(Getty)
Saturday’s MLB schedule features 15 games, which means a lot of options for your daily FanDuel lineup. There’s also several intriguing games, including a rematch of last year’s NLCS as Jake Arrieta and the Cubs head to Citi Field to take on the New York Mets. In this post, we identify key players who could be beneficial in your roster construction.
Here are 10 players to consider in your FanDuel lineup for Saturday, July 2.
Joe Ross: SP, Washington Nationals, $8,400
vs. Cincinnati Reds
Joe Ross (7-4, 3.30) is an excellent choice at starting pitcher as he faces the Reds for the first time. Ross has been a consistent contributor for the Nationals and fantasy players, putting up at least 36 points in 5 of his last 7 starts. Ross is averaging 6 K’s per start over his last 5 starts. The right-handed pitcher is 4-0 in seven starts since May 21.
Jose Fernandez: SP, Miami Marlins, $12,000
@ Atlanta Braves
Another solid option, albeit more expensive is Jose Fernandez. It’s been a strong month for Fernandez who is averaging 54 points per game. He’ll be up against one of the weakest offenses in the MLB– the Braves rank last in both wRC+ and ISO in the split. The right-handed pitcher has a solid track record against the Braves– he has a 2.15 ERA and racked up 50 K’s in 46 IP. Fernandez is averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings this season, which tops the MLB.
Travis d’Arnaud: Catcher, New York Mets, $2,300
@Chicago Cubs
D’Arnaud, who went on the disabled list in late April, is back in the Mets’ line-up and could be a viable option on your team as well. He has decent pop and production when healthy. In his last seven games, D’Arnaud scored two runs and three RBIs to hit .364. (Getty)
Prince Fielder: 1B, Texas Rangers, $2,600
@Minnesota Twins
If you’re paying up for a pitcher, getting the right salary break elsewhere is critical. Fielder is having recent success after a rough couple of months. He finished June with a .348 wOBA and an OPS north of .800 for the month. His struggles in April and May mean you can get quite a discount for his current level of production.
Devon Travis: 2B, Toronto Blue Jays, $2,800
vs. Cleveland Indians
As of Saturday morning the Blue Jays have still not announced a starting pitcher, which will be important to keep an eye on. Devon Travis makes for an affordable and productive pick and hits atop a dangerous lineup. After a slow start recovering from surgery he’s up to 13 extra-base hits in 30 games.
Dustin Pedroia: 2B, Boston Red Sox $3,800
vs. Los Angeles Angels
Pedroia is another great play for second base and is at the top of the Boston lineup. Pedroia owns a .366 wOBA against RHP this season.
Manny Machado: 3B, Baltimore Orioles, $3,500
@Seattle Mariners
Machado has been on fire over the last two weeks, averaging over 14 points per game. Machado is putting together an MVP-caliber season and closed out June with an impressive .370/.396/.600 line. In his last 30 games, he has tallied five homers, 22 RBIs and 23 runs.
Xander Bogaerts: SS, Boston Red Sox, $3,300
vs. Los Angeles Angels
Bogaerts is a leading American League MVP candidate this season and has reached base in each of his last 13 games and his slugging percentage is still hovering near .500. Bogaerts is known for his potency at home and against left-handed pitchers.
Mookie Betts: Outfield, Boston Red Sox, $3,900
vs. Los Angeles Angels
The dynamic leadoff hitter’s numbers are on the rise. He’s now posting .291/.331/.506 on the season.
Betts went 3-for-5 with a double, stolen base and run in Friday’s 5-4 victory over the Angels. Expect his production to continue, he notched his fifth multi-hit effort in the last nine contests.
Adam Jones: Outfield, Baltimore Orioles, $3,400
@Seattle Mariners
Jones is an affordable option and has been steady for the Orioles. During 33 games from atop the Baltimore lineup, Jones hit 11 home runs and 31 RBIs. He is batting .263/.313/.776 on the season.
Mark Trumbo: Outfield, Baltimore Orioles, $3,600
@Seattle Mariners
The end of June brought a spark in production for Trumbo. Although he hasn’t scored a run in the past two games, he went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, two runs and four RBIs Wednesday at the Padres.
In his last seven games, he’s notched two home runs and 8 RBIs, and is slashing .267/.290/.533.