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MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Tuesday afternoon brings the MLB trade deadline, so make sure to keep your eye on the news as deals could have a significant impact on the night in DFS. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

Trevor Bauer vs. Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $11,800
DraftKings = $13,300

Bauer dominated the Pirates in his last start, recording 10 strikeouts and allowing just five base runners over seven innings. It marked the fifth time this season he hasn’t allowed a run, helping lead to his career-best 2.32 ERA. His ERA hasn’t really been aided by luck, either, considering his 2.25 FIP and .312 opponents’ BABIP. Hitters have swung at 32.3% of pitches he has thrown outside of the strike zone, helping him post a lofty 11.7 K/9. The Twins lineup is even thinner after they traded Eduardo Escobar to the Diamondbacks and they could make more trades Tuesday. Bauer stands out as one of the premier starting pitching options on the slate.

James Shields vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $7,200
DraftKings = $6,000

Shields hasn’t been terrible this season, but his 4.59 ERA and 1.30 WHIP aren’t exactly stellar. He doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal with a 6.8 K/9 and opponents’ have actually been somewhat unlucky with a .264 BABIP against him. This matchup does lean in his favor, though, considering his 3.51 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 13 starts at Guaranteed Rate Field. He also gets the benefit of facing a Royals lineup that has scored the fewest runs (384) in the league and just traded away one of their best hitters in Mike Moustakas. He won’t cost you much, leaving Shields with the potential to provide value in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

Jose Abreu vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,200

Abreu has had a disappointing season by his standards, but he’s closing out the month of July strong by hitting 10-for-28 (.357) with three home runs across his last seven games. Even with his down batting average overall, he still has a .357 wOBA against left-handed pitchers. In his career against Duffy, Abreu is 16-for-50 (.320) with two home runs.

Tucker Barnhart vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,800

Barnhart has logged a hit in each of his last seven starts, but he didn’t finish with multiple hits in any of those contests. His overall numbers aren’t anything special with a .252 batting average and a .371 slugging percentage, but he does have a .398 wOBA against lefties. At this cheap price, Barnhart might be worth the risk in tournament play.

Others to consider: Paul Goldschmidt (first base) and John Hicks (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

Rougned Odor vs. Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900

Odor has completely turned his season around with a great month in July, batting .357 with six home runs, 12 RBI, and six steals. He still only has 10 home runs total, but his .268 average is a drastic improvement over his .206 mark in 2017. Godley allows a ton of baserunners with his 1.53 WHIP, so look for Odor to finish the month on a high note.

Neil Walker vs. Yefry Ramirez, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900

The Yankees brought in Walker to provide depth for their young infield, but he struggled out of the gate with his new team. Injuries have opened up regular playing time for him lately and he’s cashed in the opportunity, hitting 18-for-43 (.419) with 10 RBI and eight runs scored over his last 14 games. The Yankees are likely looking to acquire another hitter, but Walker should be in the lineup Tuesday. If you can’t pay up for Odor, Walker is an excellent cost-effective option with upside.

Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Starlin Castro

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

Eugenio Suarez vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,900

Suarez might not get a lot of press on a bad Reds team, but he’s mashing with a .298 batting average and a .383 OBP. He also has 24 home runs and 80 RBI and should easily set new career highs in both categories. He has an incredible 218 wRC+ against lefties and could give Boyd plenty of trouble in this game.

Eduardo Escobar vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,700

Colon has found a way to hang around, but he hasn’t pitched well with a 5.02 ERA and a 5.12 FIP. His 1.26 WHIP is largely aided by the fact that he doesn’t walk many batters, not because he doesn’t allow a lot of hits. He doesn’t miss many bats, either, with a 5.4% swinging-strike rate and a 5.2 K/9. The Diamondbacks will likely be a popular stack Tuesday, Escobar included.

Others to consider: Manny Machado and Miguel Andujar

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

Didi Gregorius vs. Yefry Ramirez, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900

Whenever the Yankees are playing at home, Gregorius vaults up towards the top-tier of shortstops in DFS. He is batting .240 with five home runs on the road, but he has a .283 average and 13 homers at Yankee Stadium. Add in his .351 wOBA against righties and Gregorius could provide plenty of value for your entry.

Chris Taylor vs. Wade Miley, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

Miley has a sparkling 2.01 ERA across five starts this year, but don’t get too excited based on his 3.97 FIP and 1.39 WHIP. He also has more walks (13) than he does strikeouts (12). He was a disaster for the Orioles last year with a 5.61 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP over 32 starts, so expect his ERA to climb sooner rather than later. Taylor is 13-for-45 (.289) with seven runs scored and nine RBI since the All-Star break, putting him on the map against Miley based on his reasonable prices on both sites.

Others to consider: Elvis Andrus and Jose Peraza

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18

A.J. Pollock vs. Bartolo Colon, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200

Pollock didn’t cash in on a great matchup against Martin Perez on Monday, finishing the game 1-for-5. He’ll get a chance to redeem himself against another struggling pitcher in Colon. Pollock does have better numbers against lefties, but he’s hit righties well also with a .377 wOBA.

Avisail Garcia vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Garcia has been injured for much of this season, which has been a major disappointment considering his excellent performance in 2017. Although his walk rate is a ridiculously low 1.7%, he’s hit .277 with 11 home runs in only 181 plate appearances. He has a .368 wOBA against lefties and has also had plenty of success against Duffy as he is 11-for-33 (.333) against him in his career.

Leonys Martin vs. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,900

Bailey came off the DL last week and allowed only two runs over 6.2 innings against the Cardinals, striking out eight batters. It was a rare strong performance based on his 6.29 ERA and 1.63 WHIP overall. It was only the fourth time in 13 starts that he didn’t allow a home run and just the second time that he struck out more than four batters in a game. Don’t shy away from stacking against him because of one good outing, he’s still not a good pitcher at this stage of his career. The Tigers might not have a lot of great hitters, but Martin stands out based on his .340 wOBA against righties this year.

Others to consider: Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are only nine games across baseball Monday, leaving fewer options than usual when crafting your DFS entry. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

Tyler Anderson vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Busch Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,200

Anderson has bounced back from his 4.81 ERA last year to record a 3.57 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP this season, although he has been a little lucky based on his 4.21 FIP. He’s allowed 1.3 HR/9, which isn’t all that bad considering he has to pitch his home games at Coors Field. Like most pitchers who have played for the Rockies during their career, Anderson has better numbers on the road this year with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 10 outings. He’s been hot of late, allowing just five runs (four earned) over 35.1 innings in his last five starts. There aren’t many aces taking the mound Monday, leaving Anderson as an excellent option to consider.

