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We're set for a typically busy Friday night that features some quality pitchers in a mixed bag of matchups and some intriguing battles at Fenway Park and Miller Park in particular.
There's also some interesting history between several batters on the ledger and opposing pitchers, which, when coupled with other metrics uncovered by research, make a couple of them particularly appealing values at their salaries. We'll explore some further in the forthcoming selections along with a mix of other hitters across the salary scale that are worth considering.
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 7/23/2021. 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 read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like DraftKings, and other sports.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Cash Game/GPP Anchor Play:
Zack Wheeler – vs. ATL ($10,200)
Wheeler has given up a total of 11 runs (eight earned) over the 11.2 innings covering his last two starts, an atypically bumpy stretch that was preceded by four scoreless efforts in the previous five starts. The latter is much more in line with Wheeler’s profile this year, as he’s pitched to an impressive 2.44 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He also already stymied the Braves on two of the three occasions in which he’s faced them and owns a 1.37 ERA, .176 BAA and 26:4 K:BB across 19.2 innings versus Atlanta. Wheeler also owns a 2.16 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 11.0 K/9 and 0.7 HR/9 in 75 home frames, which helps offset the fact the Braves have been legitimately dangerous against righties on the road thus far in July.
Potential Alternate Play
Joe Musgrove – at MIA ($7,900)
Musgrove has struggled to a 7.36 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over the 18.1 innings covering his last four starts, so he may seem a somewhat odd suggestion on the surface. However, the right-hander has certainly had his stretches of brilliance this season, including a no-hitter, and he owns a solid 3.52 ERA and 0.93 WHIP on the road. The Marlins make for a good target to get Musgrove back on track, as Miami owns a .220 average, .291 wOBA and -3.7 wRAA against righties at home in July, and a -13.0 wRAA in that split for the season. Meanwhile, Musgrove’s recent struggles have resulted in an appealing salary reduction, but this is a player who’s flashed a ceiling north of 60 FD points this season.
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FanDuel DFS Infielders
Yuli Gurriel- 1B, vs. TEX ($2,700)
Gurriel could be one of the best value plays of the entire slate considering his own skill set and the matchup, as the veteran is facing a southpaw in Kolby Allard. Gurriel owns a .313 average, .387 wOBA and .922 OPS against left-handed pitching while striking out a minuscule 7.6 percent clip versus that handedness. Meanwhile, Allard has been hammered by right-handed hitters on the road, giving up a .315 average, .899 OPS and .380 wOBA to that handedness, along with a 2.1 HR/9. Gurriel also comes in wielding a hot bat, having posted a .348 average over his last six games.
Jonathan Schoop – 2B, at KC ($3,400)
Schoop is averaging 10.4 FD points per game and has tallies of 22.4 and 31.9 in his last five contests alone. The veteran second baseman’s current .287/.327/.473 line is one of the best of his career, and he’ll check into Friday’s matchup against Royals starter Kris Bubic with a .327 average, .430 wOBA and .346 ISO against left-handed pitching on the road, and a massive 47.2 percent hard-contact rate against that handedness overall. Then, Bubic has been hit hard by either handedness of hitter, and he’s allowed a .361 wOBA, 1.8 HR/9 and 5.12 xFIP to righty bats specifically.
Justin Turner– 3B, vs. COL ($3,800)
Turner owns a .308 average and has struck out only once in 15 career plate appearances versus Rockies starter Chi Chi Gonzalez, who’s been banged around for a .276 average, .905 OPS, 2.7 HR/9 and .380 wOBA by right-handed hitters on the road. For his part, Turner has been doing his usual number on right-handed pitching this season, posting a .317 average, 20 XBH, .902 OPS and .392 wOBA in that split. He’s also in the midst of a blistering month of July, one in which he’s slashed .390/.448/.678 with a .474 wOBA and 203 wRC+ across 67 plate appearances. Rockies relievers will make for a good target after Gonzalez exits as well, considering their 6.15 ERA versus right-handed hitters in July.
Alcides Escobar – SS, at BAL ($2,700)
Escobar has been quite the find for the Nationals, returning to the majors after a successful 2020 in Japan to post an impressive .297/.366/.422 slash line over his first 73 plate appearances in Washington. The veteran shortstop gets an appealing matchup in Friday’s Beltway Series opener against Jorge Lopez, who’s allowed a .356 average, .965 OPS and .417 wOBA to right-handed hitters in his home park of Camden Yards, and who’s allowed a .373 average and 6.75 ERA over 13.1 July innings. Meanwhile, Escobar has been excellent in the early going against right-handed pitching, posting a .313 average and .365 wOBA against that handedness over a 55 plate-appearance sample. The Orioles bullpen also presents as an appealing target, considering its relievers have allowed a 5.30 ERA, .264 average and .356 wOBA to right-handed hitters in July.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Trey Mancini- vs. WAS ($3,300)
Mancini is a strong play as well on the other side of the Nationals-Orioles matchup, as he draws his own appealing matchup versus inconsistent Washington southpaw Patrick Corbin. Mancini has pounded left-handed hitters for a .291/.368/.564 slash line, a .392 wOBA and .274 ISO, while Corbin has surrendered a .298 average, .870 OPS and .373 wOBA to right-handed bats. He’s also given up a 1.9 HR/9 to that handedness, while Mancini checks in with a .296/.356/.500 slash line across 59 July plate appearances.
Mitch Haniger – vs. OAK ($3,500)
Haniger faces an inconsistent right-hander in Frankie Montas, who’s allowed a .278 average, .339 wOBA and 1.5 HR/9 to right-handed hitters on the road. Meanwhile, Haniger put together an outstanding .382/.463/.853 slash line with a double, five home runs, 12 RBI, five walks and 11 runs across the nine games prior to an 0-for-4 effort versus the Athletics on Thursday, and although he’s been a better road hitter overall this season, he does own a .338 wOBA and .216 ISO versus righties overall, as well as a .444 average with two extra-base hits and only one strikeout in nine career encounters against Montas.
Justin Upton – at MIN ($3,000)
Upton was activated from the injured list Thursday and was understandably rusty, going 0-for-4 versus the Twins. However, the veteran outfielder has a chance to start getting back into the swing of things Friday, as he draws a potentially fruitful matchup against veteran southpaw J.A. Happ, who’s allowed a .302 average and .393 wOBA in opposite-handed matchups, along with a 2.2 HR/9. Then, Upton has been excellent against left-handed pitching, posting a .976 OPS, .415 wOBA and .328 ISO in that split, along with a 30.0 percent HR/FB rate. Upton also has a pair of homers and .455 average against Happ in 14 career plate appearances, and Minnesota relievers have yielded a .263 average and .319 wOBA to righty hitters in July as well.
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