Round 6 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. 

• Francisco Calvo – Bust (3 points)
• Marco Farfan – Bust (2 points)
• Rob Taylor – Bust (2 points)
• Jose Cifuentes – Average (4 points)
• Fredy Montero – Did Not start (Starter Bruin scored)
• Jesus Jimenez – Bust (2 points)

Week 4* Final Results: 1 Average, 5 Busts

Full Season Results: 2 Great, 5 Goods, 3 Average, 19 Busts

 

What a bad week for fantasy. Overall this was a very low scoring week for most teams. Can’t complain about differentials not hitting when most players aren’t even hitting. I skipped Week 5 due to the awkward DGW. It was best to go full DGW Chalk for that week anyways. Let’s get back into the swing of things with a great week for some differentials!

Guzman Corujo, $5.2m (Charlotte Defense)

I made this mistake once already suggesting a Charlotte defender, and I’m ready to die on the same hill again. I honestly don’t know why I am suggesting Corujo for a differential. This is solely a gut feeling. Playing at home against an Atlanta team with a strong offense, Corujo is more of a late week emergency flier than an early bench play. **Late Update: Josef Martinez is confirmed out for this game. That could help Charlotte hold a clean sheet!**

Ethan Bartlow, $4.9m (Houston Defense)

What’s going on with Houston’s defense? Tim Parker? Missing with no reports. Daniel Steres? Missing with no reports. It’s looking very likely that the center-back pairing for Houston in the home game against San Jose is going to be Bartlow and Hadebe. With most people picking Hadebe, I suggest zigging while others zag, grabbing the cheaper center-back who still picks up bonus points. It seems like Houston’s team structure is built to give bonus points to any center-back that fills in (although Bartlow only has 1 game under his belt).

John Tolkin, $7.2m (NYRB Defense)

J.R.R. Tolkien. I heard that he writes some amazing books. I debated making this entire differentials write up a Lord of the Rings parody. Who doesn’t want to pick a player named after the writer of one of the most famous book series? I don’t have much else to say, so I’m just going to leave you with a short paragraph about a great author instead of giving reasons for picking a NYRB Defender. Warning to CF Montreal: “YOU SHALL NOT PAAAASSSSSS!”

Joseph Rosales*, $4.7m (Minnesota Midfielder)

*I am only counting Rosales as a pick next week if he starts in his game*

Rosales is another gut pick. He has not gotten a full start yet, playing a total of 50 minutes across 2 different games. For this reason, I am only including him in my results next week if he starts in his game. Joseph looked goal dangerous and brought a lot of life to their home game last week against Seattle. He also earned a penalty during the game. Finishing on 4 points in a 45 minute period (Penalty, yellow card, passing bonus, and ball recoveries) is impressive. Keep an eye on this guy, as his lineup status may influence a future pick. I personally am going to give him a few weeks to build up a sustainable point production before buying in.

Brandon Servania, $6.9m (FC Dallas Midfielder)

This is a bit of an odd choice, and possibly a risky one as well. Servania is more of a holding mid that doesn’t get involved too much in the attack compared to other midfielders that I have suggested in the past. The reason that I see potential in Brandon Servania is that he occasionally will split corner kicks. With Paul Arriola being questionable, Servania may have a majority of corners in this game. Colorado have allowed 26 corner kicks in their first 5 games (about 5 per game). One clean corner kick to an assist can change the aspect of the game both in real life and in fantasy sports. 

Hany Mukhtar, $10.2m (Nashville Midfielder)

I know what you’re thinking: “You can’t have a big name player priced over $10m be considered a differential.” Hear me out. While Mukhtar is somewhat popular for casual players, many in the discord community have avoided him this season. For this reason, he is considered a differential in my mind. Hany (and Nashville) have been on the road for all 5 games so far to start the season. This week is no different. On the road to a SKC side that has looked shaky to say the least. Hany hasn’t been producing “blow your mind” numbers like last year, but he also has been on the road. Averaging a 6.4 fantasy points, he is a reliable player for his price range. Plus he’s the runner-up MVP candidate last year!

Sebastian Ferreira, $6.8m (Houston Forward)

Seba Ferreira hasn’t really lived up to his DP tag yet this year. What better way to prove you’re worth every dollar than playing against San Jose. One of, if not the worst teams in the league currently has already allowed 11 goals against this season. Not only have they allowed 11 goals, but 6 of those have been to a center forward (2 PKs, 3 to playmaking mids). With Quintero playing as a playmaker/winger, Seba Ferreira lines up as the center forward with Fafa and Baird flanking him. Meaning, being a center forward, Ferreira has a higher chance of scoring against the man-marking system that San Jose runs. It’s time to open his account!