Robbie Ray vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $8,300
DraftKings = $8,000

Ray had the best season of his career in 2017, but injuries have limited him to just 12 starts this year. It’s mostly been a struggle when he has been healthy, posting a 4.90 ERA and a 4.65 FIP. One of the main reasons for his decline is likely his a 1.42 WHIP after finishing with a 1.15 WHIP last year. On the bright side, he’s still getting plenty of strikeouts with a 12.0 K/9. The Rangers are a lethal lineup at home, but their .680 OPS on the road is in the bottom third of baseball. They also won’t have the benefit of using the DH in Arizona.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

Paul Goldschmidt vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Remember the panic after a horrid month of May for Goldschmidt? Well, he’s done everything to put those fears to rest, hitting .364 with 10 home runs in June and .330 with six home runs in July. He’s boosted his overall OPS up to .909, which would be the fifth time in the last six seasons he finished with an OPS of at least .900. The one season he didn’t, his OPS finished at .899. With a 178 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers, he’s worth his hefty price tag Monday.

Yonder Alonso vs. Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,600

Alonso is on a five-game hitting streak that has seen him hit 7-for-20 (.350) with three home runs and seven RBI. His OBP is down 31 points from 2017, but he’s still batting .265 with 18 home runs. He’s usually someone to avoid against lefties, but he’s a viable option against Santana based on his .357 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Buster Posey (catcher) and Justin Bour (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

Ozzie Albies vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,300

Chen’s 2018 campaign has been a disappointment with his 5.65 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with a 7.0 K/9 and he’s already allowed 12 home runs across 78 innings. The switch-hitting Albies has a .365 wOBA against lefties, making him someone to target against Chen.

Ketel Marte vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,400

The Diamondbacks are likely going to be a popular stack Monday based on Perez’s 7.08 ERA that is supported by a 6.36 FIP. He’s allowed a ton of base runners with a 2.02 WHIP, not to mention giving up nine homers in 40.2 innings. Marte is 11-for-33 (.333) across his last nine games and has a .393 wOBA against lefties this year overall.

Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Starlin Castro

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

Johan Camargo vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,100

There have been some rumors about the Braves possibly acquiring a third baseman before the trade deadline, but Camargo has played well for them. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he hasn’t exactly been a detriment to them by batting .253 with 11 home runs. He has excelled with a .369 wOBA against lefties and isn’t expensive on either site, making him a great option for a Braves stack.

Evan Longoria vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $3,900

The Giants were counting on Longoria to solidify third base for them and provide a power bat in the middle of their lineup, but he’s only played 71 games due to injury. He hasn’t been great when he’s been on the field, too, batting .248 with a .282 OBP. He’s still provided some pop with 10 homers and could provide value against the underwhelming Lauer based on Longoria’s .384 wOBA against lefties.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Martin Prado

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,600

Unless there is a true elite ace on the mound, there are few matchups that don’t lean in Lindor’s favor. He’s putting together an MVP-caliber season, batting .291 with 27 home runs, 15 steals and 90 runs scored. Santana made his first start of the year last week against the Blue Jays and is understandably a little rusty, so look for Lindor to take advantage Monday.

Nick Ahmed vs. Martin Perez, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – Chase Field
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,300

With three more hits Sunday, Ahmed is now batting .300 in July. He’s hit for power as well with a .575 slugging percentage during that stretch and should continue to see plenty of playing time with Jake Lamb (shoulder) on the DL. He’s yet another Diamondbacks hitter who performs better versus left-handed pitching, posting a .359 wOBA against them this year.

Others to consider: Marcus Semien and Jorge Polanco

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/30/18

A.J. Pollock vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Chase FIeld
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $5,100

Last, but certainly not least in the group of Diamondbacks who could provide value, is their star outfielder Pollock. Injuries have been a problem for him in recent years, with 2018 being no exception. He’s healthy now and is batting .293 with three home runs in 83 plate appearances since being activated from his most recent DL stint. Perez could have plenty of troubles getting him out considering Pollock’s career .366 wOBA against lefties.

Wil Myers vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Myers has been limited to 42 games this year due to injuries of his own, but he’s batting .291 with a .557 slugging percentage, both of which would be the best marks of his career. Holland has an impressive .221 wOBA against left-handed hitters, but righties have had far more success against him with a .341 wOBA.

Manuel Margot vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,000

Margot enters Monday on a 10-game hitting streak where he is 14-for-37 (.378) with a home run and 10 runs scored. His .254 batting average and .315 OBP overall aren’t great, but he’s shown an improved eye at the plate by lowering his strikeout rate over three percentage points compared to last year. With Holland’s struggles against righties already detailed, Margot comes in as a cost-effective option with upside Monday.

Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Brantley

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. Here are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks: vs. TEX, vs. SF

Ray had a breakout campaign in 2017, but injuries have limited him to only 12 starts this year. His overall numbers aren’t great, either, with a 4.90 ERA and a 4.65 FIP. One of the main reasons for his decline is likely his a 1.42 WHIP after he recorded just a 1.15 WHIP last year. The good news is he’s still getting plenty of strikeouts with a 12.0 K/9. The Rangers are a deadly lineup at home, but their .680 OPS on the road is in the bottom third of baseball. They also won’t have the benefit of using the DH in Arizona. The Giants are in the bottom third of baseball in runs scored, leaving Ray with an excellent opportunity for two valuable outings.

Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies: at STL, at MIL

Anderson has quietly put up some nice numbers after recording a bloated 4.81 ERA last year. He enters Week 19 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, although he has been a little lucky based on his 4.21 FIP. He’s allowed 1.3 HR/9, which isn’t all that bad considering he has to pitch his home games in Coors Field. He’ll avoid that issue with both of his starts coming on the road, where he has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 10 outings. Considering he has allowed just five runs (four earned) over 35.1 innings in his last five starts as well, he could be in store for a big week.

Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals: at CWS, at MIN

Duffy was crushed in his last start against the Tigers, allowing seven runs in 5.2 innings. It marked the eighth time he has allowed at least five runs in a game this season. He was excellent heading into that start, allowing one run over 20 innings in his previous three games. He’s actually allowed one earned run or fewer 11 times, taking owners on a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Run support might be hard to come by after the Royals traded away Mike Moustakas, but both the White Sox and the Twins are in the bottom-six of baseball in OPS against left-handed pitching. There’s some risk involved with starting Duffy, but he does carry upside for Week 19.

Anibal Sanchez, Atlanta Braves: vs. MIA, at NYM

Sanchez had been terrible for the Tigers the last two years, recording a combined 6.09 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. However, the move to the National League seems to have rejuvenated his career. In 14 appearances (13 starts), he has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. It’s hard to imagine those numbers holding up, though, since opponents have just a .249 BABIP against him. While his numbers might regress, it doesn’t mean that regression is going to start during Week 19. He’ll get two great matchups against the Marlins and Mets with both teams in the bottom five of the league in runs scored.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 19

David Price, Boston Red Sox: vs. PHI, vs. NYY

Price’s first matchup against the Phillies leans in his favor, but his second start against the Yankees could be a disaster. In his first two outings against them this season, he allowed 15 runs in 4.1 innings. This is nothing new for Price considering he has a 4.90 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP against the Yankees in his career. Since joining the Red Sox, he has allowed 44 runs over 47 innings against them. Although the Yankees are missing two key bats in Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, they still have plenty of hitters who can do damage. This might be the week to put Price on your bench.

Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians: at MIN, vs. LAA

After a dominant stretch in June, Bieber has a 7.84 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP in the month of July. He allowed four home runs during that stretch and only had a 7.4 K/9, which is not exactly a recipe for success. The lack of strikeouts isn’t all that surprising, either, since he posted an 8.4 K/9 during his career in the minors. The Twins only have a .671 OPS against left-handed pitchers, but they have a .735 OPS against righties. The Angels are also much better versus right-handed pitchers, posting the third-highest OPS (.775) against them in the league.

Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers: at LAD, vs. COL

Peralta has electric stuff, resulting in an 11.8 K/9 during his first taste of major league action. He’s been wild, though, with a 4.6 BB/9. After not allowing a single run in three of his first four starts, he’s allowed at least three runs in three of his last four outings. The Nationals hung a crooked number on him Wednesday, scoring seven runs across six innings. Although his strikeout upside makes him intriguing, this might not be the week to take a chance on him. The Dodgers have the second-highest OPS against right-handed pitchers (.777) in baseball. He’ll avoid Coors Field in his second start, but the Rockies still have several potent bats who can cause problems.

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Monday brings a busy schedule with 13 games across the majors, but keep an eye on the weather as it could cause issues for a few games once again. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

Jacob deGrom vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $11,500
DraftKings = $12,200

deGrom was supposed to face a tough matchup against the Yankees on Sunday, but a rainout pushed him back to a much easier game against the Padres. He’s been one of the few bright spots on the Mets, posting a 1.68 ERA, 2.33 FIP, and a 0.97 WHIP. He continues to be an elite source for strikeouts with a 10.9 K/9 and has allowed only seven home runs over 123.1 innings. The Padres have scored the fourth-fewest runs (380) in baseball, so don’t hesitate to pay the premium required to get deGrom into your entry as long as the weather holds up.

Sean Newcomb vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $8,200

Newcomb has been battered around in his last three starts, allowing 13 runs across 12 innings. He gave up four homers during that stretch after allowing just three home runs in his first 12 starts. He’s had problems with walks, but his WHIP is still down significantly overall this season at 1.28 compared to 1.57 in 2017. This will be his third start of the season against the Marlins after he held them to one run over 12 innings in the first two. Considering the Marlins’ offensive deficiencies, Newcomb has some upside at this cheap price in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

Yonder Alonso vs. Trevor Williams, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,700

Williams has done a nice job for the Pirates with a 4.36 ERA and a 4.45 FIP, but he doesn’t have a large major for error with only a 6.5 K/9. The Indians are a much better hitting team at home than on the road and Williams will have to deal with the DH with this game being in Cleveland. Alonso is one of several Indians’ to consider based on his .353 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Robinson Chirinos vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,100

Chirinos has had a disappointing season as he is batting only .209 with a .319 OBP. The big reason for his struggles is an ugly 37.4% strikeout rate. He’s still hitting for power, though, with 12 home runs and he has a .363 wOBA against lefties for his career. Anderson is not an overpowering pitcher with a 6.6 K/9 for his career, leaving Chirinos as a cheap option with upside.

Others to consider: Freddie Freeman (first base) and Greg Bird (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

Whit Merrifield vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,700

After slugging 19 home runs last year, Merrifield has only five homers this season. He’s managed to still provide some power with 30 doubles, which is only two away from his mark in 2017. He’s hit for a high average as well at .302 and has almost doubled his walk rate. This matchup against Liriano is one to target since Merrifield has a 182 wRC+ against lefties.

Daniel Murphy vs. Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,300

Murphy is still hitting for very little power, but he is 12-for-26 (.462) with four walks and just one strikeout across his last nine games. He has paltry 14.6% hard-hit rate this season, which is a big reason why he only has a .337 slugging percentage. His upside is limited right now, but his recent hot streak and his career .353 wOBA against righties makes him someone to consider, especially at his cheap price on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Ian Kinsler

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

Matt Carpenter vs. Luis Castillo, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,500

Carpenter had gone deep in six straight games before failing to hit a home run Sunday. He has put up some staggering numbers in July, batting .355 with 1o home runs and a 1.432 OPS. He has a .399 wOBA against righties overall, so keep riding his hot bat against Castillo and his 1.38 WHIP.

Adrian Beltre vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,900

Beltre has been one of the more consistent hitters in baseball in recent years, but injuries have taken a toll on him this season. Not only is his slugging percentage down significantly at .408, but he has an uncharacteristic 21.1% strikeout rate. He still has a .352 wOBA against lefties despite his struggles and with this favorable matchup against Anderson, don’t be surprised if he puts up a vintage performance.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Matt Chapman

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

Elvis Andrus vs. Brett Anderson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,300

Andrus has dealt with his own injury problems this season, limiting him to 39 games. It’s taken him some time to get back on track, but he’s showing signs of life by going 9-for-27 (.333) with three doubles and four steals across his last seven games. His 20 home runs last year appear to be an abnormality, but that doesn’t mean Andrus still can’t have a productive evening against Anderson.

Marcus Semien vs. Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300

Hamels has been excellent on the road this year, but he has a 5.83 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP at home. It’s possible the Rangers move him before the trade deadline, so that’s a stat to keep in mind if you play season-long fantasy. He’ll run into the buzzsaw that is the Athletics on Monday, who have won 17 of their last 22 games. Semien’s overall numbers don’t jump off the charts, but he is batting .267 with a .362 OBP in July.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/23/18

Andrew Benintendi vs. Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,600

Gausman has trouble keeping hitters in the park with a 1.5 HR/9, which would be the fourth straight season he has finished with an HR/9 of at least 1.4. Add in his 1.37 WHIP and uninspiring 7.8 K/9 and Gausman could be in for a long night against the Red Sox. Benintendi is scorching hot right now, hitting 19-for-37 (.514) with 12 runs and six RBI in his last 10 games. He also has a .410 wOBA against righties for the year.

Khris Davis vs. Cole Hamels, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Davis has been in a homer drought, but he launched two Sunday to bring his total to 23 for the season. Although the power numbers haven’t been there, he is batting .328 with a .364 OBP in July. He’s got a ways to go if he is going to hit at least 40 home runs for the third consecutive season, but he can hit them in bunches when he gets hot. With Hamels’ struggles at home, Davis carries significant upside.

Jesse Winker vs. Daniel Poncedeleon, St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,700

Winker has shown an excellent eye at the plate, drawing 49 walks compared to 46 strikeouts. He only has a 5.7% swinging-strike rate to go along with a 44.2% hard-hit rate, which has helped him bat .300 in his first full season in the majors. His excelled with a .382 wOBA against righties and will be facing one in Poncedeleon who will be making his first appearance in the majors. Winker’s price is high on DraftKings, but he could provide excellent value on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Bryce Harper and A.J. Pollock

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Friday brings the first packed schedule in baseball since the All-Star break, leaving plenty of options to choose from in DFS. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Trevor Bauer vs. Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $12,200
DraftKings = $13,600

Bauer was selected to be an All-Star for the first time in his career, but he did not appear in the game because he last pitched Sunday. He was fantastic in the first half, posting a 2.24 ERA, 2.23 FIP, and a 1.08 WHIP. Not only does he have an 11.6 K/9, but he’s allowed just six home runs in 136.1 innings. He was on top of his game heading into the break, allowing seven runs (six earned) and recording 54 strikeouts across 42.2 innings in his last six starts. The Rangers have struck out the second-most times (916) in baseball this season and didn’t do much against Bauer in their first meeting, scoring two runs and striking out 11 times over 6.2 innings.

