After a limited slate Monday, we’re back to a packed schedule consisting of 14 night games Tuesday. While there are a few great pitching options, there are a lot of teams set up to have big offensive nights.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/25/2019
Not much action to speak of across the majors Thursday night with only six games making up the main slate in DFS. With some terrible starting pitching options, it might be best to just load up on hitters for your entry.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/2019
We’re finally back from the All-Star break with a full slate of games across the majors Friday. There are only two early start times, leaving us with 13 games to choose from in DFS.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/2/2019
Get ready for a wild night in the majors with 15 games on the schedule Tuesday.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 6/13/2019
There are only two afternoon games Thursday, leaving nine games for the main evening slate in DFS.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/15/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Although 10 games make up the main slate Wednesday in DFS, the night is generally short on elite starting pitching options. It could lead to several high-scoring games. 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
Shane Bieber vs. Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $8,300
Bieber’s ERA doesn’t stand out at 4.24, but his 3.02 FIP indicates he has pitched well in his first stint in the majors. Opponents have a .368 BABIP against him, so expect his ERA to improve as that number starts to normalize. He’s only allowed six home runs across 63.2 innings and has provided value in the strikeout department with a 9.3 K/9. The Reds have only averaged 2.8 runs over their last 10 games and have struggled more against right-handed pitching this season, leaving Bieber with significant upside Wednesday.
Tyler Anderson vs. Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $8,400
Anderson was great in his last start against a potent Dodgers lineup, giving up only one run and recording six strikeouts over six innings. He’s now allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts, helping lower his ERA to 3.94 overall. He’s not a big strikeout pitcher with an 8.3 K/9, but his 1.20 WHIP would be the best mark of his career. Although Carlos Correa is back, the Astros are still missing two key bats from their lineup in Jose Altuve and George Springer. The Astros have only averaged 3.7 runs across their last 10 games and that includes one contest where they scored 14 runs. Anderson might be worth the risk in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,200
DraftKings = $5,100
Although his performance has been overshadowed by the red-hot Ronald Acuna Jr., Freeman has two hits and a home run in both of the last two games against the Marlins. He’s batting .373 over his last 15 contests, recording eight RBI and 11 runs scored during that stretch. Look for another big game from him Wednesday as he is also 8-for-20 (.400) with two home runs and two doubles in his career against Urena.
Danny Jansen vs. Jorge Lopez, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,100
DraftKings = $3,600
The Blue Jays still haven’t called up Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Jansen is getting his first crack at the majors. He was hitting well in Triple-A, posting a .275 average, .390 OBP and 12 home runs. He’s wasted no time since being recalled, going 3-for-7 with a homer in two games. Lopez has pitched out of the bullpen for the Brewers and their Triple-A affiliate this year and didn’t pitch well at either level, making Jansen a cheap option to target.
Others to consider: Yonder Alonso (first base) and Ji-Man Choi (first base)
SECOND BASE
Jason Kipnis vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,200
Kipnis’ multi-hit streak ended at three games Tuesday, but he salvaged the evening by walking and stealing a base. He gets to face another subpar pitcher in Stephenson, who has a 5.16 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP in his major league career. Kipnis’ price is climbing, but he’s still a viable option to consider.
Neil Walker vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,600
Faria has made two appearances out of the bullpen after a lengthy stint on the DL, allowing one run over 6.2 innings. He’ll return to the rotation Wednesday, a role he struggled in before getting hurt. Walker has had a renaissance at the plate, batting .310 with three home runs in his last 18 games. He’s been a much better hitter against righties this year, as well, making him someone to consider at his cheap price in tournament play.
Others to consider: Ozzie Albies and Joey Wendle
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,000
Ramirez has destroyed the Reds in the first two games of this series, going 6-for-10 with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored. He now has three straight multi-hit performances, boosting his average up to .305 for the season to go along with 36 homers and 27 steals. With his 195 wRC+ against righties this year, this could be another long night for the Stephenson and the Reds.
