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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on July 28th, 2018. Elliott Baas' MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We've got an 11-game slate this Sunday on DraftKings, with OAK @ COL predictably posting the biggest total with a 12.0 O/U. KC @ NYY, PHI @ CIN, and TOR @ CWS are all tied for second highest with a 9.5 O/U.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/29/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays.
You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @ElliottBaasBB.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
J.A. Happ, NYY (vs. KC): $9,200
Happ gets a soft landing in his first start as a Yankee, taking on the punchless Kansas City Royals at home. The Royals have an anemic .296 wOBA and .125 ISO against left-handed pitching this season, and that was with Mike Moustakas. Happ may have a 4.18 ERA, but his 3.52 SIERA and 3.71 K/BB ratio indicate that Happ is having a career year and should have no problem dealing with the Royals. The Yankees are heavy favorites in this one (-350) putting Happ in good shape to get a win for his efforts as well.
Ryan Borucki, TOR (@ CWS): $5,500
Borucki is mega cheap relative to how well he has pitched as a big leaguer this season. Borucki has a 2.71 ERA, 2.61 FIP, and 2.3 K/BB ratio in five starts thus far. He gets an easy matchup against the Chicago White Sox, who have a .294 wOBA and 26% strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season. At this price Borucki only needs to hit double digit scoring to return value and affords us major flexibility in our lineup.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C – Matt Wieters, WSH (@ MIA): $3,100
We’re looking to punt catcher today, and Wieters presents a good option against Marlins righty Jose Urena. Urena has struggled against lefties this season with a .268 AVG and .328 wOBA against, which bodes well for the switch-hitting Wieters. If Wieters does not play then a Toronto catcher, either Russell Martin ($3,000) or Luke Maile ($3,100) are also fine punt plays.
1B – Matt Olson, OAK (@ COL): $4,600
The Athletics are going from the 29th best ballpark for scoring to the second best (per ESPN Park Factors), giving their players quite the boost in Sunday’s matchup in Colorado. Rockies’ righty German Marquez has struggled to tame Coors Field this season, posting a 7.31 ERA, 5.41 FIP, and 1.88 HR/9 at home. Left-handed batters have gotten him in particular, with a 1.024 OPS against Marquez at home. Matt Olson has displayed gargantuan power in the big leagues, with 45 home runs and a .262 ISO in 175 career games. He’s in a good position to do some damage against Marquez today.
2B – Garrett Hampson, COL (vs. OAK): $4,200
Hampson has been playing second base for Colorado in place of the injured D.J. LeMahieu, and has a few plus tools that make him interesting. Hampson was a prolific base stealer in the minors, with 33 steals between Double-A and Triple-A this season before his promotion. He also hit over .300 at every level of the minors with a walk rate above 8%. He has an .806 OPS through his first 19 PA and makes for a relatively cheap play in a Coors Field game.
3B – Nolan Arenado, COL (vs. OAK): $5,300
The All-Star slugger is outdoing himself this season, with a career high .981 OPS and .411 wOBA. Arenado may be known for his prowess against lefties, but he still has a .912 OPS and .228 ISO at home against right-handed pitching. Oakland starter Frankie Montas may have a 3.54 ERA, but a 4.93 SIERA and 1.9 K/BB ratio suggest that he’s been much worse than his ERA. We’ll have to see how Montas’ 5.6% HR/FB ratio holds up in Colorado.
SS – Marwin Gonzalez, HOU (vs. TEX): $3,300
The Astros’ swiss-army knife has been playing every day with Carlos Correa on the disabled list and batting sixth, making him a good value against Rangers’ starter Mike Minor. The switch-hitting Gonzalez has been better against left-handed pitching this season, with a .264 AVG and .651 OPS. Those numbers obviously aren’t great, but we’re looking at another punt here to fit in enough Coors Field bats as possible.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders.
OF – Khris Davis, OAK (@ COL): $5,800
The 30-year-old slugger has been on a home run binge lately, smacking six bombs in his last eight games going into play Saturday. Overall Davis has 27 home runs and a .281 ISO on the year. Same-handed opposing pitchers aren’t a problem for Davis, who has a .916 OPS and .311 ISO against righties this season.
OF – Nick Martini, OAK (@ COL): $3,400
Martini has been hitting leadoff for the Athletics against right-handed pitching as of late, and has taken advantage of his opportunities with a .990 OPS and .423 wOBA in 34 PA. This price is a good value if Martini is in the lineup, and if he’s leading off it becomes an amazing value.
OF – Charlie Blackmon, COL (vs. OAK): $5,600
Frankie Montas has given up an .860 OPS to left-handed hitters this season, including all three of his home runs allowed. As the Rockies’ best left-handed hitter Blackmon is a great play today. He has a .920 OPS and .239 ISO at home versus right-handed pitching this season.
