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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on July 2nd, 2018. Adam Meyer's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
We have a rare fourth of July on a Wednesday, so there’s no true “holiday weekend.” That effects the DFS community because we would typically have a full, 15-game slate to work with on the extended weekend. Instead, there is only 10 games on Monday, and one of those matchups is starting at 1:07pm EST (DET/TOR). Unfortunately, the Tigers and Blue Jays will not be in our player pool.
However, we still have plenty of offense to utilize. There are three games with an over/under of at least nine total runs (still waiting on PIT/LAD line). Naturally, the game at Coors Field has the highest implied total (SF/COL currently sits at 10 total runs). Two teams are what I would consider “heavy favorites” (-200 odds, or greater): the Yankees and Indians. One of those arms will make our write-up.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/2/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @CharlieSideHstl
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Jonathan Loaisiga, NYY (vs. ATL) - $8,300
I already mentioned that the Yankees are one of the largest favorites of the slate (-200). Now, let’s break down their pitcher on the hill. Loaisiga has shutout two of his three opponents this season and has tallied at least six strikeouts in those dominant performances. The Braves are 21st in team ISO (.157) against right-handed pitchers this season.
Nathan Eovaldi, TB (@ MIA) - $8,700
Even in a smaller slate, I’m avoiding the top tier arms. Corey Kluber hasn’t been his Klubot-self lately and Max Scherzer will face the highest-scoring offense in baseball on Monday. Instead, I’ll save some money by adding pitchers with high strikeout upside and safer matchups. Eovaldi has struck out at least five batters in three straight starts and is facing a Miami team that is 28th in runs scored (311 runs in 85 games) and tied for seventh in team strikeouts (750) this season.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Nick Hundley, SF (@ COL) - $4,000
I tend to aim for catchers who fit our .200 ISO minimum (since 2017) and who tend to be on teams with high implied run totals. Affordability is also a key factor in the equation. Hundley checks all those boxes. His .286 ISO against lefties leads the Giants, his team is second on the slate with a 5.5 implied run total, and his $4K doesn’t break the bank.
1B - Edwin Encarnacion, CLE (@ KC) - $4,800
The hotter the atmosphere, the further the ball travels. That means more home runs, too. With the heat the way it’s been, having a power-hitting bat at first base is almost a necessity. Encarnacion has only tallied three hits in the past week, but two of them left the yard.
2B - Gleyber Torres, NYY (vs. ATL) - $4,200
The Yankees are one of five teams with an implied run total over five (5.1). I’m constructing a mini-stack of Yankees to help fuel our DK lineup. Torres is one of seven Yankees who have an ISO above .200 against right-handed pitchers (.245). In the past week, he’s 7-for-23 (.304) with two doubles, one triple, and one home run (seven RBI).
3B - Miguel Andujar, NYY (vs. ATL) - $3,900
Andujar has a .215 ISO against righties and has compiled at least two hits in two of the past three games. While Anibal Sanchez is having a decent season against NL teams, he was tagged for four earned runs against the Blue Jays. Now, he must travel to hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium and face the fourth-highest scoring offense in baseball.
SS - Didi Gregorius, NYY (vs. ATL) - $4,300
My final piece of the Yankees mini-stack is Gregorius. He has a .239 ISO against righties and has compiled at least one hit in seven of the past eight contests. He’s also a much better hitter at home. Gregorius owns a .281 AVG at Yankee Stadium this season and a .230 AVG on the road.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Andrew McCutchen, SF (@ COL) - $4,700
We started building our offense from the Colorado matchup and we’ll continue to build when finalizing our roster. McCutchen is a lifetime .320 hitter at Coors Field (125 at-bats), with six home runs. McCutchen has compiled five total hits in the past four games.
Harrison Bader, STL (@ ARI) - $3,500
The matchup against Robbie Ray isn’t ideal, but Bader has a .243 ISO against left-handed pitchers and is batting .333 (6-for-18) with two doubles (three walks) in the past week. This season, Bader is batting .296 against southpaws and only .243 against righties. He also carries a .282 batting average on the road (.245 AVG at home).
Lonnie Chisenhall, CLE (@ KC) - $3,400
Until DraftKings adjusts his price tag, this will continue to be the mandatory Chisenhall portion of the DK advice column. Lonnie Baseball is batting .350 (.7-for-20) with two doubles and a home run in the past week. Chisenhall has a .325 AVG against righties this season.