Justin Turner vs. Derek Holland, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,200
Turner went 3-for-4 with three doubles Tuesday, marking the fifth multi-hit game in his last six contests. He’s still trying to get things going in the home run department, but he’s batting .293 with a .384 OBP and has almost as many walks (24) as he does strikeouts (27). He also has a 191 wRC+ against lefties, giving him an excellent opportunity to shine against Holland.
Others to consider: Anthony Rendon and Miguel Andujar
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Jake Faria, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,900
Gregorius is in the midst of another productive homestand, going 8-for-23 (.348) over the last six games. It should come as no surprise because although he’s batting just .236 with seven homers on the road, he is batting .302 with 14 home runs at Yankee Stadium. Adding to his appeal against Faria is that Gregorius has a .348 wOBA against right-handers this year.
Willy Adames vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100
Adames has cemented himself as the everyday shortstop for the rest of the season with Adeiny Hechavarria now with the Pirates. He’s taken full advantage of his opportunity, batting .410 with three home runs and four steals in August. Cessa doesn’t have an overwhelming arsenal with a career 6.4 K/9 in the majors, so don’t be surprised if Adames continues to swing a hot bat in this contest.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Freddy Galvis
OUTFIELD
Ronald Acuna Jr. vs. Jose Urena, Miami Marlins
Stadium – SunTrust Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $5,700
At this point, you almost have to play Acuna no matter his price. He’s hitting insanely well, going 16-for-34 (.471) with eight home runs in his last eight games. Add in 15 RBI and 13 runs scored during that stretch and he’s provided tremendous value in DFS. Urena has allowed at least four runs in four of his last five starts and only has a 7.3 K/9 this year, which could prove troublesome against Acuna.
Mallex Smith vs. Luis Cessa, New York Yankees
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,800
Smith if 0-for-7 in his last two games, but he’s still batting .364 over his last 24 contests. He’s not a home run hitter, but he did chip in six doubles and four triples during that stretch. He’s a terror on the base paths, too, recording nine steals over that time frame. Smith isn’t cheap on DraftKings, but the price might be right to take a chance on him if you are playing on FanDuel.
Melky Cabrera vs. Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,900
Cabrera only has 142 plate appearances this season and he hasn’t exactly thrived with a .266 average and two home runs. He’s not much more than a journeyman outfielder at this stage of his career, but he’s still someone who can provide value in the right matchup. He’s 7-for-12 over his last three games and could be one of the cheaper players to target for an Indians stack.
Others to consider: Justin Upton and Michael Brantley
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/9/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
There are only six games to choose from Thursday for the main slate in DFS, but there are still some great matchups that stand out. 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
James Paxton vs. Houston Astros
Stadium – Minute Maid Park
FanDuel = $10,000
DraftKings = $10,600
Paxton has picked up right where he left off after a brief stint on the DL, allowing three runs and recording 15 strikeouts across 14 innings since he was activated. His 3.51 ERA overall is supported by an even better 3.05 FIP and he’s done an excellent job keeping runners off base with a 1.07 WHIP. His 11.5 K/9 would also be the highest mark of his career. You don’t normally target pitchers against the Astros, but their lineup is a shell of itself with Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer all on the DL. They enter Thursday having scored three runs or fewer in nine of their last 12 games.
Yonny Chirinos vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $5,700
I don’t like any of the cheap starting pitching options Thursday. Tyler Anderson, Ross Stripling, and J.A. Happ are all good pitchers and don’t cost much, but their matchups aren’t great. The Rays are actually starting Hunter Wood in this game, but he’s not going to throw more than a couple of innings. Chirinos is one of the more likely options to follow him since he last pitched five days ago and Jake Faria is dealing with a sore neck. He’s pitched well with a 3.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and an 8.5 K/9, so he could provide a lot of value at this price. Keep an eye on reports leading up to this game and if Chirinos is confirmed to follow Wood, he’s someone worth considering on a night with so few quality options.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Jake Bauers vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,400
Hess hadn’t started a game since June for the Orioles, but he returned to the rotation last Friday against the Rangers. That game certainly didn’t go well as he allowed seven runs (five earned) across 3.1 innings. If the Orioles had any other viable options, Hess likely wouldn’t be starting because of his 6.41 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. He’s also allowed 2.2 HR/9, giving Bauers and the Rays an excellent opportunity to put up some big numbers.
