MLB GPP Tournament Picks: 7-2-17

The purpose of this column is to highlight some players with upside and well-suited for tournaments. While the majority of the hitter picks will likely have power upside, that's not necessarily the case for all the listed options. Other contextual factors such as batting order, ballpark, opposing pitcher, price, speed, etc also come into play, and you'll see these items sprinkled into the write-ups below. Along with that, we'll be gauging the ownership levels, giving you some plausible pivots from the popular choices in a given game slate.

MONITOR WEATHER REPORTS TODAY.

Top GPP Pitcher

Shark has 13 walks, that is it this season! Phenomenal stuff. He also has 117 K's in 106 innings so far on the season. Today he faces the Pirates who are 25th ranked in hits, 23rd in batting average, and should allow Samardzija and his 39.1% Groundball rate to keep them in check. A quality start with 7+ K's is certainly a possibility, and the Giants should be able to pull out a win today. His splits at home and away are nearly identical as well so Samarzija has been a reliable and safer starting pitcher play this season. Aside from getting roughed up in Colorado he has produced 20+ DraftKings points in his last two starts. He should be in great shape today in Pittsburgh.

Top GPP Hitters

Another week, another Judge suggestion. Fiers has been pitching well but if anyone can punish him for hanging an off speed pitch it is Aaron Judge. His last three games have been weak for Judge standards at least with 0,4, and 6 DraftKings points. Looking at his wOBA and ISO though have me optimistic enough to plug him in again as my highest priced hitter. 3 games has been long enough without a home run so I am calling one today.

Rizzo hasn't been destroying the ball lately, but he does have one homer, and has been producing some Fantasy points in all but two of his last 8 games. Adelman should not be able to contain Rizzo and the other big bats in Chicago today. Rizzo will cost a pretty penny, but paired with Judge and Samardzija you can still build a very solid lineup for today's slate. Like Judge above, Rizzo feels due for a big game and with the Cubs projected for 5.5 runs Rizzo should be part of that.

Manny Machado has been downright putrid over the past week. He hasn't broke 3 Draftkings points over his last five games and has 2 goose eggs as well. Machado will likely be low owned today because of his struggles, and although Cobb has been pitching very well as of late, Machado can do some damage against righties like Cobb. Perhaps today is the day.

If you aren't feeling like using Machado consider Ian Happ at second base for a similair price point. I will be splitting shares of both today.

Hector Santiago may be the Twins worst pitcher, especially over his last five starts. He only has one start in double digit (14.4) DraftKings points over his past 7 games, The other starts you ask? 2.1, -.02, 1.5, -1.6 and 1.9 DraftKings points. Needless to say a free-swinging power hitter like Soler can likely sting him today and he comes at a cheap price.

Soler has been solid, but not great, since coming back from AAA with a home run and four hits. He has power without a doubt though and with Santiago's struggles lately , Soler is a risk worth taking.

Good Luck everyone!