Sometimes it’s better to stay away from a Dodgers Giants matchup. One of the best rivalries in baseball can create uncertain outcomes at times. Today is not one of those times. The Dodgers are on an absolute tear. They’re tied for the league lead with 48 wins. And a big part of that is a resurgent Clayton Kershaw ($10,700). Kershaw has a 2.78 ERA the last 30 days, a 2.25 ERA in June, and a 2.06 ERA against the Giants over the last three years. That includes 90 Ks over 96 innings. He’s also not walking many this year, with a 1.08 WHIP overall. Kershaw is also $1,300 cheaper than today’s top dog Justin Verlander. So use that dough for some of the no-brainer, big dollar guys in your lineup. On to the rest of today’s picks.
New to FanDuel? Scared of feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well, be sure to read our content and subscribe to the DFSBot for your daily baseball plays. Just remember to sign up through us before jumping into the fray. It’s how we know you care!
Jack Flaherty, SP: $8,000 – This one is all about the matchup with the Marlins. Not only are the Cardinals one of the days top projected run scoring teams, but the Marlins are projected for the lowest run total of 3.12 (second only to the Kershaw matchup, where the Giants are projected for only 2.72 runs). This creates the potential for Flaherty to pitch deep into the game and get a win. If you’re looking to save some money on a starting pitcher, this is the place to go.
Roberto Perez, C: $2,900 – While you were being frustrated by a dearth of late spring and early summer TV, Perez has been quietly killing the ball. He has a .393 ISO the last two weeks (Christian Yelich leads the league with a .400 mark) and he’s in Arlingon TX for a matchup with the Rangers. Perez has a .438 batting average with an .882 OPS there over the past three years. Double check that he’s in the lineup before using him, but he’s a great cheap power source right now.
Cody Bellinger, 1B: $4,700 – One of the most expensive bats on the slate, but he is facing a right hander Shaun Anderson of the Giants at home in Dodger Stadium. And when Bellinger faces right handers, he’s a slam dunk choice. He’s hitting .358 with 13 Home Runs against righties this year, and a whopping .395 at home. Definitely worth the money.
Rougned Odor, 2B: $2,900 – The first of two cheaper 2B options, Odor is facing righty Zach Plesac. He’s struggled this year, but six of his eight home runs have come against righthanders, and he does have a .827 OPS at home over the past three years.
Brock Holt, 2B: $2,800 – These picks are a way of saying the top 2B picks aren’t worth it today, so take a flier on some possibilities. In Holt’s case he faces off against righthander Michael Pineda. Holt is hitting .295 against righties this year, and has a .993 OPS over the last 15 days, including a double, triple and home run.
Jose Ramirez, 3B: $3,100 – A preseason MVP pick, Ramirez hasn’t had the year many were expecting. But he won’t be this cheap too much longer, and he’s hitting the ball much harder lately (143 hard contact rate, one of the best in the game over the past week). Historically he’s better against right handers, like today’s opponent Adrian Sampson.
Ketel Marte, SS: $3,900 – This switch-hitting dynamo has 20 homers this year, has four homers in the past week, and should be in your lineup today.
Shohei Ohtani, OF: $3,800 – This Japanese national treasure is shockingly cheap. He has woken up with a bang (.435 ISO the last two weeks), and faces right hander Marcus Stroman of the Jays today. For his career, Ohtani has hit righties to a 1.042 OPS. Another Cycle perhaps?
Kyle Schwarber, OF: $3,200 – The more reasonably priced member of a highly rated lineup today, Schwarber has a .357 ISO the past two weeks and faces right hander Ivan Nova today. He has a .834 OPS against righties over the last few years.
Eloy Jimenez, OF: $3,400 – This rookie is slamming the ball, with a .472 ISO the last two weeks. This former Cubs top prospect will be looking to stick it to his former team for trading him to the White Sox at Wrigley today.
Nelson Cruz, OF: $3,900 – Old man Cruz is facing left hander David Price at home today in Minnesota. Cruz has hit .290 against Price in 31 at bats with two home runs. And he has a 1.206 OPS against lefties this year. He was one of the few who swung the bat against Porcello last night, continuing his hot hitting lately (.311 in June).
I’m Only Happy When It Rains
There are showers in the forecast for Washington, where the Cardinals and Nationals are matching up today. There are good possibilities in these lineups, but the threat of a postponement is real so it’s better to stay away.
Doing Lines In Vegas
Stack ’em, pack ’em and rack ’em: The highest projected runs scored today are the Nationals (5.21) vs the Phillies, the Cubs (5.16) vs the White Sox, and the Cardinals (5.01) vs the Marlins.
The best and the brightest: The biggest favorites today are the Dodgers (-270) vs the Giants, the Cubs (-235) vs the White Sox, and the the A’s (-227) vs the Orioles.