Kyle Gibson vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,600

The Twins disappointing start might turn them into sellers as we approach the trade deadline, but Gibson has been one of their few bright spots. After posting underwhelming numbers the last two seasons, he has a 3.42 ERA this year. His FIP is improved as well at 3.79 in large part because of his 1.23 WHIP, which is significantly lower than his 1.41 career mark. He also has an 8.9 K/9 after never posting a K/9 higher than 6.9 previously in his career. This is a great matchup against a Royals team that has scored the fewest runs (337) in baseball. Gibson had no trouble handling them in their first meeting when he recorded eight strikeouts across seven shutout innings.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Steve Pearce vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,000

The Red Sox couldn’t have asked for a better start to Pearce’s tenure with the team as he is 11-for-26 (.423) with a home run and four doubles in 10 games. He has a .433 wOBA against lefties this season, which is nothing new since he has a .364 wOBA against them for his career. Boyd pitched well to start the season for the Tigers, but he has allowed at least five runs in four of his last five outings.

Yan Gomes vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $4,300

The Indians appear to be confident enough in Gomes moving forward that they traded top catching prospect Francisco Mejia to the Padres on Thursday. Gomes’ offensive numbers aren’t flashy, but he has a .422 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season. Perez has a tendency to give up plenty of runs in large part due to his 1.47 career WHIP.

Others to consider: Paul Goldschmidt (first base) and Brandon Belt (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Brian Dozier vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

Dozier is starting to heat up as he is 13-for-40 (.325) with four home runs and three doubles in his last 10 games. He’s shown a trend of being a better hitter in the second half of the season and could be in for a strong finish, although it might not be as a member of the Twins. Duffy gives left-handed hitters plenty of problems, but he’s allowed a .345 wOBA to righties.

Joey Wendle vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $4,000

Speaking of hot hitters, Wendle is 17-for-42 (.405) with two home runs and eight RBI in July. He tends to sit against lefties, but he’s someone to target against righties. Straily’s 4.29 ERA doesn’t look terrible, but his 5.43 FIP indicates he has been a bit lucky. He allows plenty of base runners with a 1.35 WHIP despite opponents posting just a .250 BABIP against him, so his numbers could be even worse.

Others to consider: Jed Lowrie and Dee Gordon

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $5,800

Stacking against Perez will likely be a popular strategy Friday. Not only does he allow a lot of hitters to reach base, but he’s not a strikeout pitcher with just a 5.4 K/9 for his career. Ramirez is making a case for AL MVP honors this season with his power, speed and ability to hit for a high average. Although he’s expensive, he’s one of the top options available at any position.

Kyle Seager vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Safeco Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,300

Seager is only batting .233 this season in large part because of his career-high 21.9% strikeout rate and career-low 5.5% walk rate. He’s still hitting for power, though, with 16 home runs and 23 doubles, making him a viable cheap option with upside in tournament play. He’s also 8-for-22 (.364) with three homers in his career against Shields.

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Colin Moran

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

Xander Bogaerts vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,000

Bogaerts has certainly regained his power stroke, posting a .535 slugging percentage after a disappointing .403 mark last year. He also has 64 RBI in a loaded Red Sox lineup and should easily surpass his career-high of 89 RBI as long as he stays healthy. The Red Sox should be another popular stack Friday with Bogaerts someone to key in on at shortstop.

Jorge Polanco vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $3,800

Polanco has yet to leave the yard since returning from suspension, but he’s flashed his speed on the base paths again with three steals in only 14 games. It’s hard to read too much into 60 plate appearances, but his walk rate has been much improved at 11.7%. His upside isn’t close to that of Bogaerts, but he can still provide value if you need to save money at shortstop.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Tim Anderson

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/20/18

J.D. Martinez vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Comerica Park
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,300

It seemed nearly impossible for Martinez to keep up the torrid pace he was on as a member of the Diamondbacks last year, but he’s been just as good since joining the Red Sox. His homer rate isn’t as high, but he’s not exactly struggling with 29 dingers in 92 games. He had 104 RBI last year and is going to blow by that with 80 RBI this season already. He also has a .393 wOBA against lefties, so expect him to give Boyd plenty of problems.

Matt Kemp vs. Wade Miley, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,000

The Brewers sure could use another starting pitcher. They will continue to try and get by with Miley in the rotation for now, who has been injured for most of the season. Miley had a 5.61 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP with the Orioles last year and usually allows a lot of base runners with a 1.40 career WHIP. Kemp has a .402 wOBA against lefties this year, making him a great option at a reasonable price on both sites.

Steven Duggar vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600

Jackson continues to find his way onto a major league roster, making four starts for an Athletics team that has seen their rotation decimated by injuries. He’s posted a 2.59 ERA, but it’s hard to have much confidence in a journeyman pitcher who has finished with an ERA of at least 5.21 in both of the last two seasons. The left-handed Duggar should be in the lineup Friday and won’t cost much, leaving him as someone to consider in tournament play.

Others to consider: Rhys Hoskins and David Peralta

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

All 15 games Friday start in the evening, leaving one of the last big slates in DFS before the All-Star break. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

Rick Porcello vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $9,600
DraftKings = $9,800

Porcello already has 11 wins for the Red Sox, matching his total from all of 2017. Having a stellar lineup behind him certainly helps, but he’s also made significant improvements. He had a 1.40 WHIP and a 1.7 HR/9 last year, but this season he has a 1.17 WHIP and a 0.9 HR/9. His 3.58 ERA is supported by a 3.48 FIP and a career-high 22.7% strikeout rate. He also pitches deep into games, logging at least six innings in all but four starts. The Blue Jays have a .749 OPS at home this year, but only a .703 OPS on the road. Porcello has already faced them twice this season, allowing six runs (five earned) and recording 14 strikeouts across 13.2 innings. On a night that is lacking many top-tier pitchers, Porcello is one of the best options available.

Brad Keller vs. Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,400

The Royals pitching staff has been a mess this season as their 5.35 team ERA is worst in the majors. Keller has been one of their few bright spots, though, recording a 2.52 ERA, 3.38 FIP and a 1.25 WHIP in 28 appearances, seven of which were starts. He doesn’t have much strikeout upside with a 5.2 K/9, but he’s only allowed one home run in 60.2 innings. He allowed 0.5 HR/9 during his career in the minors, so look for this to be a trend that continues. The White Sox have scored the sixth-fewest runs (365) in baseball and lost one of their hottest hitters to injury in Avisail Garcia, leaving Keller as a cheap option to consider in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

Brandon Belt vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,400

Jackson continues to find a way to work himself into a major league rotation. He’s made three starts since joining the Athletics, giving up just six runs (five earned) in 18.1 innings. It’s hard to have much confidence in him, though, since he has finished with an ERA of 5.21 or higher in three of the last four years. Belt has a .410 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season, so don’t be surprised if he gives Jackson trouble.