Steve Pearce vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,300
Borucki has pitched well across his seven starts, posting a 2.30 ERA, 2.52 FIP, and a 1.26 WHIP. His only bad outing came against these same Red Sox when he allowed seven runs (four earned) in three innings. It’s going to be awfully difficult for him to have success in their rematch Thursday, especially considering his underwhelming 6.3 K/9. Pearce is one Red Sox to target in particular based on his 189 wRC+ against lefties.
Others to consider: Greg Bird (first base) and Francisco Cervelli (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Gleyber Torres vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,300
Torres has played better than anyone could have expected since being recalled, batting .274 with 18 home runs in only 266 at-bats. He’s loved hitting at home so far, batting .307 with 10 homers at Yankee Stadium. Jurado is not an overwhelming pitcher with a career 6.9 K/9 in the minors, leaving Torres with plenty of upside once again.
Joey Wendle vs. David Hess, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,100
With Hess on the mound for the Orioles, the Rays are likely going to be one of the most heavily used stacks for the evening. Wendle has cashed in his first opportunity to get extended playing time in the majors, batting .292 across 322 at-bats. He doesn’t have a lot of power, but he at least has the potential to get on base a couple of times in this contest.
Others to consider: Josh Harrison and Neil Walker
THIRD BASE
Miguel Andujar vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300
If it wasn’t for the crazy start to Torres’ career, Andujar would be getting much more press. His defense has been shaky, to say the least, but his bat is going to be special. He has 30 doubles to go along with 15 home runs, but he’s not just about power numbers with his .289 batting average. He actually has slightly better numbers against righties, so don’t worry about him not having the platoon advantage against Jurado.
David Freese vs. Andrew Suarez, San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $2,300
DraftKings = $4,100
Expect Freese to be in the lineup against the left-handed Suarez based on his .363 wOBA against left-handed pitchers for his career. Suarez had a very productive stretch from June into the beginning of July, but he’s allowed 19 runs over 21.2 innings in his last four starts.
Others to consider: Justin Turner and Matt Duffy
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Yankee Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,900
There are a lot of Yankees’ hitters who have better numbers at home, but Gregorius has one of the most extreme splits. He’s batting .236 with seven homers on the road compared to .296 with 13 long balls at Yankee Stadium. This could be a high scoring game for the Yankees even with Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez still sidelined, with Gregorius potentially playing a key role.
Xander Bogaerts vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Center
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,200
Bogaerts is in a power drought, failing to hit a home run since the All-Star break. He’s only hit .216 during that stretch, but he has recorded a hit in three straight games. With at least one walk in four consecutive contests, as well, he’s showing signs of coming back around. He’s had a great season batting .274 with 16 home runs and is someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Gregorius.
Others to consider: Manny Machado and Willy Adames
OUTFIELD
J.D. Martinez vs. Ryan Borucki, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $5,600
Martinez is locked in, batting .404 with five home runs and seven doubles over his last 13 games. He has 16 RBI during that time frame, bringing his total to 98 for the season. With his career .387 wOBA against left-handed pitchers, he could give Borucki plenty of problems.
Mallex Smith vs. David Hess, Tampa Bay Rays
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700
Smith is on a hot streak of his own, going 12-for-24 over his last eight games. He swiped two more bases Wednesday, upping his total to 25 overall. With Smith hitting this well and Hess struggling to keep runners off base, you could get plenty of production even without Smith having any power upside.
Randal Grichuk vs. Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,800
Grichuk logged two hits Wednesday, marking his third multi-hit performance in his last five games. He’s been one of the better Blue Jays’ hitters of late, batting .339 with two home runs and six doubles across his last 13 contests. He has better numbers against right-handed pitchers throughout his career, so he might be worth the risk in tournament play.
