Identifying the top high salary and value third baseman plays from around Major League Baseball for your July 8 DraftKings lineup.
Our goal is to help you win DraftKings contests with consistently strong lineups. To accomplish that, we’ll be highlighting some higher salary players worth paying up for, and some value picks that will help you save salary in key areas. These picks are specifically for DraftKings lineups, so all references to prices and fantasy points are based on DK figures.
As always, be sure to double-check final MLB lineups and monitor weather situations before locking in your DFS lineups.
High Salary
Kris Bryant, Cubs (5,500): Bryant has become so dominant that he can score eight DK points in a game in which he finishes 0-for-1. Bryant was hit by pitches twice, walked once and scored a run Thursday, but he should be in store for a more impressive outing Friday against Francisco Liriano (5-8, 5.34 ERA). Bryant is 4-for-9 with three extra-base hits and four RBIs against the Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander.
Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks (5,300): Lamb might not win the Final Vote competition to join the National League All-Star team, but he almost certainly deserves to be there. His .625 slugging percentage ranks second in the majors, behind only David Ortiz. Lamb has hit double-digit DK points in his last seven starts, and he should keep it rolling Friday against Jeff Samardzija (8-5, 3.97 ERA), against whom he is 3-for-6 with two doubles in his career.
High Value
Travis Shaw, Red Sox (3,700): Boston’s trade for veteran infielder Aaron Hill will likely cut into Shaw’s at-bats, particularly against left-handed pitchers. But Shaw should still see the bulk of action against righties, against whom he is hitting .294 this season. Shaw has had success against Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer in the past, going 3-for-7 with a home run against the former All-Star.
Danny Valencia, Athletics (3,600): It’s been another tough season in Oakland, but the 31-year-old Valencia has enjoyed a career season. Valencia is on pace to set new career highs in average, home runs and RBIs. In his career, he’s 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits against Houston Astros righty Collin McHugh (5-6, 4.50 ERA).
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