Carlos Santana vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,000

Chen has been awful with a 6.14 ERA. His FIP is a little better at 5.09, but it’s still the highest of his career. He hasn’t been able to keep runners off base with a 1.55 WHIP and he has already allowed 11 homers in 66 innings. Strikeouts have been hard to come by for him as well with a 6.7 K/9. Santana hasn’t exactly thrived in his first season with the Phillies, either, but he’s priced low enough to be a viable option for your entry.

Others to consider: Wilson Ramos (catcher) and Yonder Alonso (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

Ozzie Albies vs. Zack Godley, Arizona Diamondbacks
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200

Albies is red hot again as he is 38-for-91 (.418) with four home runs, 13 RBI and 20 runs scored in his last 20 games. He’s slowed down from the torrid home run pace he was on earlier this season, but it’s very encouraging to see him adjust and come out of the slump he was mired in from the middle of May through the middle of June. Godley allows a ton of batters to reach base with a 1.56 WHIP, so look for Albies to continue his hot streak Friday.

Rougned Odor vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,500

Odor has finally shown signs of life again, going 14-for-44 (.318) with three home runs in his last 12 games. His overall average has improved to .242 as a result, but he only has six home runs. He has a lot of catching up to do if he is going to hit at least 30 homers for the third straight season. Cobb has a 1.62 WHIP and a 1.7 HR/9 in his first season with the Orioles, making Odor an excellent option at a reduced price, especially on FanDuel.

Others to consider: Dee Gordon and Jonathan Schoop

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Domingo German, New York Yankees
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,800

Ramirez homered against Thursday and has four home runs in his last three games. The fact that it came off of Luis Severino was especially impressive since Severino has only allowed 0.7 HR/9. He’ll face a much easier opponent in German on Friday, who has had problems keeping hitters inside the park with a 1.7 HR/9.

Mike Moustakas vs. James Shields, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,600

The Royals have already started to trade off some veterans and it makes sense that they look to move Moustakas as well. His batting average has regressed from .272 last season to .256 this year, but he’s still provided plenty of power with 19 home runs. Even though the Royals don’t score much, he still has 58 RBI. Lefties give him trouble, but he has a .358 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.

Others to consider: Nolan Arenado and Travis Shaw

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

Trevor Story vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,300

Bergman made one start for the Mariners back in May but has mostly pitched in the minors this season. The fact that he had a 4.78 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP at Triple-A doesn’t really bode well for his chances pitching at Coors Field on Friday. Story mashes at home and is one of several Rockies’ hitters to target for your entry.

Elvis Andrus vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,100

Andrus only has 153 plate appearances this season due to injury, but he’s been a disappointment with just two home runs and one stolen base. After attempting 35 steals last year, he only has two attempts this season. His strikeout rate is down and his .281 BABIP is well below his .313 career mark, so he does have room for improvement in the second half. Considering Cobb’s struggles, this might be just what he needs to get back on track.

Others to consider: Xander Bogaerts and Scott Kingery

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/13/18

Charlie Blackmon vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,500

Blackmon has historically hit about the same amount of home runs on the road as he has at home, but he has a career .343 batting average at Coors Field compared to .263 on the road. He also has a career .371 wOBA against righties, making him an outfielder worth paying up for versus Bergman.

Carlos Gonzalez vs. Christian Bergman, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,700

As we continue to target lefties against Bergman, Gonzalez presents another excellent option at a favorable price. He’s not nearly the hitter that he was in his prime, but he’s quietly batting .275 with 10 home runs in 73 games. He also has a .357 wOBA against right-handers.

Steven Duggar vs. Edwin Jackson, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $3,700

Duggar only had four home runs in Triple-A this year before being called up, but he did slug 27 doubles to go along with a .354 OBP. He’s not likely to play much against left-handed pitching, but he should be in the lineup against the right-handed Jackson. He could be worth the gamble in tournament play based on the salary relief he can provide for your budget.

Others to consider: Mookie Betts and Christian Yelich

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

All 15 games in the majors will be played at night Tuesday, leaving an array of options to choose from in DFS. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

Trevor Bauer vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,600

Bauer continues to thrive in what is shaping up to be his breakout campaign. He has allowed two runs or fewer in four straight outings and has allowed more than three earned runs in a start only twice all year. He has a 2.45 ERA as a result, which is supported by his 2.17 FIP and 1.09 WHIP. His 13.1% swinging-strike rate is almost four percentage points higher than last year and has helped him post a career-high 11.6 K/9. After allowing at least 20 home runs in three straight seasons, he has given up just five homers in 121.1 innings. The Reds are in the top-third of baseball in runs scored, but Bauer’s tremendous strikeout upside still makes him a great option.

Jhoulys Chacin vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $7,700
DraftKings = $8,500

Chacin has been a valuable addition to the Brewers starting rotation, recording a 3.63 ERA, 3.84 FIP, and a 1.29 WHIP across 19 starts. He has only allowed 0.6 HR/9, which is no surprise considering he has a 0.8 HR/9 for his career. That’s particularly impressive since he spent six seasons pitching his home games in Coors Field as a member of the Rockies. The Marlins continue to struggle offensively, scoring four runs or fewer in 9 of their last 14 games. They have also hit the third-fewest home runs (77) in baseball overall. Chacin doesn’t provide a lot of strikeouts with a 7.2 K/9, but he this matchup leaves him with potential in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

Wilson Ramos vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,300

Ramos came through with another productive game Monday, finishing 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored. His home run came off of Francisco Liriano and he now has a .393 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season. He’ll face another one in Boyd on Tuesday, giving him significant upside once again.

Jose Martinez vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,300

Martinez’s struggles on defense have started to eat into his playing time. That won’t be an issue Tuesday, though, with the Cardinals getting the benefit of using the DH playing in Chicago. Martinez is certainly having another impressive offensive season, batting .296 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI. Covey started out hot but has regressed to the point where he now has a 5.54 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP for the season overall.

Others to consider: Paul Goldschmidt (first base) and Jesus Aguilar (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

Whit Merrifield vs. Aaron Slegers, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,000
DraftKings = $4,300

Merrifield is 21-for-47 (.447) during his current 11-game hitting streak. He’s been one of the few bright spots in the Royals offense as he is batting .303 with a .369 OBP overall. He only has five home runs, but he continues to cause problems on the base paths with 16 steals. Slegers is not an overpowering pitching with a career 6.6 K/9 in the minors, leaving Merrifield with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent hot streak.

