Thursday brings another fun night of DFS with plenty of intriguing games on the schedule. There is no shortage of top-tier pitchers available, so this might be a good day to pay up at the position.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/29/2019
We won’t have a ton of options to choose from Monday with only seven games being played in the majors. With that being said, there are still quality options to choose from on both the pitching and hitting fronts.
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 6/18/2019
There is no shortage of options in DFS Tuesday with 15 games on the schedule.
Read MoreMLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 8/28/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
August special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Tuesday is loaded with elite starting pitching options across the majors including Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Aaron Nola. There is a great second tier of options behind them as well. 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
Clay Buchholz vs. San Francisco Giants
Stadium – AT&T Park
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $10,000
Buchholz is having an incredible season for the Diamondbacks. He’s allowed more than three runs in only one of his 13 starts this season, resulting in a 2.25 ERA. His FIP is higher at 3.39, but that’s still excellent considering he missed almost all of last season due to injury. His 7.7 K/9 isn’t great, but he has a 1.03 WHIP and has given up only eight home runs across 80 innings. He’s already faced the Giants twice this season, allowing four runs and recording 15 strikeouts over 12 innings. He’s certainly not the flashiest of starting pitching options Tuesday, but he could still provide excellent value.
Brian Johnson vs. Miami Marlins
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $7,000
With so many great starting pitchers to choose from, it might not be a bad idea to go with a cheap pitcher in tournament play and load up on some of the expensive bats that have favorable matchups. If you want to go that route, Johnson might be your man. He’s made 10 starts for the Red Sox, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and an 8.0 K/9. He started against the Marlins earlier this season, holding them to one run and recording five strikeouts in six innings. The Marlins have the fourth-lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.655) in baseball, so don’t be surprised if Johson has similar success.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Max Muncy vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $5,400
The Dodgers are likely going to be a popular stack with Jurado on the mound. He’s been terrible for the Rangers with a 6.40 ERA and a 5.75 FIP across his first six starts. He has a bloated 1.55 WHIP and only struck out 12 batters over 32.1 innings. Muncy has seen his playing time decrease some lately due to the additions of Manny Machado and Brian Dozier, but he still has four home runs in his last eight games. With the DH available in this contest, expect Muncy to be in the lineup.
Danny Jansen vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $3,900
Jansen certainly earned his call-up to the majors, batting .275 with a .390 OBP at Triple-A. He drew 44 walks compared to 49 strikeouts over 360 plate appearances. He’s carried that success over to the Blue Jays, going 10-for-30 with a home run and five doubles in his first nine games. He’s a great cheap option to consider against Rogers, who will be making his first appearance in the majors and doesn’t exactly have an overwhelming arsenal based on his 6.5 K/9 at Triple-A this year.
Others to consider: Matt Carpenter (first base) and Yasmani Grandal (catcher)
SECOND BASE
Whit Merrifield vs. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $5,100
Merrifield might not get a lot of publicity playing for a bad Royals squad, but he’s a great hitter. He only has 10 home runs, but he’s batting .307 with a .374 OBP and 35 doubles. He’s a terror on the bases as well with 28 steals. He has a career .375 wOBA against lefties, so it’s not surprising that he is also 8-for-19 in his career against Boyd.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. vs. Josh Rogers, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Oriole Park at Camden Yards
FanDuel = $2,600
DraftKings = $4,200
Gurriel took a seat for the Blue Jays on Monday after starting his first three games since being activated from the DL. He’s one of the bright young players in their organization, so expect him to get plenty of playing time down the stretch. He was one of the hottest hitters in baseball before landing on the DL and is batting .307 overall, leaving him as a someone to consider in tournament play if you don’t want to pay up for Merrifield.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Jonathan Villar
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $5,600
Injuries have hampered Turner’s season, but he’s doing his best to make up for a slow start. He’s been red-hot in August, batting .405 with five homers and 10 doubles. He has outstanding numbers against left-handed pitchers, but he could still be in line for a big night against the struggling Jurado based on his .356 wOBA against righties.
