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Hello there, MLB DFS grinders! The focus of this article will be on the 6-game Early Only afternoon slate for DK while mentioning plays for the 3-game Early Only slate on FanDuel. We have some good pitching options and good stacks to consider so let's dive on in and find the best plays for both your cash game and tournament lineups.
While most of our MLB DFS coverage here at RotoBaller is geared towards the main slate, I wanted to give you some of my favorite pitchers and bats for these early games that will help you cash in tournaments and cash game contests. I'll highlight my favorite pitching options here first and then give you some hitters at each price tier to consider as well as my favorite teams to stack up! You can read our DraftKings DFS lineup picks for the main slate and FanDuel DFS lineup picks for the main slate as well.
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the DraftKings and FanDuel slates beginning at 12:10 PM on 7/21/2021. Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also check out today's MLB DFS lineup picks for the main slate here, and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. Let's get to it!
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*The Braves and Padres game is slated to go seven innings since it is a part of a double-header so proceed with caution using the players from this game.
MLB DFS Pitchers
Michael Wacha vs. Baltimore Orioles ($8,400 FD, $6,700 DK)
The pricing on Wacha is pretty solid on both sites but he stands out as a big-time value over on DK where he is almost 2k cheaper. Wacha has been solid this season as he is 2-2 with a somewhat higher ERA of 5.14 but has done well in two out of his last four starts. Over his last four starts, Wacha has recorded 23 strikeouts in 18innings pitched while also allowing 10 runs to score. The best part about the matchup with the Orioles is that their lineup features six batters that have a strikeout percentage that is equal or greater to 21% so there is upside to this matchup.
Marcus Stroman vs. Cincinnati Reds ($9,300 FD, $10,400 DK)
Stroman has settled in nicely into this Mets rotation and while his record sits at 6-7, he carries a low ERA of 2.75 which is fantastic. Stroman is the highest-priced pitcher on the slate on both sites and while he might be one of the better overall pitching talents on the slate, the matchup against the Reds could be a tricky one as they have several bats that could do some damage. Stroman has been able to induce groundballs like no other as he has a 53.8% groundball rate and this Reds lineup has a groundball rate of 41.6% so the key to his start is to keep the Reds from getting under the ball and inducing them into groundouts.
Others to consider: Chris Paddack vs. Atlanta Braves, Max Kranick vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
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MLB DFS "Bats Worth Paying For"
Pete Alonso – 1B, NYM @ CIN ($ 3,800 FD, $ 5,900 DK)
Pete is swinging a hot bat and has recorded a home run in back-to-back games. Alonso had a big-time win in the Home Run Derby and since then, he has started a five-game hitting streak while recording multiple hits in three straight games. Hoffman has gotten pounded by righty batters as they have an ISO of .226 and Alonso has a .246 ISO and a 43% flyball rate against right-handed pitchers this year.
Whit Merrifield – 2B/OF, KC @ MIL ($3,800, $5,400 DK)
Whit is always in play and matches up very well against lefty Eric Lauer. Merrifield is hitting .295 and has an ISO of .149 against that handedness and righty batters are sporting a .192 ISO against Lauer. One pitch Lauer throws to righties almost 50% of the time is his fastball and Merrifield has a .347 ISO and a .496 XwOBA against his fastball pitch type.
Mitch Haniger – OF, SEA @ COL ($5,600 DK)
With Coors being on the slate, both Rockies and Mariners should be considered for your lineups. Haniger has crushed lefty pitching this year as he has a .323 ISO and a 56% hard-hit percentage and would be one of the first Mariners bats you should consider. Gomber throws his fastball 45% of the time to right-handed batters and Haniger profiles well against this pitch type as he has a .375 ISO and a .665 XwOBA.
MLB DFS Values
Ty France – 1B, SEA @ COL ($4,100 DK)
Another Mariners bat that should be considered is Ty France. France is hitting .270 against lefty-pitchers this year and is tied for the second-most home runs on the team against this handedness. He is another righty that profiles well against Gomber's fastball pitch type as he has a .385 ISO and a .485 XwOBA.
Adam Frazier – 2B, PIT @ ARZ ($4,000 DK)
Despite being a lefty bat, Frazier is one of the top Pirates bats when it comes to hitting lefty pitching. Frazier is hitting .306 on the year against the reverse split and has the second-most home runs on the team with three dongs. Madison Bumgarner will be on the hill for the Diamondbacks and lefties are collectively sporting a .247 ISO and a 41% flyball rate against Bumgarner this year so Frazier could flourish in this matchup.
Michael Conforto – OF, NYM @ CIN ($3,000 FD, $3,500 DK)
Since the Mets returned from the All-Star Break, Conforto has looked very good at the plate so maybe the break was needed for their lefty slugger. Conforto has hit three home runs over his last five games and profiles well against Jeff Hoffman as he has a .192 ISO against right-handed pitchers and a .577 ISO against Hoffman's fastball.
Also Recommended: Jacob Stallings vs. Madison Bumgarner, Hunter Dozier vs. Eric Lauer, Kole Calhoun vs. Max Kranick
MLB DFS Hitter Stacks
New York Mets vs. Jeff Hoffman
This slate has several stacking options and the Mets look to be one that should be considered in your tournament builds. Jeff Hoffman will be on the hill for the Reds and he is 3-4 on the year with a 4.61 ERA and has gotten hit from both sides of the plate. Righties have gotten to him more as they are hitting .250 against him while also having a .226 ISO against him. Several bats to look at from the Mets would be Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, and Brandon Nimmo while also considering J.D. Davis and Jeff McNeil.
Kansas City Royals vs. Eric Lauer
The Royals have some big-time bats that you should consider for this early-only slate. Eric Lauer will be pitching for the Brewers and right-handed batters have done well against him this year as they have a .192 ISO and have hit 90% of the home runs that he has allowed this year. The top of the lineup is all in play with Whit Merrifield, Sal Perez, and Carlos Santana being the three main targets while filling in Hunter Dozier and Jorge Soler if you're trying to get one or two more Royal bats into your lineup.
Other recommended stacks: Seattle Mariners vs. Austin Gomber, Pittsburgh pirates vs. Madison Bumgarner
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