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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on July 2nd, 2019. Austyn Varney's MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
Welcome to Tuesday baseball on DraftKings!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/2/19. 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, contact me on Twitter @varneydfs.
Today's Weather
There is a whole lot of weather to watch tonight. There is nothing that looks like a PPD risk, but it's summertime and with the heat comes showers. The games in WAS, PIT, COL, NYM, CIN, ATL, CHW are all at risk for in--game delays and we should know more come close to lineup lock. Keep an eye out for weather tonight, as you never want a pitcher that's going to be cut short in the middle of a game.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Charlie Morton - TAM vs. BAL ($10,600)
There is nobody safer than Charlie Morton tonight. We know how pitiful this Orioles offense is and they're far worse on the road. Tropicana field favors pitching and the O's are projected to put up just over three runs tonight. He's a bit cheaper than the top arm and I don't think his projection is any lower. The Rays have shown that they're willing to pitch him 100+ and he has a ton of upside. On the season, Morton has sported a 3.33 xFIP backed by a 29.9% strikeout rate and 8.5% BB rate. This is an undisciplined offense in Baltimore and Morton will surely take advantage. He's safe in all formats as an SP1.
Reynaldo Lopez - CHW vs. DET ($5,600)
This price is just crazy. This is the same match-up Lopez put up a monstrous 42 DraftKings points a couple months ago, striking out 14 and going seven innings. It was no fluke, either, as this Tigers team can strikeout with the best of 'em. On the season, they K a league-high 26.3% of the time and that goes up over 27% against righties. It's not like they strikeout and hit home runs either, as they sit 299th in ISO as well. They're a terrible offense that strikes out more than anyone. Lopez himself has struck out 26% of batters if you remove just his last four starts. He's had trouble locating his fastball and that's what this will all come down to. On DK, with so many pricey bats, Lopez may be worth a whirl.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
C - Francisco Mejia - SDP vs. SFG (Beede) ($3,200)
You can obviously play Gary Sanchez, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Let’s instead look for some value in Francisco Mejia. Vegas has the Padres expected to score nearly five runs tonight, facing off with a weak righty in Tyler Beede. Mejia will be hitting behind the heart of the order and has been getting some solid RBI opportunities. He’s affordable on DK and makes for solid value in both cash games and tournaments.
1B - Paul Goldschmidt - STL @ SEA (LeBlanc) ($3,600)
Paul Goldschmidt is just a bit too cheap facing a bad lefty. Matt Carasiti will start this game out, but Wade LeBlanc will man most of the innings. He’s allowed a .344 wOBA to opposing righties and has had a big home run problem this season. Goldy is a notorious lefty masher and his price is just too low. He’s an HR threat and won’t be over 10% owned. Murphy, Rizzo, and Alonso are in play as well on the obvious side.
2B - Jason Kipnis - CLE @ KC (Junis) ($3,600)
Jason Kipnis is another affordable bat that’s in the middle of an offense that’s expected to produce. The Indians hold an implied team total well over five runs and Kipnis is expected to hit cleanup behind Carlos Santana. Jakob Junis has given up a .355 wOBA to lefties and has outplayed his peripherals. This Indians offense has put it together recently and Kipnis has been a big part of it. He’s still affordable and a great play across the board. If you’re looking to spend up, Max Muncy and Jose Altuve are attractive options.
3B - Rafael Devers - BOS @ TOR (Thornton) ($4,900)
Devers has been annihilating the ball of late, posting a 61% hard contact rate over the last ten games. That’s an unheard of number that guys like Stanton and Judge see for stretches. The Red Sox now draw Trent Thornton, who’s sported a 4.67 xFIP and .347 wOBA to lefties. He’s clearly worse against them and with the Sox projected to put up over five runs, Devers and Benintendi are two guys worth heavily considering.
SS - Alex Bregman - HOU @ COL (Marquez) ($5,000)
Let’s at least touch on this Coors Field game. You can play someone at every position here, but Bregman is my favorite of all. He’s a guy that will be helped a ton from Coors Field, as his line drive doubles will be home runs here. Marquez throws a straight fastball in Coors and righties have taken advantage to the tune of a 5.12 xFIP. Bregman is just as good against righties as lefties and has 15 of his 22 home runs against them. He’s a bit cheaper than Springer and has just as much home run upside. Stack the ‘Stros and Rockies tonight, but they’ll cost you.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Cody Bellinger - LAD vs. ARI (Clarke) ($5,700)
You have a ton of pricey outfielders to choose from. Yelich is facing a righty that struggles vs lefties. Mike Trout is dealing with a tragedy and facing a lefty that throws fastballs low in the zone. George Springer is in Coors Field. Then you have Cody Bellinger, who’s going to be 10-15% owned and faces off with a guy in Taylor Clarke who’s been utterly terrible. A 5.59 xFIP and .407 wOBA tells you all you need to know. Bellinger and the Dodgers are one of the top offenses of the slate and Bellinger is my favorite expensive outfielder with all things considered.
Justin Upton - LAA @ TEX (Minor) ($4,300)
You can save a few dollars from Mike Trout and play a bag in Justin Upton that’s sported a .412 wOBA vs righties since 2018. He’s always been one of the best lefty specialists in baseball and is known as a very streaky bat. He’s currently smashing the ball and Vegas thinks the Angels put up six runs tonight. Mike Minor is obviously a good pitcher, but he gives up home runs to righties and has been very lucky this season. He’s expected to get destroyed tonight. Upton is affordable on DK and has a ton of HR upside.