Wil Myers vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,100
DraftKings = $4,400
Hernandez is only 33 years old, but he’s a shell of his former self. He was demoted to the bullpen at one point but is back in the starting rotation out of necessity for the Mariners. He’s hasn’t been terrible at home, but he has a staggering 7.46 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP on the road. Myers has almost identical numbers against both righties and lefties throughout his career, so don’t pass over him for your entry just because he doesn’t have the platoon advantage against Hernandez.
Others to consider: Miguel Andujar and Matt Chapman
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,500
Machado is still adjusting to his new team and moving to a new league, batting .266 overall since joining the Dodgers. He is starting to heat up again, though, batting .286 with five home runs across his last 11 games. He won’t come cheap on either site, but he has significant upside against Jurado in hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Freddy Galvis vs. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,600
Galvis has never really been a great hitter, batting .245 with a .661 OPS for his career. He’s put up similar numbers overall this year, but he’s been hot in August, batting .264 with a .834 OPS. If you decide to spend big at starting pitcher, Galvis is a cheap player to consider to help balance your budget with Hernandez on the mound.
Others to consider: Gleyber Torres and Trevor Story
OUTFIELD
Mitch Haniger vs. Jacob Nix, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $4,900
Haniger was limited to 96 games last year due to injury, but he still hit 16 home runs and 25 doubles. He’s been able to stay healthy this season and remains extremely productive, slugging 22 homers and 28 doubles. He’s also batting .281 with a .368 OBP, showing he’s not just selling out for power. Nix has a 1.63 WHIP through three starts with the Padres, so this could be a high-scoring game for Haniger and the Mariners.
Yasiel Puig vs. Ariel Jurado, Texas Rangers
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $4,400
Puig is struggling, batting .171 with just one extra-base hit over his last 10 games. His .433 slugging percentage overall in August would be his lowest mark of any month this season, However, this might be just the matchup that Puig needs to get back on track. With Jurado’s struggles already detailed, it’s also important to note that Puig has had more success against right-handed pitchers (134 wRC+) this year than he has lefties (71 wRC+).
Carlos Gonzalez vs. Noe Ramirez, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $4,300
Ramirez is expected to start Tuesday after recording a save in Monday’s contest. This will be a bullpen game for the Angels, which is good news for the Rockies since the Angels bullpen has the fifth-highest FIP (4.44) in the majors. Gonzalez enters this game on a five-game hitting streak and is hitting .310 overall in August, making him someone to target at this reasonable price.
Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Tyler O’Neill
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/12/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Only seven games make up the main evening slate in DFS on Thursday, but the night is loaded with pitching as Max Scherzer, Corey Kluber, Luis Severino, Blake Snell and James Paxton are all scheduled to start. 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
Max Scherzer vs. New York Mets
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $12,000
DraftKings = $13,300
Scherzer had a subpar performance by his standards in his last start against the Marlins, allowing four runs in seven innings. He gave up three home runs and only recorded three strikeouts. He has allowed 0.9 HR/9 and has a 12.5 K/9 for the season overall, so don’t read too much into one bad outing. After winning the Cy Young award in both of the last two seasons, he’s going for three straight with his 2.33 ERA, 2.60 FIP, and 0.89 WHIP. The Mets have scored the third-fewest runs (347) in baseball, setting Scherzer up for a potentially dominant outing.
Steven Matz vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium – Citi Field
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $5,900
With so many aces taking the mound Thursday, there is no shortage of top options. However, if you want to go the cheap route, Matz is someone to consider. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, lowering his ERA to 3.31 overall. He had problems keeping runners off base last year with a 1.53 WHIP, but he has made significant progress this season with a 1.23 WHIP. His strikeouts are back up as well with an 8.1 K/9. The Nationals lineup had a couple of good games recently against the Marlins, but have scored four runs or fewer in nine of their last 12 games. The Mets probably won’t be able to get him a win facing off against Scherzer, but that doesn’t mean Matz can’t provide value.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Jesus Aguilar vs. Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $4,800
Aguilar racked up three more hits Wednesday and is now 25-for-72 (.347) with 10 home runs in his last 20 games. He’s put to rest any fears people had about him against right-handed pitching, posting a .409 wOBA against them this season. He’s expensive, but he carries significant upside again Thursday.
