This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Summer is officially here, although the weather has been plenty warm in much of the country well before the solstice. June is almost over, but we still have a little more time, with 15 more games on Sunday. As per usual, almost every contest is taking place in the afternoon, starting with a 1:05 PM ET matchup. You'll have to get your lineup in early, so here are some recommendations to help with that.
STARTING PITCHER
Jose Berrios, MIN vs. TEX ($48): Berrios is having a nice year, sporting a 3.38 ERA and 0.97 WHIP. He's also been particularly strong at home, posting a 2.93 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in Minnesota. Though the Rangers are middle-of-the-pack in runs scored, they are languishing in other areas with a team-.233 batting average and .392 slugging percentage.
Dereck Rodriguez, SFG vs SDP ($28): We don't have much of a track record on Rodriguez, as he's only started four games in his MLB career. However, he does have a 3.58 FIP during that time and he's pitched better at home. The Padres shouldn't be too much of a threat, as their .666 team OPS is last in the majors.
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CATCHER
Kevan Smith, CWS vs. OAK ($14): Smith showed a little bit with his bat last season, posting a .388 slugging percentage in 87 games to go with four homers and 30 RBI. So far this year – admittedly in a small sample size – he's slashing .378/.391/.422. That won't continue, but at this price it seems worth noting. Also worth noting is the fact Oakland's Paul Blackburn enters with a 8.03 ERA.
FIRST BASE
Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. BAL ($24): Freeman remains one of the best hitters in baseball, as his career .881 OPS attests to. This year is no different, as he currently boasts a career-best batting average and OBP. Davis Hess has not impressed in his seven starts this season, with a 6.55 FIP and having allowed 2.17 home runs per nine innings.
SECOND BASE
Jonathan Villar, MIL vs. STL ($13): Villar has double-digit homers and over 20 stolen bases in each of his last two seasons. This year, he's got six dingers and 10 stolen bases through 66 games. Luke Weaver comes in with a 4.69 ERA, which is in line with his career 4.62 number. Although, on the road, that number balloons to 5.26.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LAD at NYM ($16): Turner has had his struggles this year, but has averaged a slash line of .294/.371/.498 over the previous three seasons. He's posted a .256 BABIP this season, so clearly regression toward the mean is to be expected. Going up against Jason Vargas should help that, as the 35-year-old has a 8.60 ERA through nine starts.
SHORTSTOP
Marcus Semien, OAK at CWS ($13): Semien currently sits with a .250 batting average – which is around his career number – but has shown power in the past by smacking 27 homers in 2016 and seven so far this year. Carlos Rodon has a 5.47 FIP, which is only slightly worse than the 4.73 FIP he posted last season.
OUTFIELD
Charlie Blackmon, COL vs. MIA ($21): Blackmon isn't quite matching his huge numbers from 2017, but still has 14 home runs and a .486 slugging percentage. On top of that, he still plays his home games at Coors Field. Miami's Caleb Smith disappointed with a 7.71 ERA last season, which has admittedly dropped to 4.03 this year. However, his away ERA is 4.89, and Denver isn't kind to pitchers.
Kyle Schwarber, CHC at CIN ($19): Schwarber will never contend for a batting title, but the man knows how to hit for power. More specifically, he's raked against righties in his career. Sal Romano is one of those right-handed pitchers. Not only that, but his 5.18 ERA and 5.26 FIP also make him a target.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. KAN ($9): Reddick tends to sit against lefties, but that won't be an issue with Jason Hammel on the mound for the Royals. Reddick has hit better against righties the last couple seasons – and also at home. Both of those things are in play here, in addition to the fact Hammel sports a 4.88 ERA and a thoroughly mediocre 4.53 career ERA.
