Friday’s MLB DFS Lineup Advice & Picks: Shohei Ohtani, Framber Valdez, Clarke Schmidt (7/21)

Friday’s MLB DFS main slate has 11 games beginning at 7:05 pm ET at DraftKings and FanDuel. Today’s DFS primer reduces the pool of targeted players to four starting pitchers, two stacks, three studs and three values/punts.

For our full MLB DFS lineup advice article, including cash game and GPP pitchers and top lineup stacks, check out our daily premium article

Friday's Starting Pitcher Strategy
A few aces are getting the ball tonight. The top-ranked pitcher on the table narrowly edges out the second and third pitchers as the best pick in cash games. And the fourth pitcher on the table is an ideal value option as an SP2 at DK. All four pitchers are also appealing choices in GPPs.

Cash Game Recommendations:

Framber Valdez (HOU) at OAK
Valdez is a genuine workhorse. As a result, per ESPN, he's tied for seventh in quality starts (13) in 18 turns this season. And, per FanGraphs, Valdez has a 2.76 ERA, 2.90 xFIP, 1.07 WHIP, 54.6 GB%, 5.9 BB%, 27.4 K% and 29.4 CSW% in 117.1 innings this season.

Houston's ace can dominate Oakland's lousy offense. The A's are tied for 24th in wRC+ (93) and have a 23.5 K% versus lefties in 2023. They're also tied for 26th in wRC+ (88) and have a 25.8 K% at home this year. Finally, according to Betting Pros, the Astros are -267, and the game's total is only 7.5 runs. The betting info nudges Valdez ahead of two upcoming aces as the top pick in cash games.

Friday's Hitter Strategy
The Reds are a high-upside stack gamers are encouraged to use in all game types. The Mariners are riskier but are a sweet cheap stack that allows gamers to double up on aces in tournaments.

For our full MLB DFS lineup advice article, including cash game and GPP pitchers and top lineup stacks, check out our daily premium article