As always, my goal with this article is to help you identify viable options to insert into your DraftKings lineups, based on pricing and matchups data. Here's a compilation of players I like when choosing a lineup for Friday, July, 24th.
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Offenses to Target for DraftKings Stacking
Kansas City Royals LHB vs Scott Feldman
The left-handed bats in the Kansas City Royals lineup hold the best offense in baseball against right-handed pitching. These bats throughout the Royals lineup have really come alive as of late and have propelled the Royals offense forward throughout the summer. Friday looks like a great matchup for the Royals against opposing pitcher Scott Feldman. Feldman has had a rough year and holds a 4.93 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP. Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas should be great value picks for your infield while Jarrod Dyson holds sleeper value in the outfield.
Astros Front of the Lineup vs Jeremy Guthrie
As a team, the Astros hold a top ten offense against right-handed pitching, with a wRC+ 104. The middle infield for the Astros remains one of the best in baseball, with Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa both providing incredible value on DraftKings. They are consistently productive players in weak position pools. Altuve and Correa should be great picks against opposing pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. Guthrie has struggled this year and holds a 5.36 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP.
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for DraftKings
Corey Kluber (SP, CLE) - $11500
Corey Kluber has admittedly had his ups and downs this year. However, out of the aces on the mound for Friday, Kluber has the best matchup paired with his value. Kluber is fully capable of throwing a complete gem with double digit strikeouts. He still holds good ratios on the year, including 10.15 K per 9 innings. He should certainly look to capitalize on his matchup against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox hold the third worst offense in baseball against right-handed pitching, with a wRC+ of 84.
Chris Tillman (SP, BAL) - $5800
Chris Tillman is certainly a dangerous pick, but he can definitely be a great value pick as your secondary starting pitcher for Friday on Draftkings. Tillman has pitched two stellar outings in a row against top offenses in the Nationals and the Tigers. He has significantly lowered his ERA and should have a great game on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Pretty much everyone has been dominating the Rays who now hold a bottom ten offense with a wRC+ of just 89.
DFS Infielders to Consider for DraftKings
Nick Hundley (C, COL) - $4000
Due to the complete mess that is the catcher position pool on DraftKings, Nick Hundley has been consistently overlooked as a top option. Hundley holds a .307 average with seven home runs and 32 RBI. Thanks to the friendly hitting confines of Coors Field, Hundley should be a great play on Friday against opposing pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. Hundley has hit righties at a .321 clip this year. He hits .350 at home in Colorado, and has also been hitting .347 in the month of July. DeSclafani on the other hand has only posted one quality start in his last five outings. His lack of control will spell trouble for him on Friday as he pitches on the road.
Albert Pujols (1B, LAA) - $4300
Albert Pujols is a must-play for Friday’s slate of games. Pujols has shown a dramatic power resurgence this season, and he now holds a .262 average with 29 home runs and 61 RBI. Pujols has also dominated opposing pitcher Colby Lewis. He is a career 9 for 20 with three home runs against Lewis. Lewis will certainly have to watch out for this Angels lineup who torched him for 10 earned runs in 4 innings earlier this month.
Ian Kinsler (2B, DET) - $4400
Ian Kinsler is another must-play for Friday. Kinsler is the hottest second baseman in baseball. He is hitting .375 in the month of July, with three home runs. Kinsler heads into Friday with four straight multi-hit games. Kinsler is also a great play because of his matchup against opposing pitcher Rick Porcello. Porcello has struggled against loaded offenses and holds a 5.79 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. Kinsler has also has nice lifetime numbers against Porcello, going 6 for 10 in his career.
Evan Longoria (3B, TB) - $3200
Evan Longoria has been disappointing as of late but could be of incredible value based on his current price tag. Longoria holds a .262 average with nine home runs and 42 RBI. The basis for this pick comes from his great career numbers against opposing pitcher Chris Tillman. Longoria is a career 15 for 40 with six home runs against Tillman. Longoria certainly makes for a great pick from the bargain bin, especially if you plan on spending heavily elsewhere.
Jung Ho Kang (SS, PIT) - $2900
Speaking of reaching into the bargain bin, Jung Ho Kang has been extremely hot as of late and will fit relatively easily into any roster on DraftKings. Kang heads into Friday with a 10-game hitting streak, as well as a five game multi-hit game streak. Kang has now pulled his average up to .286, along with five home runs and 30 RBI in limited playing time. Kang will have a tough matchup against opposing pitcher Max Scherzer, but he should still be capable of producing a nice night at the plate.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for DraftKings
Mike Trout (OF, LAA) - $5500
Mike Trout doesn’t require too much explanation. He is as great of a pick as always, and has a great matchup against opposing pitcher Colby Lewis. Trout is hitting .303, with 28 home runs and 57 RBI. Trout is also a career 9 for 24 with two home runs against Lewis, who looks to be in for a long night against the Angels. Expect Trout to be healthy heading into Friday, as he was able to return to center field on Thursday night after a brief injury concern over his heel.
Michael Brantley (OF, CLE) - $4500
Michael Brantley is a must-play as your secondary outfielder. He is an excellent value pick given his recent hot hitting as well as his nice career numbers against opposing pitcher Jose Quintana. Brantley holds a .302 average with seven home runs and 55 RBI on the year. Brantley is hitting .313 in the month of July and is also a career 11 for 23 with a home run against Quintana.
Kole Calhoun (OF, LAA) - $3900
Kole Calhoun serves as a great value pick as your tertiary outfielder. Calhoun holds a .276 average with 13 home runs and 53 RBI. Calhoun has shown a recent power surge, with three home runs in the past week. He is hitting .338 in the month of July and has some nice numbers against opposing pitcher Colby Lewis. At his current price tag, Calhoun comes at a great bargain. The lineup surrounding him should have no problem providing him with RBI and run-scoring opportunities against Lewis.
DFS Q&A with Max Petrie @ 6 PM on 7/17
Leave your question here and then come back at 6 PM when Max answers everything. For our regular MLB & Fantasy Baseball Chat, click here.
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