Welcome back to another Sunday Funday edition of MLB DFS picks and advice, RotoBallers. Today we have a 10 game Sunday day slate on FanDuel, and a bonus 11 game slate on DraftKings, who graciously added BAL at TEX into our selections.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 7/30/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @RowdyRotoJB.
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DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider
Lance Lynn, STL vs ARI (DK - $8,400, FD - $8,000)
For cash games today, I am going to the pitcher who has been the most consistent of late, and that man is the always overlooked-Lance Lynn. Over the last month (30 IP), Lynn owns an impressive 1.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. Five of his last six starts have earned QS, including four in a row heading into today's match-up with Arizona. He has also been phenomenal at Busch Stadium this year, where he owns a 2.53 ERA, and has only allowed six HR compared to 15 on the road. Arizona is always a scary lineup, and especially now with the addition of J.D. Martinez, but over the last seven days they have struck out more than any other team in baseball. They also lose a lot of their "bite" when away from Chase Field as they rank 27th in the league in runs scored on the road in 2017.
Luis Castillo, CIN at MIA (DK - $7,000, FD - $7,100)
Now that we discussed the consistency available on the board today, now let's talk the high-ceiling, young fireballer that has the potential to help you take down a GPP- or completely destroy your lineup. I absolutely love the raw stuff Castillo possesses. He has triple digit fastball with serious movement, with a complimenting slider and change-up that he can pull the strings on in the mid-80's. When this kid is on, he is untouchable. This was evident during his outing in Chase Field where he went 6 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out eight batters. But his last outing he showed us what happens when he is not missing bats, and it's not pretty. Today he faces a hot Miami offense, but luckily in the spacious Marlins Park.
The one stat which caught my eye that I think forecasts a potential great outing from Castillo today is how well he has pitched with Tucker Barnhart behind the dish. When throwing to Barnhart, Castillo has held opponents to a .220 BA and .694 OPS resulting in a 3.38 ERA. With Devin Mesoraco catching, Castillo allows a .281 BA and .885 OPS with a 5.06 ERA. Mesoraco was pulled from last nights game with a minor knee injury that should at least cause him to sit up today-which was more than likely a planned rest day anyways.
DFS Infielders to Consider
Tyler Flowers - C, ATL at PHI (DK - $3,600, FD - $2,600)
Assuming the Braves don't screw this up and sit Flowers today, he is in a great spot facing Vince Velasquez. VV is allowing a .984 OPS in his two starts since returning from the DL and has been atrocious at home this season. Flowers is hitting .304 against RHP and .315 on the road in 2017. With Matt Kemp on the shelf, he should continue to see at bats at cleanup behind Freddie Freeman.
Matt Adams - 1B, ATL at PHI (DK - $3,700, FD - $2,800)
Once again, Vince Velasquez at Citizens Bank Park can lead to a lot of fantasy points for the opposing hitters, where he owns a 2.67 HR/9 and a 6.02 FIP. Big City can save you valuable salary space and possesses just about as high a probability to go yard today as any other first baseman on the board. He owns a .940 OPS against RHP and a .567 SLG on the road this season.
Jose Ramirez - 2B, CLE at CWS (DK - $4,500, FD - $3,900)
JRam is back at the keystone position on DFS thanks to the absence of Jason Kipnis, and we should all be thankful. Over the past month he has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, hitting .333 with a .987 OPS and only striking out eight times in 92 PA. Today he faces Carlos Rodon at US Cellular Field which bodes well from both sides of the match-up. For his career, JRam is hitting .301 with six HR, four 2B, and two 3B at Cellular. Rodon on the other hand, has served up four bombs and issued nine walks in just 8 2/3 innings at home this season.
Rafael Devers - 3B, BOS vs KC (DK - $3,200, FD - $2,700)
I wanted to keep the Braves trend rolling here with my boy Freddie Freeman, but I am just too excited about this kid in Boston. In his three games since his 0-4 big league premiere, Devers has recorded five hits. He has yet to dong for the home crowd, but I have a strong feeling that will change today against Jason Hammel after the Sox offense scored nine runs in a walk-off victory that should be a much-needed spark.
Trevor Story - SS, COL at WAS (DK - $4,400, FD - $3,400)
With Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, and Zack Cozart all on the DL, the shortstop position sure has a bleek look to it. So I am going to go with the hot hand and pick on the rookie making his first big league start. Story has been hitting very well since the All-Star break, and after hitting a HR last night, he now has four bombs in his last eight games. If he is figuring things out at the plate, we saw last season that the HR will continue to pour in. The overall splits don't support the match-up versus a RHP on the road, but it will only take one mistake from Erick Fedde today to make Story worth the money.
Also Consider: Kris Bryant - 3B, CHC at MIL (DK - $4,700, FD - $3,500)
DFS Outfielders to Consider
Adam Duvall - OF, CIN at MIA (DK - $4,300, FD - 3,600)
Dan Straily is coming off an outing against the Rangers in which he served up three taters and 10 hits in just four innings. In his last five starts he has allowed eight HR, and he has been more susceptible to RHB all season. The powerful Duvall is already at 23 HR on the season, and is one of the few Reds hitters who fares better on the road. If anybody is going to take advantage of Straily's recent struggles, it will be this guy.
Mike Trout - OF, LAA at TOR (DK - $5,500, FD - $4,800)
Hopefully I've saved enough salary cap room for you to get Trout into your lineups today. He's the best hitter in the sport and isn't even the most expensive outfielder on either DFS site. Cesar Valdez has allowed a 1.015 OPS to RHB this season, but has yet to give up a HR at home. Challenge accepted.
Odubel Herrera - OF, PHI vs ATL (DK - $3,500, FD - $3,000)
Herrera was a huge disappointment for the first half of the season for fantasy owners, but he seems to be making up for lost time after hitting his fifth HR of the month last night. In July he has hit .338 with a .990 OPS. For the season he has hit much better at home, and has two XBH in eight career AB against R.A. Dickey.
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