Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: MLB DraftKings Studs and Duds for July 20

Following a day with too many aces to handle, all the top starting pitchers vanish for Monday's slate.

Matt Harvey represents the only option above $10,000, and he'll probably need to smash another homer if he wants a victory. The evening's second-priciest hurler faces a tough opponent, and all the low-level fliers forebode doom.

After Harvey, two pitchers stand out amid an underwhelming field. At least all the poor pitching paves the way for several enticing hitters to utilize on DraftKings.

Pitching Studs

Andrew Heaney, Los Angeles Angels ($8,400) vs. Boston

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Over four starts with the Los Angeles Angels, Andrew Heaney is a completely different pitcher from the one who recorded a 5.83 ERA last season. His 1.32 ERA won't last, but his 2.77 fielding independent pitching (FIP) still separates him from the weak competition.

The 24-year-old lefty has gone at least seven innings in his last three outings, collecting at least five strikeouts and no more than two walks every time out. Refusing to acknowledge David Ortiz and Pablo Sandoval's futility against southpaws, the Boston Red Sox take a step back against the Angels.

Gio Gonzalez, Washington Nationals ($8,100) vs. N.Y. Mets

It took the New York Mets 18 innings to score three runs on Sunday, nothing new for an offense rated No. 29 in team weighted on-base average (wOBA). By now, the Mets' offensive ineptitude should not come as breaking news.

Despite his 3.99 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, Gio Gonzalez has whittled a 3.26 FIP and 57.8 ground-ball percentage. After allowing two runs over his past three starts, his ERA is gradually catching up. He tossed seven scoreless innings in the teams' only other meeting on May 2, and it shouldn't surprise anyone to see a similar result in their rematch.

Pitching Dud

A.J. Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates ($9,900) at Kansas City

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

After dropping 11 hits and four runs on Chris Sale, the Kansas City Royals face another All-Star in A.J. Burnett. Sporting MLB's eighth-best wOBA against righties, they're ready for the challenge.

More importantly, they strike out less than anyone, a death sentence for any opposition. Burnett's strikeout rate has already dipped to 7.54 per nine innings this year, and the National League veteran will have to deal with a designated hitter.

Hitting Studs

3B Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers ($4,400) at Colorado

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

A career .297/.363/.509 hitter against lefties, Adrian Beltre gets soft-tosing southpaw Chris Rusin at Coors Field. Over his career, righties are hitting .297/.371/.490 against him, which should also place Elvis Andrus ($3,800), Robinson Chirinos ($3,900) and Ryan Rua ($3,100) on everyone's radar.

While $4,400 seems like a lot for a toiling slugger, five players from this matchup cost above $5,000, with Nolan Arenado chiming in at $5,500. Use Beltre's .678 OPS as a buy-low opportunity.

1B Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers ($3,800) vs. Seattle

Victor Martinez continues to own lefties, sporting a .474 wOBA against them through 58 plate appearances. Take the small sample size to heart, as the Detroit Tigers switch-hitter batted .371/.430/.692 against them last year.

Although the power has predictably dipped from last season, Martinez for $3,800 represents a great bargain versus lefty J.A. Happ, who has a .752 OPS against opposing righties. 

C Nick Hundley, Colorado Rockies ($3,700) vs. Texas

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Brandishing a 4.65 FIP and 13.4 strikeout percentage, Nick Martinez won't have much fun at Coors Field. The gut reaction says to play lefties Charlie Blackmon and/or Carlos Gonzalez, but the Texas Rangers righty sports reverse splits this season:

Stat	vs. LHP	vs. RHP
Batters Faced	194	230
AVG	.214	.302
OBP	.299	.378
SLG	.343	.500
wOBA	.283	.380

Want to use Arenado? Cool. Willing to spend on Troy Tulowitzki? Go for it. Frugal players can instead turn to catcher Nick Hundley, who has a .400 wOBA at Coors. Just make sure he's starting first, and also see if Brandon Barnes ($2,800, .809 home OPS) gets the nod. 

2B Robinson Cano ($3,400) and SS Brad Miller ($3,100), Seattle Mariners at Detroit

Why did Robinson Cano ever leave Yankee Stadium? After belting two homers at his old stomping ground, the star second baseman is now batting .317/.375/.571 with four homers this month. Awake but only $3,400, now is the time to jump back on the bandwagon.

Meanwhile, Brad Miller has manufactured an .802 OPS against righties. That makes the Seattle Mariners middle infielder a bargain pairing against Alfredo Simon, who has surrendered 28 earned runs over his last five starts. 

With the Tigers righty reeling, contestants might want to dig even deeper into Seattle's lineup. Kyle Seager ($3,700) and Seth Smith ($3,300) also represent mouth-watering values for a full stack.

Hitting Duds

OF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals ($5,700) vs. N.Y. Mets

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Batter vs. pitcher matchups rarely ever matter, but Bryce Harper's 0-for-12 and six strikeouts against Harvey draw a second glance due to his $5,700 price tag. A superstar needs a golden matchup to merit paying up, and that Harvey fellow is pretty good.

Those who have the cash for a top-tier talent should instead play Mike Trout for $100 less against Steven Wright. Arenado, Prince Fielder, Paul Goldschmidt or Todd Frazier are all better alternatives as well.

1B David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox ($3,700) at L.A. Angels 

Remember the earlier musing about Ortiz stinking against lefties? Big Papi is hitting .144/.168/.211 with a minus-six weighted runs created plus (wRC+) against them. Daily gamers can't use him versus any southpaw, and Boston shouldn't either.

Note: All advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.

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