MLB DraftKings Lineup for 7/29/20

nytimes.com

There’s nine games slated for tonight’s 7:05 slot, giving us a pretty good selection of players to choose from.  This is an MLB Classic DraftKings lineup and hopefully I can guide you to a successful night.  We don’t have a large sample size with any player with the season being so young, so things can be a little tricky.  But I feel pretty good about my picks here.

Pitchers

Jacob deGrom ($12,000)

This is a very steep price to pay for one player, but pitching is king here and it is necessary.  deGrom is facing a Boston lineup that isn’t very good, and he will be at Citi Field as well.  Expect a ton of strikeouts tonight, and like always with deGrom, a next-to-nothing ERA.

Chris Paddack ($8,400)

This guy is young, but he’s proven his worth already.  He started the year strong with a 4-hit, 6-scoreless performance against a very capable Diamondbacks lineup.  He has a much tastier matchup tonight against the weak Giants lineup.

Catcher

Martin Maldonado ($2,500)

Catcher is always a wildcard of a position to feel, so I don’t like spending too much here.  But for half the price of the most expensive catcher, you get a guy in Maldonado who is 5 for 14 on the year with 6 RBI.  That’s not bad at all, and you know there’s a good chance he’ll get another opportunity or two to add to that RBI total tonight being in that Astros lineup.

First Base

Eric Hosmer ($3,500)

Here’s a guy who has gotten off to a hot start, going 5 for his first 10, with a home run and 7 RBI.  Facing off against the aging Cueto shouldn’t be a bad matchup either.

Second Base

Whit Merrifield ($4,200)

Whit just goes out and quietly gets it done every year, every night it seems like.  That’s why he’s a solid pick here.  He’s a stat sheet stuffer and can help you in so many ways.  Don’t forget his 2 home runs and 7 RBI on the season already.  I think you have to have him in your lineup here, whether at 2B or OF.

Third Base

Colin Moran ($3,100)

I don’t know how long it will last, but Colin Moran is on a tear to open up the season.  So save some money here and go with him.  Three home runs already tells you he’s tapped into his power and with a .353 avg. to go along with the power, tells you he’s locked in.

Shortstop

Carlos Correa ($4,200)

I wasn’t too big on the SS selection today and definitely didn’t want to pay top dollar for what I felt weren’t sure-things.  Correa I feel like could have been among the most expensive SS today, but you can save $1,000 by going with him over Gleyber Torres.  He’s facing the young, talented Dustin May, but I feel like inexperience may play a part in Correa having a few base knocks today.

Outfielders

Giancarlo Stanton (5,800)

Stanton is my big-ticket position player today, just $400 less than the most expensive Mike Trout.  Stanton has a nice little matchup with Orioles’ Wojciechowski, who will be making his season debut, and I’m liking the odds that he puts another one in the seats today.  If not, you still like his chances at success with a .444 avg. and an insane 1.768 OPS.

Jacoby Jones ($3,300)

He’s flying under the radar right now, so you can save some cash, but Jacoby has put up good numbers so far on the young season.  You have to like his two home runs already to pair with a .313 average.

Tyler O’Neill ($3,000)

This pick is all about making room for deGrom’s expensive value.  But at the same time, it’s not a wasted pick.  O’Neill has major power and two home runs on the year, so he might land you another one tonight.  He’s also fighting to keep his position as well and competition always brings out the best in everyone.

Garett