FanDuel fantasy baseball tips: Starting pitcher rankings-7/6

Phil Hughes. 8. player. 2. Minnesota and Kansas City split a four-game set this weekend, and now the Twins welcome in Baltimore as they wrap up a surprisingly successful first half of the season.  Hughes has won each of his last three starts to improve to 7-6 on the year and has turned in four quality starts in his last five outings. Hughes has been solid at home this season going 5-2 with a 3.76 ERA in eight starts at Target Field, so give him a look tonight if the price is right.. Minnesota Twins. @ Reds

James Shields. 7. player. 127. Shields has had a strong season in San Diego and has been especially effective at Petco Park going 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA. However, he’ll been on the road tonight where he is just 4-2 with a 5.50 ERA.  He pitched well against the Pirates earlier this season allowing two runs on six hits in six innings in a no-decision, but that did come in San Diego.  While you have to play him in season-long leagues, he’s best used in daily formats when pitching at home.. San Diego Padres. @ Pirates

player. 4. The Pirates have gotten great work out of A.J. Burnett especially at PNC Park where he is 2-2 with a 1.29 ERA and 39 K’s in 48 innings. Overall, he is 7-3 with a 2.05 ERA.  One of those wins did come against tonight’s opponent in San Diego where he beat the Padres despite allowing four earned runs in just 5.2 innings.  I expect him to do much better than that tonight since he’ll be at home in Pittsburgh.. Pittsburgh Pirates. vs Padres. A.J. Burnett. 6

player. 9. After a rough start, Lester has settled in with the Cubs nicely and is 4-6 with a 3.74 ERA on the season. Two of his starts have come against St. Louis and he has gone 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA. Lester was lights out in his last start against the Mets and he has allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four starts.  Lester is a good option tonight, but the Cardinals lineup is a tough one to go up against even at home in Wrigley.. Chicago Cubs. vs Cardinals. Jon Lester. 5