MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/17/2019

It won’t be the busiest of nights in the majors Wednesday, but the slate is still packed with quality starting pitching options. While that might make generating runs difficult for many teams, there are still some lineups in a position to thrive. Here are some of the better options worth considering. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our MLB Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

Mike Clevinger vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $9,400
DraftKings = $9,900

When Clevinger was first activated off the IL, he might not have actually been ready to pitch in games at the major league level yet after having missed most of the season. Across his first two starts back, he allowed 12 runs over 6.1 innings. However, he may have turned a corner by allowing one run and recording 15 strikeouts across 11 innings in his last two starts. With the Orioles lineup among the worst in baseball, look for Clevinger to keep things going in the right direction.

Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $9,500

The cheap options on this slate leave a lot to be desired. Although Rodriguez doesn’t come at a discount on DraftKings, he is at least a little more reasonable on FanDuel. It’s hard to predict what he’s going to provide whenever he steps on the mound, but it is encouraging to see him allow two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. That’s impressive considering two of those outings came against the Yankees and Dodgers. With a much weaker opponent in the Blue Jays on tap, he could provide value.

CATCHER

James McCann vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

The White Sox love facing left-handed pitching, recording a 102 wRC+ against them this season compared to an 87 wRC+ against righties. One of their best hitters against southpaws has been McCann, who has a 153 wRC+ against them. Overall, he’s having the best offensive season of his career with a .359 wOBA and a 187 ISO.

Others to consider: Christian Vazquez

FIRST BASE

Joc Pederson vs. Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,600

The Dodgers are likely going to be a popular stack after scoring 24 runs across the first two games of their series with the Phillies. Pederson has been in the thick of the action, hitting 3-for-9 with a home run and a double. Pivetta has been just awful of late, allowing 23 runs (22 earned) over 28.1 innings in his last five starts. While he’s appealing on both sites, his price on FanDuel really stands out with the potential to make him a bargain.

Others to consider: Jose Abreu and Matt Adams

SECOND BASE

Yolmer Sanchez vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $2,700

If you’re looking to deploy a White Sox stack against Duffy, Sanchez is someone to consider. He’s tremendously cheap on DraftKings, which would help if you want to pay up for one of the top starting pitchers. Right-handed pitchers have held him to a 56 wRC+, but he has a 117 wRC+ versus lefties.

Others to consider: Max Muncy and Jason Kipnis

THIRD BASE

Anthony Rendon vs. Aaron Brooks, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,500

While it’s not as juicy as choosing hitters in games played at Coors Field, selecting whoever is facing the Orioles abysmal pitching staff is also tremendously appealing. They are running out of healthy pitchers, leaving Brooks as one of the newest members of their starting rotation. He really struggled while a member of the A’s earlier this season, allowing 12 home runs over 53 innings. With his .302 ISO, Rendon could do plenty of damage.

Others to consider: Rafael Devers and Yuli Gurriel

SHORTSTOP

Xander Bogaerts vs. Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,600

Despite his climbing price tag, it’s hard to fade Bogaerts with how hot he is right now. Over his last 25 games, he’s an impressive 36-for-98 (.367) with eight home runs and 11 doubles. That could spell doom for Sanchez, who has had a very poor campaign with his 6.22 ERA and 5.50 FIP.

Others to consider: Trea Turner and Corey Seager

OUTFIELD

Cody Bellinger vs. Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,800

The Phillies probably can’t wait for the Dodgers to leave town. Bellinger has been at the helm of the Dodgers offensive explosion, hitting 5-for-10 with three home runs over the first two games of this series. With his .454 wOBA and .370 ISO, it’s not hard to make a case for playing him against most pitchers. With Pivetta on the mound, he could be in line for a monster performance.

Alex Verdugo vs. Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300

In his first full season with the Dodgers, Verdugo has become an important part of the top of the Dodgers’ lineup. He’s a tough out with his 10.5 percent strikeout rate, but he’s not just a singles hitter with his .197 ISO. At a reasonable price on both sites, he’s very intriguing as part of a Dodgers stack.

Tyler Naquin vs. Spencer Turnbull, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000

The Indians lineup has started to heat up, which has helped them get back in the hunt in the AL Central. They’ve scored 16 runs in the first two games of their series with the Tigers and are in another position to be productive against Turnbull, who has allowed 26 runs (24 earned) over 44 innings in his last nine starts. He’s allowed a .355 wOBA against left-handed hitters for the season, overall, making Naquin a cost-effective option with upside.

Others to consider: Juan Soto and Jorge Soler

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.