DraftKings MLB: Tuesday Picks

Written by

Updated on July 19, 2016 12:35PM EST

PITCHER

Jameson Taillon, Pit vs. MIL ($8,800): The rookie is making his first start off a DL stint with some shoulder issues, though reports are that the time off refreshed his arm. In his first 28 innings in the majors, Taillon recorded a 3.43 xFIP and 18.4 percent K rate. In Triple-A this season, prior to being called up in June, Taillon held a 25.9 percent K rate and every bit of evidence from his minor league career suggests he's a 20+ percent K rate pitcher. The Brewers have an 85 wRC+ and league worst 26.2 percent K rate against righties this season. Taillon is also very precise, recording a 4.4 percent walk rate in the majors after an even more impressive 2.5 percent rate in Triple-A.

CATCHER

Sandy Leon, BOS vs. SF ($3,200): Leon is a bit inexplicable, but in 21 games his wRC+ sits at 217, and at this price there's not a great case for trying to fade him in a 10-run over/under game.

FIRST BASE

Joey Votto, CIN vs. ATL ($4,900):Tyrell Jenkins will make his second major league start within the home-run propellant Great American Ballpark. Working with incredibly small sample sizes is always dangerous, but Jenkins' xFIP against lefties sits at 6.97, while Votto is clearly the Reds' best hitter against righties with a 145 wRC+ this year.

David Ortiz, BOS vs. SF ($5,600): Ortiz's price is maxed out, as it should be, but at home against righties his numbers are excellent. Use him if you can.

SECOND BASE

Gordon Beckham, ATL at CIN ($3,100):Cody Reed is a good prospect and looks to have a promising future, but Beckham has a solid 124 wRC+ (despite a .273 BABIP) against lefties in addition to the leadoff spot in the order.

THIRD BASE

Adrian Beltre, TEX at LAA ($2,700):Tim Lincecum has struggled mightily against right-handed batters this season with a 6.76 xFIP split, which is partly attributed to his unusual delivery. Beltre has been a little subpar on the season with a 98 wRC+, but his power numbers are consistent to recent years and his BABIP (20 points below career average) should normalize. $2,700 is far too cheap.

SHORTSTOP

Carlos Correa, HOU at OAK ($3,900): Correa's price indicates a new factor in DraftKings' pricing mechanism taking account for hitter's lefty/righty splits. This season, Correa appears to not be able to hit left-handed pitching, as he had a 142 wRC+ against southpaws last season.

OUTFIELD

Ian Desmond, TEX at LAA ($3,900): Desmond has a solid 115 wRC+ against right-handers this season (his wRC+ against lefties is 166). As mentioned earlier, Lincecum has really struggled against right-handed bats this season. Desmond also has 15 stolen bases this season, bolstering his value that much more.

Nelson Cruz, SEA vs. CHW ($4,200): Cruz has raked against lefties his entire career and this season is no different, as his wRC+ sits at 176. Jose Quintana is a solid pitcher, but a 4.27 xFIP against righties this year is exploitable.

Jay Bruce, CIN vs. ATL ($4,800): Much of what was said about Votto can be echoed with Bruce, and while the wRC+ is a bit lower, Bruce counters that with a superior .286 ISO.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Alex Spalding plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: ajump08, DraftKings: ajump08.