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FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy baseball lineup-July 15

By Zachary Thompson

Jul 5, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) and Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) celebrate Stanton
Jul 5, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) and Miami Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) celebrate Stanton /
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Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; American League player David Ortiz (34) of the Boston Red Sox tips his helmet to the crowd as he is replaced in the third inning in the 2016 MLB All Star Game at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; American League player David Ortiz (34) of the Boston Red Sox tips his helmet to the crowd as he is replaced in the third inning in the 2016 MLB All Star Game at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

First Baseman

High-Salary Option: Edwin Encarnacion-Toronto Blue Jays (4,400): The Blue Jays were originally expected to face tough lefty Rich Hill, but Hill was scratched due to a blister leaving rookie Daniel Mengden to make the start. Mengden has made six starts for Oakland and has a 4.54 ERA having allowed ten runs in his last two outings.

As a result of the switch, it’s a great night to stock up on Blue Jays including the hard-hitting Edwin Encarnacion. Encarnacion hit .267 before the break with 23 home runs.  He has an OPS of .898 with 80 RBI and starting July swinging a hot bat hitting .324 (11-34).  He is just 3-17 (.176) against Rich Hill, so he’ll be happy to not have to deal with Hill tonight instead facing Mengden for the first time in his career. ∗∗∗

High-Salary Option: David Ortiz-Boston Red Sox (4,000): As the Sox host the Yanks this weekend, look for Papi to get plenty of respect as he continues his amazing final campaign.  Ortiz homered in three of his last four games before the break and has a crazy 1.107 OPS on the season.  He is 5-20 (.250) against Yankees’ starter Michael Pineda and has a homer against him in the past. ∗∗∗∗

Mid-range Option: Mike Napoli-Cleveland Indians (3,300): Napoli had a resurgent first half in Cleveland and is hitting .243 with 18 homers and 61 RBI on the season coming into the second half.  Nap is 8-22 (.364) in his career against the Twins’ starter tonight Ervin Santana and has four doubles, three homers, and ten RBI in their past meetings. Napoli already has a pair of long balls this month and has gone 10-37 (.270).  He makes a solid mid-range play as he continues to hit from the middle of the Tribe lineup which has powered the #Windians to a lead in the AL Central.∗∗∗∗

Mid-range Option: Adrian Gonzalez-Los Angeles Dodgers (3,300): Another former Red Sox 1B in a good rhythm headed into the second half is Adrian Gonzalez.  He collected multiple hits in five of his last six games before the break including hitting a home run on Sunday in the first half finale giving him seven on the year to go with a solid .291 batting average.  Gonzalez is hitting .347 this year away from Dodger Stadium, and should enjoy the desert air at Chase Field tonight. Over the past three years (2013-15), Gonzalez is 36-90 with a 1.192 OPS in Arizona.∗∗∗

High-Value  Option: Eric Hosmer-Kansas City Royals (2,900): The All Star MVP is an attractive buy at under 3K tonight against Justin Verlander and the Tigers.  Hosmer is very familiar with Verlander and is 19-72 (.264) against him in his career with five doubles, a triple, and a home run.  He was scuffling before the break, but maybe the All Star heroics will jump start his bat going forward.∗∗

High-Value Option: Kenny Vargas-Minnesota Twins  (2,700): Vargas has been a beast since being called up from Triple-A and is batting .471 in his six games.  He had three homers and four RBI while posting at least 18 fantasy points in each of his last five contests. There’s no way he can keep up this pace, but he’s definitely swinging a hot stick as he takes on Carlos Carrasco and the Indians at Target Field tonight.∗∗

Next: Second Baseman

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