Today's MLB DFS Playbook: Lineup picks, value sleepers for Friday daily fantasy baseball contests on FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo

2022-07-08
5 min read
(SN/Getty)

We have an absolute monster 14-game MLB DFS main slate on Friday night. With this many games on the slate, there are a lot of directions you can go on the mound with starting pitchers such as Nestor Cortes and Zack Wheeler. There are also some offenses in elite spots like the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Royals. Check back with our MLB Weather Center for more details surrounding the weather as we approach roster lock. 

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Today's MLB DFS Playbook: Lineup picks, tips for Friday

SP Zack Wheeler, Phillies (@ Cardinals). Wheeler has been fantastic lately and is coming off seven shutout innings against the Cardinals. The Cardinals have not been the same offense against right-handed pitching as they have been against lefties. Over the past two weeks, St. Louis has a 24.7 percent strikeout rate and tied for 17th in OPS as a team.

SP Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (vs. Rockies). We know the Rockies to be good at home and to hit lefties well, but Gallen is pitching in Arizona and throws from the right side of the hill. He’s faced the Rockies twice this year, notching a 2.08 ERA,11 strikeouts, and 21 DK points per game in 13 innings. Furthermore, Gallen has had three quality starts in his past four outings.

C MJ Melendez, Royals (vs. Guardians). Although Melendez has had more success against lefties this season, he’s belted seven home runs vs. righthanded pitching. Lefties have crushed Guardians starter Aaron Civale this year, batting .308 with a .375 wOBA and a 35.6 percent hard-hit rate. Additionally, Melendez has also three home runs over his past three games.

1B Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (vs. Cubs). Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson has not been great as a starter this year, notching a 4.57 ERA compared to 1.38 out of the bullpen. He has allowed a .469 SLG%, .352 wOBA, and a strikeout rate that has shrunk to 21 percent as well. Freeman has hit .305 with a .375 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year.

2B Jose Altuve, Astros (@ Athletics). Athletics starter Paul Blackburn has been pretty good this year but has allowed four home runs over his past three starts. Altuve is 6-for-11 with a home run vs. Blackburn in his career. Altuve has hit righties well this year, notching 10 home runs and a .366 wOBA.

3B Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks (vs. Rockies). Rojas has been quite good lately, hitting .371 with a .964 OPS. He also has six doubles and a stolen base, so he flashes a little power/speed combination. Rockies starter Chad Kuhl has struggled against lefties, allowing a .790 OPS and a .341 wOBA this season.

SS Aledmys Diaz, Astros (@ Athletics). If Jeremy Pena can’t go due to health and safety protocols, we should see Diaz in the lineup again. He’s been good of late, and with regular playing time, he’s been paying dividends, notching four extra-base hits (two home runs) in three games. 

OF Marcell Ozuna, Braves (vs. Nationals). Ozuna has had quite a bit of success against Erick Fedde in his career, going 7-for-11 off him with two home runs and 6 RBIs. He's hit right-handed pitching well all year, and Fedde has struggled more with righties this season.

MORE PICKS: SP Lucas Giolito, White Sox (vs. Tigers); C Cal Raleigh, Mariners (vs. Blue Jays); 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (@ Mariners); 2B Gleyber Torres, Yankees (@ Red Sox); 3B Jose Ramirez, Guardians (@ Royals); SS Jorge Mateo, Orioles (vs. Angels); OF Andrew Benintendi, Royals (vs. Guardians)

For even more picks, plus full analysis and strategy advice, subscribe and check out Fantasy Alarm's full MLB DFS Playbook for Friday's slate.