We got news Saturday of Max Scherzer being traded to the Texas Rangers, which means the Mets have decided to throw in the towel on this season. The Cubs just announced today that they are no longer going to be sellers due to how well they’ve been playing lately. This is the last weekend before the trade deadline, so by this time next week, rosters could look very different for some contenders.

That brings us to Sunday’s afternoon slate, which has four intriguing matchups. The highest scoring game should be in Los Angeles with the Reds and Dodgers throwing out some lower level starters in what will be a hot afternoon at Chavez Ravine. You probably will want to target some Red Sox bats as the Giants are starting Ross Stripling who, along with Cody Bradford, are probably the two most questionable pitchers going in this timeslot.

This is for the 7/30 1:05 PM PST classic slate on Draftkings.

DFS Pillar Plays

Nick Pivetta

Position: P

Salary: $7,200

This is a bizarre scenario in which a reliever is the fourth most expensive pitcher on the board. The matchup is very favorable as the Giants strike out a lot and Pivetta has been absolutely sensational lately. In July, Pivetta has struck out 33 batters in 21 innings while only giving up three earned runs, good for a 1.29 ERA in the month.

Elly De La Cruz

Position: 3B/SS

Salary: $5,900 

Michael Grove gets the start for the Dodgers and while he has been more successful in July, he still has been giving up too many hits. De La Cruz has gotten a hit in each of the first two games of this series, both going for extra bases. He was in a bad slump, but he seems to be breaking out of it. The rookie is always a stolen base threat and has the potential to hit the ball out of the stadium.  

Adam Duvall

Position: OF

Salary: $4,300

Duvall has been much better this month after hitting an abysmal .169 in June, which was his first month back from a long IL stint. In the first game of this series, Duvall hit two doubles and scored a run in the Red Sox’s 3-2 win over the Giants. The shaky Ross Stripling will get most of the work for the Giants today. He is a right-handed pitcher and all eight of Duvall’s home runs this season have come against righties this season.

DFS Value Plays (<$3000 Salary)

Marco Luciano

Position: SS

Salary: $2,700

The hot young prospect, Marco Luciano, has played three games so far and has gotten three combined hits in those three games. He has also managed to score two runs and is a major power threat. He joins what is all of a sudden becoming a young, fun Giants team who are not out of the wild card race. He’ll be batting third in today’s game. 

Jason Heyward

Position: OF

Salary: $2,900

As a left-handed bat, Jason Heyward is part of this Dodgers platoon squad against right-handed pitchers. He has been excellent this season, both at the plate and in the outfield. He’s made a number of incredible defensive plays and has managed a double digit home run total. His OPS is an impressive .812 this year and he only plays against righties and with Graham Ashcraft on the mound for the Reds, Heyward should get the start today.