Kuzul

Pennant races are coming on hot and heavy, and myriad players have rapidly separated themselves from the pack. Meanwhile, other notable stars have cooled off in recent weeks since the All-Star break.

The difficult part with daily fantasy baseball is picking which players will keep producing and which ones will falter Thursday. That’s where we come in. Before locking in your lineups, consider starting the studs and ditching these duds.

Studs

Joe Ross, SP, Washington Nationals ($8,700)

Looking for a way to build a balanced lineup with a reasonably priced pitcher? Joe Ross is your man.

He’s not Zack Greinke or Michael Wacha, but he’s also priced far less. In the case of Greinke, nearly $4,000 less. Since the All-Star break, Ross has slowly increased his fantasy value with three straight games over 15 fantasy points.

The Arizona Diamondbacks may have scored 11 runs Wednesday, but Ross has a 2.89 ERA at home in three starts. Expect Ross to put up great numbers again for owners who hope to build a strong lineup starting with out next target.

Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds ($4,800)

How well-rounded is Joey Votto? Over the last five outings, Votto has just five hits and still averaged nearly nine fantasy points per game. Thanks to his steady approach at the plate, Votto can get the job done with his bat or simply wait for pitchers to make mistakes.

But wait, he’s going up against Wacha, one of the best starters going Thursday. Why should you start him? Well, maybe his 12 fantasy points per game against the Cardinals will help. How about going .400/.471/.733 with a homer and two doubles against Wacha? Yeah, there’s no reason not to start Votto.

Jace Peterson, 2B/3B, Atlanta Braves ($3,700)

He just won’t go away. Jace Peterson, at $3,700, is still a great value pick for a second baseman. While he doesn’t provide the power of traditional third basemen to start him at that position, his consistency at second makes him a solid choice.

In his last four games, Peterson has a total of eight hits, two home runs, six RBI and four runs. He’s also facing Miami Marlins hurler Jose Urena, who has been tattooed in three of his last four starts. Peterson may not put up another 20-plus point night, but he’s a consistent player to target for any lineup at second base.

Duds

Eduardo Rodriguez, SP, Boston Red Sox ($9,100)

If you like to roll the dice, maybe Eduardo Rodriguez is for you. For those who enjoy overpaying for a No. 2 starter, Rodriguez is right up your alley. The rest of us, well, we’ll steer clear of the inconsistent 22-year-old.

Unlike the previous young hurler on this list, Rodriguez has been getting rocked recently. He had one stellar start against the Detroit Tigers sandwiched between outings where he totaled negative-8.4 fantasy points. 

Going against a New York Yankees team that has averaged 8.3 runs over their last 10 games, this likely isn’t the game where Rodriguez turns things around.

Adam Lind, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers ($4,000)

Adam Lind is putting together a decent season statistically with a batting average over .280 and 16 homers. He’s also recovering from a slump at the end of July with several multihit games. So why is he listed as a dud? Because at this price tag he’s simply not the best choice.

When looking for a first baseman, the price can get outlandish quickly. Lind may be a bargain at $4,000, but he’s facing off with San Diego’s Odrisamer Despaigne. The Padres pitcher isn’t a fantasy stud, but he’s only allowed seven hits in his last two starts. Lind may finally be getting his bearings under him again, but putting faith in him over other sluggers likely won’t pay off.

Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays ($5,200)

Thanks to his name alone and the lineup he’s in, Jose Bautista still comes at a massive salary on DraftKings. But recent numbers show that the $5,200 mark is not appropriate for the Toronto Blue Jays star.

Over the last 10 games before Wednesday night, Bautista averaged 6.5 fantasy points per game. Take away his 33-point outing on Aug. 1 and he would be averaging 3.6 points. Those aren’t No. 1 outfielder numbers.

Even against Minnesota Twins righty Kyle Gibson, who has been erratic since the All-Star break, Bautista simply isn’t a smart option at that price. He can always go off with a home run like he did Wednesday, but he certainly won’t be the second-best outfielder Thursday.

