FanDuel lineup advice for the weekend of July 10-12

As for what we're going to be doing in this space: The goal here will be to direct your attention toward some players who you might not otherwise consider. If you're here and reading this, then you already know that Mike Trout is really good. But when filling out a roster you can't just pick out stars. You'll blow your cap that way and get stuck praying to the baseball gods that a guy like Wilmer Flores actually gets a few hits. No, if you want to win, you have to take advantage of certain matchups -- and in order to do that you have to know where to look. That's what we're here for. Below are three players to target and three to avoid for July 10-12.

Francisco Liriano, P, Pirates: You're going to have to wait until Sunday to take advantage of this matchup, but it's one worth bookmarking. Liriano will face the Cardinals, who have the sixth-worst wOBA against lefties this season (.292) and have also whiffed in 24.7 percent of their at-bats when facing southpaws, tied for the highest mark in MLB. If you need reminding, Liriano is a left-hander. He's also got a 2.99 ERA and a nearly identical FIP and is striking out 9.9 batters per nine innings. He won't be cheap but he also won't cost as much as hurlers like Chris Sale. On Sunday build your lineup around him.

Joe Mauer, 1B, Twins: Lots to like here. For one, Mauer has been on fire of late; he's working on a six-game hitting streak and has homered twice in his last six contests. He's also got some great matchups this weekend, when he and the Twins will host the Tigers. On Friday Mauer will face Justin Verlander; he's hit .369/.468/.585 off him in 65 previous at-bats. On Saturday he'll face Alfredo Simon and his 4.18 ERA. On Sunday Mauer will get Shane Greene and his 5.82 ERA. Mauer is also going for just $2,600 in FanDuel right now. You should ride him all weekend.

Jason Heyward, OF, Braves: Heyward has swiped nine bags this season and it wouldn't be surprising if he tacks on to that total. Not only will he get the opportunity to run on Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, who's allowed 50 stolen bases this season -- the second-highest total in baseball -- and only thrown out 30 percent of those who've attempted to run on him. But the Cardinals outfielder will also get to face A.J. Burnett and Gerrit Cole, two of worst pitchers in baseball when it comes to holding baserunners. Burnett has allowed 16 stolen bases this season and Cole has allowed 15. Only two pitchers have allowed more. If Heyward can get on base, something which he's done at a regular clip recently, he should be able to boost his FanDuel point total with his legs.

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Diamondbacks: Goldschmidt is awesome, without a doubt one of the best hitters in baseball. Let's start there. So why is he on this avoid list? Because of his price (a ridiculous $5,300, making him the second-most expensive position player, behind only Mike Trout) and because of the team he'll be playing over the weekend. Goldschmidt and his Arizona teammates travel to New York where they'll face the surging pitching staff of the Mets. Noah Syndergaard will get the ball on Friday and Matt Harvey will be on the mound on Saturday. As a team the Mets have a 2.99 ERA this season at home. If anyone could break them it's Goldschmidt, but his high price makes that bet one not worth making.

Michael Pineda, P Yankees: The Yankees right-hander will face the Red Sox Friday night, a team that has only whiffed in 16.3 percent of its at-bats against right-handers, the second-lowest number in MLB. Boston's .321 wOBA off right-handers is the ninth-best in MLB, too. Given how much Pineda is going for ($9,700), you're better off spending your money somewhere else.

Evan Gattis, C, Astros: Gattis is a huge swing-and-miss guy; he's struck out in 22.8 percent of his at-bats this season. This weekend he'll be facing a Rays pitching staff that's sixth in MLB in strikeouts per nine innings (8.33). Not a good combination, and definitely not one you want to bet on.

Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler has two great matchups this weekend against the Twins. On Friday he'll face Ervin Santana (.351/.413/.544 in 57 career at-bats) and on Sunday he'll face Kyle Gibson (.389/.476/.611 in 18 career at-bats) ... He's going for $11,900, but you can't go wrong with Madison Bumgarner against the impotent Phillies offense on Friday night ... The Braves get the Coors Field boost this weekend. Feel free to slot Juan Uribe or Cameron Maybin into your lineup.