DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (7/25/20) - MLB DFS Lineups

I'll be going through some of the best plays at each position on DraftKings with a GPP/tournament lineup build in mind. That's not to say that these players won't work in cash-game lineups, but we're looking to provide high-upside plays for the most part (it's more fun that way, anyway). As a reminder, it is best practice to stack 3-4 hitters from the same team for DFS purposes, so try to envision how the games will play out and build your lineups from there. Utilizing unique lineup combinations (i.e the nine, one, two, and three hitters) is another great way to differentiate.

DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers

Yu Darvish - CHC vs MIL ($10,500)

Darvish is the most expensive arm on the slate, but he also comes with the highest upside. He was just 6-8 in 2019 but he led the 7/25 slate with an impressive 31.3% K% and his 13.4% SwStr% comes in at second on the slate. He had a 3.98 ERA but all of his peripherals point to him being on the shortlist of arms that have top-of-the-slate potential. Milwaukee has a potent offense, but they looked anemic on Opening Day as Kyle Hendricks cruised to a complete-game three-hitter. Lastly, the Brew Crew is starting the inexperienced Corbin Burns on the other side of this matchup, giving Darvish a better shot at nabbing the win bonus.

Lance McCullers Jr. - P, HOU vs. SEA ($8,500)

McCullers looks like a great option at SP1 or SP2 on DraftKings as he seems to be wildly underpriced. The Mariners do not have an imposing lineup and a good chunk of their projected order has a 25% K% or higher. McCullers went 10-6 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3.50 FIP, and a 26.9% K% in 2018 (hist last full season). He's a great pitcher in an elite matchup - there's not that much more to say. He'll be chalky, but sometimes chalk needs to be eaten.

Other options: Alex Wood (LAD vs SF) $7,800, Mike Minor (TEX vs COL) $9,000, Martin Perez (BOS vs BAL) $5,500

DraftKings DFS Catchers

Mitch Garver - C, MIN vs CHW ($5,300)

Garver hit for a 1.170 OPS against LHP in his breakout 2019, including 12 of his 31 homers. Dallas Keuchel is a solid pitcher who actually leads the slate with a 60.1% groundball percentage, but he also gave up 1.28 HR/9 and doesn't strike many batters out. Garver is well worth the pay-up.

Christian Vazquez - C, BOS vs BAL ($4,700) Kevin Plawecki is starting at C

Vazquez had one of the Red Sox' eight doubles on 7/24 in a 13-2 barrage over the Orioles at Fenway. He's a solid-hitting catcher as he had a .276/.320/.477 slash line with 23 homers, 72 RBI, and 66 runs scored in 2019. He's another pay-up option at catcher, but the pickings are slim here as it's tough to find value. He could be a way to differentiate your likely-chalky Red Sox stacks.

Other options: Tyler Heineman (SFG @ LAD) $3800

DraftKings DFS First Baseman

Michael Chavis - 1B/2B, BOS vs BAL ($3,100) Mitch Moreland ($4,300) is starting at 1B at is a recommended play

Chavis remains a great value as long as he's starting in this dangerous Boston lineup. He went 0-for-4 yesterday but he was still productive as he walked and scored a run. Chavis hit .254/.322/.444 with 18 homers in 382 PA's in 2019, so he definitely has the pop to far exceed his value on any given night. Orioles starter Alex Cobb should be attacked at all costs and getting Chavis for cheap helps make that happen.

Max Muncy, 1B/2B, LAD vs SF ($4,400)

Muncy crushed two homers as part of his 3-for-4 night last night, contributing two RBI and three runs scored in the easy victory. He has the platoon advantage over Saturday's starter Logan Webb. Muncy remains attractive both because of his somewhat-mild price and his dual-position eligibility.

DraftKings DFS Second Baseman

Luis Arraez, 2B, MIN vs CHW ($3,800)

Arraez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the Twins 10-5 Opening Day win over the Chicago White Sox. He hit in the nine-hole and figures to remain there for the time being, but you should be looking to get pieces of this loaded Twins lineup against the vulnerable Dallas Keuchel. He could easily be a part of a 9-1-2-3 Minnesota stack.

Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU vs SEA ($5,000)

Jose Altuve remains a stud, and I think people slept on how good he was in 2019. .298/.353/.550 with 31 homers, 74 RBI, 89 runs scored, and a .252 ISO. He only stole six bases, but his appeal clearly lies with his power and his run-scoring prowess. He shouldn't have a tough time getting going against journeyman Tijuan Walker, who last pitched meaningful innings back in 2017.

DraftKings DFS Third Baseman

Alex Bregman, 3B, HOU vs SEA ($5,300)

We're just going to keep in rolling with the 'Stros here. Bregman is an absolute monster and if Houston is going to put a big number on the board, you can bet that he'll be a significant part of it. He rocked an absurd .296 ISO in 2019 with 41 homers and a .592 SLG%.

Yoshi Tsutsugo, 3B/OF, TB vs TOR ($2,000)

The rookie from Japan went 1-for-4 with a two-run bomb in his MLB debut, and yet he remains priced at the minimum salary. The youngster hit third in the order last night and will face Matt Shoemaker, who is certainly not a pitcher to shy away from. Again, he is minimum salary and hitting at the top of the order.

DraftKings DFS Shortstop

Kevin Newman, SS, PIT vs STL ($3,600)

Kevin Newman's 2019 numbers won't pop out at you, but he held a solid .308/.353/.446 slash line with 12 home runs, 64 RBI, and 61 runs scored in what was a bottom-tier Pittsburgh offense. He also added 16 steals, which is an element of DFS that often goes overlooked. Adam Wainwright is decent, but it's hard not to like Newman's chances here at this price. Hitting leadoff and playing a premium position only adds to his appeal.

Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS vs BAL ($4,900) Bogaerts was scratched from today's lineup. Jose Peraza ($2,900) and Tzu-Wei Lin ($3,500) are starting today

Bogaerts should be in strong consideration for you Red Sox stacks, and it shouldn't need much explaining. He doesn't hold the platoon advantage, but he has a significant edge in talent over Orioles starter Alex Cobb. He had a relatively quiet night last night (1-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored), but don't expect that to continue in this golden matchup.

DraftKings DFS Outfielders

Nelson Cruz - OF, MIN vs CHW ($4,900)

Cruz went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and walk last night, and he'll look to keep it going on 7/25 against the White Sox and Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel gives up 1.28 HR/9  and though he is known for keeping the ball on the ground, that part of his game can sometimes get away from him. We shouldn't need to remind you about Cruz's legendary power, but if you do need a reminder, he hit .311/.392/.639 with 41 homers, 108 RBI, 81 runs scored, and a .328 ISO in 2019. (He also was at the top of the leaderboard in many advanced hitting metrics, at 39 years old!).

Kike Hernandez - OF, LAD vs SF ($3,300)

Kyle Schwarber - OF, CHC vs MIL ($4,500)

Schwarber has the platoon advantage over the exploitable Corbin Burns. Burns' 3.12 HR/9 in 2019 leads the slate by a wide margin, though he only made four starts and worked mostly out of the bullpen. He doesn't appear to have the stuff to handle the Cubs offense and Schwarber's .282 ISO with 38 homers in 2019 points to a good chance of him taking advantage of this opportunity.

Other Options: 

Joc Pederson- OF, LAD vs SF  ($4,000), J.D. Martinez - OF, BOS vs BAL ($4,900), George Springer - OF, HOU vs SEA ($5,800)