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The All-Star break is over, and the start of the second season is upon us. That makes Friday one of the most exciting days for daily fantasy owners on DraftKings.

Taking some time off to enjoy the All-Star Game was fun, but it’s time to get back down to business. Prior to setting your lineups Friday, here’s a look at some low-value players for July 17.

First Baseman: Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,300)

Mr. Consistency isn’t slowing down this season. In the heart of a loaded lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has protection in front of and behind him every night. That is a huge reason A-Gone is averaging 8.2 fantasy points this season and nine in his last 10 games.

After hitting a home run in his last game before the break, Gonzalez should be rested up and ready for a hot start in the second season.

With his team pitted against another one of the best teams in the National League, he’ll need to provide some offense against Jordan Zimmermann. Expect him to do just that, as he has 16 homers and a .536 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers.

Second Baseman: Devon Travis, Toronto Blue Jays ($3,800)

He may be a rookie, but Devon Travis has hit like a veteran so far this season. Even with just seven homers, Travis has averaged more than eight fantasy points per game with an .845 OPS.

In just 52 games, he has 32 RBI and has shown patience at the plate with 13 walks. Oh, then there’s the fact that Travis had a ridiculous stretch of four multiple-hit performances in a four-game stretch before the break. Don’t overlook Travis for a more experienced player, or you might regret it.

Third Baseman: Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox ($4,000)

Speaking of young players, Xander Bogaerts is another slugger under 25 who’s hitting at a ridiculous clip recently. Through 10 games in July, Bogaerts has at least one hit in each and multiple hits in half of them. His .395 average this month has helped raise his season average above the .300 mark.

Bogaerts might not be the same value as Travis, but he’s a bargain for a third baseman. With Miguel Cabrera and David Wright still on the disabled list, Bogaerts is a solid choice to help fill out the rest of the lineup with power bats.

Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants ($3,500)

Brandon Crawford is an All-Star. He also has 12 homers—second-most among MLB shortstops. Yet somehow, someway, Crawford can be had on DraftKings for $4,500 on Friday.

It might have something to do with the slight dip in his production, with just one hit in six games starting in Washington. However, his numbers before the break—four hits in two games with a triple, two RBI and two runs—tell a different story.

Crawford also has a great matchup. Facing off with Robbie Ray, he’ll get a chance to see a pitcher who has been up and down over his last four starts. Carrying a .318/.375/.545 clip against lefties with three homers, Crawford should have no issues putting up strong numbers at a low price.

Outfielder: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles ($3,800)

Keeping with the theme of players who have outproduced their value on DraftKings, we give you Adam Jones. The Baltimore Orioles slugger has been raking recently, with seven hits over his last six games—four of which have been home runs.

Similar to Crawford, Jones has a perfect matchup against Anibal Sanchez. With a .600 OBP against Sanchez and 10 homers against righties this season, there’s no reason not to trust Jones as a No. 2 or high-end No. 3 outfielder. 

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Can’t wait for the weekend to get your daily fantasy baseball on? Yeah, neither can we. After all, it’s the best way to build up that bank account before spending it all out on the town.

That’s why we scoured for premium players at a reasonable salary to fill out DraftKings lineups. While it won’t fill out your lineup completely, here’s a look at some of the best options at multiple positions with our strategy and primer for June 26.

Pitcher: Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs ($9,800)

For those who want to pony up the dollars for Max Scherzer, be our guest. But for those who are looking to shell out less than $10,000 for a premium starter, Jake Arrieta is the best option on Friday.

Arrieta is coming off one of his best starts of the season against the Minnesota Twins. After compiling seven strikeouts and just four hits allowed in the complete-game shutout, Arrieta has a good matchup on Friday night.

His last game against the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t go as planned, but he shut them out for seven innings earlier in the season. With the hurler holding the Cards to a combined .211 average with no home runs, Arrieta offers solid value as a No. 1 pitcher.

