Welcome back Rotoballers! Last time we chatted on a Monday was July 4th, so it's welcome to get back to everyday baseball. In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/18/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings. It's not a full slate with only 11 games kicking off at 7:05 ET.
As for Vegas insights, the only heavy moneyline favorites tonight are the Marlins (-210), Cardinals (-175), Cubs (-160). The contests with the highest over/unders are the Rays-Rockies (12), Twins-Tigers (9.5) and Orioles-Yankees (9).
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings
Rockies versus Drew Smyly
Smyly has had a difficult 2016 (2-10, 5.47 ERA) and things won't get any easier with a visit to Coors. The Rockies .766 OPS and 32 home runs versus LHP, 12th and 7th overall in baseball. Smyly has a 6.99 ERA with 15 HR in his past 12 starts, making this a worthy opportunity to stack Coors.
Tigers versus Ricky Nolasco
Still love the Fox crew that called Nolasco 'Reliable Ricky'. Reliable at what, mediocrity? He has a 5.22 ERA and the Tigers have mashed him overall, notably Cameron Maybin, Justin Upton, and Nick Castellanos. If you aren't investing in Coors, this is where your coin should go.
Also Consider: Twins versus Matt Boyd
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings
Jon Lester (SP, CHC) - $9,400
Lester struggled his last appearance versus the Mets (1.1 IP, 8 ER) on July 3rd, so perhaps that will lower the ownership tonight. But Lester has been excellent overall this season, including a 2.32 ERA at home. The Mets are a below-average lineup versus LHP, making Lester a strong play.
Nick Tropeano (SP, LAA) - $7,900
If you choose to stack Coors, this is where I recommend you invest for cheap. Tropeano has been excellent for the Angels aside from one poor outing in June. He has a 12/2 K/BB ratio in July and should gets a banged up Rangers lineup. He's an excellent SP2 today.
DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings
Catcher (C)
Willson Contreras (C, CHC) - $3,800
Contreras has been my catcher of choice for weeks now and it continues tonight. His .888 OPS would lead catchers if he qualified and he's hitting .303 versus LHP.
First Base (1B)
Jose Abreu, CWS ($3,400)
Umm did they switch the numbers around? Abreu is hitting .333 in July and should be in line for another big day tonight. This is way too low on DK.
Second Base (2B)
DJ LeMeahieu (2B, COL) - $5,000
DJ continues to rake, posting a .330 average including a .353 June. He is slashing .321/.400/.526 versus LHP and should be in line for a huge day.
Shortstop (SS)
JJ Hardy, BAL ($3,200)
Hardy has posted double digit games in two of his past three contests and gets a struggling Ivan Nova tonight.
Third Base (3B)
Kris Bryant (3B, CHC) - $5,000
While everyone zigs to Nolan Arenado at Coors I recommend you zag to KB at home versus a lefty. He has a 1.032 OPS versus LHP this season and has a HR to his name off starter Steven Matz.
DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings
Corey Dickerson (OF, TB) - $3,900
Think Dickerson will be amped to be back at Coors Field? He stinks versus LHP but he is hitting better as of late (.275 in June). I'll play him for the revenge factor tonight.
Stephen Piscotty (OF, STL) - $5,200
With Matt Carpenter out Piscotty becomes the focal point of the offense. He is slashing .337/.455/.602 versus LHP in 2016. He's my favorite play of the day.
Cameron Maybin (OF, DET) - $3,700
Maybin continues to impress atop the Tigers lineup, posting a .327 average. He is 5-for-7 lifetime versus Ricky Nolasco and should be in line for a big game tonight.
Also Consider: Nelson Cruz (OF, SEA) - $4,400 and Matt Kemp (OF, SD) - $3,10
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