This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Don't forget about MLB just because the Olympics are going on (especially if the American men are losing to teams like France). Monday brings us nine games, but that includes a doubleheader between the Braves and Mets, which will be excised for DFS purposes. That means seven games from which to pick players for your lineups. Here are few recommendations to help you make your decisions. Hopefully you do better than Kevin Durant and company.
PITCHING
Shohei Ohtani, LAA vs. COL ($11,000): Ohtani has wowed with his bat, and we can't forget his pitching. His 3.34 FIP is impressive, and he's way better at home. The Japanese pitcher has a 5.16 road ERA but an 1.87 home ERA. Not only is Ohtani better at home, but the Rockies are of course worse offensively away from Coors Field.
Luis Garcia, HOU at SEA ($10,000): Garcia has really impressed in his rookie season, posting a 2.86 ERA and 3.33 FIP. He's also struck out 10.35 batters per nine innings. The Mariners are in the bottom 10 in runs scored, but it's a little surprising they aren't lower in the rankings. Seattle ranks 30th in team batting average and team OBP.
Dallas Keuchel, CWS at KC ($7,200): Keuchel isn't having the season people expected. His 4.22 ERA is middling, and he doesn't strike anybody out. That being said, he eats innings, and he gets plenty of offensive support from the White Sox's offense. The Royals, meanwhile, are just outside the bottom five in runs scored. There's a good chance Keuchel gets a win, and that's big for DFS purposes.
TOP TARGETS
Bryce Harper, PHI vs. WAS ($4,100): Harper seems like the kind of guy who is always hyped to face his former team, but that's not why I'm recommending him. He has a .961 OPS versus righties and a .927 OPS at home this season. Harper has also somewhat quietly stolen 12 bases in 77 games. He'll be facing Joe Ross who has a 4.02 ERA but a 4.50 FIP. That's not surprising given he had an ERA over 5.00 in each of his last three seasons.
Tim Anderson, CWS at KC ($3,900): In a world where batting averages have dropped like flies, Anderson is on pace for a batting average of more than .300 for the third-straight season. Anderson also remains a 20-20 threat, as he's hit nine homers and stolen 16 bases. Mike Minor had one strong season out of the bullpen, but in his last five seasons as a starting pitcher, he's allowed at least 1.30 home runs per nine innings.
VALUE BATS
Max Kepler, MIN vs. DET ($3,300): Kepler isn't going to hit 36 homers like he did in 2019, but he has 13 homers, and he's also stolen a career-high eight bases as well. Plus, if you keep the southpaw away from lefties, you should be okay. He has an .849 OPS against righties since 2019. Matt Manning came into the season as a vaunted pitching prospect, but through six starts, he has a 5.79 ERA.
Randal Grichuk, TOR vs. BOS ($2,700): Grichuk doesn't get on base often, but when he connects, he often does some real damage. The outfielder has a career .481 slugging percentage and has hit 18 home runs this season. Nick Pivetta has a career 5.20 ERA, and, germane to Grichuk's skills, Pivetta has allowed 1.55 home runs per nine innings.
STACK TO CONSIDER
Nationals vs. Spencer Howard: Juan Soto ($4,600), Trea Turner ($4,400), Josh Bell ($3,400)
Howard was considered a top prospect for the Phillies prior to his debut, but right now it seems like the bloom is entirely off the rose. Sure, he's only pitched 49.0 innings in his career, but he's posted a 5.51 ERA. His home runs are down this year, but four of his appearances have come out of the bullpen. Starting is a tougher gig than pitching in relief.
Soto has put his slow start completely behind him. The 22-year-old has a 1.246 OPS in July and can put up a .400 OBP in his sleep. Turner has stolen more than 30 bases in every full season of his career and is finally going to go 20-20 this season, as he has 18 home runs. Heck, he could go 30-30 if things break right. Bell has 15 home runs, and the switch hitter is better against righties. Since 2019, he has an .878 OPS versus right-handed pitchers.
