With the All-Star Break looming, we have a nice large main slate for a Monday. There are a number of strong pitching options, though most have concerns regarding either their workload or matchup. Some stacks to consider include the Dodgers (LHB heavy), Houston, and Cleveland. San Francisco left-handed batters could also make a nice contrarian stack.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 7/9/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me up on Twitter @DanMarcus3.
FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Jose Berrios vs. KC ($10,100)
There are a number of solid pitchers to choose from to anchor your lineups on this slate, highlighted by Gerrit Cole, Clayton Kershaw, and Mike Clevinger. However, Berrios has an ideal intersection of cost and matchup, with concerns about Kershaw’s workload, Cole’s downgraded performance, and Clevinger facing a tough Reds lineup.
Danny Duffy @ MIN ($6,700)
Duffy is a scary proposition because his lows are exceptionally low. However, he has recorded over 40 FD points in three of his last five starts, which would be exceptional value given his price tag. He’s got a matchup to exploit as well, with a number of Twins who struggle against southpaws, including Eduardo Escobar and Jorge Polanco.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Yan Gomes - C/1B vs. CIN ($2,500)
DeSclafani has surrendered 2.41 HR/9 this season, making the Indians a team to target as a stacking option on the slate. Unless you plan to pay down to a punt option at pitcher however, it may be tough to fit their studs into your lineup. That may not be necessary, as Yan Gomes is reasonably priced and has a .257 ISO and 135 wRC+ over the past 30 days.
Alen Hanson - 2B vs. CHC ($2,500)
Assuming Hanson sticks in the lineup, he is a great salary relief option on Monday’s slate. He’ll get to bat from his stronger side -- he’s slugging .644 as a left-handed batter this season -- and Kyle Hendricks has struggled against lefties this season, allowing 1.9 HR/9.
Brandon Crawford - SS vs. CHC ($3,000)
Hendrick’s struggles against lefties have already been highlighted, and Crawford offers another reasonably priced option to get exposure against him. While his home park is not an ideal park for hitter’s, that has not held Crawford back at all this season as he has recorded a .500 slugging percentage across 142 at-bats at AT&T Park.
Travis Shaw - 3B @ MIA ($3,400)
Shaw will have the platoon advantage against Jose Urena, which has been a big advantage for left-handed hitters this season. Urena has allowed 1.30 HR/9 to lefties this year, but that number has surprisingly jumped to 1.91 when he is pitching at home. Shaw has a depressed pricetag that is worth taking advantage of on this slate.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Gregory Polanco - OF vs. WAS ($2,900)
Polanco has .286 ISO and 170 wRC+ over the past 30 days, and will get a favorable matchup against Jefry Rodriguez Monday night. Rodriguez has been roughed up in his four major league appearances this season. Given his recent run and matchup on this slate, Polanco is an underpriced option to target.
Joc Pederson - OF @ SDP ($3,300)
Luis Perdomo has a limited sample to go off of this season, but throughout his brief major league career, he has been vulnerable to left-handed hitters. The Dodgers present a number of intriguing options as a result, with Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger both being pricey options. Pederson is an option to pay down at the position butstill presents the upside of a .319 ISO and .399 wOBA.
Mookie Betts OF - vs. TEX ($5,000)
Betts is the auto-play in cash games tonight, and should be a building block regardless of his steep price tag. He has obliterated left-handed pitching no matter which metric you consider, a sampling of which include a .746 slugging percentage, 212 wRC+, .388 ISO, and .483 wOBA. Mike Minor is no reason to steer clear, so pay up for Betts on the slate.