Catcher: Brian McCann, New York Yankees ($4,300)

Sticking with the theme of having a great matchup, Brian McCann has the best out of any catcher. Averaging over eight fantasy points in his last 10 games, the Yankees backstop will now face a young Houston Astros pitcher who has struggled in his last two starts.

Vincent Velasquez was erratic in his last outing despite allowing just two hits in 3.1 innings. With McCann hitting .288/.355/.525 against righties with nine home runs, expect huge numbers from the 10th-year player in Houston.

First Baseman: Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics ($4,200)

Whether he’s slotted as a catcher or first baseman, Stephen Vogt needs to be in every lineup. The Oakland Athletics utility player has been raking recently and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

His six hits over the last two games continued a seven-game hitting streak and marked the third time he’s had a trio of hits in the last four starts. That all equates to an average of over 12 fantasy points per game during that stretch.

Vogt doesn’t have an easy matchup with Edinson Volquez making the start for the Kansas City Royals. But with 12 of his 13 homers and a .578 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching, Vogt will continue streaking for DraftKings owners on Friday.

Second Baseman: Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,000)

Justin Turner is currently more on fire than his red hair. In the last eight games that he’s started, the Dodgers infielder has five homers, 11 RBI, two doubles and a triple. That, my friends, is what we call torching hot.

Turner should have no issues remaining productive.

Outfielder: Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies ($4,400)

At this point, is there anything Charlie Blackmon can’t do? The 28-year-old slugger is crushing home runs and cruising to doubles with relative ease. Compiling five multihit games over the last seven starts, the production certainly warrants plugging him in as a No. 2 outfielder.

Coming at a price of just $4,400, Blackmon is a steal for owners against Tim Hudson. Holding an 8-for-24 clip with a .429 OBP against the Giants veteran, the surging outfielder is a no-brainer to slot into every lineup.

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Nothing makes Father’s Day special like being able to spend a little extra dough for a gift or even a special day with the pops. But where will that extra money come from? Daily fantasy on DraftKings, that’s where.

Friday’s schedule offers several great players that come at a low budget to help owners craft an optimal lineup. Before locking in a roster for the Friday slate, here’s a look at some strategy and low-budget options to choose for June 19.

First Baseman: Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles ($4,500)

He doesn’t exactly come at the lowest price on this list, but owners know they need to shell out some dollars for a slugger at first base. That’s exactly what Chris Davis offers, and he’s been hitting well recently for the Baltimore Orioles.

Davis hasn’t faced Marco Estrada much, but he has one home run in three at-bats against the Toronto Blue Jays hurler. He might only be hitting .204 against right-handed pitching this season, but he also has 11 of his 14 homers against righties. His power hitting will get back on track Friday night.

Second Baseman: Jace Peterson, Atlanta Braves ($3,400)

If you haven’t heard of Jace Peterson, that’s understandable. All he’s done since being called up by the Atlanta Braves is put up solid numbers at the top of the lineup.

Whether he’s playing against righties or lefties, Peterson has hit nearly the same average against both. However, his OPS is .122 points higher against right-handed pitchers, making him a smart option on Friday. Peterson has even excelled against Jacob deGrom with a double in four at-bats.

Since taking a two-game break in early June, Peterson has 17 hits in his last 12 games. If he gets on with the likes of Nick Markakis and Freddie Freeman behind him, Peterson should put together another strong night.

Third Baseman: Brett Lawrie, Oakland Athletics ($3,500)

In his first season with the Oakland Athletics, Brett Lawrie certainly hasn’t made fans forget about Josh Donaldson. What he has done, however, is put up great stats sporadically at third base. Recent numbers prove that Lawrie is finally regaining some consistency.

Over his last six games, Lawrie has a homer and double on nine hits with five RBI, two runs and three walks. That equates to over 12 fantasy points per game during that stretch. With three hits in seven ABs against Matt Shoemaker and over $2,000 less than Miguel Cabrera, Lawrie is an ideal player to target.

