Top Tier
Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers - 1B ($5.8K on DK, $3.5K on FD)
There's so many ways to go on this slate, but I feel like the Dodgers may be overlooked facing a guy who permits 1.80 home runs per nine to left-handed hitters coming off the injured list with a tired bullpen behind him. Muncy leads his team in isolated power against right-handed pitching (.271) and launched 12 this year in only 177 at-bats (one every 14.75). Over the last 14 days he owns a .357 isolated power with four home runs and 14 RBI and sits in a prime smash spot Friday night.
Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati - OF ($5.1K on DK, $3.8K on FD)
A gentle reminder Eric Lauer averages 2.15 home runs per nine innings this season but usually only lasts five at the most. Nick Castellanos could strike early boasting a .313 average against southpaws this year over 89 plate appearances with six doubles, five home runs and 28 runs plus RBI. Armed with a .253 isolated power and a .926 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), Casty makes for a sneaky play on the road in Milwaukee. Bonus, the Brewers have used their top three relievers the two previous games so it will be the "B” side of their bullpen tonight making this match-up even tastier.
Mid Tier
Franmil Reyes, Cleveland - OF ($3.9K on DK, $3.2K on FD)
Brad Keller does not scare fantasy players and the same can be said for the "Franimal". He's 3-for-5 in previous match-ups averaging an eye-popping 111.3 MPH average velocity against him with a double and a .686 expected slugging percentage. Over his last 22 plate appearances, including last night's walk-off three-run home run, Reyes has launched three home runs with nine RBI, a .476 isolated power and robust 1.266 OPS in them. In this time frame he's produced 13 batted ball events with four barrels and eight hard hits (Exit velocity of 95 MPH or better). Giddy up.
Max Kepler, Minnesota - OF ($3.6K on DK, $3.4K on FD
Another flawed hitter on a power surge, Kepler's hit safely in five of his last six games with two multi-hit outings in them. He's also cranked three home runs while batting .333 in them with a .476 isolated power and 1.201 OPS. Matt Manning may not be long for this game and his bullpen also enters this match-up overworked and tired. It may be a nice night targeting Twins power bats.
Bargain Bats
David Fletcher, Los Angeles Angels - 2B ($3.1 on DK), 2B/SS ($2.6K on FD)
It cannot be all upside when crafting a DFS lineup, sometimes a safe floor with upside rounds out a winning lineup. Fletcher's in the midst of a 21-game hit streak during which he's hitting .417/.437/.524 with 16 runs and 10 RBI. He's facing Marco Gonzales (3 HR per nine innings versus right-handed hitters in 2021), fresh off the injured list and owns a career .321 average against him with three doubles, a triple and a home run. Those loading up on bats can make a mini-stack of inexpensive Angels adding in Phil Gosselin ($2.7K on DK, $2K on FD) who brings a .400 batting average versus southpaws this year with a .975 OPS and a 173 weighted runs created plus while potentially hitting cleanup at near minimum price.
Leury Garcia, Chicago White Sox - 2B/OF ($3.7K on DK), 2B/SS ($2.3K on FD)
Playing the hot hand, García's hitting .400/.524/.933 his last 21 plate appearances over six games with five runs, two home runs and nine RBI. He's also walked (five times) more than he's struck out (three times) in this sample. Tonight he faces Jorge Lopez who gives up 1.67 home runs per nine innings to left-handed hitters and a 1.53 WHIP against them.