Steve Pearce vs. J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,500
Pearce is off to a hot start with his new team as he is 11-for-24 (.458) with a home run and four doubles. He’s normally someone you want to target against lefties considering his career .363 wOBA against them. He is 10-for-28 (.357) with five home runs in his career against Happ as well.
Others to consider: Yasmani Grandal (catcher) and Josh Bell (first base)
SECOND BASE
Max Muncy vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $4,900
Muncy logged two more hits Wednesday, bumping his average up to .276 this season. He’s done a great job of getting on base in general with a .416 OBP, not to mention his 21 homers in only 262 plate appearances. He presents a very tough matchup for Ross, who has allowed a .381 wOBA to lefties this year. Of note, Muncy is only eligible at second base on FanDuel as he is listed at first base and third base on DraftKings.
Joey Wendle vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,500
Wendle doesn’t play against left-handed pitchers, but he’ll likely be in the lineup Thursday against Gibson. He doesn’t provide much power, but he’s currently on a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .278 overall this season. Gibson has pretty even splits against lefties and righties, but Wendle is someone to consider if you don’t want to pay up for Muncy.
Others to consider: Eduardo Nunez and Josh Harrison
THIRD BASE
Matt Duffy vs. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins
Stadium – Target Field
FanDuel = $3,400
DraftKings = $4,100
Third base is a little thin, especially with top options like Jose Ramirez and Eduardo Escobar dealing with tough matchups. It might be a position to target spending less on as a result. Duffy isn’t exactly dirt cheap, but he won’t bust your budget either. He’s 5-for-12 in his last three games to raise his overall average to .310 this year. He also only has a 16.5% strikeout rate. Home runs have been few and far between, but Duffy has proven to be one of the most consistent hitters for the Rays.
David Freese vs. Wade Miley, Milwaukee Brewers
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $2,500
DraftKings = $3,200
Miley made just two starts for the Brewers this season before landing on the DL with an oblique injury. He’s been out for over two months but is expected to start Thursday. He allows a ton of base runners with a 1.40 WHIP for his career and was hit hard as a member of the Orioles last season, resulting in a 5.61 ERA. Freese has a career .357 wOBA against lefties and might be worth the risk in tournament play at this price.
Others to consider: Travis Shaw and Yangervis Solarte
SHORTSTOP
Xander Bogaerts vs. J.A. Happ, Toronto Blue Jays
Stadium – Fenway Park
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $5,200
Bogaerts’ power stroke is back this season as he has 14 home runs and 25 doubles in only 75 games. The Red Sox offense has been one of the most potent in all of baseball, which has helped Bogaerts amass 57 RBI and 43 runs scored. Happ has allowed 20 runs across 22.2 innings in his last four starts, leaving Bogaerts and the Red Sox with the potential for another big offensive performance.
Jean Segura vs. Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels
Stadium – Angel Stadium
FanDuel = $3,800
DraftKings = $4,100
Segura made the All-Star team this year for the second time in his career. The honor was well deserved as he is batting a career-high .329 with seven home runs and 14 steals. He’s also scored 63 runs and is on pace to top 100 runs scored for only the second time in his career. He doesn’t have the power upside that Bogaerts does, but Segura has a .389 wOBA against lefties.
Others to consider: Chris Taylor and Jordy Mercer
OUTFIELD
Christian Yelich vs. Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $4,800
Yelich is coming off a series against his former team in the Marlins where he finished 6-for-16 with two doubles, five RBI, three runs scored and a steal. That’s the type of well-rounded production we have become accustomed to getting from him. With 11 home runs and 12 steals overall, this could be the season he finally reaches the 20-20 club. He’s had his problems against left-handed pitchers but has been much better with a .368 wOBA against righties.
