Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak remains safely intact, as no one has remotely threatened it this season. In fact, currently only four major leaguers have hit streaks in double-digits, with Los
Angeles Dodgers INF-OF Howie Kendrick leading the way with a 16-game run. He has been surprisingly effective hitting .394 (26-for-66) with 11 runs scored, three homers and nine RBIs while posting a .636 slugging percentage. It’s not quite his halcyon days with the crosstown rival Angels, but he has re-emerged as a viable DFS option most nights lately.
Over the in the American League there isn’t one player with a streak greater than nine games. Houston Astros stud 2B Jose Altuve ($5,400) has been raking lately, hitting .541 (20-for-37) with eight runs scored, three homers and nine RBIs during an ultra-productive nine-game run. He remains worth every penny of his DFS salary. Chicago White Sox OF Melky Cabrera ($2,900) has a dirt-cheap salary and a nine-game hitting streak, going 14-for-38 (.368) with five runs scored, a homer and three RBIs. Get on board with the Melkman.
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DraftKings.com salaries included below where applicable. (*** salaries subject to change ***)
TOP DFS PITCHER OF THE DAY
MONDAY
Aaron Sanchez, SP, Toronto ($10,900 vs. SD): Sanchez, who is 10-1 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 108 strikeouts over 125 1/3 innings, faces a Padres team that has struck out 910 times or second-most in the majors while managing a .303 on-base percentage, which is third-worst in MLB. It’s a dream matchup for Sanchez, who should not only post a quality start and win, but rack up double-digit K’s along the way.
When he stays healthy Coco Crisp can still help DFS players. Photo Credit: Keith Allison
TUESDAY
Patrick Corbin, SP, Arizona ($4,700 at MIL): OK, Corbin is certainly not the ‘top’ pitcher available on this day, but he gives you the most bang for your buck. At this bargain basement price, you will be able to load up on several stud hitters up top. Here’s the thing…the Brewers strike out 9.6 times per game, more than any other team in the majors. Even if Corbin continues to plod along and post another underwhelming stat line from a runs allowed and WHIP perspective, he’ll still rack up good enough strikeout totals to justify his inclusion in a lineup. Plus, think of those stud hitters again.
WEDNESDAY
Marco Estrada, SP, Toronto ($10,500 vs. SD): Up top we told you about how freely the Padres are swinging and missing. Estrada might enter with a 5-4 record, but he has a sparkling 2.94 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 102 strikeouts over 110.1 innings with a minuscule .179 opponent batting average. At home his opponent batting average is even lower at .167 while he has 56 strikeouts in 57.2 innings over nine starts. Expect big results.
THURSDAY
Julio Teheran, SP, Atlanta (vs. PHI): Lately, it hasn’t mattered where Teheran has been pitching, as he is lights out. Unfortunately, with a 3-8 record, including 0-4 at home, most people would think he is having a bad season. He has a 2.71 ERA in 129.2 innings over 20 starts, and an even better 0.96 WHIP. He always pitches well at Turner Field, even if no one is supporting him with offense, and he is 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 71 innings in 10 starts with a .210 opponent batting average against the Phillies since the start of the 2013 season.
FRIDAY
Rick Porcello, SP, Boston ($9,000 at LAA): This isn’t about Porcello, but with a mid-tier DFS price tag and facing the ice-cold SP Tim Lincecum, the veteran is in for a good evening. Porcello has been untouchable at home, and looks to take some of that luck on the road where he is just 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA over nine starts. While he is 1-4 with an 8.26 ERA and .333 opponent batting average in six starts against the Halos since the start of the 2013 season, don’t be dissuaded by using him here. He is a completely different pitcher in 2016.
SATURDAY
Noah Syndergaard, SP, N.Y. Mets ($11,100 vs. COL): ‘Thor’ will cost you a pretty penny, but he is worth it. He is 5-2 with a 2.30 ERA with a ridiculous 81 strikeouts over 62.2 innings in 11 outings (10 starts) at Citi Field this season. While the Rockies do present a problem with their bevy of free-swinging power hitters, Syndergaard will miss quite a few bats and rack up plenty of whiffs. He has a 2.08 ERA in three July starts, and while he has been a tad more hittable in June and July than he was in the first two months of the season, he is still a DFS stud.
