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Happy Monday, RotoBallers! Thanks to All-Star break, it feels like an eternity since a Monday slate has rolled around. Well, MLB is rewarding our patience with an 11-game slate to construct our DFS lineups. The big game to watch on the weather front is San Diego-Atlanta. As of this writing, there's a 45 percent chance of rain, and it would spell bad news for my SP1 pick.
Who, of course, is Yu Darvish. I am buying back in as long as the weather cooperates. However, there are several other arms to pivot towards if the game in Georgia is postponed. Kyle Gibson is one to watch against the Tigers, while Ohtani is always fun to add on the roster, and some lesser-knowns like Chase De Jong and Jake Woodford have tasty matchups.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/19/2021. The lineup will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also check out today's FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. It’s also important to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. If you have any questions or comments, find me on Twitter and ask away.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Yu Darvish - P, SD at ATL ($9,200)
Yu Darvish was sick and, therefore, Yu Darvish had a bad start. Sometimes the simple answer staring us right in the face is the answer we need to accept. So instead, I'll focus on the three starts before his illness and put my salary investment in those performances. Darvish compiled 26 strikeouts in 18 innings in those three games while averaging 24.7 fantasy points per game. Tonight, the right-armed hurler will see an Atlanta Braves outfit playing not as shellshocked as some may have thought after they lost Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) before the All-Star break. Still, their collective 25.8 percent strikeout rate versus righties is too good to pass up, and I love Darvish as my DFS anchor.
Kyle Gibson - P, TEX at DET ($9,000)
There are a lot of things I like about Gibson's matchup with Detroit. First off, he's pitched at least six innings in seven of his last 10 starts. Second of all, his floor is rock solid. He's totaled at least 12 fantasy points in his previous 10 games while averaging 18.3 FPPG in the same stretch. And finally, he's got 24 strikeouts over his last 19 innings. The consistency, the uptick in strikeouts, and the matchup with the free-swinging Tigers (26 percent strikeout rate) provide Gibson with plenty of reason to be your SP1 or high-end SP2.
Other options: Shohei Ohtani at OAK ($8,700), Ryan Yarbrough vs. BAL ($8,600), Chase De Jong at ARI ($6,900)
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DraftKings DFS Infielders
Tucker Barnhart - C, CIN vs. Jared Eickhoff ($3,000)
If I'm honest with myself, I probably recommend a Red's catcher once every couple of weeks. Barnhart and Stephenson are usually so well priced, and they play in. an explosive offense. Cincy has shown us what it can do at times this year, and I'm a big fan of the $3,000 price tag and exposure to the lineup. Barnhart hasn't hit a round-tripper since June 22, but Jared Eickhoff may be just the cure. The former-Phillies righty has allowed six home runs in his last two appearances, and more will follow in Great American Ballpark.
Eric Hosmer - 1B, SD at Kyle Muller ($3,800)
Hosmer was heating up heading into the ASB, and he's continued the form on the other side. Over his last nine games, the first baseman slashes 4.64/.545/.786 with three doubles, two home runs, seven runs, and eight RBI. He enters a three-game series against the Braves in a stadium especially designed for their own first baseman, Freddie Freeman. Lefties have a great time connecting on a long ball, and Hosmer can join the party on Monday.
Alcides Escobar - 2B, WAS vs. Nick Neider ($3,400)
Escobar has been in the leadoff role for the last 10 games, and it's about time we take advantage of the price tag. I have an infatuation with leadoff men under $4,000, and Escobar fits the bill to a tee. Not only is he a great value, but he's providing valuable fantasy points as well. Since he took over the leadoff role, Escobar is slashing .261/.306/.413 with seven runs, two doubles, a triple, a home run, and seven RBI.
Rafael Devers - 3B, BOS at Ross Stripling ($5,800)
It feels like every time I recommend Devers; he comes through for me. So while I don't have a tremendous feel for this slate, I'm going back to old reliable to help me out again. Devers is having a phenomenal 2021 campaign. Through 90 games, the left-handed slugger has a .910 OPS with 60 runs, 26 doubles, 22 home runs, and 72 RBI. The All-Star has been great all year, and I expect it to continue tonight. Then, of course, I recommend another pricey Red Sox later, but there's a world where they could make a delightful mini-stack.
Paul DeJong - SS, STL vs. Chase De Jong ($3,700)
DeJong has been a hot mess most of the season, but right now, he's just hot. Over his last six contests, the shortstop is slashing .556/.579/1.111 and is trying to turn his putrid 2021 around. DeJong accumulated six hits in the same six games, a double, three home runs, five RBI, a walk, and 10.1 FPPG. I understand chasing the rabbit isn't a strategy for long-term success, but when a floundering player seems to click like this, I can't help but be intrigued.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
J.D. Martinez - OF, BOS at Ross Stripling ($4,800)
When I scroll the arms to choose from tonight and see Ross Stripling, my eyes light up. Not for the chance to play the former-Dodger, but to play against him. That's why Martinez and several other Red Sox should be in play. On the year, Stripling owns a 4.34 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP while allowing 16 home runs in 15 starts. J.D. is batting in the heart of one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball. We need to take advantage of this matchup between Stripling and a pumped-up Red Sox lineup.
Kyle Tucker - OF, HOU vs. J.C. Mejia ($4,200)
Michael Brantley - OF, HOU vs. J.C. Mejia ($3,500)
These two bats have gone in opposite directions over the last two weeks. At one point, Brantley was the hottest hitter on the planet. Meanwhile, Tucker seemed destined to be the Bad Luck BABIP King of 2021. So there has to be a happy medium somewhere. Over the weekend, Astros manager Dusty Baker swapped some bats around to awaken his sleepy offense. It certainly sparks something in Tucker as he went 3-for-5 on Friday and now has a .922 OPS over his last 10 games.
As for Brantley, the veteran left-hander is slumping right now, but his season-long line tells us those good things are right around the corner. Over 72 games, the veteran has a .324 batting average, and it puts his recent form in perspective. In addition, he's super cheap at $3,500, and I think the Astros break out of their All-Star Break hangover against Cleveland.
DraftKings DFS Stacks
- Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians (J.C. Mejia, RHP)
- San Diego Padres at Atlanta Braves (Kyle Muller, LHP)
- Game stack: Los Angeles Angels (Shohei Ohtani, RHP) at Oakland Athletics (Cole Irvin, LHP)
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