It's Clayton Kershaw and a bunch of other guys in our starting pitcher rankings today, which means it will be tough to get a lot of differentiation in cash games. Fortunately, we also have GPPs in daily fantasy baseball, so you can try your luck with one of those "other guys" if you're looking to avoid Kershaw's high price tag.
Robbie Ray is the top non-Kershaw pitcher despite starting in hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, and Brad Peacock is a close second. Both could easily match or surpass Kershaw's strikeout totals while putting up zeroes in the run column.
Mike Clevinger is a solid option, too, given his strikeout potential and favorable matchup. A little further down the list, Sean Newcomb is a boom-or-bust option who could rack up some Ks, but a tough matchup with the Cubs hurts his cause. The biggest risk-reward play of the day is Dinelson Lamet in Colorado. The rookie can strike guys out with the best of them, but his fly-ball tendencies could lead to a short outing against the Rockies.
MORE DFS: Tuesday's lineup | Lineup Builder
Daily Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Pitchers
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | Opp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton Kershaw, LHP | LAD | at CWS |
| 2 | Robbie Ray, LHP | ARI | at CIN |
| 3 | Brad Peacock, RHP | HOU | vs. SEA |
| 4 | Ivan Nova, RHP | PIT | vs. MIL |
| 5 | Mike Clevinger, RHP | CLE | at SF |
| 6 | Dylan Bundy, RHP | BAL | vs. TEX |
| 7 | Michael Wacha, RHP | STL | at NYM |
| 8 | Sean Newcomb, LHP | ATL | vs. CHC |
| 9 | J.A. Happ, LHP | TOR | at BOS |
| 10 | Vince Velasquez, RHP | PHI | at MIA |
| 11 | Tyson Ross, RHP | TEX | at BAL |
| 12 | Ty Blach, LHP | SF | vs. CLE |
| 13 | Junior Guerra, RHP | MIL | at PIT |
| 14 | Rafael Montero, RHP | NYM | vs. STL |
| 15 | Blake Snell, LHP | TB | at OAK |
| 16 | John Lackey, RHP | CHC | at ATL |
| 17 | Miguel Gonzalez, RHP | CWS | vs. LAD |
| 18 | Matt Boyd, LHP | DET | at KC |
| 19 | Antonio Senzatela, RHP | COL | vs. SD |
| 20 | Dinelson Lamet, RHP | SD | at COL |
| 21 | Sam Gaviglio, RHP | SEA | at HOU |
| 22 | Adam Conley, LHP | MIA | vs. PHI |
| 23 | Luis Cessa, RHP | NYY | at MIN |
| 24 | Travis Wood, LHP | KC | vs. DET |
| 25 | Jesse Chavez, RHP | LAA | vs. WAS |
| 26 | Bryan Johnson, LHP | BOS | vs. TOR |
| 27 | Chris Smith, RHP | OAK | vs. TB |
| 28 | Edwin Jackson, RHP | WAS | at LAA |
| 29 | Sal Romano, RHP | CIN | vs. ARI |
| 30 | Bartolo colon, RHP | MIN | vs. SEA |
Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks: Tuesday, July 18
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We have a full 15-game slate tonight, and it feels like the slate is loaded with players returning from the DL. Clayton Kershaw is the top pitcher by a wide margin, and he's also in a great matchup against the worst team in the AL. Outside of Kershaw, it may be tough to play up for another top-priced pitcher on two-pitcher sites. You'll also need value plays if you're going with Kershaw on FD, so today's Playbook will consist of more than its usual number of value options.
Out of the 15 games, the only matchup featuring pitchers with winning records is in the Indians-Giants, and hurlers are top targets. We should be OK with weather tonight, but it's still best to check back closer to game time to make sure. Good luck!
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