We have a huge Friday slate tonight. There are plenty of elite options to go along with a few great salary relief options. We can use multiple different ways to construct lineups, as well.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 7/29/17. 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 @TroyKlauder.
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DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider
Dinelson Lamet - P, vs PIT (DK - $7,900, FD - $7,900)
Despite his ugly ERA, Padres rookie starter Dinelson Lamet has been better than you probably think this season. Lamet has an elite 29.8% K-rate, courtesy of a fastball that can touch 98 and a nasty slider/changeup combo. While he's had some implosion outings this season, you shouldn't be too worried while he's at home against the Pirates. The Pirates lineup has a measly .309 wOBA against righties this year, which ranks them 25th in all of baseball. And of course, Petco Park is one of the best pitcher's park in all of baseball. For this price, Lamet is a steal.
Sean Newcomb - P, at PHI (DK - $8,000, FD - $7,400)
Another rookie, Braves starter Sean Newcomb has also had his share of issues lately. However, the 24-year-old's last four outings have been against some of the toughest teams in baseball: the Dodgers, Cubs, Nationals, and Astros. If you remember, Newcomb had just a 1.48 ERA through his first four career starts with a legitimate 2.95 FIP. Newcomb should be able to get back to form against the feeble Phillies, who have a .301 wOBA against lefties this year, putting them at 24th in the league. He's far cheaper than the elite options, so rolling with Newcomb will free up lots of payroll for top-tier hitters.
DFS Infielders to Consider
Russell Martin - C, vs LAA (DK - $3,500, FD - $2,600)
Jays catcher Russell Martin is mired in a deep slump right now, but when he's at home he's always worth a look. Toronto plays in one of the best power parks in the MLB. That gives him a chance to tee off against the Angels, who are throwing out a "bullpen game" against the Jays on Saturday. This means that they will likely be forced to use some of the worst pitchers on their staff out of the pen. An entire Blue Jays stack would be a savvy move, but if not, Martin alone is still worth a play.
Freddie Freeman - 1B, at PHI (DK - $4,600, FD - $3,900)
Freddie Freeman is clearly an elite hitter, so these are incredibly low prices for him. Freeman has a bonkers 180 wRC+ in the 56 games he's played, and he's already hit 18 homers in limited time. He would be worth playing against literally any opposition with this price, so against Jerad Eickhoff in Philly is just a cherry on top. You can't miss out on Freeman at this cost.
Rougned Odor - 2B, vs BAL (DK - $3,800, FD - $3,000)
Even with Odor's pitiful season thus far, he's got 20 homers and nine steals, making him a far more valuable fantasy player than in "real life." He can still put up lots of points on any given night, and against Kevin Gausman, I'll take those odds. Gausman has a disastrous 5.79 ERA and serves up homers at a 1.53 per nine rate.
Jose Ramirez - 3B, at CWS (DK - $4,500, FD - $3,600)
Jose Ramirez is another instance of an elite hitter being priced below where he should be. This one is slightly more understandable, since Ramirez is slumping right now, but that just means this is an opportunity to buy low. He gets to take on Miguel Gonzalez, owner of a 5.04 FIP, at a hitter's park in Chicago. Ramirez has a 143 wRC+ this season with 17 homers and 10 steals - he'll get back on track in no time.
Marcus Semien - SS, vs MIN (DK - $4,000, FD - $3,200)
A's shortstop Marcus Semien has heated up as of late, with an .823 OPS in the last 15 days. He has a great opportunity for both runs and RBI out of the Athletics two-hole, where he will face Adalberto Mejia, who has a 4.91 FIP this year.
DFS Outfielders to Consider
Eric Thames - OF, vs CHC (DK - $4,100, FD - 3,400)
While he's obviously cooled off from his meteoric start to the year, Eric Thames still has tons of power potential when he's at home, in one of the best hitting environments in all of baseball. Hopefully other fantasy players avoid Thames against Kyle Hendricks, as that would make him a great contrarian play. Hendricks clearly isn't the same pitcher as he was last year, with a 4.27 FIP, so he's a starter to target.
Kyle Schwarber - OF, at MIL (DK - $4,100, FD - $3,200)
On the other side of the Miller Park matchup, Kyle Schwarber can also do some damage. After homering twice on Thursday, Schwarber may be getting back in a groove, and that hitting will almost definitely continue against Junior Guerra. With a 5.12 ERA and 7.12 FIP, Guerra might be the worst starting pitcher on Saturday's entire slate. Play Schwarber and as many Cubs you can afford against him.
Matt Holliday - OF, vs TB (DK - $3,800, FD - $2,600)
Yankees veteran Matt Holliday is probably excited about his matchup on Thursday, facing off against Blake Snell, who has a 5.14 ERA since being recalled from the minors. Holliday has a 112 wRC+ against lefties this season, and thus normally bats cleanup against southpaws. That gives him a great opportunity for a low cost.
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