MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/25/18

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are only four games that make up the main evening slate in DFS, leaving far fewer options to choose from than normal. Sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

STARTING PITCHERS

David Price vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $9,500

Price had a 3.66 ERA entering July, but a horrible start against the Yankees where he allowed eight runs in 3.1 innings did serious damage to his numbers. He has a 4.17 ERA and a 4.29 FIP overall, which would be his highest marks since his first season as a starter in 2009 with the Rays. His swinging-strike rate is down significantly at 8.9%, but he’s still managed to record a 9.0 K/9. This could be a start to help pad his stats as the Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (367) in baseball. In his previous outing against them this season, Price allowed two runs and recorded eight strikeouts over nine innings.

James Shields vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,000

On a night with such a limited slate, there aren’t a lot of great cheap options for starting pitchers. Shields’ 4.26 ERA and 4.38 FIP don’t jump off the page, but that’s a significant improvement from last season. Not only has he done a better job limiting baserunners with a 1.26 WHIP, but he also cut down his 2.1 HR/9 last year to 1.0 HR/9 this season. His upside isn’t great due to his 6.6 K/9, but he might still be worth the risk in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

Jose Abreu vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,600

Abreu has batted at least .290 with 25 home runs in each of his first four seasons, but he’s got a ways to go if he is going to accomplish both feats in 2018. His 14 home runs are respectable, but his batting average sits at just .253. One reason for his struggles is likely his .283 BABIP, which is significantly lower than his .328 career mark. He does still have a .363 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, making him a viable option at such a reduced price.

Jonathan Lucroy vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $2,800

Lucroy had a productive first two games of this series, hitting 3-for-8 with a double, a home run and two walks. He hasn’t been much of an offensive threat this year batting .243 with two homers, but his wOBA is over 30 points higher against lefties than it is against righties. Perez has been horrible with an 8.05 ERA and a 2.08 WHIP, leaving Lucroy as someone worth considering based on the relief he can also provide to your budget.

Others to consider: Mitch Moreland (first base)

SECOND BASE

Rougned Odor vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,300

With a double in Tuesday’s contest, Odor extended his hitting streak to six games. He’s been hot for a much longer stretch than that, though, as he is 28-for-83 (.337) across his last 23 games. Jackson has a 2.93 ERA through his first five starts, but his 4.23 FIP and crazy-low .198 opponents’ BABIP indicate he’s had plenty of luck on his side. Continue to ride Odor’s hot bat.

Jed Lowrie vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,000

Lowrie played a key role in Tuesday’s wild come from behind victory, finishing the game 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. The performance broke his 0-for-18 streak that saw his batting average drop 13 points. He did still draw four walks during that stretch and has a .358 OBP that would be one of the highest marks of his career. He’ll bat from the right side of the plate against Perez, which is good news considering Perez has allowed a .467 wOBA to righties this year.

Others to consider: Jonathan Schoop

THIRD BASE

Alex Bregman vs. Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Bregman is on a prolonged stretch of excellent hitting as he is 55-for-177 (.311) with 15 doubles and 16 home runs since June 1. He has also shown an excellent eye at the plate this entire season, drawing 59 walks and striking out only 55 times. Although he doesn’t get the platoon advantage versus Gray, he hasn’t exactly struggled against righties with a .380 wOBA.

Matt Chapman vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,100

With Perez on the mound for the Rangers, the Athletics are going to be a very popular stack. As we continue to seek out their right-handed bats, Chapman weighs in as a great option on both sites based on his price. His home run in Monday’s contest was his first since June 10, but he is 18-for-55 (.327) with six doubles over his last 14 games.

Others to consider: Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP

Xander Bogaerts vs. Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,200

Bogaerts might not get a lot of headlines in a stacked lineup with stars like Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez, but he’s having a great season. His power numbers are up significantly with a .526 slugging percentage that is over 100 points higher than his career mark. His batting average hasn’t suffered any either at .280. He actually has a higher wOBA against righties (.378) than he does lefties (.334) as well.

Elvis Andrus vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $3,800

Andrus has homered in back-to-back contests and is 9-for-22 (.409) during his current six-game hitting streak. His numbers are down overall, but he’s certainly enjoyed hitting at home with a .348 average and all four of his home runs coming there this season. If you don’t want to pay up for Bogaerts, Andrus could provide significant value against the underwhelming Jackson.

Others to consider: Marcus Semien

OUTFIELD

Khris Davis vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,300

Davis was one of the few hitters left out of the offensive explosion Tuesday, but then he made his mark by hitting a three-run homer in extra innings. He’s now homered in three straight games, bringing his total to 25 for the season. With Perez’s struggles against right-handed hitters already detailed, Davis is one of the premier outfield options Wednesday.

Stephen Piscotty vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

Piscotty showed a lot of promise with the Cardinals in 2016 but had a disappointing 2017 campaign before being traded to the Athletics. He’s doing his best to show last season was a fluke, batting .263 with 14 home runs and 27 doubles in 93 games. Most of his production has come recently as well since he has gone 49-for-163 (.301) with 11 home runs since June 1.

Mark Canha vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,600

Yes, load up with Athletics for your outfield. Canha didn’t miss out on the party Tuesday, finishing 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three runs scored. He’ll face his third left-handed starting pitcher of the series, which is right in his wheelhouse since he has a .432 wOBA against lefties this year.

Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Joey Gallo