Shortstop: Addison Russell, Chicago Cubs ($3,400)

Addison Russell has been somewhat overshadowed this season by all the star power on the Cubs’ roster, but he’s been a solid producer. Prior to Thursday night, Russell also had an eight-game hitting streak with two multi-hit games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He’s not a huge power hitter, but there aren’t many shortstops who are. But for owners who want to stick with a hot hand at a reasonable salary, Russell is ripe for the picking.

Outfielder: Billy Burns, Oakland Athletics ($4,100)

Sticking with young players who are streaking, Billy Burns is quickly becoming an American League Rookie of the Year candidate for his stellar play at the plate. Hitting .315 thus far, Burns has really made a difference on the basepaths.

In 16 attempts this season, Burns has stolen 13 bases and has four triples already. That ties him for fifth in triples and 12th in stolen bases in far less starts than most of the players ahead of him. He shouldn’t be the No. 1 outfielder on Friday, but he’s perfect for a second or third option at the position.

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Looking for a little extra spending cash for the coming weekend? Friday’s slate of games presents that opportunity for DraftKings daily fantasy owners with a wealth of big bats and consistent players to choose from.

Before the Friday games get underway, here’s a look at the best MLB position player picks for May 29.

First Baseman: Lucas Duda, New York Mets ($4,600)

Lucas Duda is absolutely crushing fools over his last six starts. But the Mets first baseman has mashed at home in four games during that stretch. In those four games, Duda has seven hits, five homers, eight RBI and nine runs.

“I’m getting a little more comfortable. Just trying to elevate a pitch and put a good swing on it,” Duda said, via Michael Baron of MLB.com. “I was looking for a fastball up and I was able to get it and put a pretty good swing on it.”

He’s seems pretty comfortable with some of the tape-measure shots he’s hit lately.

Don’t expect him to slow down against Dan Haren. While Haren has cruised at home in hitter-friendly Marlins Park, he’s struggled on the road with six homers allowed in four starts. He also has a 5.18 ERA on the road and will face a volatile New York lineup on Friday.

Second Baseman: Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins ($4,600)

The Minnesota Twins have been a truly surprising team this season, and Brian Dozier has been a huge part of that success. Dozier isn’t hitting a high average, but he still has a .364 OBP at home with an average of 9.2 fantasy points at Target Field.

His sample against Mark Buehrle is limited, but he has two hits with a double in three at-bats. As the leadoff man for the Twins, Dozier is getting several opportunities to thrive and will continue to do so for fantasy owners on Friday.

Third Baseman: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals ($4,500)

I know what you’re thinking: “With Mike Bolsinger on the mound, why play a Cardinals batter?” Sure, Bolsinger has gotten off to a solid start, but he hasn’t faced a lineup like the one St. Louis presents. He’s also only faced one team on the road to this point.

Matt Carpenter has picked apart pitchers in myriad ways this year. Whether it’s through his power—26 extra-base hits and eight homers—or his methodical approach—21 walks and .389 OPS—Carpenter is a player every owner needs in his or her lineup. Even against Bolsinger, this lineup will get the job done.

Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta, St. Louis Cardinals ($4,100)

Keeping with the theme of Cardinals sluggers who should finally crack Mike Bolsinger, Jhonny Peralta is another position player to target. The veteran shortstop is enjoying a solid season and has shown plenty of pop in his bat recently.

During his six-game hitting streak, Peralta has one home run, four RBI, a walk and four runs. That all equates to an average of 9.3 fantasy points per game over that stretch. His strikeouts are lower and walks higher at home, making Peralta a consistent middle infielder to lock into a lineup.

Outfielder: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals ($5,200)

“I don’t always hit pop-ups. But when I do, they’re home runs.” These are the (fake) words of the most interesting batter in the world, Bryce Harper.

