Daily Fantasy Baseball 2015: DraftKings Strategy, DFS Rankings for July 23

The action is starting to heat up again after the All-Star break, with several players looking to perform before the trade deadline. With the deadline set for next Friday, plenty of time remains for players to improve their stocks or make cases to stick around on playoff teams.

What does all that mean for DraftKings fantasy owners? There is a wide variety of talented players to choose from, even on a day with just 11 games. Here's a look at the best players regardless of price and other low-salary targets to fill out your July 23 lineup.

Pos.	No. 1	No. 2	No. 3
Pitcher	Clayton Kershaw	Lance McCullers	Tyson Ross
Catcher	Yasmani Grandal	Salvador Perez	Jonathan Lucroy
First Baseman	Paul Goldschmidt	Adrian Gonzalez	Eric Hosmer
Second Baseman	Jason Kipnis	Jose Altuve	Justin Turner
Third Baseman	Matt Carpenter	Carlos Santana	Xander Bogaerts
Shortstop	Carlos Correa	Alcides Escobar	Jhonny Peralta
Outfielder	Lorenzo Cain	Carlos Gomez	Bryce Harper

Pitcher: Wade Miley, Boston Red Sox ($6,400)

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Wade Miley is not putting together one of his better seasons at the MLB level. But after two strong starts in his last three outings, Miley is finally showing some of his potential. He posted more than 20 points in both of those outings with six or more strikeouts.

Don't have any faith in Miley? Well, we don't either on a normal basis. But at $6,400 with a matchup against the Houston Astros, Miley should rack up fantasy points. With the Astros leading the MLB in strikeouts this season, expect several K's from Miley at Minute Maid Park.

First Baseman: Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals ($3,900)

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Eric Hosmer is the Rodney Dangerfield of fantasy baseball: He doesn't get any respect. The Kansas City Royals slugger is raking with an average of more than nine points in his last 10 games, but he can be found at a price point of just $3,900.

After going 2-for-3 with a double, a homer and an RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, he continued a five-game hitting streak. Tab Hosmer as your starting first baseman and expect him to crush against John Lackey.

Second Baseman: Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers ($3,400)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Despite missing a few games recently, Justin Turner has done the most with his opportunities this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers roll out a series of different lineups, so Turner might not play Thursday.

But if he does, he'll be worth a start.

Why? Because the Dodgers infielder has tallied 13 or more fantasy points in four of his last six starts. Oh, he's also hitting .372 with 11 homers against right-handed pitchers. Don't miss out on Turner if he gets a spot in the Dodgers lineup Thursday.

Third Baseman: Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians ($3,800)

Jason Miller/Getty Images

His inconsistency at the plate has made him a risk for much of the season, but Carlos Santana has been crushing opposing pitchers recently. Even in a list of great third basemen, Santana stands out with more than 10 fantasy points in his last 10 starts.

At a price of $3,800, Santana is a solid value for a third baseman. With all 10 of his homers against right-handed pitching, Santana should have no problem tallying points against Jeff Samardzija.

Outfielder: Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirates ($3,100)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Gregory Polanco's numbers, like Santana's, have not always been pretty. However, his 10 hits over the last seven games and his average of more than nine fantasy points per game tell a different story.

Owners won't need Polanco as a No. 1 or No. 2 outfielder, but locking him up in the final spot is worth the $3,100 tag. Carrying a .258 average and 16 stolen bases against righties, Polanco will more than fill the void. In order to fill out a lineup with power, a speedy option like Polanco is ideal.

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