Starling Marte vs. Wade Miley, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – PNC Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $4,800
Speaking of players with a great combination of speed and power, Marte already has 11 home runs and 23 steals this year. He’s currently on a seven-game hitting streak, going 12-for-26 (.462) with two home runs and five steals during that stretch. Marte should be one of the top hitters included in any Pirates stack against Miley.
Andrew Toles vs. Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Petco Park
FanDuel = $2,000
DraftKings = $3,700
With Yasiel Puig (oblique) on the DL, Toles is going to get a chance to play against right-handed pitchers. He has a career .352 wOBA against them in parts of three seasons in the majors. He has a .311 career batting average in the minor leagues and could be worth taking a chance on in tournament play, especially at the minimum price on FanDuel.
Others to consider: J.D. Martinez and Randal Grichuk
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/9/18
*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
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
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
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
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
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
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
*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
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
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
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
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
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
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
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Recommendations for 7/3/18
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
July special! Use Code MCMLB50 at checkout
Baseball gets back to a busy schedule Tuesday with all 30 teams in action. 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
Zach Eflin vs. Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,900
Eflin made just 11 starts for the Phillies last year and didn’t pitch well with a 6.16 ERA and a 6.10 FIP. A lot of his struggles can be attributed to his 1.42 WHIP and 2.2 HR/9. He also didn’t help his cause with a lowly 4.9 K/9. However, he seems to have put those issues behind him with an excellent first half that resulted in a 3.02 ERA and a 2.86 FIP across 10 starts. He’s cut his WHIP down to 1.13 and has allowed only four home runs in 55.2 innings. His average fastball velocity is up from 93.7 mph last year to 95.1 mph this season to go along with a career-high 10.5% swinging-strike rate, helping him post a 9.1 K/9. The Orioles have scored the second-fewest runs (305) in baseball and won’t have the use of the DH in Philadelphia, making Eflin one of the better pitching options available for the night.
Chris Bassitt vs. San Diego Padres
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $6,300
Bassitt hadn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2016 and even that year he only made five appearances. His last significant stretch in the majors came in 2015 when he finished with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP in 18 outings, 13 of which were starts. The Athletics have dealt with multiple injuries to their starters this season, leaving Bassitt with another chance to join their rotation. He’s had mixed results in four starts, but he’s also been done in by the Athletics defense as five of the 12 runs he has allowed have been unearned. He handled two bad offenses in the Royals and Tigers, allowing just one run and recording 11 strikeouts across 13 innings. The Padres have scored the fifth-fewest runs (321) in baseball, leaving Bassitt as someone to consider in tournament play.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Brandon Belt vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,700
DraftKings = $5,500
After a hot start to the season, Belt cooled off in June by hitting .226 with two home runs. A lot of that had to do with his .238 BABIP. Even with his slump, he’s still hitting .295 with 13 homers for the season overall. He has a .419 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year and gets the benefit of hitting in Coors Field on Tuesday, so this could be just the matchup he needs to start another hot streak.
Yan Gomes vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $2,700
DraftKings = $3,200
Duffy can be tough to hit when he’s on top of his game, evident by the fact that he has allowed one or no runs in three of his last four starts. The problem is when he’s off, he’s really off as he has allowed at least five earned runs in a game six times this season. Gomes is 9-for-23 (.391) with two home runs against Duffy in his career and hits lefties well in general, making him a cost-effective option with upside.
Others to consider: Edwin Encarnacion (first base) and Carlos Santana (first base)
SECOND BASE
Joe Panik vs. Antonio Senzatela, Colorado Rockies
Stadium – Coors Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $4,400
Coors Field sure makes it hard for the Rockies to develop young starting pitchers. Senzatela has put up impressive numbers as a starter in the minors, but he’s struggled with the Rockies this year with a 6.23 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP in 10 relief appearances. Panik only has a .223 wOBA against lefties this year, but he’s a great option against Senzatela considering his .345 wOBA against righties.