SUNDAY
Jameson Taillon, SP, Pittsburgh (at MIL): Taillon might be in line for his finest night as a pro over his young career, as he faces a Milwaukee team that strikes out plenty and could look pretty different by this time next weekend at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. A few teeth from an already toothless offense could be playing in different uniforms. Look for Taillon to produce plenty of strikeouts and exceed DFS salary expectations.
TOP DFS HITTER OF THE DAY
MONDAY
Khris Davis, OF, Oakland ($5,000 at TEX): Davis is a good source of power, and he has four doubles with five homers in just 81 at-bats against left-handed pitching this season. While it’s way, way too small of a sample size, he does have a double and home runs in five career at-bats against the struggling LHP Martin Perez, who has been abused lately. Look for Davis to rack up at least one extra-base hit and a couple of steaks down in Texas. OF Coco Crisp is also hitting 65 points better on the road than at home and represents a good DFS value.
TUESDAY
Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston ($5,400 vs. NYY): Altuve abuses left-handed pitching to the tune of a .372 average (35-for-94) with 18 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, four home runs and 12 RBIs, which is good for a 1.075 OPS. Look for the All-Star to rack up plenty more DFS points against veteran LHP CC Sabathia.
WEDNESDAY
Coco Crisp, OF, Oakland ($3,900 at TEX): Not many hitters have had good track records against Rangers RHP Yu Darvish, but Crisp is an exception. He is hitting .333 (7-for-21) with a triple, homer and eight RBIs against the Texas ace, producing plenty of clutch hits over the years. Crisp is a great mid-tier value with an evening slate of just nine games Wednesday.
THURSDAY
Melky Cabrera, OF, Chicago White Sox ($2,900 at CHC): Cabrera’s DFS salary is ridiculously low given his nine-game hitting streak entering play this week. He will be glad to see Cubs RHP John Lackey at Wrigley Thursday, as he is a .306 (11-for-36) hitter with three doubles and a homer against the Texas-born righty. Cabrera has had some clutch late-game heroics lately and is hitting well, so strike while the iron is hot.
FRIDAY
Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland (vs. OAK): The Indians are scheduled to face Athletics LHP Rich Hill in Friday’s series opener, although that could change with the trade deadline approaching and Hill’s named bandied about in trade rumors. If Lindor and the Indians do face the southpaw, expect big things. Lindor is hitting .319 (36-for-117) with six doubles, three homers, 16 RBIs and a .798 OPS against left-handed pitching this season. 1B Mike Napoli is also a good play, as he is hitting 31 points higher vs. LHP than RHP, including an .828 OPS with 10 extra-base hits in 90 at-bats.
SATURDAY
Hanley Ramirez, 1B, Boston ($3,700 at LAA): Ramirez hasn’t had a great year by his standards, but he still hits left-handed pitching exceptionally well. He’ll face Angels LHP Hector Santiago Saturday, and HanRam is hitting .346 (27-for-78) with eight doubles, four homers, 12 RBIs and a 1.030 OPS against southpaws this season. You can also expect C Sandy Leon ($2,600) to be a stud inclusion in the lineup. He is hitting .467 (14-for-30) with four doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs vs. LHP, good for a silly 1.343 OPS. SS Xander Bogaerts ($4,300) is hitting .375 with three homers and 13 RBIs vs. LHP, too. Stack it up with Boston Saturday evening.
SUNDAY
Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Kansas City ($3,700 at TEX): Cuthbert has come out of nowhere (OK, he’s from Corn Island, Nicaragua) to emerge as a must-have DFS and seasonal play Fantasy option this season. He has posted 7.0 Fantasy Points Per Game in DraftKings, making him an excellent mid-tier pick. The Royals are facing rag arm RHP Kyle Lohse, who has been a disaster in his appearances with Texas so far. Look for the Royals to add to his woes.
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