total of eight strikeouts. However, De La Cruz has a solid matchup versus Michael King, who is projected to start on the mound for the San Diego Padres. King holds a 4.31 ERA with 11 homers, 48 hits, 31 runs, 26 walks, and 61 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings through 10 starts. De La Cruz is batting .256 (43-for-168) with eight doubles, one triple, nine homers, 22 RBI, 35 runs, and 30 stolen bases. Like last week, his power upside with his stealing capabilities makes it hard to pass up on him in favorable matchups.
Thairo Estrada, 2B - San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants have been banged up lately and any diamond in the rough patch is nice to see. Thairo Estrada is trying to be that diamond. Estrada is batting .250 (44-for-176) with nine doubles, one triple, 24 runs, 26 RBI, nine homers, five walks, and 34 strikeouts. He'll have a favorable matchup on his hands Wednesday with Jared Jones being the projected starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Giants second baseman has been more successful versus right-handed pitchers this season with a batting average of .269 with six homers, eight doubles, one triple, and 21 RBI.
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RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Outfielder Plays
Juan Soto, RF - New York Yankees
Juan Soto makes another appearance but it should be pretty obvious why. Soto continues his dominance, batting .316 (59-for-187) with nine doubles, one triple, 11 homers, 35 runs, and 37 RBI with 33 walks and 32 strikeouts in 49 games. The Seattle Mariners will have Bryce Miller on the mound and he has taken some beatings in his last three starts, giving up 11 runs and three homers with an ERA of 5.19 in 17 1/3 innings pitched. This Yankees lineup will jump all over Miller and Soto will likely play a big part in it.
Yordan Alvarez, LF - Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez has been connecting at the plate recently, recording a hit in three straight games. He has recorded 20 RBI, with eight doubles, eight homers, 25 runs, 19 walks, and 36 strikeouts in 47 games, hitting .260 (47-for-181). He started the season off slow but has remained consistent for the Houston Astros. Tyler Anderson will be on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels and Alvarez is seeing left-handed pitchers well right now. He is hitting .344 (22-for-64) with two doubles, three homers, and nine RBI.
RIVAL Fantasy MLB Best Ball Starting Pitcher Plays
Cole Ragans, SP - Kansas City Royals
Cole Ragans is coming from a dominating performance against the Oakland A's. He pitched seven innings and allowed no hits, seven strikeouts, and two walks. Ragans is 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA with 49 hits, 23 runs, 18 walks, 64 strikeouts, and only three homers. He now faces a Detroit Tigers lineup that has struggled somewhat versus left-handed pitchers this season, batting just .223.
Tyler Glasnow, SP - Los Angeles Dodgers
Tyler Glasnow will be the last pitcher to play Wednesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers get the late start. Glasnow is a solid backup option to draft if you can't get Cole Ragans. He is holding a .290 ERA in 62 innings pitched with 20 runs, 40 hits, six homers, 16 walks, and 80 strikeouts in 10 starts. The strikeout upside makes Glasnow a very desirable option, especially seeing the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight.
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