Others to consider: Mookie Betts and Steven Duggar
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/8/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Wednesday brings 14 games across the majors, but only nine of them make up 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
Jose Quintana vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $8,300
Quintana has had control problems this season, issuing a career-high 4.1 BB/9. His 4.12 ERA isn’t terrible, but it could be worse considering his 4.60 FIP and 1.38 WHIP. He has pitched better of late, allowing two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Of those four starts, three of them came against bad lineups in the Tigers, Giants, and Padres. He gets another great matchup Wednesday against a Royals squad that has scored the fewest runs (414) in baseball, giving him an excellent opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
Jhoulys Chacin vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Miller Park
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,500
Chacin was hammered in his last start against the Dodgers, allowing nine runs (eight earned) and three home runs across 4.1 innings. The Dodgers have one of the best lineups in the National League, though, so don’t read too much into one bad outing. He had allowed two runs or fewer in five of his six previous starts. Don’t count on him for a lot of strikeouts with his 7.2 K/9, but he’s only allowed 13 home runs across 132 innings. The Padres have the second-lowest OPS against right-handed pitchers (.653), setting up Chacin nicely for a rebound performance.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Matt Carpenter vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $5,400
Carpenter went deep again Tuesday, marking his fourth home run in the last five games. If it wasn’t for such a horrible start, Carpenter could have one of the better cases for NL MVP. Even with his early struggles, he’s still batting .282 with a .393 OBP and 30 home runs. Keeping riding his hot bat against Richards and his 1.39 WHIP.
Yasmani Grandal vs. Mike Fiers, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,300
The A’s are making a push for the playoffs and have added a few players for the stretch run. One of the guys they brought in was Fiers, who will be making his first start since being acquired from the Tigers. His 3.48 ERA looks nice, but his 4.65 FIP indicates he is not pitching that well. He’s also had problems keeping hitters inside the park with a 1.5 HR/9. The switch-hitting Grandal has had very little success against lefties, but he has a .382 wOBA against right-handed pitching.
Others to consider: Anthony Rizzo (first base) and Jake Bauers (first base)
SECOND BASE
Javier Baez vs. Heath Fillmyer, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $5,700
Baez is having a great season, in general, but he’s been even hotter of late by hitting .378 with six homers and five doubles over his last 11 games. His .346 BABIP this season looks high, but it’s actually almost in line with his .336 career mark. Fillmyer has a 4.83 FIP and a 1.42 WHIP with the Royals and posted 5.75 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP at Triple-A, making Baez an extremely appealing option.
Neil Walker vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,800
Walker has struggled with the Yankees, often finding himself on the bench due to the stellar play of Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar. Playing time has opened up for him lately with Aaron Judge on the DL as he now starts most games against right-handed pitchers. He’s taken advantage of his opportunity, batting .364 with a home run and a double of his last 41 plate appearances. At this cheap price, he’s someone to consider against Giolito based on his 1.49 WHIP.
Others to consider: Joey Wendle and Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Jose Ramirez vs. Jake Odorizzi, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Progressive Field
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $6,000
Ramirez has already tied or surpassed his previous career-highs in home runs, RBI, and stolen bases this season. His batting average hasn’t suffered at the expense of his power at .297 and he actually has more walks (74) than strikeouts (55). In three previous starts against the Indians this season, Odorizzi has allowed 16 runs (15 earned) across 13.2 innings. Look for them to have another big night Wednesday with Ramirez likely right in the middle of all the action.
Johan Camargo vs. Tommy Milone, Washington Nationals
Stadium – Nationals Park
FanDuel = $3,200
DraftKings = $4,100
With the Nationals thin at starting pitcher, they have turned to the journeyman Milone to fill a spot in their rotation. Milone has had some success during his minor league career, but he has a 4.35 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP over his career in the majors. Camargo has excelled with a .389 wOBA against lefties this year, making him a great option if you don’t want to pay up for Ramirez.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Mike Moustakas
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,000
One of the deepest lineups in baseball heading into the season, the Yankees really need Gregorius to be productive right now with Judge and Gary Sanchez both sidelined. While his numbers aren’t off the charts, he is batting .279 with two home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored across 11 games since Judge hit the DL. He has a .348 wOBA against righties and provides significant upside against the underwhelming Giolito.