Yes, I’m aware he’s the second-highest salary player for Friday. Yes, I’m aware he’s playing on the road. But even at a high price, Harper is a can’t-miss player with the surge he’s been on in recent weeks.

There are several unreal stats for Harper recently, but here are some of the best from Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports and Mark Zuckerman of CSN:

Simply put, Harper has been an animal over his last 19 games. With 13 homers over that stretch, no one is even close to the same realm as Harper in May. Going up against right-handed Anthony DeSclafani, Harper should continue his stretch of phenomenal play for owners as a No. 1 outfielder.

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Looking to build the bank for a great weekend? DraftKings daily fantasy baseball provides a great opportunity to do just that. With a massive schedule, we’ve taken the liberty of picking out the best MLB position players for owners.

In anticipation of the Friday slate, here’s a look at the top players to target at several positions across the MLB.

First Baseman: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox ($4,700)

He’s not off to quite the same torrid start that he had as a rookie, but Jose Abreu is still putting together another strong fantasy season. In fact, over his last three games, Abreu has averaged 9.7 fantasy points—all without hitting one of his six home runs.

Abreu is also facing off with Jesse Hahn, making this a perfect matchup for the White Sox slugger. Hahn has been shelled over his last three starts with a 7.63 ERA, so Abreu should have no issue producing for Chicago.

Second Baseman: Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers ($4,200)

Another position player, another matchup that works to his liking. Ian Kinsler has been as consistent as any second baseman this season. While he hasn’t quite seen the power surge fantasy owners hoped for, Kinsler is still one of the most clutch players in the game, per Tigers PR:

Now he gets a chance to tee off against an unproven pitcher in Carlos Martinez. The young hurler has allowed six homers in six starts this season and has allowed seven runs over his last two outings. Don’t leave Kinsler out of your lineup. It’s really as simple as that.

Third Baseman: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays ($4,300)

Evan Longoria has cooled off slightly since ripping off three homers in three games, but he’s remained one of the most consistent bats for fantasy owners. After getting off to a slow start, Longo is now up to 9.3 fantasy points per game over his last 10 performances.

Going up against former Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes, Longoria is comfortable at the plate against the Twins’ ace. With a .367 on-base percentage in 27 at-bats against Hughes, owners can rely on Longoria to continue his solid numbers against Minnesota.

Shortstop: Andrelton Simmons, Atlanta Braves ($4,100)

Simba can hit, too. Commonly known as an outstanding defensive shortstop, Andrelton Simmons is producing at the plate as well. That growth is evident by Simmons’ .767 OPS and 7.7 fantasy points per game early in the year.

His numbers have also picked up this month, via the Braves’ official Twitter account:

Batting in a spacious park in Miami, Simmons will have more chances to get on base and show off his speed. Still available at a reasonable price, nab Simmons against the Marlins and expect him to shine.

Outfielder: Joc Pederson, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,500)

There’s just something about the Los Angeles Dodgers and young stars. Yasiel Puig broke out for the Blue Crew two years ago, and now Joc Pederson is mirroring his success. It might not show up with a steady bat, but Pederson makes up for it with the long ball.

His four homers over the last nine games proves the power that fans expected is present at the MLB level. With 10 four-baggers already and 21 RBI, Pederson should tatter Eddie Butler on Friday night. Mike Trout and Bryce Harper are at a much higher price point, making Pederson a great bang for the buck.

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After a long week of work, play or whatever you’ve been up to, Fantasy Friday should do the trick. With a full schedule for DraftKings owners to sort through, finding the best MLB position players can not only be difficult, but downright tedious on a Friday morning or afternoon.

Luckily, we’ve picked apart the rosters to pull out the best players to get the most out of your lineup. Here’s a look at just a handful of position player picks for May 8 with a breakdown of what makes them worthy of their salary.

Catcher: Evan Gattis, Houston Astros ($4,000)

A true hit-or-seriously-miss player, Evan Gattis has been lifting off this season with the Houston Astros. In his first season with the ‘Stros, the third-year player has already tallied six home runs and 18 RBI.

