Short slates offer the perfect opportunity for our fantasy MLB top picks to attack large tournaments.

This punt-sized slugger could be a difference-maker tonight!

It’s simple math. Whenever the available player pool of fantasy MLB top picks shrinks, so to do the options people consider rostering. Tonight’s daily fantasy baseball slate offers up only five games, and with those limited options there are maybe 20-25 “conventional” components to choose from. In daily fantasy baseball more than any other daily fantasy sport, winning large tournaments is about being contrarian with a purpose.

In light of that, my advice to you is wait and see what the lineup cards hold. Once you’ve identified the high upside players in great spots that may be flying under the radar, you can proceed with sneaking them into your daily fantasy baseball lineups. All it takes is a (very) doable bad game from one or two consensus top plays at a position for your sleeper choice to have a real chance at vaulting your roster up the standings. Keep that in the back of your mind as we examine tonight’s fantasy MLB top picks.

Five Guys Fantasy MLB Top Picks

Scott Kazmir $17,050 - Going contrarian is sound strategy, but sometimes a player stands so far above the others that you simply must consider rostering him or you risk falling too far behind. Kazmir is that option tonight, and I would not risk fading him in anything more than a single tournament bullet. More on that in a second. The matchup here against the lowly Astros is simply too good to pass up.

Jose Altuve $8,550 - Speaking of that one tournament bullet, if you’re fading Kazmir I think it should be because Jose Altuve is your contrarian target. He’s a known left-masher who has yet to go yard this season, and where I’m from we call that “being due.” I don’t like taking a hitter and the pitcher he’s facing in the same tournament lineup as it severely limits upside, but I wouldn’t mind it too much in a cash game.

Nelson Cruz $11,400 - I’m a firm disciple of the hot hand, and that’s not nearly as suggestive as it sounds. Being a former athlete myself I know that hot streaks exist, and Cruz is among the hottest in the majors at this moment. Throw in the high expected run total and weak opposing pitcher and you have all the makings of a mammoth outing.

Jordan Zimmerman $12,900 - I’m excited about this price, as it would seem DraftDay is reacting too harshly to his lone shellacking against the Marlins earlier this year. While it was a beyond horrible start, his three other appearances have been quality. Against the Padres, and considering this salary you can lock him in as your complement to Scott Kazmir.

Josh Donaldson $11,350 - If I’m paying up for one bat tonight it’s The Donald. Josh is one of the league’s premiere lefty-crushers, and he transforms into an elite option every time a southpaw takes the mound. Don’t be afraid to spend up for the unheralded stud this evening.