We have a very interesting week ahead of us with the trade deadline looming large. Some of these ball clubs will have to make a decision on which direction is the best for their franchise and how to sell that to their fans. The deadline is August 1st, which is exactly a week from today. Until then, we have some intriguing matchups taking place this week. There are a few interstate and even a few intercity matchups starting tonight with Mets-Yankees, Giants-Athletics and Cubs-White Sox.

This is for the 7/25 4:05 PM PST classic slate on Draftkings.

Writer’s Record

39-21-1

Boston Red Sox ML (+121) vs. Atlanta Braves

The Red Sox are 16-5 over their last 22 games. They are at home tonight to take on Charlie Morton, who has been much better of late, but still is a little bit off of his best. Nick Pivetta will probably get the bulk of the work tonight for Boston and in his last real outing, he struck out 13 batters over six no-hit innings.

DFS Pillar Plays

Corbin Burnes

Position: P

Salary: $9,200

Corbin Burnes is currently priced as the sixth most expensive pitcher on the board in today’s slate, which is surprising given his recent form. He has looked like vintage Corbin Burnes in July, where he has managed a 1.33 ERA over 27 innings. He has actually made two starts against the Reds already this month in which he allowed a combined five hits, two runs and struck out 19. The 2021 NL Cy Young ranks 20th in CSW% and has the 23rd best xERA this season.

Cody Bellinger

Position: OF

Salary: $4,600 

Nobody is hotter in the league than Cody Bellinger at the moment. We are a week away from the end of the month and his batting average in July is sitting at .452. He has done so without really having a weak spot. He is actually hitting better against left-handed pitching this year than righties and has been as effective on the road as he has been at Wrigley Field. The Cubs travel south to take on the White Sox today and if Cody is ending his tenure for the Cubs this month, he will be ending it in style.  

Kyle Tucker

Position: OF

Salary: $6,300

The Rangers and the Astros played another high-scoring game last night after ending their previous series against each other in a 23 run game. Rookie Yerry Rodriguez gets the call for the Rangers tonight and will probably be relied on to be more of an opener. That spells danger for the Rangers and should prove a manageable matchup for Astros bats. Among Houston’s bats stands out Kyle Tucker, who has been their offensive leader this year. Tucker got on base four times on Monday and has hit .432 since the All-Star break.

DFS Value Plays (<$3500 Salary)

Randal Grichuk

Position: OF

Salary: $3,200

The Rockies have been putting out some weak lineups lately, but that didn’t keep them from getting the W in Monday’s game against Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals. Trevor Williams gets the start for the Nats tonight. In July, Williams has pitched 18.2 innings and has given up 10 runs on 21 hits. He’s a below average starter and the Rockies’ bats are relatively cheap. Grichuk has been one of Colorado’s best hitters this season, hitting .309 on the year with an .850 OPS. He’s currently on an eight game hit streak and has amassed 13 hits with three home runs over that stretch.

Keibert Ruiz

Position: C

Salary: $3,400

On the other side of this pitching matchup is Austin Gomber starting for the Rockies. The lefty has not been that effective this year as his 6.18 ERA would indicate. Keibert Ruiz is a switch-hitting power threat and he is hitting .464 since the All-Star break. He’s gotten a hit in every game since then and that should continue at home tonight with a decent matchup.

Billy McKinney

Position: OF

Salary: $2,300

The Mets and Yankees do battle in a two game set at Yankee stadium, which starts tonight. Verlander gets the start for the Mets and he’s been hittable this year. You’re not going to find a cheaper bat than Billy McKinney who had a really good series against the Royals. He got on base seven times in those three games at home and hit a home run as well. He is a left-handed bat going against the veteran righty and is confirmed to be hitting in the seventh spot tonight for the pinstripes.