MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/29/2019

We won’t have a ton of options to choose from Monday with only seven games being played in the majors. With that being said, there are still quality options to choose from on both the pitching and hitting fronts, so let’s discuss which ones stand out. 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

Chris Paddack vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel=$8,900
DraftKings= $10,200

Paddack continues to roll along with his successful rookie campaign, posting a 2.84 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. His FIP isn’t as impressive at 4.02, but his 5.6 percent walk rate has been a big reason for his impressive WHIP. He’ll look to continue to build on his numbers against the Orioles, who have scored the sixth-fewest runs (461) in baseball. They’ll also be without the benefit of the DH with this game being played in San Diego, leaving Paddack with the potential for another impressive performance.

Jaime Barria vs. Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $7,200

As good of a matchup that Paddack has, Barria’s is even more favorable against the Tigers. They’ve been simply atrocious, scoring the fewest runs (805) in baseball. To put how bad they have been into perspective, the lowly Marlins have scored 24 more runs than they have. Barria has an unsightly 6.63 ERA, but his FIP is more respectable at 4.78. If you’re looking for a cheaper option in tournament play, look no further.

CATCHER

Will Smith vs. Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Smith made a great first impression during his previous stint in the majors this season, but the Dodgers weren’t yet ready to hand him the reigns at catcher. With Austin Barnes struggling mightily, Smith now has another chance to shine. It’s just in time, too, with the Dodgers set to play at hitter-friendly Coors Field. On a night with so few options due to the limited slate, expect to see Smith included in a lot of entries.

Others to consider: Danny Jansen

FIRST BASE

Albert Pujols vs. Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,400

Zimmermann has been a mess, allowing 24 runs across 15.1 innings in his last four starts. His WHIP sits at 1.71 for the season, leaving this as a matchup to attack. Pujols is nowhere near the hitter that he was in his prime, but he’s still hitting for power with 17 home runs, three of which have come over his last six games.

Others to consider: Joey Votto and Justin Smoak

SECOND BASE

Max Muncy vs. Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,600

The Dodgers and Rockies both figure to be popular stacks with this game being played at Coors Field. Muncy has shown that his excellent 2018 campaign was no fluke, following it up with a .266 ISO and a .374 wOBA this season. Add in his 140 wRC+ against right-handed hitters and he figures to be included in plenty of entries despite his hefty price tag.

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Luis Urias

THIRD BASE

Matt Thaiss vs. Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,400

If he’s in the lineup, adding Thaiss to your entry could be useful for a couple of different strategies. If rolling with the pricey Dodgers and/or Rockies, he’s a cheap one-off that could help balance out your budget. Even if you decide to fade that game in tournament play, Thaiss could be useful in an Angels stack after hitting three home runs over his last three games.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Hunter Dozier

SHORTSTOP

Fernando Tatis Jr. vs. TBD, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,400

With John Means (shoulder) hitting the IL, the Orioles have yet to name a starter for this game as of early Monday morning. They don’t really have any viable options waiting in the wings because if they did, they’d likely be in the majors already with how poorly their staff has been. Tatis continues to take the league by storm, hitting 27-for-76 (.355) with five home runs over his last 18 games. Expect the Orioles to have a hard time slowing him down.

Others to consider: Corey Seager and Andrelton Simmons

OUTFIELD

Mike Trout vs. Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,700

Even with the Coors Field game, it’s going to be hard to resist adding Trout to your entry. It’s not difficult to make a case for playing him most nights, especially when he has an overwhelmingly favorable matchup. No need to overthink this one.

Jorge Soler vs. Thomas Pannone, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300

The Blue Jays are in firesale mode, which included them trading away Marcus Stroman over the weekend. Pannone will be recalled to make this start, which will be his second stint in the majors this season. The first one didn’t go well with him posting a 4.99 FIP and a 1.51 WHIP. With his .269 ISO, Soler is one of the more appealing mid-tier options at any position for this slate.

Josh VanMeter vs. Jordan Lyles, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,700

It’s going to be difficult for the Reds to pull VanMeter out of the lineup with the way he is hitting right now. He’s started four straight games, slugging three home runs and a double. Lyles has allowed at least seven runs in three of his last four starts and has a .416 wOBA against left-handed hitters, so this could be another opportunity for VanMeter to thrive.

Others to consider: Shohei Ohtani and Whit Merrifield

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.