As the trade deadline nears, exciting call-ups and big name trades will effect lineups up until game time. Be sure to check your lineups before lock to avoid any surprising scratches or additions. Sometimes, these events are unavoidable. But sometimes a simple check of Twitter or Reddit can save you a few bucks.

With just two early games on Thursday, a seven-game main slate awaits us on Thursday evening. Despite the smaller slate, pitching is at a premium. There are really only two pitchers that excite me to a degree, and that's because of their prices related to the other "aces". Let's see if we can find some batters to pair with them.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/28/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings.

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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target on DraftKings

Baltimore Orioles vs. Kyle Gibson

The Orioles are stackable against really any pitcher. Kyle Gibson? Yes please. Gibson has only struck out 51 batters in 71.1 innings, so he likely won’t be able to exploit Baltimore’s strikeout weakness. That means that plenty of contact will be made by big bats like Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Manny Machado, and Adam Jones. Hyun Soo Kim is usually a fine play as well when he’s at the top of the lineup. Take your pick here.

Boston Red Sox vs. Jared Weaver

Speaking of taking your pick, how can you not love one of the best offenses in the league vs. the softest throwing pitcher in the league? Weaver strikes out just over half a batter per inning, which is playing with fire when it comes to pitching to the Red Sox. From Mookie Betts to David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez to Travis Shaw, you really can’t go wrong here. Build your team around an expensive stack or go with the bottom of the order in a cheap stack. There’s bound to be a lot of production somewhere.

Also Consider: Minnesota Twins vs. Ubaldo Jimenez.

 

DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider on DraftKings

Cole Hamels, TEX vs. KC - $9,900

The Royals have not looked like last year's team from the offensive side of the game. In fact, they have looked like the exact opposite of last year's dynamo. Hamels has plenty of strikeout upside and a matchup that should allow him to get a win. The savings that you'll get here from aces like Jose Fernandez and Chris Sale should be enough to make a difference on the offensive end.

David Price, BOS at LAA - $9,300

The savings are even higher for Price, but I guess you could argue the risk is higher as well. Still, I don't feel amazing about any of the aces' matchups, so I'll take a shot on Price here. The Angels are no offensive dynamo themselves, and Price's strikeout total should be worth any sort of damage that Albert Pujols inflicts in this one. The Red Sox should give Price plenty of run support (as outlined above), so as long as he can rack up some strikeouts in at least five innings, he'll be worth a play Thursday.

 

DFS Infielders to Consider on DraftKings

Catcher (C)

Kurt Suzuki, MIN vs. BAL - $3,100

I'm not sure how, but Suzuki has turned into quite the reliable hitter this season. He gets a plus matchup against Ubaldo Jimenez, and he's coming off a great game last night. This price is easy to swallow for a fine Cash/GPP play.

A.J. Pierzynski, ATL vs. PHI - $2,500

This is my punt play at catcher in GPPs that force me to use big bucks at other offensive positions. Odds are Aaron Nola will keep Pierzynski from doing too much damage from the plate, but there's always that chance he goes deep.

First Base (1B)

Hanley Ramirez, BOS at LAA - $4,100

Ramirez is coming off a day of rest, and he gets a great matchup against Weaver. He's fine as a solo play or part of a big Boston stack.

Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. PHI - $3,600

Freeman's upside is massive, as he showed us last night, but he's also a fairly consistent hitter. Nola has been far from superb lately, and I expect Freeman to put the Braves offense on his back for a second straight night.

Second Base (2B)

Jurickson Profar, TEX vs. KC - $3,700

Profar at the top of this Rangers lineup is a dynamite play. He's one of the better young hitters in the game, and he provides the upside necessary for Cash and GPP contests. I'll be going with him whenever possible on Thursday.

Shortstop (SS)

Xander Bogaerts, BOS at LAA - $4,800

One of the best contact hitters in the game, and he's not slowing down anytime soon. He should eat Weaver up in the middle of a potent lineup.

Brandon Crawford, SFG vs. WAS - $3,500

Crawford should be fairly low owned on Thursday, but he showed us his upside with a three-hit game the other night. Roark isn't as dominant as his season stats show, so I'm fine with using Crawford as a sneaky salary relief play.

Third Base (3B)

Manny Machado, BAL at MIN - $4,400

This price is too low for Machado in this matchup. He has huge upside with a high floor. Just go watch last night's monstrous homer. Oh yeah, and you can use him as shortstop too.

Martin Prado, MIA vs. STL - $3,400

Joey Gallo, TEX vs. KC - $3,300

Prado and Gallo are polar opposites. Prado's contact and OBP skills make him the perfect salary relief play in cash games. Meanwhile, Gallo's mammoth power and high strikeout rate make him my go-to play in GPPs when I need some salary relief.

 

DFS Outfielders to Consider on DraftKings

Giancarlo Stanton, MIA vs. STL - $4,200

One of the best power hitters in the game might be hitting his stride in the middle of summer. This price is still too low for the upside Stanton provides.

Adam Jones, BAL at MIN - $4,500

Hyun Soo Kim, BAL at MIN - $3,800

I like Jones slightly better than Kim, but the price differential makes them very close in value as long as they're both at the top of the lineup. Take your pick here based on how the rest of your lineup is shaking up.

Brock Holt, BOS at LAA - $3,400

Usually, bottom-of-the-order hitters aren't that valuable in DFS. However, I like Holt's role as a second leadoff man in this Boston lineup. If he gets three chances to hit off of Weaver or an Angels' middle reliever I think he'll pay off his salary nicely.

 

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