There’s an 11-game featured MLB slate this evening, but the baseball world will be focused on the 6:00 p.m. ET trade deadline. As we saw on Monday, these trades can impact probable starters, so make sure to keep an eye on the news throughout the day.
For everything else, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
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PITCHER
Stud
Hunter Brown, Houston Astros vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, $9,000 – Brown’s been elite since late May and that’s been crystal clear in his last three outings. Across 18.0 innings, Brown has managed a 1.50 ERA with a 24.3% strikeout rate. In his most recent start on July 24, the right-hander allowed just a single earned run in six frames against the red-hot Athletics, striking out eight in the process. I’d expect the good times to continue for Brown in a matchup with the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s bats have underwhelmed over the last two weeks, as the team ranks 24th in wOBA (.294) and 26th in ISO (.126).
Value
Matt Waldron, San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, $8,000 – Waldron’s a little more expensive than I’m usually willing to go for a “value” asset, but I do think the knuckleballer will be on the lower-end of the ownership spectrum thanks to a matchup with the Dodgers. However, while still dangerous, this isn’t exactly an A-plus Los Angeles lineup. In fact, over the past 14 days, the Dodgers are in possession of baseball’s third-highest strikeout rate (27.9%). Meanwhile, Waldron’s been amazing for the Padres. Since May 17, the RHP has pitched to a 2.72 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. What more could you ask for?
INFIELD
Stud
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals, $5,500 – If you’re someone who likes to exploit platoon splits, matchups don’t get much better than Marte versus Patrick Corbin ($7,000). Arizona’s All-Star has been a machine as a right-handed batter in 2024, coming into Tuesday’s action slashing .356/.415/.698 within the split. Among qualified National League hitters, Marte’s 203 wRC+ against LHPs is the best in the game. Corbin is also a league leader. His 5.85 xERA is the highest mark in MLB.
Stud
Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins at New York Mets, $5,200 – I mean… You might as well use Lewis while he’s healthy, right? The sample size is small — as it always is with the former first-overall pick — but Lewis is slashing .387/.459/.742 with a 220 wRC+ versus LHPs so far this season. Sean Manaea ($7,900) would be wise to tread carefully with Minnesota’s slugger.
Value
Jake Bauers, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves, $4,100 – There’s nothing particularly special about Bauers, though the veteran does own a 120 wRC+ in his 171 plate appearances going back to the beginning of May. He’s also recently been hitting in the three-spot in the Brewers’ lineup. No, this spot is about Bryce Elder ($7,200). The RHP has faced 100 LHBs in 2024. He’s allowed those lefties to combine for a .356 average and a .430 wOBA. Woof.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants, $5,400 – Rooker has been a man possessed in July. Possessed by whom? I’m not 100% sure, but it seems like Babe Ruth. In 94 plate appearances in the month, Rooker is slashing .413/.479/.850 with a 263 wRC+. For the season as a whole, Rooker’s been just as amazing in opposite-hand matchups, mustering a jaw-dropping .378 ISO and .405 wOBA against LHPs. Robbie Ray ($8,200) has the potential to be quite good, yet this is still just his second start back from Tommy John. I’ll take my chances with Rooker’s red-hot bat — as long as he’s still an Athletic tonight.
Stud
Lourdes Gurriel, Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Washington Nationals, $4,100 – Gurriel has regressed after a fantastic 2023 campaign, but the veteran outfielder has remained a threat against left-handed pitching. In 124 plate appearances within the split, Gurriel is slashing .328/.355/.504 with a 141 wRC+. Actually, the Diamondbacks as a whole have thrived versus southpaws, with the team owning a .331 wOBA — the seventh-highest mark in MLB. Feel free to stack them to your heart’s content in this matchup with Corbin.
Value
Victor Robles, Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox, $3,300 – Are people aware what’s been going on with Robles? In his 10 games since the All-Star break, the former top prospect is hitting .359 with four stolen bases and three extra-base hits. As such — and because there’s no one else — Robles is suddenly entrenched as Seattle’s leadoff man. The good news continues tonight, with the Mariners drawing lefty James Paxton ($7,600). Let’s just say there’s a reason the Dodgers designated Paxton. He’s cooked.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB $200K Knuckleball [$50K to 1st]
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