Aledmys Diaz vs. Brian Johnson, Boston Red Sox
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900
Diaz came through with another hit Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to five games. Although he broke a streak of five straight games with at least one run scored, Diaz is locked into significant playing time with Lourdes Gurriel on the DL. Johnson has posted a 3.74 ERA for the Red Sox, but that’s not likely going to hold up based on his 1.42 WHIP. At this cheap price on both sites, Diaz could provide plenty of value.
Others to consider: Francisco Lindor and Xander Bogaerts
OUTFIELD
J.D. Martinez vs. Mike Hauschild, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Rogers Centre
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $5,500
Martinez is flat out amazing. He’s given the Red Sox everything they could have hoped for after signing him to a big contract, batting .328 with 34 home runs and 97 RBI. With all the talented hitters around him, Martinez gets plenty of opportunities to rack up counting stats. The Red Sox are likely going to be a popular stack against Hauschild based on his 4.88 ERA and 1.55 WHIP at Triple-A this year.
Mallex Smith vs. Andrew Cashner, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Tropicana Field
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,700
When the Rays acquired Tommy Pham and Austin Meadows, it looked like Smith might be in line for a smaller role. However, the Rays sent Meadows directly to Triple-A and Pham quickly landed on the DL with a foot injury. Smith is getting all the playing time he can handle as a result and is hot right now, going 11-for-19 with six walks over his last seven games. He’s a terror when he’s on base that much, resulting in five steals over that stretch. Cashner struggles to keep runners off base with his 1.56 WHIP, making Smith a viable option despite his lack of power.
Yasiel Puig vs. Mike Fiers, Oakland Athletics
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,400
The ability to use the DH in this series helps the Dodgers free up a bit of a logjam they have created for their lineup after adding Manny Machado and Brian Dozier. It also gives the hitters in the lineup added opportunities for counting stats without the pitcher being required to hit. Puig has at least two hits in three of his last four games and while he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Fiers, he actually has a higher wOBA against righties (.382) than he does lefties (.283).
Others to consider: Randal Grichuk and Jackie Bradley Jr.
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/6/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Baseball kicks off the week with 10 evening games Monday, leaving plenty of quality 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
Cole Hamels vs. Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $9,000
Hamels being traded to the Cubs should provide a significant boost to his value. He was terrible pitching at home for the Rangers, posting a 6.41 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP across 10 starts. He has a 2.69 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP over his other 11 starts outside of Globe Life Park in Arlington. The move to the National League helps, as well, since he will get to avoid the DH. He will have to navigate the DH playing in Kansas City on Monday, but the Royals have scored the fewest runs (413) in the league.
Matthew Boyd vs. Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angels Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $7,600
Boyd closed out July on a high note, allowing three runs and recording 20 strikeouts over 19 innings in his last three starts. Two of those starts came against the Royals and the Reds, but one was against the potent Red Sox lineup. Boyd has been aided by a .264 opponents’ BABIP this season, but his 4.22 ERA is actually slightly higher than his 3.84 FIP indicates that it should be. He does have a respectable 8.2 K/9 and can provide value in the right matchup, which could be the case Monday since the Angels have the third lowest OPS against lefties (.656) in baseball.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Anthony Rizzo vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800
The Cubs have been hitting Rizzo leadoff lately and the move has paid off as he’s batting .370 with a .458 OBP in that spot of the order. He’s also slugged six home runs, helping to boost his total to 17 for the season. While he may have a hard time hitting at least 30 homers for the fifth straight season, he could still be in line for a big finish to the season. Lefties have held Rizzo to a .266 wOBA this year, but he’s a great option against Junis since he has a .374 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Jose Martinez vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $4,000
Martinez has found himself on the bench more often than not lately because he is a defensive liability. However, with Dexter Fowler and Tyler O’Neill injured, he’s going to see some time in the outfield moving forward. He can hit, posting a .298 average and a .462 slugging percentage. Chen has allowed a .374 wOBA to righties this year, making Martinez a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Jose Abreu (first base) and J.T. Realmuto (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Javier Baez vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,500
Baez is showing no signs of slowing down, batting .362 with five home runs, five doubles and 14 RBI over his last 16 games. He’s already set new career-highs in home runs and RBI and is making a case to be named the NL MVP. Don’t worry about him not having the platoon advantage against Junis because Baez has a .376 wOBA against righties.
