Fantasy gambling degenerates, unite! We’ve done very well with our respective MLB DFS picks during the month of June, and it’s time to carry that momentum into the future. However before we do, we’ve got one more slate to touch on before flipping the calendar to July. Tonight, there are seven games and the slate has a slightly earlier start time – 6:05pm EDT, to be exact. Keep that in mind, and make sure you get your lineups set before the first pitch is thrown.
The goal is not to duplicate lineups with the masses, so let’s try to stand out from the crowd. We are going to find value on the mound and swinging the stick while spreading out our cash, rather than simply going large on heavy-hitters. As always, I’ll list the featured values first, and then give a pick at each remaining position afterwards.
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***All prices listed are from DraftKings***
Value on the Hill
Logan Gilbert – vs Oakland ($9,500)
Gilbert has turned it up in a big way during his second season on the bump for Seattle. He’s blowing his 2021 numbers out of the water, and prior to a 5.2 inning, three run start last week, he had rattled off seven-straight quality starts. In total, he has eight quality starts on the season in 15 trips to the hill. Gilbert has allowed just eight balls to leave the yard, and carries a ration of 9K/9. He’ll toe the slab against the Athletics tonight, who are just a hair better than Detroit at runs scored per game. That puts them easily second-to-last in baseball, while also striking out at a 8.93 clip on the road. Expect Gilbert to make quick work of Oakland, hit double-digit strikeouts, and log a win. For the season, he is 8-3 with a 2.44 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
Best pairing: Graham Ashcraft – at Chicago Cubs ($8,000)
After a pair of rough outings, Ashcraft bounced back on June 24, going eight strong with eight strikeouts and allowing just two runs. He improved to 4-1 with a 3.27/1.08. Ashcraft has allowed just four home runs in seven starts.
Value in the Field
Travis d’Arnaud, C – at Philadelphia ($4,300)
The Atlanta backstop has been handsomely rewarding DFS players who have taken advantage of his reasonable pricing of late. d’Arnaud has a hit in eight straight games and in 13 of his previous 16. During that period, he’s mashed seven ding-dongs, crossed the plate on 16 occasions, and driven in 19 runs. He batted .328 during the stretch with an absurd 1.142 OPS. DFS plays would be wise to follow the Braves’ lead and ride his hot streak as long as possible. $4.3K is a bargain as he continues to see the ball this well.
Seth Brown, 1B – at Seattle ($4,300)
As long as we are on the subject of hot streaks, let’s move onto the Oakland first baseman (also eligible in OF). As much as I dislike starting hitters that will be facing my pitcher of record (in this case, Gilbert), sometimes it’s tough to avoid. Brown’s .230 average in 222 at bats isn’t much to look at, but he’s put together several mini-streaks this season. He’s in the midst of one now. In DFS, hot hands are important, and while Brown isn’t scorching he has hit safely in his last eight games (seven starts). He’s gone 12-for-26 (.462) with four doubles and a pair of homers while scoring and driving in five of each.
Oneil Cruz, SS – vs Milwaukee ($3,900)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, because god knows I sound like a broken record. As long as Cruz is continually price below $4,000, I’ll keep using him as an affordable value play in lineups. Everyone knows the drill by now: He ca stuff the stat sheet at every single category, which is always a potential treasure chest waiting to be opened. The last time I used Cruz in this article I said not to worry about the lack of home runs, and what did he do that night? You guessed it. In my own lineup last night, I had a hunch to not play him and he still contributed a pair of walks. It was a little disappointing to not see him given the green light on the basepaths, as Cruz has amazing speed. Hopefully we see more of that soon. His numbers aren’t blowing anyone away, but in a small sample size, they fluctuate wildly on any given evening. They’ll even out as he gets more comfortable. For now, I’m willing to pay for potential at $3.9K.
A couple hot hands and potential stat stuffer for $12,500. Below are my preferred picks to spread out cash for tonight at the remaining positions.
Other favorite plays: Gavin Lux (2B – LAD), DJ LeMahieu (3B – NYY), Kyle Schwarber (PHI – OF), Christopher Morel (OF – CHC), Michael Harris II (OF – ATL)
Here’s to winning a bunch of contests tonight and springboarding into July with a nice bankroll to play with.
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