Francisco Liriano-Pirates-SP
Francisco Liriano went 7 IP and gave up 0 ER on 5 H, 3 BB, and 5 K in the win against the Tigers. Liriano has a 2.99 ERA with 119 SO in 102.1 IP. Liriano has been dominant this year. He has seen his K/9 rise to 10.20 while his walk rate has dropped to 2.93 BB/9. Liriano pairs his strikeout numbers with a 54% GB rate, which means the majority of batters are swinging and missing or hitting the ball on the ground. This means Liriano is able to limit any real damage. Liriano will have the occasional start where he struggles with control, but he is one of the better pitchers in the National League right now.
Jose Fernandez-Marlins-SP
Jose Fernandez went 6 IP and gave up 3 ER on 7 H, 0 BB, and 6 K in the win against the Giants. Fernandez also went deep for his second career homerun. Fernandez showed a good fastball velocity wise, but struggled with overall command of his pitches. Pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgeries typically struggle with command for the first season back. The good news is that if Fernandez struggles with his command from time to time, he is still an above average starter and will be a fantasy asset. It wouldn't surprise me to see a return to his dominant self within a month or so. Fernandez needs to be owned and in your starting rotation from here on out.
Manny Banuelos-Braves-SP
Manny Banuelos went 5.2 IP and gave up 0 ER on 2 H, 0 BB, and 7 K in the win to against Nationals. Banuelos looked great in his first start and flashing a plus fastball, curve, and good change from the left side. Banuelos had a 2.29 ERA in 82.2 IP at Triple-A. He struck out 7.51 K/9, which isn't great, but his walk rate is concerning (4.14 BB/9). His success at the big league level is going to come down to his control. On days like today, he had good control and he looked dominant, but there are going to be plenty of starts where he struggles with control and will have mediocre results. Banuelos is worth the flier, but don't get carried away thinking he is the next rookie phenom because of his fantastic first start.
Jason Heyward-Cardinals-OF
Jason Heyward was 2-5 with a walk and RBI in the loss to the Padres. Heyward hit .326 with 4 HR and 14 RBI in the month of June. Heyward has a thing for coming around just when everyone wants to write him off. Heyward should come close to a 20/20 season with his rest of season projections. This wouldn't be too shabby for someone who everyone wanted to write off just a month ago. He has been moved to the middle of the order, which should allow him to drive in more runs. I wouldn't bank on Heyward hitting .320 the rest of the way, because his profile doesn't suggest it, but he should be able to stay around his current .280 and flirt with 20 HR/20 SB.
Neil Walker-Pirates-2B
Neil Walker finished the day 4-5 with a double and three RBI in the win against the Tigers. Walker finished the Tigers series 10-15 (.667 AVG.) with 2 HR and a double. Walker has seen his slash line rise to .274/.346/.421. Walker has been dropped in shallow leagues because of his lack of success, but seems to be turning it around. Walker's peripherals all look good, so an uptick in power is in store. Pick him up if you have the chance.
DFS Value Play of the Day
Scooter Gennett-Brewers-2B
Scooter Gennett has a favorable matchup against RHP Michael Lorenzen. Gennett has hit RHP well over his career (.355 wOBA and 124 wRC+). Lorenzen has struggled with LHB this year as he has given up a .417 wOBA and .557 SLG. I like Gennett regardless of lineup spot as a value play, but if he hits second, he gets a huge boost in value. DraftKings Value: $3,600
**This is just a small sample our our daily analysis, join our member area for more premium content: http://www.fantistics.com/join/join.php3
Also, follow us on twitter @fantistics and @philip_double