Brock Holt vs. Yovani Gallardo, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,400

Gallardo has not pitched well in four starts with the Rangers, posting a 5.87 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He has allowed four home runs in just 23 innings and finished with three or fewer strikeouts in three of those four outings. Holt is 6-for-17 (.353) in his last four games and is one of the cheap Boston hitters to consider in what could be a high-scoring game.

Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Daniel Robertson

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

Eduardo Escobar vs. Ian Kennedy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,400

Ian Kennedy has been on the DL with an oblique injury but will be activated to start Tuesday. He’s having another rough campaign for the Royals with a 5.11 ERA, 4.81 FIP, and a 1.42 WHIP. Escobar has a .391 wOBA against right-handers this season and is 9-for-21 (.429) with two home runs in his career against Kennedy.

Matt Carpenter vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rated Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,800

With Covey on the mound, the Cardinals will likely be one of the most popular stacks. Covey has allowed a .364 wOBA to lefties, making Carpenter one of the Cardinals hitters to focus on. He has rebounded from his early-season slump and has a .382 wOBA against righties, which would be his fourth-straight season with a wOBA of at least .378 against them. He’s expensive on DraftKings, but his price on FanDuel is really appealing.

Others to consider: Justin Turner and Matt Duffy

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

Paul DeJong vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,100

DeJong missed about a month and a half with a hand injury, but he has at least one hit and one run scored in all three games since his return from the DL. He doesn’t have the platoon advantage in this contest, but he’s hit righties well this season with a .368 wOBA. His numbers were betters against left-handed pitchers last year, but he didn’t exactly struggle against righties then either with a .351 wOBA.

Chris Taylor vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,200

Lauer has a 4.84 ERA and a 4.73 FIP for the season, but he’s been much better lately by allowing three earned runs or fewer in seven straight starts. He still had a 1.51 WHIP during that stretch, though, and has had problems keeping runners off base all season. He has allowed a .386 wOBA to righties, making Taylor a viable option at a reasonable price.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/10/18

A.J. Pollock vs. Tyler Anderson, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,400

Anderson has a 3.48 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP on the road this year, but a 4.37 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP at Coors Field. He has thrown seven fewer innings at home, but he has allowed three more home runs there than he has on the road. Pollock is still working his way back from a lengthy DL stint, but he does have at least two hits in two of his last three games and posted a .356 wOBA against lefties in 2017.

Matt Kemp vs. Eric Lauer, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,500

Kemp’s return to the Dodgers has gone better than anyone could have expected as he is batting .316 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI. He is crushing lefties again with a 170 wRC+ and it should also be noted that nine of the 10 home runs that Lauer has allowed this year have come off of right-handed hitters.

Harrison Bader vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,900

Bader has been forcing his way into the lineup for the Cardinals, hitting 14-for-37 (.378) with a home run and four doubles in his last 11 games. With Dexter Fowler batting only .167 this season, Bader should continue to receive plenty of at-bats. He’s not that cheap on DraftKings, but his low price on FanDuel makes him an intriguing tournament play against Covey.

Others to consider: Andrew Benintendi and Shin-Soo Choo

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Although there are a couple of doubleheaders Monday, only nine games will make up the main slate in DFS. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Jose Berrios vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $10,100
DraftKings = $12,100

Berrios has allowed five home runs in his last two starts and has had problems keeping hitters inside the park this season with a 1.3 HR/9. However, he still has a 3.54 ERA and a 3.39 FIP in large part because of his 1.00 WHIP. He had control issues when he began his career in the majors, but he’s thrown a first-pitch strike to 65.6% of the batters that he has faced and has a 2.0 BB/9 this year. He also has career highs in swinging-strike rate (11.4%) and K/9 (9.0). The Royals have hit the fewest home runs (70) and scored the fewest runs (310) in baseball, making Berrios one of the top pitching options.

Kyle Hendricks vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $7,300

Hendricks has never finished with an ERA over 3.96 or a FIP over 3.88 in his career, but he has a 4.27 ERA and a 4.80 FIP this season. Both his 1.25 WHIP and 1.5 HR/9 would also be the highest marks of his career. He’s never been an overpowering pitcher, but he has just a 6.7 K/9. He’s allowed 13 runs over 13.1 innings in his last three starts, but he gave up only one run and recorded seven strikeouts over seven innings in his first start against the Giants this year. The Giants are in the bottom-third of the league in runs scored, so Hendricks is a viable option in tournament play despite his lack of strikeout potential.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Yuli Gurriel vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,700

Gurriel has only hit six home runs this season, but he has followed up his .299 average last year with a .303 mark. He hasn’t been completely devoid of power as he does have 22 doubles on his way to what could be his second-straight season with at least 40 doubles. He doesn’t walk much, but he also only has a 10.6% strikeout rate. Montas has allowed a lot of baserunners with a 1.47 WHIP, so he could be in trouble with Gurriel’s ability to make contact.

Wilson Ramos vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKing = $4,200

Ramos has been named to his second All-Star team in the last three seasons. He’s earned the honor to start for the AL by batting .289 with 12 home runs. The Rays have scored the fifth-fewest runs in baseball, that hasn’t stopped Ramos from recording 47 RBI. His .368 wOBA against lefties makes him a great option against Liriano.

Others to consider: Matt Adams (first base) and C.J. Cron (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Max Muncy vs. Luis Perdomo, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,200

Muncy finished a rough three-game set against the Angels 1-for-11 with six strikeouts. This might be just the matchup he needs to get back on track as Perdomo has followed up his 1.51 WHIP last year with a 2.19 WHIP in five starts this year. He has also allowed a .361 wOBA against lefties for his career. Of note, Muncy is only second base eligible on FanDuel as he is listed at first base and third base on DraftKings.

Eduardo Nunez vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rangers starting rotation has been a mess this season. Minor’s numbers aren’t great, but he’s been one of their more reliable pitchers with a 4.63 ERA and a 4.41 FIP. He only has a 1.20 WHIP, but he’s been hurt by allowing 1.4 HR/9. Minor has held lefties to a .308 wOBA, but righties have had more success with a .336 wOBA. Nunez won’t cost much, but he is a viable option to consider in tournament play if you need to save money at second base.

Others to consider: Brian Dozier and Daniel Robertson

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Anthony DeSclafani, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,700

Ramirez already has more steals (19) this year than he did in all of 2017 (17) and his 24 home runs put him only five behind last year’s mark. His batting average remains excellent at .292 and he has 54 walks compared to only 44 strikeouts. He has a lofty .433 wOBA against righties, making him a great option again Monday even at this expensive price.

Matt Duffy vs. Francisco Liriano, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,500

Liriano has dominated lefties this season by holding them to a .207 wOBA, but right-handed hitters have had plenty of success with a .343 wOBA. His ERA looks respectable at 4.03, but his 5.27 FIP indicates he is not having a good year. The Rays don’t exactly have a potent offense, but Duffy hits for a high average and has some upside Monday despite his lack of homers.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Colin Moran

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Xander Bogaerts vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,000

Bogaerts entered Monday 6-for-12 with two home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI in his last four games. Three of those contests came against the Royals terrible staff, but as already detailed, Minor hasn’t exactly pitched well either. Bogaerts has hit for a ton of power this season with a .520 slugging percentage and his batting average hasn’t suffered either at .281. He only has two stolen bases, but it’s hard to complain about the production he has provided.

