There are a few noteworthy returns happening today. Unfortunately, this comes after a week of some big time departures. Among the players we said goodbye to are Shane McClanahan, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May officially, and Mike Trout who underwent surgery on his hand. Additionally, Eury Perez will be sent down for the time being for being too good, while Esteury Ruiz and Corbin Carroll both suffered shoulder injuries. Two of the big returns today are on the mound as we will be seeing Carlos Rodon for the first time in the Bronx and Alek Manoah, who is getting recalled to face the Detroit Tigers.

This is for the 7/7 4:05 PM PST classic slate on Draftkings.

Writer’s Record

34-21-1

Boston Red Sox Run Line -1.5 (-120) vs. Oakland Athletics

The A’s just lost Esteury Ruiz, who was one of their top producers. They don’t have a ton to replace him with either. The Red Sox will be starting Brennan Bernardino, so it’s a bullpen game for both teams as Oakland made a late pitching change to Sam Long. Pitching matchup being equal, I’m taking Boston’s offense to outscore Oakland by a long shot.

DFS Pillar Plays

Zac Gallen

Position: P

Salary: $9,600

This is a puzzling pitching slate, with rookie Andrew Abbott as the highest priced guy on the mound. Carlos Rodon, in his first game back, is priced at $9,100. That is not far off the price of the NL Cy Young favorite, Zac Gallen. Gallen was pretty good in his last start, despite giving up two home runs. He struck out 12 batters in seven innings against the Angels. His mistakes came early, then he took control the rest of the way. Gallen will face off against Pittsburgh, who are coming off their series against the Dodgers. Gallen has a 1.50 ERA at home.

Corey Seager

Position: SS

Salary: $6,200 

Corey Seager’s currently on a nine game hitting streak and over that stretch, he has 16 total hits with six of them going for extra bases. There’s no reason to think that won’t continue as the Rangers head into Washington to take on right-handed Trevor Williams, who had a 5.04 ERA in June. Seager is hitting .371 against right-handed pitching and it’s going to be a hot night in the Nation’s capital, which will be beneficial towards those power hitters in that Texas lineup. 

Masataka Yoshida

Position: OF

Salary: $4,800

Yoshida has had five consecutive multi-hit contests, amassing a total of 11 hits in just those five games. There was a late pitching change for Oakland, so I’m going to put as many Boston bats as I can in my lineup. Yoshida has been producing all season long and should have plenty of opportunities to rack up some points tonight. 

DFS Value Plays (<$3500 Salary)

Travis Jankowski

Position: OF

Salary: $2,800

Jankowski will be hitting seventh tonight and is another left-handed bat going against Trevor Williams. Left-handed batters have an .838 OPS against Williams this season. He isn’t in the lineup regularly, but when he is, he’s been able to make his mark as he’s hitting .325 this year with 10 stolen bases as well.

Jo Adell

Position: OF

Salary: $3,200

The door is open for Jo Adell after Mike Trout’s long-term injury. Adell has played three games in the majors this season and has an extra base hit in all three of those games. Tony Gonsolin gets the start in the first game of this crosstown-ish rivalry and he has been unconvincing so far this year. Hopefully Adell gets a real shot and if he gets to play every day, he has the potential to put up some decent production.

Patrick Bailey

Position: C

Salary: $3,500

The impressive switch-hitting rookie has been very effective against left-handed pitching this year. Left-handed Austin Gomber starts for the Rockies in SF tonight and he has struggled with a 6.64 ERA on the season. Bailey is hitting .424 against lefties with a 1.215 OPS. The lineup hasn’t been announced, but Bailey should be in there to start with numbers like those.