The Monday, July 29 DraftKings fantasy baseball slate features eight games. Get a head start on the competition by checking out the best MLB DFS stud and value picks for each position.
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PITCHER
Stud
Nick Pivetta, Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners ($8,500) — Paul Skenes ($10,500) is on the DraftKings Monday slate. His salary is the highest and he’s not in a favorable matchup against the Astros. Pivetta comes in $2,000 cheaper in one of the best matchups for a pitcher with a high K-Rate (10.9 K/9). The Mariners can hit and they miss — 29% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. Pivetta has a 2.51 xFIP and 13.7 K/9 in July (four starts).
Value
Jake Bloss, Houston Astros vs. Pittsburgh Pirates ($6,600) — Paul Skenes might steal the show, but Bloss could steal the win. Skenes is 6-1, but he’s 4-1 in his last eight starts. He allowed two earned runs in 8.2 innings and took the L in his last start. So is life, pitching for the Pirates. Bloss isn’t the No. 1 prospect in the world, but he is the Astros’ No. 2 Prospect (No. 92 in MLB). Bloss was drafted in 2023 and debuted a month ago — two years ahead of schedule. The Astros rushed Bloss out of necessity, but he checked all the boxes in the minors and has been serviceable in his three MLB starts. His last start was ugly. He allowed four home runs on mistake pitches. Besides the mistakes, Bloss was in control against Oakland — 13% Swinging Strike Rate. The double major in Math and Econ with a master’s degree in Economics from Georgetown should be able to figure it out.
INFIELD
Stud
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox ($6,400) — The Royals are priced up on Monday’s Slate. They get the park upgrade and a matchup against Chris Flexen ($6,000). Flexen has been worse against left-handed batters but his 5.15 xFIP suggests he struggles against everyone. Against right-handed batters, Flexen has a 5.20 xFIP. Witt is one of the hottest hitters in baseball. He has a .333 ISO and .577 wOBA over the last seven games.
Stud
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals ($5,600) — The kettle is hot and home runs are steaming out. Marte has homered in four of the last six games. His 11 RBIs over the last seven games are the most in MLB. Against left-handed pitchers, Marte has a .354 ISO, .466 wOBA and 206 wRC+ in 159 at-bats.
Value
Noelvi Marte, Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs ($3,200) — Cheap bats in Cincinnati are close in comparison to cheap bats at Coors Field. Marte has hit safely in five of the last six games. Jameson Taillon ($8,100) is having a solid season (2.96 ERA), but he is a flyball pitcher who pitches to contact.
Value
Juan Yepez, Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks ($3,400) — The Cardinals’ former No. 14 Prospect was cut after two disappointing MLB seasons. The Nats signed Yepez to a Minor League deal and he posted a suitable .795 OPS. Since his call-up on July 5, he has a .232 ISO, .440 wOBA and 188 wRC+. In 19 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Yepez has a .457 wOBA.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Lane Thomas, Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks, ($5,000) — Jordan Montgomery ($7,200) has been solid in same-handed matchups (3.18 xFIP). Right-handed hitters have hammered him — .390 wOBA, 1.3 HR/9 and 4.96 xFIP. Lane Thomas has a .403 wOBA and 163 wRC+ vs. left-handed pitching.
Stud
Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox ($4,800) — Sometimes a change of scenery can save a season. The former Rays star has hit safely in each of his first two starts with his new club. Nick Pivetta might strike out 10 Mariners, but he could give up some big hits to right-handed batters — .350 wOBA, 2.0 HR/9 and a 38% Hard Contact Rate. Arozarena owns a 1.209 OPS in 22 at-bats against Nick Pivetta.
Value
MJ Melendez, Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox ($3,000) — His salary seems high for a .193 hitter coming off the IL. The salary reflects the hitter’s park and the hitter’s pitcher— Chris Flexen (.377 wOBA, 2.4 HR/9 and 5.08 xFIP vs. LHB). Melendez has struggled this season but has hit 11 home runs off right-hand pitchers (.235 ISO).
Value
Jarred Kelenic, Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers ($4,000) — Similar to Melendez, Kelenic’s salary seems a little high. Similar to Melendez, Kelenic gets a park and matchup boost on Monday night. Colin Rea ($6,900) allows 1.5 HR/9 to left-handed hitters. Kelenic hits at the top of the order. He’ll get an extra crack at Rea and maximum at-bats as the road team.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is greenflagradio2) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