Sure, he’s hitting below .200, but when he makes contact it’s a fantasy owner’s dream. Going against a struggling Jered Weaver (0-4 and 6.29 ERA in six starts), Gattis should thrive on Friday night.

First Baseman: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves ($4,300)

Who doesn’t love a hug? Freddie Freeman has been giving them out like candy again this season thanks to his powerful bat. Each time he registers a four-bagger—he already has five this year—Freeman embraces his teammates.

Even when he’s not smashing it over the wall, Freeman is still coming away with extra-base hits, as Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan noted:

Throughout his career against Gio Gonzalez, Freeman has gone .292/.321/.625 with two homers, two doubles and nine RBI. Don’t expect him to slow down any against the Washington Nationals on Friday.

Third Baseman: Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals ($4,300)

Wednesday wasn’t Matt Carpenter’s best performance, but the Cardinals hot corner has been equally as hot at the plate. After getting a well-deserved day off, Carpenter is ready to continue his hot streak to start the season.

Averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game in 2015, Carpenter has been one of the most reliable third basemen at DraftKings. With two home runs on the road already this season, look for Carpenter to put up double-digit points again on Friday night.

Shortstop: Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals ($4,200)

It took a little longer than expected, but Ian Desmond is finally showing his potential this year. After going hitless over seven straight games, Desmond now has multiple hits in three of his last five starts with four extra-base hits over that stretch.

Coming off one of his worst months in April with a .217 average and only one homer, Desmond has increased to a .318 average and added another homer already in May. Facing left-handed pitcher Eric Stults, who has been awful this season, expect big things from Desmond.

Outfielder: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles ($4,700)

Does there need to be any explanation for why you should choose Adam Jones? Yes? OK, well, here goes nothing.

The Baltimore Orioles outfielder has been explosive at the plate all season with five homers and 21 RBI already to this point. He’s done that with a bat that can reach nearly any point of the plate, as Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com notes:

He went hitless on Thursday night against the New York Yankees, but Jones has three hits in six career at-bats against Yankees right-hander Adam Warren. At $900 less than Mike Trout, Jones is a value for a No. 1 outfielder and one that would make a perfect fit in any lineup.

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Have a great start to the week on Monday in MLB daily fantasy? Time to get right back at it. Things didn’t go so well to kick off this series? Nothing heals those wounds like winning the next day with a brand-new lineup.

Regardless of the current situation, Tuesday night provides plenty of opportunities to come away with a victory. Before the first pitch is thrown, take a look at these strategic picks to create a perfect lineup and take down any opponent.

Pitcher: Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds ($10,400)

This season, Johnny Cueto has already been sensational every time he’s taken the mound. One of his best starts came against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. On Tuesday, he takes on the same club in the friendly confines of the Great American Ball Park.

With the Brewers falling further and further into the National League Central cellar, Cueto will be dominant again. Even at such a high asking price, missing out on Cueto will be the difference between pulling out a win and coming up just short.

First Baseman: Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees ($4,500)

Monday was not a good showing for Mark Teixeira, but he’ll rebound on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Playing at home against a right-handed pitcher, Teixeira will be driving into the short porch of Yankee Stadium looking for his ninth home run of the season.

His opponent on the mound will be Jake Odorizzi, who’s had a phenomenal season thus far. However, he’s given up two extra-base hits—a triple and a homer—to Teixeira in seven plate appearances. Already ripping six of his four-baggers against right-handers, look for a big night from the Yankees first baseman.

Second Baseman: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros ($4,200)

Knock on Jose Altuve all you want for being the shortest player in the MLB, but the man can rake. The Houston Astros second baseman is guiding the way for the upstart ‘Stros and having another stellar season at the plate.

Eno Sarris of Fox Sports recently chronicled how a simple leg kick for Altuve has improved his approach at the plate. As his contact rate continues to climb, owners need to target the second baseman for consistent production.

