MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/18/2019

Thursday’s slate will be a bit different across FanDuel and DraftKings. There are eight games to choose from on DraftKings, but FanDuel has decided not to include the second game of the doubleheader between the Yankees and Rays. If you are playing on DraftKings, the Rays could be an excellent team to stack with the Yankees set to go the route of the bullpen game. For this article, we’ll just focus on players who are available on both sites. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our MLB Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry.

STARTING PITCHERS

Trevor Bauer vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $10,800
DraftKings = $11,000

This slate is loaded with quality pitching options, so there are plenty of viable targets. Despite his hefty price tag, Bauer is arguably the most appealing of the bunch. While not as dominant as last year, he still has a 1.19 WHIP and a 27.4 percent strikeout rate. He’s also racked up 38 strikeouts over his last 25.2 innings. The Tigers have scored the fewest runs (337) in baseball, so as far as matchups go, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Madison Bumgarner vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Oracle Park
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $9,000

With the trade deadline on the horizon, Bumgarner might not get many more starts in a Giants’ uniform. He figures to be one of the hottest starting pitchers on the market, although it’s uncertain if the Giants will ultimately trade him. Known for his success in the playoffs, he’s having a solid regular season with a 3.80 FIP, 1.22 WHIP and a 24.9 percent strikeout rate. The Mets have just a have 93 wRC+ on the road compared to a 113 wRC+ at home, leaving Bumgarner with significant upside.

CATCHER

Yasmani Grandal vs. Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Grandal is in a slump right now, hitting 7-for-49 (.143) across his last 17 games. Not only has that helped reduce his price tag, but it could also make it so he’s not included in many DFS entries Thursday. With the limited options, he is at least worth considering with his power upside and .366 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Chris Herrmann

FIRST BASE

Matt Olson vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,700

Olson burst onto the scene in 2017 with a staggering 24 home runs in only 59 games. He couldn’t keep up that illustrious pace last year during his first full season with the team, hitting 29 homers over 162 games. Still, that’s a great number. He’s showing his 2017 form so far this year with 20 homers across 63 contests and is a great target against Gibson when you also factor in his career .367 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Christian Walker and Eric Thames

SECOND BASE

Keston Hiura vs. Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,000

The Brewers have finally seen enough of Travis Shaw, sending their struggling third baseman to Triple-A. With their ability to shift Mike Moustakas to third base and call up top prospect Hiura to play second base, the move made a lot of sense. Hiura has shown why he was so highly thought of in the minors, hitting 20-for-50 (.400) with four home runs and five doubles over his last 13 games.

Others to consider: Jose Altuve and David Fletcher

THIRD BASE

Jake Lamb vs. Zach Davis, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Lamb landed on the IL in early April and didn’t return until the end of June, so his season stats don’t give us much to go by. However, he does have two home runs and three doubles over his last seven games. He also has a career .353 wOBA against right-handed pitchers, making him a cheaper option to consider in tournament play against Davis and his underwhelming 15.7 percent strikeout rate.

Others to consider: Yuli Gurriel and Mike Moustakas

SHORTSTOP

Alex Bregman vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $4,900

Get ready for everyone to jump on the Astros here against Harvey. It’s by far the most favorable matchup on the slate. The Astros’ lineup is loaded with excellent hitters and Harvey has been awful with a 5.97 FIP. Bregman isn’t exactly on fire right now, but this matchup and his 148 wRC+ for the season might be too good to pass up.

Others to consider: Marcus Semien and Andrelton Simmons

OUTFIELD

George Springer vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,500

Continuing to pile on against Harvey brings us to Springer, who is on pace for the best season of his career with his 160 wRC+. He has three home runs over his last three games and has a favorable spot atop the Astros’ lineup, making him an ideal target despite his hefty price tag.

Michael Brantley vs. Matt Harvey, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,500

While still not overly cheap, Brantley is at least a little more cost-effective option on the Astros. Harvey has allowed a .399 wOBA against left-handed hitters, setting up Brantley with the potential for a valuable stat line. His first season with the Astros has been nothing short of excellent with his .374 wOBA and 140 wRC+.

Ramon Laureano vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700

There are few hitters in the league right now as hot as Laureano. He’s helped the A’s stay within striking distance in the AL West, hitting 17-for-42 (.405) with six home runs, five doubles and three steals over his last 12 games. Gibson hasn’t been at his best with a 1.57 WHIP over his last six appearances, leaving Laureano with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent run of success.

Others to consider: Josh Reddick and Tyler O’Neill

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.