Yesterday, my buddy Mitch Staniger penned a nice tribute to All-Star game snubs in his DFS article. With so many more deserving names for the honors, I’ve taken the baton and put together a list of my own.
I still can’t believe Logan Gilbert is not an All-Star. I’m on record twice making the prediction and will be the first to admit when I’m wrong. I’m not wrong, he is an All-Star. It’s not my fault there are some short-sighted people in baseball. Speaking of short-sighted, why did it take so long for Austin Riley to be added to the NL squad? I could spend hours here but we’ve got work to do.
Before we get to the players though, just a quick reminder to check out Streamonator and Hittertron and the other DFS tools from Razzball. There are so many great tools for use, no matter what format or contests you get yourself into. It’ll be well worth your time.
Now, back to the lineup building…
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Logan Webb, SP: DK: $9,800 / FD: $9,800 – How is Logan Webb NOT in the All-Star game? I don’t want to take anything away from the great season Tyler Anderson is having but…C’mon Folks! Carlos Rodon is selected to replace Josh Hader but is unavailable. Instead of going back to the Giants rotation to tab Webb, who is just as deserving, a third Dodgers SP is selected. On behalf of all objective baseball fans, I apologize to you, Logan Webb! The silver lining here though is – the All-Star game’s loss is our gain today. Start Webb with confidence versus the Brewers.
Shane Bieber, SP: DK: $9,400 / FD: $10,500 – This former All-Star and Cy Young winner has shown flashes of his former self. Most recently, Bieber threw a complete game against the pale hose leading to 55 points in FanDuel. This will be the 4th time Bieber has squared off with the Tigers this season. He has dominated them in two of the three, racking up 15 Ks in those games. His fastball may be down a tick, but this kid is transforming into a pitcher right before our eyes. Look for him to continue his ascension back to the top rungs of AL SPs and 2023 All-Star honors.
Adley Rutschman, C: DK: $3,700 / FD: $2,700 – Perennial All-Star Salvador Perez is out of the picture, so the AL backstop nod went to Alejandro Kirk and Jose Trevino. It’s hard to find another AL C worthy of an All-Star nod so I’ll go with the future perennial All-Star in Adley Rutschman. He hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire at the plate with a .684 OPS over his first 44 games. However, he does have 6 double-digit FanDuel games this month. This includes a pinch-hit HR in the 8th inning yesterday to tie the game. Keep it up, young man!
Matt Olson, 1B: DK: $5,400 / FD: $3,800 – Sure baseball is loaded with stars at 1B but who would have thought neither Freddie Freeman nor Matt Olson would be suiting up for the NL side? If the game was a month from now, Olson may not get these few days off. His bat has come around and is riding a streak of HRs in 4 of 5 straight games. In July alone, he has 8 double-digit FanDuel games to build on after the break. I plan to see it extend to 9.
Brandon Lowe, 2B: DK: $4,300 / FD: $3,100 – Brandon Lowe is back. After completing a stint on the 60-day, Lowe should now be a fixture in the Rays and your DFS lineups. He may need time to get his full baseball legs under him but if yesterday was a good indication, he won’t need long. One thing this guy can do very well is barrel the ball. Get this All-Star while the price is right.
Kris Bryant, 3B: DK: $5,900 / FD: $4,000 – Kris Bryant has been derailed by injuries this season. Barring those, Bryant may be playing baseball on Tuesday and not on our DFS list today. The former All-Star is maintaining a respectable .294/.358/.462 slash. The power numbers aren’t yet tracking for a Rockies power hitter but if he can stay healthy, a strong second half is not out of the question. Bryant is finishing the first-half strong, going 5-8 against Pirate pitchers so far this weekend. Look for more of the same versus Bryce Wilson, where he already has 3 hits in 7 plate appearances.
Francisco Lindor, SS: DK: $5,200 / FD: $3,700 – Francisco Lindor is on a nice roll lately as well. Currently on a 10-game hit streak and 3 HRs over the past week, he is finishing the first half strong. Lindor is traditionally not often stymied by southpaws so don’t look for Drew Smyly to slow him down today.
Cedric Mullins, OF: DK: $4,500 / FD: $3,400 – Prior to the start of the season, Cedric Mullins was tabbed a perennial All-Star. So far, he’s failed to live up to the 30-HR and .878 OPS posted in 2021. That said, he still possesses the speed-power combo to go off any day. Today may be one of those days. Mullins prefers facing RHP and is 6-15 against Corey Kluber coming into this game.
Michael Harris II, OF: DK: $4,400 / FD: $3,300 – Here’s your All-Star of the future. Michael Harris II exploded onto the scene in June and has been carrying his water since. Harris is slashing an impressive .284/.320/.503 with 8 HRs and 10 SBs, including 3 bags yesterday. If Rookie of the Year votes were cast today, Harris would be a strong contender for the award. Of course, we’re more concerned with today and Nats starter Josh Rogers. Rogers returns from the IL and likely serves as an opener today. Stacking the Braves is a good idea and including Harris is a must.
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There is some rain and wind throughout the Midwest which may affect some games. I’m particularly concerned that the Cincy-St Louis game may be postponed. On the bright side, extra rest may be good for Albert Pujols’ HR-Derby chances.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Last week, I laid some coin with prop bets on the O’s and it paid off nicely. Today, I’ll do the same. The O’s are +143 on the money line against the Rays. In addition to the three names above playing in this game, I’ll be looking at props for Austin Hays and Anthony Santander as well.