Even against Tyson Ross, Altuve will keep producing and build off his five straight multihit games. He’s just that good.

Third Baseman: Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs ($4,600)

Everyone expected Kris Bryant to be sensational at the MLB level. It just wasn’t supposed to look this easy.

Bryant has crushed his way to a .351 average with nine RBI and a remarkable .931 OPS. Surprisingly enough, he hasn’t hit a single home run since his call-up, but he hit enough in spring training to let fantasy owners know they’re eventually coming.

Facing a left-handed pitcher in Jeff Locke on Tuesday night, Bryant gets a somewhat favorable matchup. Still at a reasonable price for a third baseman, Bryant will outperform his salary against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Outfielder: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins ($5,300)

After getting off to a slow start by his own standards, Giancarlo Stanton has heated up over the last 10 games. Over that span, his OBP is up to .400, and he hit all five of his home runs on the season. Oh, and he also hit a mammoth triple that would have been a home run in nearly every other MLB ballpark.

Even with a matchup against a right-handed pitcher in Rafael Montero, Stanton should put up huge numbers on Tuesday. After all, each of his homers so far have come against righties, and Montero is just being called up for a cameo appearance in the rotation, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.

He’ll get a sample of just what Stanton brings to the plate on Tuesday night. For fantasy owners who start the mashing Marlin, inching closer toward a win seems predetermined.

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There’s nothing better than starting the week with a win. For DraftKings players, hopefully Monday was kind enough to provide just that. Tuesday offers an equally promising opportunity with a wealth of games to choose from when setting a lineup.

With 15 games on tap, whittling a roster down to just 10 players can be an ambitious project. Luckily, we’re here to help. Before the late games get underway on Tuesday, here’s a look at five players to target to complete lineups on DraftKings.

Pitcher: Brandon Morrow, San Diego Padres ($6,500)

Through two starts this season, Brandon Morrow is averaging 21.3 fantasy points per game in DraftKings. Those stellar numbers have all been accomplished without winning a game, as the San Diego Padres offense hasn’t backed him up.

Pitching at Coors Field might not be a perfect situation for Morrow, but the Padres lineup should finally do a solid job of scoring behind him. If he can limit the damage, Morrow should come away with a win and produce a decent amount of strikeouts for owners needing a No. 2 pitcher at a good value.

Catcher: Russell Martin, Toronto Blue Jays ($3,900)

One player thriving recently on Morrow’s former team is Russell Martin. The Toronto Blue Jays catcher got off to a shaky start with his new team, but he has looked much more consistent since his two-homer game against the Atlanta Braves.

MCA Agency, which represents Martin, noted just how well Martin performed over the weekend:

A patient batter who draws walks along with providing pop in a lineup, expect more of the same from Martin on Tuesday night. Going up against Bud Norris, who has allowed 11 earned runs over just eight innings pitched in his first two starts, Martin will be a perfect addition to any roster.

First Baseman: Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers ($4,300)

One unfortunate outing caused Adrian Gonzalez’s price to plummet from $5,600 on Sunday down to $4,300. He may have gone 0-for-5 against the Colorado Rockies, but his start to the season has been anything but rocky.

Still averaging over 15 fantasy points per game, A-Gone should get back on track against Tim Lincecum. The San Francisco Giants have won just four games this season, so look for Gonzalez to feast on the struggling team with a big night for fantasy owners.

Third Baseman: Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks ($4,300)

Anyone hoping for Jake Lamb to slow down this season has been sorely disappointed. The Arizona Diamondbacks infielder boasts a .414 average with a 1.204 OPS in the early portion of the season.

Ryan P. Morrison of InsidetheZona.com notes just how difficult those numbers have been for Lamb:

While the D-Backs have still shown loyalty to Aaron Hill at times, there’s no denying that Lamb is deserving of an everyday gig. Considering his numbers are still high and his price is still low, input Lamb into your lineup before his value and salary skyrocket.

