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We have a manageable nine-game slate on tap in MLB DFS on FanDuel tonight, and it feels like it'll be a very interesting one as we're just one day removed from one of the busiest trade deadlines ever. There are only two teams (CWS and LAD) with implied totals of at least five runs, so the spots to attack aren't going to be as obvious on the surface as they have been in previous nights. Let's get to it.
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 7/31/2021. You can see our DraftKings and FanDuel DFS lineup pick for the early slate here as well.
Be sure to also check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also check out today's DraftKings MLB DFS lineup picks, and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. Let's get to it!
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Cash Game / GPP Anchor Play:
Yu Darvish - SDP vs. COL ($9,600)
I'll start this off by stating that there are three high-end pitchers that you can feel confident in getting to tonight - Darvish just happens to be my favorite of the bunch when considering salary. Brandon Woodruff is taking on the Acuna-less Braves, who strike out at the ninth-highest rate but also hold a high OPS (.751) and ISO (.186) against RHP. Aaron Nola has a tantalizing matchup against the Pirates, but he's the most expensive pitcher on the slate and he's projecting to be the chalk play.
Darvish has just as much upside as these two guys as he holds a 28.9% strikeout rate, and his 3.55 FIP and 3.47 SIERA are also right in line with the more expensive options. He certainly hasn't been in the best form over his last four starts (17 FD PTS/game), but he put up 40 and 58 (vs. LAD) FD PTS in the two starts prior and he's averaging 35.3 FD PTS/game on the season. I believe the demise of Darvish has been overblown and he'll take advantage of his shot at redemption at home against the Rockies tonight. Away from Coors Field, Colorado strikes out at the fifth-highest rate (26.3%) and rank in the bottom-two in AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS, ISO, wRC, wOBA, wRC+, and probably any other stat you can possibly think of against RHP. The Rockies currently hold a minuscule 2.9-run implied total and Darvish is my top pay-up option in tournaments tonight.
Alternate Play(s)
Others: Aaron Nola vs. PIT ($11,000), Brandon Woodruff vs. ATL ($10,800)
GPP Dart-Throw
Triston McKenzie - CLE vs. CWS ($6,800)
McKenzie's facing the White Sox, who hold a 5-run implied total and are generally not a team we like to target dart-throw pitchers against. In addition to that, McKenzie holds an ugly 5.61 ERA, so I'm expecting the masses to be all the way off of him tonight and, conversely, look to stack the White Sox. This could be the perfect spot to get some massive leverage on the field. McKenzie's 29.8% K% and .195 BAA rank second and third among pitchers on this slate, and he put up 10 strikeouts against the ChiSox in their last matchup on 5/31 (he also allowed five runs, but he scored 31 FD points so that's a positive value). He has racked up 34 and 52 FD points in two of his last three starts, and I think there's a decent chance he keeps the train rolling tonight. Take some shots on him at this price.
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FanDuel DFS Infielders
Adam Frazier - 2B/OF, SDP vs. COL ($2,700)
Marquez has been quite solid this season (3.54 ERA) and he's elite at limiting barrels (3.3% - 96th percentile), but we're not rostering the MLB hit leader for his power. He's just 3-for-15 since coming over to the Padres, but he's hitting .319 on the season and he's among the toughest players to strike out (10.6% K% - 99th percentile). He's worth deploying at his too-cheap salary.
Jose Abreu - 1B, CWS vs. CLE ($3,400)
I know I recommended trying out McKenzie as a GPP dart, but if you're not playing him, it'd be wise to get to some White Sox bats. He ranks in the bottom fifth percentile in Average Exit Velocity, Hard Hit %, Barrel %, and BB%, so a crooked number with at least a few bombs is in the range of possibilities here. Abreu hasn't done much since his 50.6 FD point explosion on 7/20, but he's the power bat I'd most like to get to in this lineup.
Yoan Moncada - CWS vs. CLE ($2,900)
Moncada is another White Sox bat to get exposure to tonight as he holds an impressive .153 ISO (.173 xISO) and .357 wOBA against RHP this season. The reasons to attack McKenzie are stated above, and Moncada ranks well in a few of the pitchers' weak spots (Average Exit Velocity, Hard Hit %, BB%). Gavin Sheets and Brian Goodwin would be my other White Sox selections if you're looking to stack 'em up.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Lorenzo Cain - OF, MIL vs. ATL ($2,500)
Cain has returned from his lengthy absence in great form, putting up 9.5, 19.2, and 26.1 FD points in three games against the Pirates. He's still extremely cheap and will likely slide into the two-hole against Kyle Muller. Muller has been solid, but he's not a pitcher we need to shy away from, especially with how hot this Brewers lineup has been as of late (9.25 runs/game over their last four games).
Adolis Garcia - OF, TEX vs. SEA ($2,800)
Garcia had been quiet for a while before hitting a bomb and a double yesterday (27.9 FD points), and he's in a spot to do some damage again tonight at an inexpensive price point. Anderson has been good-not-great so far this season (4.35 ERA, 4.40 xERA), but he'll give up some homers (1.39 HR/9) and doesn't strike guys out (20% K%). He also has terrible splits against RHH (5.42 ERA, 15 HR allowed) and throws his 4-seam fastball and cutter a combined 68.3% of the time, both of which line up perfectly with Garcia. Garcia holds a .191 ISO (.225 xISO) against LHP and he absolutely crushes 4-seamers (.551 xSLG, 53.6% Hard Hit%) and cutters (.550 xSLG, 52.9% Hard Hit%).
Avisail Garcia - OF, MIL vs. ATL ($2,900)
Two A. Garcia's in a row, why not? Garcia has been hot lately with 31.7, 18.9, and 21.9 FD points in three of his last four games as the Brewers have been absolutely rolling offensively. He's slashing .342/.367/.539 in July, and I'm betting he keeps it rolling at a value salary against Muller and company tonight.
FanDuel DFS Stacks
- Milwaukeee Brewers vs. Kyle Muller
- Chicago White Sox vs. Triston McKenzie
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Merrill Kelly
- St. Louis Cardinals vs. Bailey Ober
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