MLB DFS Picks, Lineups & Expert Strategies At DraftKings: July 19 Preview
Published: Jul 18, 2024
On Friday, July 19th, we have an 11-game MLB DFS main slate as we start the second half of the 2024 MLB season. Rotations have been reset, so we have aces everywhere we look with Gerrit Cole, Sonny Gray, Corbin Burnes, and Hunter Brown taking the hill.
The bats are headlined by Bobby Witt, Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, and Rafael Devers.
In the latest episode, Jonathan Impemba and James Grande break down each position to share the best picks, bargains, and players to avoid for Friday's games. They finish off by creating a sample lineup.
Don't forget to explore our MLB DFS projections, FanJections-powered MLB DFS Lineup Generator, and MLB DFS Ownership to find out the day's top picks, plus other helpful MLB DFS resources.
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Nestor Cortes (elbow) allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings on Friday in a minor league rehab start for Triple-A Nashville.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg adds that Brewers manager Pat Murphy has indicated that Cortes could make one additional rehab outing before returning to the majors. It’s a variable for fantasy managers to consider before assuming the veteran southpaw will return to take the ball this week against the Marlins. There should be an official update on his status at some point in the coming days.
Noelvi Marte is in right field and batting seventh on Sunday against the Mets.
It’s happening. Marte will make his first career start in the outfield at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon as he adds some additional defensive versatility to his game. The 23-year-old former top prospect, who has been taking defensive reps in the outfield recently, came up through the minors as a shortstop and has played mostly third base for Cincinnati the last two seasons. He’s been excellent at the plate this season, hitting .272/.327/.515 with six homers, 23 RBI and five steals in 30 games.
Chandler Simpson is leading off for the fourth consecutive game on Sunday against the Orioles.
Simpson caught fire since the start of July, hitting .396 (19-for-48) with five steals in 13 games during that span. The 24-year-old speedster offers some serious appeal for fantasy purposes as a batting average and stolen base source, if he can sustain this recent run and stick atop Tampa Bay’s lineup for the final two-plus months of the season.
Brandon Lowe (plantar fasciitis) is not in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles.
No surprise here after Lowe was lifted from Saturday’s showdown with plantar fasciitis. The 31-year-old slugging second baseman appears likely to avoid a trip to the injured list for now, but fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status heading into Monday’s series opener against the White Sox. It’ll be Ha-Seong Kim sliding over to cover at the keystone on Sunday in his absence.
Jac Caglianone is in right field and batting sixth on Sunday against the Marlins.
Caglianone returns to Kansas City’s lineup after sitting on Saturday afternoon in favor of fellow rookie John Rave. The 22-year-old top prospect’s elite power potential has showed up in spurts, but he’s struggled in his first taste of the majors, hitting .143/.203/.263 with four homers, seven RBI and one steal through 36 games.
Jung Hoo Lee is leading off on Sunday against the Blue Jays.
It’s notable that Mike Yastrzemski is hitting fifth against Blue Jays veteran José BerrÃos after leading off most of the year against right-handed starters. Lee seems to have re-discovered his swing recently, batting .304 (7-for-23) with three RBI over his last seven games. The 26-year-old doesn’t offer big-time power/speed combo upside, but a permanent move to the leadoff spot would have boost his fantasy appeal.