DFS Top Hitters and Prop Picks for 7/15: Don’t Dodge the Tribe

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This is my first DFS hitting article after the break and I’m ecstatic to be back. What I’m really excited about is to get back into the prop groove, with another Monkey Knife Fight pick for you. With the Rockies and Giants playing a doubleheader, we’re going to avoid that game. You all know that the bats are in play at Coors Field, so let’s find you some other values around the Majors.  

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Catcher  

Roberto Perez, CLE vs. DET 

DK ($4,100)   FD ($2,700)  

It’s always tough to pick a catcher, but Perez makes for a great option with his recent form. Over his last 38 games, Perez has a .614 SLG and .980 OPS. Those are great numbers for anyone, let alone a catcher. What really makes him enticing here is that he gets to face a lefty, with Perez generating a .615 SLG and 1.018 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor. Daniel Norris is definitely a guy we want to stack against too, and we’ll go over that later in the article.  

First Base 

Justin Smoak, TOR at BOS  

DK ($3,900)   FD ($2,900)  

Smoak is a guy that you need to keep an eye on for DFS purposes in the second half. This dude is literally the unluckiest hitter in the league and it’s just a matter of time before he sees some positive regression. That’s evident by the fact that he has a .513 xSLG and .389 xwOBA, which are way off his .413 SLG and .336 wOBA. That makes me believe that a hot streak is right around the corner and it could start against Rick Porcello. Not only does Smoak have a .374 OBP and .868 OPS against right-handers this season, Porcello is also providing an ugly 5.33 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.  

Second Base  

Keston Hiura, MIL vs. ATL 

DK ($4,600)   FD ($3,300) 

Hiura just usurped Travis Shaw as the second baseman for Milwaukee and it’s scary just how much potential this little masher has. Let’s start with his absurd minor league numbers, with Hiura generating a .330 AVG and 1.090 OPS at Triple-A this season. A .284 AVG and .882 OPS at the MLB level shows that it’s no fluke and it’s scary to think how good this guy can be. What we like here is that he gets the platoon advantage against Max Fried, who’s pitching to a 6.17 ERA and 1.80 WHIP over his last eight starts.  Keep an eye on this guy for the future for both DFS and season-long formats

Third Base 

Josh Donaldson, ATL at MIL 

DK ($5,100)   FD ($3,500) 

Donaldson has been in more of my articles than any other player and this increase in price shows that we’re doing something right. It’s actually getting to the point where he’s hard to trust but we can’t fade a guy who’s this hot. Over his last 27 games, Donaldson has 13 homers and 26 RBI en route to a .740 SLG and 1.125 OPS. That’s the MVP Donaldson that we loved in his days with Toronto and it’s clear that his power stroke is fully back. Getting to hit in Miller Park should only help, as that’s easily one of the best hitter’s parks in the league.   

Shortstop 

Corey Seager, LAD at PHI 

DK ($4,200)   FD ($3,100) 

Seager hasn’t given us a whole lot of reason to use him in DFS this season but this price is too cheap for someone of his abilities. We’re still talking about a guy with a career .297 AVG, .364 wOBA and .844 OPS. That’s way too good for someone priced this cheaply and it’s just a matter of time before he starts raking. Getting to face a weak righty in a hitter’s haven like Citizens Bank Park is a good way to start a hot streak, with Zach Eflin pitching to a 4.78 xFIP and 1.30 WHIP this season.  

Outfield 

Joc Pederson, LAD at PHI 

DK ($4,200)   FD ($2,600) 

Pederson has been mired in a bit of a slump but he’s always worth using against a right-hander. Joc leads off against righties, which is huge for a lineup that is projected for more than five runs. Pederson has been doing some serious damage when facing righties, posting a .556 SLG and .904 OPS with the platoon advantage in his favor. As we discussed in the Seager write-up, Eflin is not a guy we’re worried about either.  

Jordan Luplow, CLE vs. DET 

DK ($3,900)   FD ($2,500)   

These DFS prices made my jaw drop to the floor and I’ll have more stock in Luplow than any other player on this slate. The simple fact is, Luplow destroys left-handers. In fact, the righty masher is posting a .417 OBP, .691 SLG and 1.108 OPS against southpaws so far this season. That’s why he typically bats cleanup in these circumstances and that’s huge against a guy like Daniel Norris. The Tigers lefty is pitching to 4.96 ERA and 1.42 WHIP and will surely struggle with Luplow.  

Eloy Jimenez, CWS at KC 

DK ($4,000)   FD ($3,100)  

Much like Donaldson, I have been on Eloy for DFS purposes for over a month now. As someone who follows prospects closely, I can tell you that this is one of the greatest hitters in our game. That was evident when he posted an ISO in the .300 range at the minor league level while approaching an OPS of 1.000. The power potential is clearly there and recent results would indicate that he’s finally getting comfortable at this level. Over his last 26 games, Eloy has collected 10 homers and 24 RBI en route to a .624 SLG and .976 OPS. That raving success should continue against Jakob Junis, who is pitching to a 5.33 ERA and 1.45 WHIP so far this season.  

Monkey Knife Fight Pick of the Day 

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Corey Seager/Cody Bellinger/Max Muncy Over 3.5 Hits

This one is self-explanatory when looking at the DFS writeups, as the Dodgers are one of the highest projected offenses on this slate. Zach Eflin’s 4.78 xFIP and 1.30 WHIP is the main reason why and they should cruise to double-digit hits in a ballpark like CBP.