Jorge Polanco vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800

Duffy has been prone to horrendous starts this season, allowing at least five runs in seven of his 18 outings. The end result has been a 5.19 ERA that is supported by a 5.39 FIP. Until he makes major improvements on his 1.50 WHIP and 1.7 HR/9, continue to target hitters against Duffy in DFS. Polanco has only played in seven games this year due to suspension, but he could be one of several Twins to have a valuable performance.

Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Chris Taylor

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18

Mookie Betts vs. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $6,100

Betts continues to swing a hot bat for the Red Sox as he is 23-for-64 (.359) with four home runs in his last 16 games. He only has six RBI during that stretch, but he scored 16 runs and had 12 walks compared to just eight strikeouts. His 212 wRC+ against lefties overall this year makes him a great option even though he will cost you a ton on both sites.

Juan Soto vs. Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,800

Nova does a great job limiting walks, but he’s an average starting pitcher at best. He doesn’t have great stuff with just a 6.9 K/9, which is a big reason why he has also allowed 1.7 HR/9. He has allowed a wOBA of at least .361 against lefties in each of the last three seasons and is close to that mark again this year by allowing a .358 wOBA. Stacking lefties against him Monday could be a wise move, Soto included.

Kyle Tucker vs. Frankie Montas, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $4,000

Tucker had plenty of success at Triple-A this season before the Astros called him up, batting .306 with 14 home runs, 14 steals and a .371 OBP. He’s 1-for-7 in his first two games with the big club, but he has some potential Monday considering Montas has allowed a .361 wOBA against lefties. His price isn’t great on DraftKings, but at the minimum on FanDuel, he could be worth the risk in tournament play.

Others to consider: Christian Yelich and Joc Pederson

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

Friday brings a lot of high-end pitching options across baseball, so finding the right bats for your entry could be the key to bringing home some cash. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Chris Sale vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $12,500
DraftKings = $14,000

Sale continues to blow hitters away as he has allowed four runs and recorded 54 strikeouts across 35 innings in his last five starts. Two of those starts were shutouts against the Mariners and the Yankees. He’s towards the top of the Cy Young discussion again this year with a 2.41 ERA, 2.38 FIP, and a 0.89 WHIP. Not only does he have a 12.7 K/9, but his 0.8 HR/9 would be his lowest mark since 2014. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (297) in baseball, so don’t hesitate to pay the premium necessary to get him into your entry.

Dereck Rodriguez vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $7,700

Rodriguez had never pitched above Double-A before this year, but he pitched well in his first taste of action at Triple-A by posting a 3.40 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 9.5 K/9 prior to being called up. Although his WHIP has room for improvement at 1.32 since being recalled, he has a respectable 3.16 ERA and a 3.34 FIP. His strikeouts aren’t as high with an 8.0 K/9, but he has only issued nine walks in 37 innings. It took him a few starts to get acclimated, but he has allowed six runs across 25 innings in his last four starts. Three of those starts came against the Marlins and Padres, so he will be faced with a tougher task against the Cardinals. That being said, he’s still priced low enough to warrant consideration in tournament play if you want to go heavy with high-priced hitters.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Yasmani Grandal vs. Felix Pena, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $3,900

After getting off to a great start, Grandal really struggled in May and June by hitting .181 or lower in both months. He’s shown signs that he is coming out of his slump as he is 7-for-10 with two doubles, a triple and a home run in his last four games. Although he’s a switch-hitter, he’s been much better against righties with a .367 wOBA. Pena is prone to allowing base runners as he had a 1.38 WHIP at Triple-A this year and has a 1.47 WHIP since being called up.

Yonder Alonso vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,500

Blackburn shut out the Indians over 6.1 innings in his last start, but the Indians have hit much better at home this season. Alonso has similar averages at home and on the road, but he has two more home runs at Progressive Field in 31 fewer plate appearances. He also has a .349 wOBA against righties, so look for him to be one of several Indians’ hitters who fair better in this rematch.

Others to consider: Matt Adams (first base) and Chris Hermann (catcher)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Max Muncy vs. Felix Pena, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,000

It’s pretty well noted by now that Muncy has been one of the most unexpected sources for power with 20 home runs in 236 plate appearances. He also gets on base a lot with a .419 OBP and has been hitting second, helping him score nine runs in his last four games. His price has increased significantly, but it’s hard not to ride his hot bat until he shows signs of cooling off. Of note, Muncy is only listed at second base on FanDuel as he is eligible at first base and third base on DraftKings.

Brock Holt vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,500

Hammel’s 4.20 FIP suggests he hasn’t pitched as badly as his 5.56 ERA would lead you to believe, but his 1.55 WHIP leaves him with a small margin for error. The Red Sox will likely be a popular stack, but if you want to get one of the elite starting pitchers into your entry, you’ll need to find some cheap bats with upside. Holt doesn’t provide much power, but his .294 average and .371 OBP make him someone to consider.

Others to consider: Starlin Castro and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Jose Ramirez vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,800

Ramirez has chipped in three steals in his last three games, bringing his total to 17 for the season. Add that to his 24 home runs and 24 doubles and he is one of most valuable players at any position most nights. He has a ridiculous .436 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year, setting him up nicely against the underwhelming Blackburn.

Rafael Devers vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,500

As we continue to hunt for cheap Red Sox hitters to include in a stack, Devers checks in as a viable option at third base. He hasn’t been as impressive this year, but he is still hitting for power with 14 home runs and 20 doubles. He’s virtually unplayable against lefties with a 56 wRC+, but with a 103 wRC+ against righties, he might be able to take advantage of this matchup.

Others to consider: Alex Bregman and Adrian Beltre

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Paul Blackburn, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,900

Lindor’s five-game hitting streak came to an end Wednesday, but he still drew a walk, stole a base and scored a run. His .297 average and .374 at the top of the Indians lineup has already led to 75 runs scored, which is only 25 away from breaking his previous career high. Add that to his excellent power numbers and Lindor will likely play a key role if the Indians are going to be successful against Blackburn.

Trea Turner vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,700

Turner helped the Nationals earn a comeback victory against the Marlins on Thursday by going 3-for-5 with two home runs and eight RBI. Turner is known more for his prowess on the base paths, but he does have 11 home runs already this year. He might not have the platoon advantage against Straily, but Turner actually has a higher wOBA against righties (.363) than he does against lefties (.317) for his career.

Others to consider: Chris Taylor and Jorge Polanco

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/6/18

Juan Soto vs. Dan Straily, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,600

Soto was right in the middle of the Nationals wild win Thursday, finishing the game 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. He continues to show an excellent eye at the plate, drawing four walks and striking out only three times in his last five games. Straily has allowed plenty of baserunners this year with a 1.38 WHIP and has a .360 wOBA against lefties, possibly setting up Soto for another productive night.