Joey Wendle vs. Trevor Richards, Miami Marlins
Stadium – Marlins Park
FanDuel = $2,400
DraftKings = $3,000
Wendle sits against lefties. but should be in the lineup against the right-handed Richards. Richards’ 3.90 FIP indicates he hasn’t pitched as bad as his 5.06 ERA would lead you to believe, but he’s allowed a ton of baserunners with a 1.48 WHIP. Wendle doesn’t have much power upside with only two home runs, but if you want to go really cheap at second base in tournament play, he is someone to consider.
Others to consider: Scooter Gennett and Yoan Moncada
THIRD BASE
Max Muncy vs. Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
Stadium – Dodger Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $4,700
Muncy hit another home run Monday, leaving him 11-for-33 (.333) with five homes in his last 10 games. He’s been one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball this season as he didn’t even play in the majors in 2017 and entered 2018 with only five career home runs. With his recent run of success, he is now batting .271 with 18 long balls. Look for him to keep things rolling against Nova, who doesn’t have an overpowering arsenal by any means with a 6.7 K/9 for his career.
Adrian Beltre vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,800
Hamstring injuries have limited Beltre to only 54 games this year. It may also have something to do with his power drought as he only has four home runs. He still has a .309 average, though, and is drawing walks with a .373 OBP. He has a .376 wOBA against lefties so far and is 21-for-68 (.309) with two home runs and seven doubles against Keuchel in his career, so he has some upside at this price.
Others to consider: Jose Ramirez and Jed Lowrie
SHORTSTOP
Francisco Lindor vs. Danny Duffy, Kansas City Royals
Stadium – Kauffman Stadium
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $5,700
Lindor launched two homers Monday, marking his third-straight game with a home run and his third multi-hit game in his last four contests. The AL MVP race is loaded with great candidates, but Lindor should also be towards the top of the list since he is hitting .298 with 23 home runs, 55 RBI, and 73 runs scored. He has crushed lefties with a 185 wRC+ this year and should be a part of any Indians stack against Duffy.
Elvis Andrus vs. Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
Stadium – Globe Life Park in Arlington
FanDuel = $3,300
DraftKings = $3,900
Andrus missed over two months with an elbow injury and got off to a slow start when he did finally return. However, he’s shown signs of turning things around by hitting 8-for-29 (.276) across his current five-game hitting streak. He finished with a wOBA against lefties of at least .357 in both of the last two seasons and is someone to consider if you can’t make Lindor’s high salary work with your entry.
Others to consider: Brandon Crawford and Marcus Semien
OUTFIELD
Rhys Hoskins vs. Alex Cobb, Baltimore Orioles
Stadium – Citizens Bank Park
FanDuel = $3,900
DraftKings = $5,200
Cobb has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four starts and seven times this season overall. His first year with the Orioles has been a disaster overall with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. Hoskins has rebounded from his slow start to hit at least one home run in four of his last eight games. Considering all the baserunners Cobb allows, Hoskins could have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs in this game.
Scott Schebler vs. Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox
Stadium – Great American Ball Park
FanDuel = $3,600
DraftKings = $4,300
Giolito has been as bad as Cobb, recording a 6.59 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP in 16 starts. He’s allowed as many walks as he has strikeouts and has given up 13 home runs in only 84.2 innings. Lefties have posted a .397 wOBA against him, setting up Schebler with the potential for a big performance. Schebler not only has 11 home runs this season, but his .283 batting average and .357 OBP are both career highs.
Mark Canha vs. Clayton Richard, San Diego Padres
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $2,900
DraftKings = $3,700
When a lefty is on the mound, it’s time to target Canha. He’s having a nice season overall with a .255 average and 10 home runs, but he is crushing left-handed pitching with a .422 wOBA. Eight of his 10 homers have come off lefties as well.
Others to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr. and Avisail Garcia