Outfielder: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles ($5,400)

Well, this one is clearly the most obvious choice.

Adam Jones is one of the hottest hitters on the planet right now heading into Toronto. His nine-game hitting streak may have come to an end on Monday, but Jones has still reached safely in his last 10 outings.

Jones will get back on track against the Blue Jays and Mark Buehrle. Considering the fact that he’s torching hot against the veteran pitcher during his career, leaving Jones out of the lineup would be insane, even at such a high asking price.

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Around the country, it’s starting to feel like baseball season as MLB teams begin rounding into form. Daily fantasy players can finally see trends beginning at the plate and on the mound in DraftKings leagues.

Heading into Monday night, owners have to pick through myriad lineups to find the best players in every matchup. Prior to the long slate of games getting underway, here’s a look at the top studs and duds for April 20.

Studs

Pitcher: Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Indians ($7,100)

Looking for a starting pitcher at a low price who produces a lot of strikeouts and doesn’t give up many hits or earned runs? Seems impossible, right? Wrong. Trevor Bauer is all of those things and goes against a familiar lineup on Monday night.

The third overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2011 MLB draft is now lighting it up for the Cleveland Indians. Bauer Outage got off to a historically great start, as Fox Sports: MLB notes:

In his third start of the season, Bauer faces the most recent team he victimized in the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old pitcher allowed just two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts over six innings. Look for similar numbers against the lowly White Sox and potentially his third win of the season.

First Baseman: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds ($5,200)

This one kind of feels like cheating.

In fantasy baseball, every daily owner wants consistency out of his or her lineup. By placing Joey Votto in said lineup, players will get one of the most solid batters at the plate on any given night.

On Monday, Votto matches up with Wily Peralta and the Milwaukee Brewers. Peralta has already had his struggles this season—we’ll get to that later—and Votto has typically fared well against the right-hander. With a .409 on-base percentage against Peralta, Votto will post another solid game on Monday.

Outfielder: Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners ($4,900)

It appears Nelson Cruz is enjoying the Pacific Northwest. The veteran slugger has thrived thus far with the Seattle Mariners to start the season.

Over his last eight games, Cruz has put together several ridiculous stat lines along with his eight home runs. His multihomer game on Sunday gave Cruz the lead in the entire MLB, as Mariners’ play-by-play announcer Gary Hill notes:

Not to mention Cruz will also be facing a rookie pitcher in Asher Wojciechowski. Roll out the welcoming mat for the 26-year-old pitcher before Cruz lifts off again for fantasy owners in his next start.

Duds

Pitcher: Wily Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers ($7,000)

The aforementioned Peralta has not been able to build off a strong 2014 season thus far. After winning 17 games last year and boasting a 3.53 ERA, Peralta has been shelled this season. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel gives an in-depth look at Peralta’s most recent horrid outing:

With the Brewers scuffling at 2-10 to start the year, banking on Peralta doesn’t seem like the best decision. Even against a Reds offense that hasn’t been clicking recently, don’t rely on this starter until he shows consistency on the mound.

Catcher: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals ($4,400)

Don’t start Salvador Perez on Monday night. Yes, the same Salvador Perez who has gotten off to a blazing-hot start this season.

During his career, Perez has struggled against Kyle Gibson, the Minnesota Twins starter on Monday. Perez has just one hit over 12 plate appearances against Gibson with four strikeouts and one walk. He may be going through a career year so far, but Perez will cool down against Gibson.

Outfielder: Brandon Moss, Cleveland Indians ($4,700)

Brandon Moss finally seems to have gotten his act together for the Indians, but Monday night will not bring more of the same.

Cleveland’s offseason acquisition is going up against John Danks, a left-handed pitcher. Taking into account his early struggles and the fact that he’s a lefty facing a lefty, stay away from putting Moss in the lineup until he completely settles in with the Indians.

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