Welcome to today's daily fantasy post! Remember that you can find our posts on the new DFS home page, as well as the fantasy page. Bookmark those sites now!
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Let's get to today's interesting facts, using DraftKings prices. We'll use DK's "all-day" slate, which does not include the 12:35 p.m. ET Braves-Reds game OR Game 1 of the Padres-Cardinals doubleheader. Please note that much of the information in this post is being published several hours prior to game times, so check MLB lineups later to confirm that any recommended players are included.
5 Things to Watch:
1. It's generally not a day for aces, as Justin Verlander at $11,000 is the most expensive pitcher on the board. Verlander is also the day's biggest favorite at -184 over the Twins and he has surpassed 30 DK points in two of his last three starts. The Twins rank 19th in OBA (.319), 22nd in strikeout rate (22 percent), and have scored just 14 runs in five games since the All-Star break.
2. Outside of Coors Field, the highest projected run total is 10 for Drew Pomeranz's Fenway Park debut vs. the Giants. On the low end, a trio of games (Marlins-Phillies, Indians-Royals, White Sox-Mariners) have projected totals of eight runs.
3. Waiting to use Clayton Kershaw again? Keep waiting, as his rehab has been shut down due to continued soreness in his lower back. (Insert sad emoji here, since I don't know how emojis work.)
4. Looking ahead: Astros prospect Alex Bregman (.304, 20 HR in the minors this season) made his first Triple-A start at third base on Tuesday night. Bregman said in a recent radio interview that he imagined facing a pitcher in "red and gray" for his first big-league at bat (h/t Houston Chronicle), so it's possible that he'll get called up for the series against the Angels this weekend. It's also possible that Bregman doesn't make the decisions in Houston.
5. Hot hitter alert: Albert Pujols ($4,500) had two-homer games on both Sunday and Tuesday, and faces Martin Perez, who has posted negative DK points in three of his last five starts.
D.J. Foster's recommendations for the day are below!
Yesterday's recap:
Trevor Story was Adam Meyer's must-start on Tuesday, and Story responded with a home run. Thanks, Trevor!
Must-Start of the day: Jaime Garcia, STL
Although he's struggled as of late, a home matchup against the Padres is a good cure for what ails him. Garcia is affordable at $7,900 and is a big favorite at -180 against Paul Clemens.
Deal of the day: Jonathan Lucroy, MIL
He's 10-for-26 lifetime against Jeff Locke and has a .348 average over his last seven games with 2 HR. At just $3,900, he's the best value catcher on the board for Wednesday.
Avoid of the day: Robinson Cano, SEA
Cano has struggled mightily against Miguel Gonzalez throughout his career, going just 4-for-27 against him lifetime.
Stack of the day: Boston Red Sox
Matt Cain has been knocked around a lot this year (5.34 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) and he's coming off a long DL stint where he struggled in his rehab starts. Traveling to Boston to take on one of the best lineups in all of baseball is like sending a lamb to the slaughter. Load up on Red Sox.
Starting pitchers:
Jaime Garcia, STL: "Must-start of the day"
Jeremy Hellickson, PHI: I don't love any of the high-dollar aces pitching on Wednesday, which leads me to mid-range options like Hellickson. This game against Miami has one of the lowest projected run totals (8), and Hellickson tends to limit his mistakes (1.20 WHIP) fairly well. He's in good shape for a home win.
Chris Archer, TB: How lucky do you feel? I'm breaking a cardinal rule by recommending a pitcher at Coors Field, but Archer has the strikeout juice at $5,700 to put up a solid day, even if he gets knocked around a bit. He's had a rough year, but we'd be happy with his 16.5 points per average start on Draft Kings at this price.
Catchers:
Jonathan Lucroy, MIL: "Deal of the day"
Yasmani Grandal, LAD: He's hitting .391 with 3 HR over his last seven games.
First basemen:
Joe Mauer, MIN: Has a lifetime .976 OPS against Justin Verlander in 71 at-bats.
Mike Napoli, CLE: He's hitting .400 with 3 HR over his last seven games.
Second basemen:
Rougned Odor, TEX: He's 11-for-23 lifetime against Hector Santiago.
Ian Kinsler, DET: 20-for-65 lifetime against Ervin Santana.
Ben Zobrist, CHC: Four homers in 16 career at bats against Bartolo Colon (this is Halpin's note).
Third basemen:
Adrian Beltre, TEX: He owns a .968 lifetime OPS in 36 at-bats against Hector Santiago.
Josh Donaldson, TOR: He dominates against southpaws, has a 1.106 OPS over his last 10 games and is in a hitter's park against a vulnerable pitcher. Yes, please.
Shortstops:
Starlin Castro, NYY: He's 16-for-41 lifetime against Yovani Gallardo.
Xander Bogaerts, BOS: Part of our Red Sox stack and has a depressed price because of his recent slump.
Outfielders:
Bryce Harper, WAS: Bud Norris has struggled against powerful left-handed bats this year, and they don't get much more powerful than Harper.
Ryan Braun, MIL: A mini-Brewers stack isn't a bad idea, as Braun punishes left-handed pitching.
Mookie Betts, BOS: Spend up on your outfield, as Betts is hitting .349 over his last 10 and is a dual speed and power threat.
