2023 Round 9 DiffeRANCHals

Every week, I’m going to go over my suggestions from last week, and determine if they were a good or bad pick based on position and points. To describe in detail the ranking system here is the metric: bust = 4 or fewer points (or not starting/on the bench), average = 5-6 points, good = 7-8 points, great = 9+ points. Players not available for selection I am disregarding and not counting as a positive or negative in the article.

• Kemar Lawrence – Bust (1 point)
• Steven Moreira – Average (5 points)
• Mark Anthony Kaye – Bust (4 points)
• Erik Thommy – Bust (2 points)
• Diego Rubio – Bust (4 points)
• Kei Kamara – Bust (2 points)

Week 8 Final Results: 1 Average, 5 Busts

2023 Full Season Results: 6 Great, 6 Good, 7 Average, 23 Bust

 

Another rough week of diffeRANCHals last week. It seems like I may be losing as much of my touch as the amount of sleep that I have been getting each night. Maybe as I catch up on sleep this weekend, I will also catch up on my full season results. This week I plan on focusing on players who have a floor with a potential ceiling. However, each player either has a favorable matchup or so many bonus point potential that they are reliable regardless of the matchup. Let’s get into it!

Geovane Jesus, $6.0m (FC Dallas Defender)

I am starting the article with the second part of the Jesus trio: Geovane. Why is he the second part? Well that’s easy, Jesus Ferreira is the first part being the longest at the club. Geovane is new this season, but started at the beginning of the season. Jesus Jimenez is the third part since he was traded for after the season started. Geovane Jesus has started to become a good differential pickup with his offensive potential over the last three weeks. Dallas travels to New York City this week and while the matchup may be difficult on paper, NYCFC still allows an average number of 1 goal per game. Should Dallas score in Yankee Stadium, I expect the assist to come from either Jesus Ferreira or Geovane Jesus.

Zac McGraw, $8.2m (Portland Defender)

When you think of a bonus point beast, you probably think of a player like Rodrigues, Mosquera, Miazga, or Zimmerman, which would be appropriate. However, the one name that should be on that list but isn’t immediately thought of is Zac McGraw. How many bonus points does McGraw average over his last 4 weeks? Four. That’s a total of 16 bonus points in the last 4 games combined. Even though McGraw plays for a weak Portland defense, he is the #1 highest bonus point producing defender over these weeks. This week, Portland has another difficult matchup versus Cincinnati. In addition, they will be without both their head coach and McGraw’s partner center back, Zuparic. I see this as a position of strength for McGraw where he will continue to generate bonus points.

Marky Delgado, $8.0m (LAG Midfielder)

The common Galaxy pick this week is between Riqui Puig and Chicharito. The less common pick would be defensive midfielder Marky Delgado. It may seem like I am picking “safe” bonus point players this week, and you may be correct. However, I also see Delgado as having an upside in the attack, especially against an Austin FC team. As they say, “Let him cook!”

Pablo Ruiz, $8.3m (RSL Midfielder)

Real Salt Lake started off the season at the bottom of the charts with one of the worst defenses and offenses. They looked lifeless as they tried scoring goals. Then DP midfielder, Damir Kreilach, goes down with an injury. Enter Pablo Ruiz. Pablo looks to be returning back to his 2023 form with Kreilach not crowding the midfield with him. In addition, Ruiz gets to split set pieces. Since Kreilach’s absence, Ruiz has scored 5, 8, and 6. With San Jose coming to the Rocky Mountains this weekend, I can see Ruiz and co. producing some goals to continue their success in fantasy.

Diego Rubio, $7.8m (Colorado Forward)

I figure why not have another week of Rubio. He has been the cog that makes Colorado go round and I wouldn’t expect any less this week. On the other side of the Rocky Mountains will have the Rapids hosting St. Louis City SC. Even though STL tends to score a lot of goals, they also tend to allow a decent amount of goals. I suspect that STL may have a difficult time playing at elevation.

Jefferson Savarino, $8.6m (RSL Forward)

The other half of RSL that you should target is Jefferson Savarino. RSL’s “forward” (winger) is not only splitting set pieces, but also scoring goals. I would gamble that Savarino even is on penalty kicks. Savarino is entering Saturday looking to continue his 2 game scoring streak. Hopefully it continues with a Ruiz assist!