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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/21/21. Euan Leith's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Happy Wednesday, RotoBallers! As is usually the case during the middle of the week, MLB is splitting up the schedule into day and evening games. This article will focus on the eight evening matchups starting with the Marlins and Nationals at 7:05 pm ET and go all the way through to the Giants-Dodgers NL West showdown beginning around 10:10 pm ET.
While Lance McCullers Jr. is the only arm above $10,000, four other pitchers are north of $9,000. I can't say any of them inspire great confidence, but on an eight-game slate, we've got to work with what we get. Robbie Ray and Julio Urias face formidable lineups in Boston and San Francisco, respectively. While Adam Wainwright and Kyle Hendricks face each other, it already puts a cap on each player's ceiling. Regardless, some value is left to be had, and we can dive deep to find it.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/21/2021. The lineup will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also check out today's FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. It’s also important to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. If you have any questions or comments, find me on Twitter and ask away.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Lance McCullers Jr. - P, HOU vs. CLE ($10,100)
What a bold move by me recommending the most expensive pitcher on the slate. While McCullers finds himself as the only pitcher above $10,000, his recent performance warrants this kind of salary respect. Since returning from the IL on June 15, LMJ is pitching a 2.57 ERA, with a 1.20 WHIP and 27.2 percent strikeout rate. The ERA and K-rate are lovely, but the walks are hurting McCullers. However, he hasn't allowed more than two runs in those six starts and is 4-1 thanks to the Astro's overpowering offense. Tonight, he'll see a lackluster Indians lineup if he can avoid the big bats. Cleveland has the ninth-lowest runs per game on the road in 2021, and it lines up perfectly for a pitcher in McCullers, who typically pitches better at Minute Maid Park.
Kyle Hendricks - P, CHC at STL ($9,100)
In DFS, we are usually shooting for strikeouts, but I'm zagging tonight and betting on the innings. Kyle Hendricks at least six innings in every one of his previous 10 starts while averaging 17.6 fantasy points per game. St. Louis is not a dangerous offense versus right-handed pitching. The Cardinals sport a 86 wRC+ and .296 weight On-Base Average to righties since May 1. Yes, Hendricks is expensive, but the consistency draws me to him on this eight-game slate. As an alternative, I would go with Robbie Ray for the strikeouts, but that means you'll have to find an even better value on the batting side for Wednesday.
Other options: Robbie Ray vs. BOS ($9,900), Dylan Cease vs. MIN ($8,600)
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DraftKings DFS Infielders
Buster Posey - C, SF at Julio Urias ($4,300)
The former NL MVP has returned from the IL with a bang in this NL West showdown series. Posey is 3-for-8 with three runs, a home run, and two RBI in his past two outings. Unfortunately, his two-week absence before the All-Star game took some shine off his bounce-back first half, but he has looked ready for the stretch run since Monday. In 60 games this year, Posey has a .979 OPS while averaging 8.6 fantasy points per game. For a guy going outside the top-12 during draft season, he is providing excellent returns in DFS and season-long lineups.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, TOR vs. Garrett Richards ($6,000)
On Monday, I picked on Ross Stripling with a Red Sox stack, but tonight, it's time to flip the script. Garrett Richards enter Toronto's (current) stadium with a 4.91 ERA and 1.68 WHIP and should leave the Blue Jays wetting their beaks at a big night of scoring opportunities. For Guerrero, he is in mid-season contention for the triple crown, and his last three hits have all cleared the outfield walls. I'm not betting against this unique talent, and I highly recommend him as a cornerstone of your offense on Wednesday.
Rougned Odor - 2B, NYY vs. PHI Pitcher ($3,600)
While his Yankee teammates are recovering from a bout with COVID-19, Odor is putting the bat on the ball and doing his best to prove he can still compete at this level. Since returning from the All-Star Break, Odor slashes 1.015 with three runs, a double, a homer, and two RBI. He's batting third in a New York Yankees lineup on a bullpen day for the Philadelphia Phillies. Odor is in a highly favorable spot at a highly affordable price.
Abraham Toro - 3B, HOU vs. Eli Morgan ($3,300)
Alex Bregman (quad) is creeping nearer and nearer to the big league club, and, as a result, it should spell the end of regular playing time for Toro. However, the young infielder has impressed while called into replacement duty. Over 31 games, Toro has 15 runs, five extra-base hits, 17 RBI, and three steals. Those are helpful numbers from any replacement, and he will be looking to bolster them tonight to stick around in the big leagues once his All-Star teammate rejoins the big league club/
Javier Baez - SS, CHC vs. Adam Wainwright ($5,400)
Baez is on a heater right now, and I want to grab a piece while I can. Over his last 10 games, the shortstop is slashing .400/.405/.675 with seven runs, two doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI, and four stolen bases. In the same 10-game stretch, the All-Star infielder also has seven multi-hit games while averaging 13.3 fantasy points per game. Of course, Baez is expensive, but it's hard to ignore what he's doing at the plate.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
George Springer - OF, TOR vs. Garrett Richards ($4,700)
It's been a rough first half for George Springer. One of the biggest signings in the offseason has dealt with many injuries as he tries to help his new team reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Still, he's starting the second half on a positive note. In his last three games, the 2017 World Series MVP is 6-for-9 with four runs, a double, a home run, an RBI, and a steal. As I mentioned early with Vlad Guerrero Jr., I'm going to pick on Richards a bit tonight, and an expensive Blue Jays is an avenue to success on Wednesday.
Kyle Tucker - OF, HOU vs. Eli Morgan ($3,900)
Recently, when Kyle Tucker makes contact with a baseball, it's going a long way. Over his last 10 games, Tucker has 13 hits, and eight of them are of the extra-base variety. In the same stretch, the former-top prospect slashes .382/.417/.794 with six runs, three home runs, six RBI, and four steals. Houston seems to be waking up from their All-Star break hangover as a team, and Tucker is one of the catalysts. When I recommended him on Monday, he was $4,200, so his $3,900 price tag enables me to do the old George Constanza and double-dip on Kyle Tucker this week.
Robbie Grossman - OF, DET vs. Jordan Lyles ($3,600)
After a hot start, Grossman faltered during the middle part of the first half and perked up again around the All-Star break. Over his last 10 games, the switch-hitter is slashing .265/. 405/.618 with seven runs, four home runs, seven RBI, and one stolen base. He will see Jordan Lyles on the mound tonight, and it should spell good things for the outfielder. Grossman is hitting third in the lineup, and you could convince me to start anyone batting third for a $3,600 cost.
DraftKings DFS Stacks
- Houston Astros vs. Cleveland Indians (Eli Morgan, RHP)
- Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox (Garrett Richards, RHP)
- Sneaky stack: New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies (Potential Opener)
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