MLB Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-07-02

WEEKLY DFS PICKS: YOUR GUIDE TO CASHING THIS WEEK

Mitch Garver has emerged as one of baseball's most consistent power bats over the last two weeks, and his salary on both DraftKings and FanDuel makes him an absolute must-play. The Minnesota Twins catcher is hitting .312 with four home runs in his last 10 games against right-handed pitchers, and this week's matchup against Detroit's struggling rotation presents a prime scoring opportunity. At roughly 8x value on DraftKings, Garver's 25-point ceiling makes him an elite cash game option.

Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves enters this week riding a seven-game hitting streak with five extra-base hits. The Braves face three games against Cincinnati, whose pitching staff ranks 27th in ERA over the last 14 days. Riley's 22-25 point upside combined with sub-$8,000 pricing on FanDuel makes him a cornerstone bat for tournament lineups seeking exposure to Atlanta's hot lineup.

Kyle Schwarber continues his 2024 renaissance with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting a .289 average against left-handed pitchers this season. This week's series against Miami features two starts from southpaws, and Schwarber's pull-heavy approach has generated 92 mph average exit velocity in this specific matchup. His consistency and floor make him ideal for cash games, where you're seeking 3x value rather than ceiling plays.

Bryce Harper's recent hamstring issues have limited his availability, and while he's eligible to return this week, his playing time remains uncertain. The injury risk combined with reduced at-bats makes him too volatile for cash lineups, though tournament players might gamble on a revenge game scenario.

Francisco Lindor has cooled significantly, batting just .198 over his last 10 games with the New York Mets. The upcoming schedule against three elite pitching staffs makes his $9,500 DraftKings price indefensible when safer options exist at his position.

Cody Bellinger at $5,800 on FanDuel offers ridiculous value against Chicago's bullpen-heavy schedule this week. The Los Angeles Dodgers will accumulate plate appearances, and Bellinger's 12-game hitting streak provides legitimate momentum.

Jurickson Profar, priced at $6,200, faces three games against Colorado's thin pitching rotation. The San Diego Padres' versatile defender has quietly maintained a .320 OBP and offers excellent tournament upside.

Sonny Gray's next start faces a bottom-10 offense that has produced just 3.2 runs per game this month. The St. Louis Cardinals pitcher is being overlooked at $8,400 despite elite strikeout metrics, offering GPP home-run potential that contrarian players should absolutely exploit.

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