The trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET today, and combined with Thursday’s flurry of action, there should be some seismic shifts in today’s starting lineups for some squads. Let’s get into the top MLB DFS picks for pitchers and stacks for Yahoo, DraftKings and FanDuel daily fantasy baseball lineups on Friday, July 30.
MLB DFS Picks: Spotlight Pitchers and Top Stacks, Friday, July 30
Yahoo Stack of the Day: Toronto Blue Jays vs. LHP Daniel Lynch — 6.4 implied runs
The Blue Jays are back in Toronto and are welcoming rookie Daniel Lynch into the Rogers Centre with a healthy 6.3 implied run total. Because of the pandemic Lynch did not get any action above Single-A and rookie ball until making 11 starts this season for Triple-A Omaha. Home runs were an issue, with 11 allowed in just 57 innings, but he did have solid strikeout results. Though he has allowed only one home run across 16 innings in the majors, Lynch has been otherwise very hittable, allowing a 7.88 ERA, 1.750 WHIP and striking out just 6.2 per nine innings.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is an absolute steal today on Yahoo with his $21 salary. Since he is not expensive, it makes the average cost for his teammates George Springer ($19), Marcus Semien ($20) and Bo Bichette ($20) very palatable. Randal Grichuk ($13) provides some discounted power at the bottom of the order, and gamers can roll the dice with the slumping Cavan Biggio for just $8. Teoscar Hernandez ($18) and Lourdes Gurriel ($15) are fine options, though the latter has been a little dinged up of late.
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Chicago White Sox vs. RHP J.C. Mejia — 5.5 implied runs
It has become pretty clear that J.C. Mejia is best suited as a reliever. However, with Cleveland short on starters and not going anywhere, it makes sense to let him at least try his hand at the role. In his last six starts, Mejia has allowed nine home runs, a 9.00 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP s in 28 innings. While he is striking out a batter per inning, it is not enough to save him from seeing a parade of opposing baserunners coming around to score.
Chicago landed Cesar Hernandez yesterday, so he gets a short turnaround time before facing his former squad tonight. Eloy Jimenez is dealing with a sore groin, and his availability is in question after his long injury layoff. The focus will be on Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Jose Abreu. For a full stack, look to Gavin Sheets, Andrew Vaughn and Brian Goodwin while letting salary and position requirements guide preference.
Late Slate
Los Angeles Dodgers at RHP Zac Gallen — 5.3 implied runs
Corey Seager is expected to be in the lineup tonight after being out since May 15 with a fractured hand. It is unlikely that Trea Turner will play tonight for the Dodgers, so Seager should get at least one start a shortstop before Los Angeles has to juggle their loaded lineup. Zac Gallen is a budding talent, but he has been knocked around a bit in his three July starts. In these appearances he has lasted just 11.2 innings with an unsightly 8.49 ERA. Across 11 starts this season he has failed to complete the fifth inning six times, so the Diamondbacks relievers once will likely pick up the slack again.
Max Muncy has been phenomenal this season, picking up the slack for Cody Bellinger and Seager while they missed significant time due to injury. Mookie Betts is on the injured list with his sore hip, so that means A.J. Pollock should be in the outfield along with one of Billy McKinney or Matt Beaty. Back to the top of the order it is hard to go wrong with Chris Taylor, Will Smith and Justin Turner, who are in play in all formats on Friday.
Spotlight Pitchers
Top Target: RHP Lance Lynn vs. Cleveland Indians — 3.4 implied runs
- DFS Salary: Yahoo $53 | FanDuel $10,700 | DraftKings $10,300
It is not crazy to consider Lance Lynn on the short list for the American League Cy Young Award this year. He leads MLB with a 1.91 ERA and is 12th with a 1.02 WHIP. Across 18 starts this season Lynn has allowed more than three runs once, three runs twice and every other start has been two runs or fewer. He has allowed only 10 home runs in 103.2 innings while striking out 10 batters per nine innings. Cleveland just traded Cesar Hernandez, so that leaves Jose Ramirez, Franmil Reyes and Bobby Bradley as the only above-average bats in its projected lineup going forward.
Secondary Target: RHP Corbin Burnes at Atlanta Braves — 3.7 implied runs
- DFS Salary: Yahoo $56 | FanDuel $11,200 | DraftKings $10,200
Tonight there should be quite a few discount bats available with the trade deadline shaking things up. That means it is feasible to roll out two top-shelf pitching options in core lineups. Corbin Burnes has turned himself from an amazing bullpen arm into a frontline starter. In 17 starts this season he has a 2.12 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and is leading MLB starters with 12.9 strikeouts per nine innings. Atlanta’s projected lineup for tonight has a 25.9% strikeout rate this season against righties, and their three-year trailing rate of 27.4% is even worse.
Wild Card: RHP Logan Gilbert at Texas Rangers — 3.8 implied runs
- DFS Salary: Yahoo $48 | FanDuel $8,800 | DraftKings $7,200
Now that Joey Gallo is with the Yankees, the projected Texas lineup has a .110 ISO with a 29.5% strikeout rate against right-handed hurlers over the last two-plus seasons. While the Mariners will be monitoring rookie Logan Gilbert’s innings, he is stretched out and should see 90 to 100 pitches. Against the Rangers that very well could get him through the fifth inning and put him in line to garner the win.
Final Thoughts for the Friday, July 30 MLB DFS Slate
The weather looks good for Friday, which is nice for a change. Also, keep in mind that the Blue Jays will be playing actual baseball in the Rogers Centre tonight for the first time in two years.