Ben Zobrist vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,700
Zobrist only hit .232 last year, but he was dragged down by an abnormally low .251 BABIP. He’s been on the opposite end of the spectrum this season with a .335 BABIP, leading to a .310 batting average. He’s in line for some regression, but that might not start Monday considering his .391 wOBA against right-handed pitchers.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Neil Walker
THIRD BASE
Jurickson Profar vs. Wade LeBlanc, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,700
LeBlanc has hit a bit of a rough patch, posting a 6.11 ERA across his last five starts. He has a 3.50 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP at home overall but has had issues on the road with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Profar is finally getting a chance to play every day and is swinging a hot bat right now as he is 22-for-72 (.306) with 14 runs and 12 RBI over his last 21 games. He’s also excelled with a .361 wOBA against left-handed pitchers this season.
Jedd Gyorko vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,800
DraftKings = $4,000
Gyorko slugged 30 home runs over 400 at-bats in 2016 but followed that up with only 20 homers across 426 at-bats last year. His power numbers have continued to regress this year with just eight homers in 246 at-bats. However, his 181 wRC+ against lefties still makes him someone to consider in tournament play at this cheap price.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Maikel Franco
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius vs. Dylan Covey, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Guaranteed Rate Field
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,100
Gregorius’ batting average is down this year, but his walk rate has almost doubled at 8.1%. He’s already reached the 20-homer plateau for the third-straight year and his 10 steals are a new career best. He’s more deadly at Yankee Stadium, but he could still put up big numbers Monday considering Covey’s 5.57 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.
Jean Segura vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,600
Perez was initially slated to start Sunday against the Orioles, but he was pushed back a day in favor of Drew Hutchinson. That’s good news for the Mariners since Perez has an unsightly 6.50 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP. He’s allowed 10 home runs in only 45.2 innings and doesn’t miss many bats with a 5.9 K/9. Segura might not carry the greatest home run upside, but he’s batting .309 and could be on base plenty in this game.
Others to consider: Trevor Story and Elvis Andrus
OUTFIELD
Nelson Cruz vs. Martin Perez, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200
Cruz is on another power surge, slugging four home runs in his last five games to bring his total to 29 for the season. He’s been one of the most consistent power hitters in baseball, hitting at least 39 home runs in four straight seasons. With Perez’s propensity to give up the long ball, Cruz is someone to build your lineup around.
Jason Heyward vs. Jakob Junis, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,000
Heyward isn’t exactly knocking the cover off the ball, but he’s made significant strides this season to bat .283 with a .347 OBP. He has a career-low 11.7% strikeout rate and his 31.8% hard-hit rate is his highest mark since 2012. Junis has allowed a .360 wOBA against left-handed hitters, making Heyward a viable option at his reasonable price on both sites.
Harrison Bader vs. Wei-Yin Chen, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,800
Bader was already starting to see more playing time after Tommy Pham was traded to the Rays, but the injuries to Fowler and O’Neill is going to leave him with all the starts he can handle. He has a promising mix of power and speed, finishing with 20 home runs and 15 steals at Triple-A in 2017. He’s only gone deep six times with the Cardinals this year, but he’s flashed his speed with 11 steals and is batting a respectable .271. If you want to take a chance on a cheap outfielder in tournament play, Bader could provide value against Chen.
Others to consider: Kyle Schwarber and Mitch Haniger
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/31/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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STARTING PITCHERS
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
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
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
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
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
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