This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Welcome to August! The trade deadline just passed and there are only a couple months left in the regular season. August kicks off with 15 games, the majority in the afternoon. You'll need your lineup in by 1:05 p.m. EDT. Be prepared for that, and these recommendations might help.
PITCHING
Kyle Gibson, PHI at PIT ($9,000): Gibson is expected to make his Phillies debut after posting a 2.87 ERA with the Rangers. There's no better matchup to step into than this one to try and make a splash in your first game with a new team. The Pirates come in last in runs scored by a notable margin, putting them in line to finish 30th in that category for the second-straight season.
Julio Urias, LAD at ARI ($9,500): Urias has been on a nice run with a 2.45 ERA over his last six starts. While wins aren't a true measure of a pitcher's skills, it's worth noting for DFS purposes Urias is tied for the MLB lead with 12 victories. That's not that surprising given he pitches for the Dodgers. On the flip side, the Diamondbacks have the fewest wins in the league. I'm expecting win number 13 for Urias.
Jordan Montgomery, NYY at MIA ($8,000): Montgomery has allowed zero runs in each of his last two starts, lowering his ERA to 3.78 while compiling a 3.55 FIP on the season. The Marlins rank 27th in runs scored, and dealing Starling Marte around the deadline isn't going to help their offense.
Marcus Stroman, NYM vs. CIN ($9,300): Stroman has produced a 2.62 ERA while not allowing more than three runs in a start since May 16. That's all encouraging. On the other hand, the Reds are top-10 in runs scored. That is less encouraging. However, I am still including Stroman as a recommendation if you want to bet on pitching talent and care a little less about matchup.
TOP TARGETS
Pete Alonso, NYM vs. CIN ($3,800): Alonso took a step down from his rookie season in 2020, but still maintained a .490 slugging percentage. The power didn't go anywhere. Alonso is almost back in peak form given he's won another Home Run Derby and has slugged 23 homers over 98 games. He'll be facing rookie pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez, who has a 5.87 FIP through 11 starts while giving up 1.78 home runs per nine innings.
Justin Turner, LAD at ARI ($3,400): Over the last five seasons, Turner has slashed .305/.395/.509 and has hit 19 home runs this year. The righty will be facing left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith, who enters with a 4.90 FIP. Wherever he's gone, he's faced issues with home runs having allowed 1.68 home runs per nine innings.
VALUE BATS
Kyle Seager, SEA at TEX ($3,100): Seager is getting on base at a sub-.300 level, but still has power going for him. The slugging percentage isn't great as he isn't making a lot of contact, but he's still posted 22 home runs. Seager also has an .871 OPS in away games compared to a .591 OPS at home. The longtime Seattle slugger will be facing Mike Foltynewicz, who has a 6.30 FIP in his first season with the Rangers.
Adolis Garcia, TEX vs. SEA ($3,000): I'm flipping this matchup around, because there aren't a lot of big-name bats here while the pitching options provide opportunity. Seattle is starting Marco Gonzales, who comes in with a 6.02 FIP and has given up 2.27 home runs per nine innings. Garcia is a 28-year-old rookie who has basically come out of nowhere, and like Seager his OBP is around .300. Garcia has also accumulated 23 homers and eight stolen bases in 92 games.
STACKS TO CONSIDER
Blue Jays vs. Brad Keller: Vladimir Guerrero ($4,500), Marcus Semien ($3,700), George Springer ($4,200)
Keller's numbers have collapsed since last year when he had a 2.47 ERA in nine starts. This year, he's struggled to a 5.55 ERA through 21 appearances. That's combined with a 4.71 FIP, but that's still not good. Righties have hit .299 against him this season, and all three of these hitters are righties. The Blue Jays are, in general, right-hander dominant.
There not much more that needs to be said about Guerrero and his 33 home runs with an OPS over 1.000. Semien has put 2020 behind him and got back to putting up numbers like 2019 when he hit 33 homers and stole 10 bases. In 2021, he's notched 24 home runs and swiped 10 bags in only 100 contests. Springer had some injury issues early this season, but has a .979 OPS over the last 21 outings.
Phillies vs. Mitch Keller: Bryce Harper ($4,300), J.T. Realmuto ($3,300), Andrew McCutchen ($3,500)
For the second time in his career, Keller has managed an ERA over 7.00. Given he's only played in three seasons, that's not very good. But both times Keller's ERA has soared, he's logged a much better FIP. That being said, 4.95 still isn't any good. And lefties have hit .313 against him, though I only have one lefty listed.
That lefty is, of course, Harper. The star has hit 1.004 versus righties in 2021 while smashing 16 homers and stealing 12 bases. Realmuto's power has dipped a bit, but he's slugged .453 over his career and has produced 11 home runs and six stolen bases. Then there's the veteran McCutchen. He's not hitting for average, but comes in with a .355 OBP and 20 home runs.
