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FanDuel daily picks: Fantasy baseball lineup-July 18

By Zachary Thompson

Jul 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) celebrates with shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (3) after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Marlins won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) celebrates with shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (3) after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Marlins won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) hits a double in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) hits a double in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Baseman

High-Salary Option: Jose Altuve-Houston Astros (5,000): Altuve is crazy expensive at 5K tonight, but he is rolling along so well right now he’s quickly become a staple in my FanDuel Daily picks.  Altuve went 4-5 yesterday to finish the first series of the second half 6-12 with a double, homer, three RBI, three runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base.  He had at least nine fantasy points in each of those contests with 37.9 fantasy points yesterday. Altuve enters tonight with a .968 OPS and 3-12 career record against Kendall Graveman which includes a home run.  Altuve is a good play, but his salary makes him high-risk.∗∗

High-Salary Option: D.J. LeMahieu-Colorado Rockies (3,900): LeMahieu went 3-13 with a triple in the first series of the second half, but he’s a really good play tonight as the Rockies come home to hitter-friendly Coors Field. LeMahieu is hitting  .380 at home this year with a 1.060 OPS.  He also has a higher OPS against lefties (like Drew Smyly who he’ll face tonight, and he is 18-51 (.353) so far this month although he is still looking for his first long ball of July. LeMahieu hasn’t faced Smyly before in his career, but he’s always a good play when the Rockies are at home and he’s available for under 4K.∗∗∗∗

Mid-Range Option: Ian Kinsler-Detroit Tigers  (3,700): Kinsler has multiple hits in each of his last three games and went 6-12 against the Royals in the Tigers opening series of the second half.  He also has a nice history against tonight’s starter Ricky Nolasco (9-23, 3 2B, .913 OPS), so he’s a very good play as the Tigers host the Twins in one of tonight’s AL Central matchups .∗∗∗∗

Mid-Range Option: Jonathan Schoop-Baltimore Orioles  (3,200): Schoop went 2-5 with a  pair of doubles yesterday to raise his average to .302 on the season.  He has started the month 16-49 (.327) with four doubles and two homers.  He and the Orioles will face Ivan Nova tonight who Schoop has gone 3-7 against in the past with a double and an RBI. He’s in the middle of a breakout season for the O’s, and if Baltimore is able to pile up some runs while dodging the rain, he’ll be a nice play from just over 3K.∗∗∗

High Value Option: Neil Walker-New York Mets (2,900): Walker has started the second half a little slow going 1-11 in the first series against the Phillies.  He did make an impact, though, since that one hit was a three-run home run on Friday night.  He is in a tricky matchup to predict tonight as he takes on Jon Lester and the Cubs.  Lester has been struggling lately, and Walker is 19-63 (.302) against lefties this season with a .933 OPS.  His career splits are in the opposite direction, but he is 3-10 against Lester in their previous meetings. There aren’t a lot of good cheap 2B plays tonight, so it may be a good time to roll the dice and get Walker at a reduced rate as he plays at Wrigley where he has a career .824 OPS. ∗∗

Bonus Bargain Basement Option: Jose Pereza-Cincinnati Reds (2,200): Pereza has started the last two games for the Reds and is definitely a threat to steal some bases whenever he is in the lineup.  He went 1-3 with a steal on Saturday but finished 0-3 yesterday.  Brandon Phillips is still battling a calf strain, so Pereza could continue to start against the Braves this week which would make him a nice cheap play with upside if he can get on base. ∗∗

Next: Third Baseman

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