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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 DraftKings while FanDuel has two different slates that feature games from this afternoon. 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 7/29/2021. 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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MLB DFS Pitchers
Carlos Rodon @ Kansas City Royals ($10,800 FD, $9,700 DK)
Rodon is one of the safest pitching options on this slate and he gets you a decent discount over on DK as he is the third-highest-priced pitcher on the slate. He is 7-4 on the season with a 2.28 ERA and is 1-1 against the Royals as he has accrued 13 total strikeouts while allowing four total runs in 11.2 innings pitched against them. This Royals lineup features four batters with a strikeout percentage that is greater than 21% but they only have two batters that have an ISO that is greater than .185 so it seems as if Rodon could excel in this matchup at his given pricepoint.
Gerrit Cole @ Tampa Bay ($10,800 FD, $10,700 DK)
Cole is starting to show signs of life over the last couple of starts as he has won two of his last three starts and has struck out 31 batters over the last 20 innings that he has pitched. He is 1-2 against the Rays this year as he has allowed seven total runs in 19.1 innings pitched against them but has struck out 29 batters and holds a .83 WHIP against them. One benefit that Cole could get in this matchup is that Cruz was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday night so they could be missing a big-time bat. This could be a high-upside matchup for Cole as this Rays lineup features eight batters that have a strikeout percentage that is greater than 21% but they could also do some damage as they have six batters that have an ISO of .185 or greater.
Others to consider: Luis Castillo vs. Chicago Cubs
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MLB DFS "Bats Worth Paying For"
Pete Alonso – 1B, NYM vs. ATL ($3,600 FD, $5,700 DK)
Alonso is one guy that should be looked at in all formats in this matchup against Drew Smyly. Alonso is sporting an ISO of .315 against lefties this year and has a 46.6% flyball percentage against this handedness and righties have collectively had a .181 ISO against him. Smyly throws his fastball almost 50% of the time to right-handed batters and Alonso matches up well against this pitch as he has a .286 ISO and a .394 XwOBA against that specific pitch.
Ozzie Albies – 2B, ATL @ NYM ($3,400 FD, $4,500 DK)
One Braves bat that could cause fits for Taijuan Walker is Ozzie Albies. With Ronald Acuna Jr. out for the season, Albies and company really need to pick up the offensive slack and he is one that could do that against Walker. Albies has 5 home runs in 15 games played against the Mets this year and he profiles well against both Walker's fastball and sinker which Walker throws over for a combined 50% of the time.
Juan Soto – OF, WSH @ PHI ($6,100 DK)
If this game is able to be played due to COVID concerns and weather, Juan Soto is certainly in play especially if he will be hitting against Vince Velasquez. Soto has a .241 ISO and a 49.8% hard-hit percentage against righties this year and profiles well against Velasquez's fastball as he has a .244 ISO and a .540 XwOBA against that specific pitch type.
MLB DFS Values
James McCann – C, NYM vs. ATL ($2,300 FD, $3,600 DK)
McCann has always been one to target especially when he draws into the lineup against a lefty pitcher. He is hitting .306 against lefties and sports an ISO of .244 against that specific handedness. He is dirt cheap on both sites and would be one to look at from a cash game perspective, especially over on DK.
Wilmer Flores – 2B/3B, SFG vs. LAD ($2,800 FD, $3,300 DK)
Another splits guy that could be looked at from a tournament standpoint is Wilmer Flores. Flores tends to draw a spot in the order when lefties are facing the Giants and he has a .209 ISO and a 46% hard-hit percentage against this handedness. Price throws a mixture of pitches but the one that stands out with Flores is the cutter and Flores has a .381 ISO and a .392 XwOBA against that specific pitch type.
Darin Ruf – 1B/OF, SFG vs. LAD ($2,200 FD, $3,700 DK)
Another Giants bat that could flourish in this matchup against David Price is Darin Ruf. Ruf is hitting .297 on the season against lefty pitchers and is second on the Giants team with six total home runs against that handedness. Ruf is sporting a .331 ISO against lefties and could be one that gives Price some trouble in this matchup.
Also Recommended: J.D. Davis vs. Drew Smyly, Tyler Naquin vs. Alec Mills, Gavin Sheets vs. Carlos Hernandez
MLB DFS Hitter Stacks
Cincinnati Reds vs. Alec Mills
The Reds are a top team on this slate and there are several pieces to like in their matchup against Alec Mills. Mills has done well against righty batters as he has held them to a .143 ISO but has struggled against lefties as they have collectively combined for a .235 ISO against him. The two main guys to consider are Joey Votto and Jesse Winker as they have combined for nine home runs in their last five games played. Outside of them, guys like Jonathan India, Aristides Aquino, Tyler Naquin, and Eugenio Suarez would be others to consider in a Reds stack.
Chicago White Sox vs. Carlos Hernandez
Another stack that really sticks out is the White Sox against Carlos Hernandez. Hernandez is sporting a 6.04 ERA and lefties are hitting him hard as they have a collective .254 ISO while righties have a .270 batting average against him. The top of the lineup is certainly in play with Gavin Sheets and Yoan Moncada being primary targets while Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, and Andrew Vaughn would all be secondary pieces to stack
Other recommended stacks: New York Mets vs. Drew Smyly, Washington Nationals vs.Vince Velasquez
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