Round 16 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 = 3 or fewer points (or not starting/on the bench), average = 4-5 points, good = 6-8 points, great = 9+ points. Players not available for selection I am disregarding and not counting as a positive or negative in the article.

• Claudio Bravo – Great (10 points)
• Alan Franco – Average (4 points)
• Felipe Hernandez – Average (4 points)
• Alvaro Barreal – Average (4 points)
• Andres Shinyashiki – Not available for selection (H&S Protocol)
• CJ Sapong – Bust (3 points)

Week 15 Final Results: 1 Great, 3 Average, 1 Bust

Full Season Results: 11 Great, 16 Goods, 11 Average, 46 Busts

 

Maxime Chanot, $6.8m (NYCFC Defender)

Chanot is the natural replacement for Thiago Martins, who recently went down injured for the next 2-4 weeks. On top of this, Chanot has been in the center back partnership with Callens since 2015. With this in mind, Chanot should be comfortable and play for the full 180 minutes this week. NYCFC has a double game week against Cincinnati midweek, then they host Atlanta at Yankee Stadium. This is kind of a shot in the dark, but that’s what this article is for, right?

Derrick Williams, $7.4m (LA Galaxy Defender)

My only logic with Derrick Williams (and my Chicharito pick later in the article) is due to the matchups for the Galaxy. On Wednesday, the Galaxy host Minnesota and then stay at home to host Montreal on Monday. I see a clean sheet in at least one of these games, even if the Galaxy haven’t had one since week 10.

Obinna Nwobodo, $8m (Cincinnati Mid)

It’s always important to name a floor midfielder that can keep you within striking distance of the top spots. Nwobodo is the player to both pick up and not pick up at the same time. He is currently on yellow card watch, meaning if he receives a yellow card in the first game, he will be suspended for the second game of the week. Nwobodo has an average of 4.71 points per game, resulting in approximately 9 points this week if he plays in both games. Plus, who doesn’t like to say a fun name like Obinna Nwobodo? Nwobody can disrespect his name!

Chris Mueller, $7.4m (Chicago Mid)

With every floor differential pick, I also need a boom or bust pick. This week’s boom or bust is Chris Mueller. He has two games this week, hosting the Philadelphia Union, then traveling to San Jose. It’s the San Jose game that I am targeting for Mueller, where I am predicting that he gets both a goal and an assist in that game!

Chicharito, $8.2m (LA Galaxy Forward)

Why am I doing this to myself again? Last time I named Chicharito as a differential he put up 8 points and had a missed penalty. This week he has 2 home fixtures against weak(er) defenses in the league in the form of Minnesota and Montreal. Anybody that knows me also knows my thoughts on Montreal’s defense. I don’t need to say anymore.

Aiden McFadden, $4.5 (Atlanta Forward)

Unfortunately for Atlanta United, Brooks Lennon was injured in warmups last week with a MCL sprain. Fortunately for fantasy players, McFadden is Lennon’s replacement and is listed as a forward in the game. When looking at forwards and defenders, there is always an upside when they are playing out of position. A forward playing as a defender can result in bonus points that most forwards would not receive. He is definitely the riskiest pick in this entire article, but also has a decent amount of upside.

Honorable Mentions:

• Bill Tuiloma (Portland Defender)
• Jonathan Osorio (Toronto Midfielder)
• Brian Rodriguez (LAFC Forward)