Andrew Benintendi vs. Jason Hammel, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,900

Benintendi is mired in a slump as he is only 6-for-38 (.158) in his last 10 games. He’s been a bit unlucky with a .214 BABIP, but he’s also struck out more with a 24.4% strikeout rate. Hammel is not a strikeout pitcher, though, with just a 5.9 K/9. Benintendi also has a .381 wOBA against righties, so this might be the game he gets back on track.

Josh Reddick vs. Reynaldo Lopez, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,000

Before Reddick was placed on the DL towards the end of May with a knee infection, he was hitting just .227 with a .337 OBP. The time off seems to have done him good as he is hitting .329 with a .356 OBP since being activated. He’s someone to avoid against lefties, but his .341 wOBA against righties for his career makes him a cost-effective option with upside.

Others to consider: Michael Brantley and Brandon Nimmo

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout

There are games spread throughout the day Wednesday, but let’s focus on the main evening slate in DFS. 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

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

Trevor Bauer vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,600

Bauer might not get as much publicity as his teammate Corey Kluber does, but Bauer has been just as impressive this season. After never finishing with an ERA below 4.19, Bauer has a 2.45 ERA that is supported by his 2.19 FIP. He’s done an excellent job limiting baserunners with a 1.09 WHIP and has allowed only five home runs in 113.2 innings. His 13.2% swinging-strike rate and 11.7 K/9 are both career-highs as well. The Royals have scored the fewest runs (295) in baseball, leaving Bauer as one of the best starters available Wednesday.

Rich Hill vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $8,700

Hill struggled at the start of the season, then missed some time with a blister issue. He’s only made nine starts, three of which have come after he was activated from the DL. He pitched well in two of those outings, holding the Cubs and Rockies to a combined one run in 12.2 innings. He also had 16 strikeouts, helping boost his K/9 for the season to 9.8. Although he wasn’t a big strikeout pitcher early in his career, he’s finished with a K/9 of at least 10.5 in five straight seasons. With his blister issue hopefully behind him, Hill is a cost-effective option with upside in tournament play.

CATCHER/FIRST BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

Justin Smoak vs. Corey Oswalt, New York Mets
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,100

Oswalt has been hit hard in 10 starts at Triple-A this year, resulting in a 5.32 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He made his first start for the Mets last week against the Marlins and was hammered for six runs in 2.2 innings. The Marlins are tied for the fewest home runs (68) in baseball but took Oswalt deep twice in that game. Smoak has a higher batting average against lefties this year, but his wOBA splits are pretty close and eight of his 11 home runs have come off of righties.

Yasmani Grandal vs. Clay Holmes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,000

Grandal only hit .162 in June, but he also had a crazy low .170 BABIP during the month. He has started to turn things around in this series against the Pirates, going 4-for-6 with a double, triple and a home run in the first two games. He has a .361 wOBA against righties this year overall, making him a viable option against Holmes, who is making his first career start in the majors.

Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Matt Davidson (first base)

SECOND BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

Max Muncy vs. Clay Holmes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $4,900

At this point, you almost just have to ride Muncy every day in DFS. He homered twice Tuesday and is now 14-for-37 (.378) with seven home runs in his last 11 games. He incredibly has 20 home runs in only 231 plate appearances. With a .440 wOBA against righties, don’t expect Holmes to be the one to slow him down. Of note, Muncy is only eligible at second base on FanDuel as he is listed at first base and third base on DraftKings.

Yoan Moncada vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400

Moncada has yet to take off after being one of the most highly regarded prospects in the minors as he is batting only .229 with a .296 OBP. He has struck out a staggering 120 times while drawing only 29 walks, so he needs to show significant improvement with his pitch selection. He only has a 22 wRC+ against lefties but has been much better against righties with a 115 wRC+. Romano is prone to giving up a lot of runs due to his 1.49 WHIP, making Moncada a viable option if you don’t want to pay up for Muncy.

Others to consider: DJ LeMahieu and Scooter Gennett

THIRD BASE

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

Nolan Arenado vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $5,800

Arenado is an excellent hitter, but he vaults to the top of DFS consideration whenever he is playing at home against a left-handed pitcher. Arenado is batting .367 with 13 home runs at Coors Field and has mashed lefties to the tune of a 249 wRC+ this year.

Yolmer Sanchez vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,200

Sanchez might not be a player who stands out, but he is 11-for-37 (.297) with a home run and two doubles in his last eight games. He doesn’t have a lot of power with just five homers, but he does have 15 doubles and nine triples to go along with a .257 average.  Like Moncada, he struggles against lefties but is much better against righties. His upside isn’t anywhere near Arenado’s, but his cheap price makes him someone to consider against Romano.

Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Yangervis Solarte

SHORTSTOP

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

Francisco Lindor vs. Trevor Oaks, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,900

Lindor ended his streak of three-straight games with a home run Tuesday, but he still finished with his fourth multi-hit game in his last five contests. He scored yet another run too, bringing him up to 74 runs scored this season. Oaks had a 2.00 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP at Triple-A this season, but his 5.3 K/9 doesn’t translate well for his potential success in the majors. In the only start he has made for the Royals, Oaks allowed five runs and 12 hits in five innings to the White Sox.

Jose Peraza vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700

Peraza had only four home runs in 143 games last year and while he already has three this season, he’s still not someone who is going to provide home run upside. However, he is swinging a hot bat right now, hitting 12-for-34 (.353) across his last eight games. Covey has an ugly 1.59 WHIP and doesn’t have overpowering stuff with a 6.9 K/9, making Peraza a strong secondary option at shortstop.

Others to consider: Trevor Story and Chris Taylor

OUTFIELD

MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/4/18

Joc Pederson vs. Clay Holmes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,500

Pederson was a major disappointment for the Dodgers last year, hitting only .212 with 11 home runs in 323 plate appearances. This season has been a different story as he is batting .266 with 13 home runs in 231 plate appearances. He’s been leading off against right-handed pitchers, so expect him to occupy that position against Holmes on Wednesday. He’s gone deep in back-to-back games and has a .418 wOBA against righties this year.

Avisail Garcia vs. Sal Romano, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,200

News came out Tuesday that Garcia with dealing with a slight hamstring issue, but that didn’t stop him from playing and hitting two home runs.  He now has six home runs in 12 games since being activated from the DL. Romano has been hit just as hard by right-handed hitters as he has by lefties this year, so don’t hesitate to ride Garcia’s hot streak if he’s in the lineup again.

Curtis Granderson vs. Corey Oswalt, New York Mets
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000

Granderson doesn’t play much against lefties anymore, which makes a lot of sense considering he only has a .210 wOBA against them this year. He’s still a potent bat against righties, though, with a .375 wOBA.  With Oswalt’s struggles already detailed, Granderson could provide significant value at this cheap price and is an excellent option in tournament play.

Others to consider: Scott Schebler and Teoscar Hernandez