Round 4 Differentials

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), average = 4-5 points, good = 6-8 points, great = 9+ points. 

• Daniel Steres – Average (4 points)
• Tristan Blackmon – Bust (3 points)
• Pablo Ruiz – Good (7 points)
• Jack Price – Great (9 points)
• Rodriguez/Opoku – Good (7 points)
• Berry/Zardes – Bust (2 points)

Week 3 Final Results: 1 Great, 2 Good, 1 Average, 2 Bust

Full Season Results: 2 Great, 5 Goods, 2 Average, 14 Busts

 

What a great week! The Jack Price hunch was right, Pablo Ruiz did Ruiz things, and Houston/Vancouver decided to score goals finally! Feels good to finally be on the right side of things. This is the type of week to be going in on differentials due to the widespread of matchups. Very few games look 1 sided this week. I’ll provide my take on a few options, but if you want to try to pick your own differentials, this is the week to do so! Let’s get into the picks. 

Francisco Calvo, $6.5m (San Jose Defender)

Lets count how many goals against San Jose (and Calvo) has. 8. Eight goals against in 3 games! Why would anybody ever pick a defender from San Jose when they aren’t good defensively? Well, let’s look at Calvo’s total points: 4, 18, 6. Yes, the 18 is an outlier because he scored 2 goals. However, my point is that Calvo has put up 13 THIRTEEN bonus points in these 3 games. Dare I say Calvo is the reincarnation of Nathan from last year? With a favorable (albeit road) matchup against Minnesota, I believe that Calvo is due for another good floor game with a potential to clean sheet. 

Marco Farfan, $5.6m (FC Dallas Defender)

Playing against Portland is always going to be tough, which is not the reason I am mentioning Farfan. I am mentioning him because he is putting up points regardless of the matchups. He registered 3 versus TFC (bust game), 7 away to New England, and 8 home to Nashville. Farfan also shares set pieces with Paul Arriola, making him a viable defender. Any time that a defender is on set pieces, fantasy manager’s eyes should light up. These are the defenders that can pop off at any moment!

Rob Taylor, $6m (Inter Miami Mid)

Taylor is a guy that many won’t think of as being dangerous. He hasn’t produced anything yet this season. What he has done, however, is register 7 shots in his 3 games (144 total minutes) if he starts against Cincinnati this weekend, I have a feeling that Taylor can put one of those shots in the back of the net!

Jose Cifuentes, $8m (LAFC Mid)

If there’s anything that I’ve learned through these first 3 weeks, it’s to play the #10/playmaker/attacking mid against Vancouver. In this case, I do not fully trust Vela due to his injury issues, so I am suggesting Cifuentes instead. He and Kellyn Acosta have been focal points of the midfield for LAFC. I don’t expect that to change when Vancouver comes into town without Brian White and possibly without Ryan Gauld. 

Fredy Montero, $6.4m (Seattle Forward)

Four goals in the last three games. That’s what Fredy Montero has. Now, 3 of those goals have been from Penalty Kicks. Goals are goals. Regardless of if you score in open play, in CCL, or from the PK spot. Fredy has gained a huge confidence boost over the last 3 games, which I think will translate to a goal or assist against Austin on Sunday. Yes, Austin has been good at home so far this year. However, they have played Cincinnati and Miami, 2 of the weakest teams in the league. When up against a strong team in Portland, Austin fell flat. The same thing may happen this weekend against Seattle. All it takes is 1 lapse in judgement and Fredy can bury a shot in the back of the net. 

Jesus Jimenez, $9m (TFC Forward)

What do Fredy Montero and Jesus Jimenez have in common? Goals in three consecutive games. What’s the difference? Jimenez has all 3 of his goals in open play. Jesus Jimenez comes into this weekend on a 3 match scoring streak. Playing for a Toronto side that hasn’t had much success, not only has Jimenez scored 3 goals, he has scored 100% of TFC’s goals so far this year. Toronto is hosting an unbeaten DCU team that has looked shaky at times. A hot scorer against a shaky defense is a recipe for success!