DFS MLB Lineups for July 22, 2017 at Draftkings.com & Fanduel.com
For this daily fantasy baseball season, each day there’s a good slate of DFS MLB games, we’ll be writing up a group of pitchers and hitters that we’re considering for our cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. We’ll also provide a list of stacks to consider, MLB start times, starting pitchers, and game run totals to give you a good idea of where the fantasy goodness might come from on a given night. As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, park factor, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play DFS, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy and DRAFT a try!
A quick reminder while playing DFS MLB, don’t forget baseball is a game of variance. You can make a really solid lineup and still fall short of the cash line. Even Clayton Kershaw can get lit up, and Mike Trout can still go 0 for 4. Baseball is funny like that. Trust the process and know that if you’re playing quality lineups, you’ll be a winner in the long term.
Another thing to remember outside of making sure your player is in the lineup, is to always check the weather. Always. Make this something that is part of your basic routine. Baseball games can get postponed! Your players receive no points from postponed games!
7/22/17 MAIN SLATE TOURNAMENT RUNDOWN
DraftKings Saturday Special: $40 buy-in, $250k guaranteed
DraftKings Rally Cap: $8 buy-in, $125k guaranteed
DraftKings Four Seamer: $4 buy-in, $100k guaranteed
FanDuel Grand Slam: $55 buy-in, $150k guaranteed
FanDuel Squeeze: $9 buy-in, $125k guaranteed
FanDuel Monster: $366 buy-in, $120k guaranteed
Best DFS MLB Pitchers for July 22, 2017
Rich Hill vs. ATL ($11.7k DraftKings, $9.2k FanDuel)
His blister issue seems to be behind him and Hill is once again baffling hitters with 29 K’s and just 2 ER allowed over his last 3 appearances. It’s notable that he’s gone 7 innings in 2 of those outings after failing to go past the 5th in any start until June 26 and longevity certainly increases his upside going forward. He’ll face a Braves team that’s surprisingly competent against LHP this year, but Atlanta’s hitters have just 25 combined at-bats in their careers against Hill (.240 batting average, 2 XBH) and it’s going to be tough for them to pick up the ball from his tricky arm slot while the crafty lefty changes speeds and location.
Masahiro Tanaka @ SEA ($9.4k DraftKings, $8.8k FanDuel)
While he remains somewhat inconsistent, Tanaka’s been exceeding value quite often over the past couple of months. His production spiked in tough matchups against the Rangers, Blue Jays and Red Sox, so facing a dangerous Mariners lineup is hardly an insurmountable challenge. Current Mariners are hitting .182 (12-for-66) with 19 K’s in their careers against Tanaka and that lineup is scuffling a bit with an underwhelming .307 wOBA over the last 14 days. Reserve this play for tournaments.
Danny Salazar vs. TOR ($7.1k DraftKings, $7.9k FanDuel)
It’s always intriguing to take advantage of an under priced player as they return from injury. Granted, Salazar struggled badly with a 5.40 ERA over 12 appearances before hitting the DL in early June, but his final 3 starts were clearly affected by a shoulder issue that seems behind him now, as he just spun a six-inning shutout in his final rehab appearance. The hard-throwing RHP is near the top of the Majors once again with a 12.60 K/9 ratio and he’ll face a Blue Jays offense that’s struggled throughout most of the year.
Other pitchers to consider: David Price, Jason Vargas, Sean Manaea, Brent Suter
Best DFS MLB Hitters for July 22, 2017
Corey Seager vs. ATL ($4.8k DraftKings, $3.9k FanDuel)
One thing we know about Braves inconsistent RHP Julio Teheran is that he can’t keep LHB off base. With a 1.76 HR/9 ratio and 6.27 FIP when facing the platoon, he’s ripe for the Dodgers to pick on with a slew of capable lefty bats. Seager could lead the charge with his impressive .398 OBP this season and he’s also hit safely in 9 straight games leading into Friday’s action. Seager’s rocking a .223 ISO Mark with 51.9% Hard Contact Rate at home against RHP and should be able to maintain his level of production in this prime matchup.
Gerardo Parra vs. PIT ($4.5k DraftKings, $3.9k FanDuel)
It appears close to impossible to retire Parra these days, as he’s rocking an impressive .553 batting average with 4 doubles and 2 HRs over his last 10 appearances. The lefty is getting steady playing time in the OF with Carlos Gonzalez struggling and he’s been doing his best Charlie Blackmon impersonation while the leadoff man sits out with cramps. Lefthanded Rockies should be all over Pirates RHP Chad Kuhl at Coors considering the big righty is allowing LHB to hit .291 with a .381 wOBA on the year.
Mikie Mahtook @ MIN ($3.5k DraftKings, $2.8k FanDuel)
Trading J.D. Martinez has opened up more playing time for Mahtook, who could become another promising young OF for the Tigers. He began his career as a platooning specialist with Tampa, but is hitting a solid .280 with a .709 OPS when facing RHP this year and faces a vulnerable righty tonight in Kyle Gibson. The Twins young SP has posted an unsightly 7.20 ERA with a 1.98 WHIP and .354 BAA when pitching at home this season, so even the depleted Tigers lineup should produce against him.
Other hitters to consider: Nolan Arenado, Jose Altuve, Cody Bellinger, Miguel Sano, Ian Desmond, Xander Bogaerts, Whit Merrifield, Yasmani Grandal
7/22/17 DFS MLB STACKS
Rockies vs Chad Kuhl
Kuhl is a breaking-ball heavy pitcher and throws his slider 63% of the time this season, a recipe for disaster in the thin air at Coors. He’s been more vulnerable against lefties, so look at Tony Wolters if he starts at catcher, but RHB Nolan Arenado, Ian Desmond and DJ LeMahieu are all very much in play at home.
Astros vs Chris Tillman
Very few of them come cheap, but the Astros best bats are certainly worth paying up for against a RHP in Tillman, who hasn’t been healthy this year and is posting a career-worst 7.20 ERA as a result. Righties are 47-for-143 (.343) with 8 HRs off Tillman this season, so George Springer and Jose Altuve could certainly lead this stack once again. Consider switch hitters Marwin Gonzalez and Carlos Beltran as mid-tier options with the platoon advantage and for Alex Bregman to continue filling in with Carlos Correa on the DL.
Other Stacks to consider:
Royals vs. Mike Pelfrey
Twins vs. Jordan Zimmerman
Red Sox vs. J.C. Ramirez
Dodgers vs. Julio Teheran
