Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Ideal Lineup Picks for July 2

Thursday's reduced slate of action across MLB includes four afternoon games and eight at night, giving DraftKings daily fantasy players a small pool of talent to work with.

Three of the eight pitchers going in the early contests are making their season debuts after returning from injury, adding an unusual wrinkle to the selection process.  In the evening, one ace stands out from the rest, but is he worth his steep price tag?

Here are five ideal lineup choices for July 2.

Afternoon

Jacob deGrom, P ($10,300), vs. Chicago Cubs

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Jose Fernandez ($9,600), Matt Moore ($7,600) and Matt Cain ($7,300) are all tempting choices at salaries likely beneath their talent levels.  However, each is making his first major league appearance of the season and may not be given the opportunity to pitch deep into the ballgame.

On the other hand, Jacob deGrom is riding a streak of seven consecutive outings of seven innings or more while giving up two earned runs or fewer on each occasion.  Over eight home starts in 2015, deGrom has surrendered a total of eight earned runs.

	GS	W-L	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA
Home	8	5-1	8	1	6	59	1.33
Away	7	3-4	16	6	12	41	3.11

With an average of 23.5 fantasy points per game, deGrom is the highest-scoring pitcher available in the afternoon contests despite coming at a lower cost than Corey Kluber ($10,900) and Jake Arrieta ($10,600).

Victor Martinez, 1B, Detroit Tigers ($3,900)

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Victor Martinez is averaging 6.0 fantasy points per game, which does not compare favorably to several less expensive first basemen.  Martinez is a matchup choice, though, with spectacular career numbers against Pittsburgh Pirates starter Francisco Liriano.

AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG
28	13	7	1	7	.464	.531	.786

As well as his history of success when facing Liriano, Martinez is also swinging a hot bat of late.  Since returning from a stint on the disabled list, the veteran is 14-for-43, reaching base in nine of 10 games with a .326 batting average and a .370 on-base percentage.

Evening

Yovani Gallardo, P ($7,700), at Baltimore Orioles

Considering the lack of big names taking the mound Thursday night, it's extremely difficult to pass on Max Scherzer.  But at $14,500, it may be wise to avoid Scherzer and grab Yovani Gallardo at nearly half the price.

Gallardo's 16.2 fantasy points per game give you solid bang for your buck, while his 2.72 ERA and 1.16 WHIP are also quite respectable.  The big selling point for Gallardo, however, is what he's done lately—23.1 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to June 10.

The Texas Rangers righty is also unbeaten in his last seven starts, posting a 4-0 record and a 0.99 ERA in that time.  In addition, Gallardo held opposing hitters to a .177 batting average and a .196 slugging percentage during the stretch.

Mitch Moreland, 1B, Texas Rangers ($4,300)

Gail Burton/Associated Press

Among American Leaguers, only Albert Pujols and J.D. Martinez hit more home runs in June than Mitch Moreland did.  Six of Moreland's nine homers in the month came over the final six days, including four in two games.  ESPN Stats & Info noted the rarity of his accomplishment:

Moreland is hitting an even .300 for the year, but in June, he batted .323 with a .636 slugging percentage and 25 RBI in 25 games.

On Thursday, Moreland faces 24-year-old Kevin Gausman, who owns a 4.20 career ERA and takes the mound for just the second time this season as a starter.

Alcides Escobar, SS, Kansas City Royals ($4,000)

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Alcides Escobar saw a seven-game hitting streak come to an end on Wednesday.  He ranks as the fifth-most expensive shortstop on the board Thursday, and his 7.0 fantasy points per game suggest he's valued appropriately.

But his matchup versus Minnesota Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson makes Escobar a great pick.  For his career against Gibson, Escobar is 8-for-17 with a .500 on-base percentage. 

The Royals' leadoff hitter also ranks first among American League shortstops with 37 runs scored, yet he's only played in 65 games.

All prices courtesy of DraftKings. Statistics via MLB.com unless otherwise noted. Mark Vandeusen is an MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @LucidSportsFan.

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