Happy Tuesday, Fourth of July, we have an eight-game MLB DFS early slate on tap on DraftKings and FanDuel. It’s an exciting slate with less-than-stellar firepower on the mound. Sure Zach Eflin and Aaron Nola are pitching, but they’re in a very tough match-up and Jesus Luzardo has definitely been better lately but has flashed inconsistencies at times. Be sure to check out our tools including the MLB Lineups page, MLB DFS Projections – powered by FanJections –, MLB DFS Ownership, and all of our tools HERE! Let's dive into today's playbook, core plays, and top stacks of the day!

 

MLB DFS Weather Center

Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees

There are a lot of storms in the area that likely cause a delay, but if they wait out the storm, they’ll find a pocket in the afternoon to finish the game.

Texas Rangers @ Boston Red Sox

Similar to the game prior, this is a likely wait-and-play. If they start on time, a delay is likely. If they start on time and wait out the storms after the initial delay they should be able to get it in with no issues.

Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options for Strikeouts

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies - 6.5 Ks (-140)

Jesus Luzardo, Miami Marlins - 6.5 Ks (-130)

Kodai Senga, New York Mets - 5.5 Ks (-125)

Zach Eflin, Tampa Bay Rays - 5.5 Ks (-105)

Best Odds for a Win

Kenta Maeda, Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers (-195)

Brandon Bielak, Houston Astros vs. Colorado Rockies (-175)

Jesus Luzardo, Miami Marlins vs. St. Louis Cardinals (-165)

See More

Favorite Starters to Use for DFS Lineups

Jesus Luzardo, Miami Marlins

Of the top-tier options, Luzardo comes into this game pitching the best. He’s thrown 13.1 scoreless innings while striking out 18 and walking just two. He’s put up 19+ DKP in four of five starts and has topped 29 in three of five. St. Louis has historically been a good hitting team against left-handed pitching but this year they rank 16th in OPS and 15th in wOBA. Luzardo should continue his hot stretch here.

Kenta Maeda, Minnesota Twins

The undoubted chalk value option today checks in with Kenta Maeda and for good reason. He’s looked sharp in the two starts he’s made since returning from the IL firing 10 innings, allowing two runs, and 12 strikeouts and one of those match-ups came against the Braves. He faces a Royals offense here ranking near the bottom of the league in every category against right-handed pitching and near the top in strikeout rate.

Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs

This is not going to be a popular approach by any stretch of the imagination, but getting creative on this slate may be what it takes. Hendricks has pitched really well this season, we just know he has a low strikeout floor. We need the 4-5 strikeout ceiling he’s flashed three times this season and that’s possible considering the Brewers have the fifth-highest K-rate in the league against right-handed pitching. Milwaukee’s .691 OPS ranks 24th against right-handed pitching.

Recommended DFS Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals 

Texas Rangers - 5.15

Houston Astros - 4.98

New York Yankees - 4.91

See More

Favorite Hitters to Use for DFS Lineups

Adolis Garcia, Texas Rangers

With the Red Sox tossing out Brennan Bernadino as an opener today, they’re electing to go with a bullpen game. Over the last two weeks, they’ve been one of the most taxed bullpens, and have felt that considering they have a 5.03 ERA to boot. Garcia is scorching hot right now homering four times in eight games and notching hits in seven of the eight. He has a .224 ISO against lefties and a .250 ISO against righties. He crushes both splits.

Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets

I know Zack Davies is coming off a great start, but a squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. Lefties are hitting .301 with a .800 OPS and .350 wOBA against him and Nimmo has done damage against righties. He has 12 HR, .212 ISO, and a .367 wOBA against right-handed hurlers. Nimmo has belted five homers over his last 10 games overall.

Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins

It’s always been about health when it comes to Cooper and right now, he’s healthy and he’s been great. He’s slashed .361/.439/.583 over his last 10 games with two home runs and two doubles. Cooper is a very powerful dude at a cheap price as he’s notched a .194 ISO against righties this year. His downfall has been the strikeout and his opponent has a 10% K-rate against right-handed hitters. I’d say that neutralizes that. Righties have a .367 wOBA against Adam Wainwright this year.

Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees

Nobody can stop him right now! Over his last 10 games, he’s hit .441 with a 1.134 OPS and has six multi-hit games over his last seven contests. He’s flashed a little power lately and we know all about the speed if he reaches first here with a righty on the hill. Kyle Gibson has been really struggling lately as he’s allowed 11 ER over his last two starts and now faces a scorching hot Anthony Volpe. Not great, Bob.

Player Pool

$ Tier {{pos.alias}}

Stacks

{{stack.team.name}} {{player.name}}
DraftKings {{player.fantasy.price.value[8]}}-
Fanduel {{player.fantasy.price.value[6]}}-