MLB GPP Tournament Picks: 7-24-15

There are a number of high-end hurlers taking the hill Friday, Corey Kluber, Max Scherzer, Chris Archer and Felix Hernandez will frequent the lineups of those willing to pay up. Also, expect the Coors Field contest between the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies to grab plenty of attention in the daily racket. Don't underestimate the potential of other players overthinking their lineups and fading great matchups chasing a contrarian lineup.

Pitchers

It finally appears the Orange Bird hurler has found a groove on the hill. He has a 1.40 ERA, a 1.54 FIP and 24 punchouts over his past 25.2 innings while returning the win bonus twice. During the span, Tillman has a 49.3% ground-ball rate and has held opposing hitters to a measly .240/.260/.302 slash line. July and August have historically been his best months, too.

Enter the Rays and their unimpressive numbers against righties (.660 OPS, .130 ISO, .291 wOBA), and Tillman stands as an under-the-radar value play. Don't under estimate the helpfulness of the lights-out Baltimore bullpen, either.

As the sixth most expensive arm at both FanDuel and Draft Kings, there is a lot of value with the veteran lefty. The Cubs are receiving huge chalk, and while Lester has had a couple hiccups over his past seven outings, he has allowed an earned run or fewer in five of those starts.

For the year, Lester sports a 3.37 ERA, 3.06 FIP, 1.21 WHIP and 8.87 K/9, but over his latest seven starts his ERA sits at 1.97 and opposing hitters have a .501 OPS against him. While the smart money says he'll be highly owned Friday, there is also a chance plenty of players pivot elsewhere chasing variance.

Top Hitters

With a double in three consecutive games and a monster showing Thursday, Ellsbury should have been on the radar already. Add the favorable weather conditions against a fly-ball pitcher, and Ellsbury enters must-start territory, especially at his reasonable price tag.

Over his last 11 games, Gonzalez has a .386/.426/.773 slash line with eight runs, four home runs and 11 RBI. At Coors Field against righties this season, he has a .330/.392/.625 line with a .295 ISO and .431 wOBA. DeSclafani has allowed a .781 OPS, .337 wOBA and 1.11 HR/9 to left-handed hitters this season, while not horrible marks, this will be his first career start at Coors.

He is no longer on the cheap, so there is potential Schwarber is overlooked Friday. All he has done since beginning his professional career is mash, and facing Jerome Williams qualifies as a high-end matchup. Williams is serving up a 1.80 HR/9 and 16.5% HR/FB rate for the season, and opposing hitters own a .352/.409/.531 slash line against him on the road.

We know batter versus pitcher statistics aren't predictors of future success or failure, but it is tough to argue with Puljos' three round trippers and 8-for-18 run against Lewis over the past two seasons. Pujols is sporting a six-game hitting streak with six runs, three home runs and four RBI, and Lewis was hammered for 10 runs by the Angels July 5.

Value and Platoon Plays

Andrew Cashner (SP - SD) FD: $7,300 DK: $7,200

The Marlins are hampered by injuries, and spacious Marlins Park is an added bonus. Cashner limps into the outing with a 5.59 ERA over his past eight starts and just 37 punchouts over 46.2 innings during the span. Still, there is plenty of upside.

Stephen Vogt (C - OAK) FD: $2,700 DK: $3,500

The backstop's price has dropped into profit range, and while he has slowed down at the dish, he has at one hit in six of his last seven games. He is locked into a solid spot in the lineup with the handedness advantage against Jake Peavy. Peavy is serviceable, but he isn't great.

Joey Votto (1B - CIN) FD: $4,500 DK: $5,700

Too obvious? Potentially, but he isn't cheap and obviously needs a big outing to return profit. Votto might not be the lineup lock he would be in cash contests, but he should still be on your radar. Over his past 13 games, Votto has bookended the All-Star break with a .447/.567/.723 slash line with nine runs, four doubles, three home runs and six RBI.

Pablo Sandoval (3B - BOS) FD: $2,200 DK: $3,100

Justin Verlander is due for the good side of his yo-yo act between solid and awful outings, and Sandoval has been just bad since the beginning of July (.234/.258/.266 slash line). Still, the Round Mound of Pound has oodles of upside at his cap hit, especially facing a potential batting-practice arm.

Jorge Soler (OF - CHC) FD: $2,500 DK: $3,500

The already discussed plus-matchup against Jerome Williams paired with Soler's 23.1% line-drive rate and 33.3% hard-hit mark since returning from injury, makes him a huge bargain. Soler is nearing a breakout stretch.