MLB DFS DraftKings.com & FanDuel.com Lineups & Picks for May 20, 2018
There are 11 games on the main MLB DFS slate for Sunday, 5/20/18. Below is a list of our top MLB DFS picks for pitchers, hitters, and stacks to target in Cash and GPP lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel. The info below can also be used for creating your daily fantasy baseball strategy at FantasyDraft.
Please note the advice below is relevant for daily fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than in real life due to matchup, price, and lots of other factors. This is important to consider when constructing a roster. Remember that more than in other sports, variance is a huge part of baseball. Even Mike Trout can go 0-for-4 on a given night, and Max Scherzer can get lit up by an unsuspecting team.
Weather can also play a huge role in MLB DFS on a nightly basis, and lineups are constantly shifting. So always, always check the starting lineups and weather reports when playing an MLB slate.
5/20/18 MLB DFS TOURNAMENT PICKS
Rally Cap: $8 entry, $150k guaranteed (DraftKings) – $25,000 to 1st!
Nifty Fifty $50 entry, $75k guaranteed (DraftKings) – $50,000 to 1st!
Squeeze: $4.44 entry, 100k guaranteed (FanDuel) – $10,000 to 1st!
Grand Slam: $44 entry, $110k guaranteed (FanDuel) – $25,000 to first!
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Best MLB DFS Pitchers for May 20, 2018
Noah Syndergaard vs. ARI ($10.2 DK / $10.3 FD)
The Diamondbacks rank inside the top three in strikeout percentage. Their .219 average ranks last, and they’ve scored a league-low 32 runs over the last two weeks thanks to a league-worst .193 average. Now, they have to deal with Noah Syndergaard, who has a 10.63 K/9 and 14.6 SwStr%. The Mets’ pitcher has allowed two runs or fewer in six of his nine starts, and three or fewer in eight straight outings.
Yu Darvish @ CIN ($8.6 DK / $7.4 FD)
Much like his teammate Jose Quintana, Yu Darvish has been inconsistent this season. This has resulted in a very affordable price tag, and he’ll likely be considered a contrarian play. If you read yesterday’s picks, the same thing that applied to Quintana applies to Darvish. Four of his first seven starts with the Cubs have been awful, but he’s allowed only three total runs in his other three outings and has maintained a solid strikeout rate throughout (11.12 K/9). Darvish’s contact rate and swinging strike percentage are headed in the wrong direction, but the ceiling is still high, especially in a plus matchup against the NL-worst Reds.
Jack Flaherty vs. PHI ($6.3 DK / $6.6 FD)
Jack Flaherty is a sneaky GPP play who will allow you to get in some big time bats on DraftKings. He has a tough matchup against Aaron Nola, but it’s not a bad idea to fade Nola in a few tournaments. The Phillies have the fourth-highest strikeout percentage in the Majors, and Flaherty burst onto the scene this season with a nine-strikeout showing against the Brewers. He had 41 strikeouts in 31.2 AAA innings this season before his call up and has a decent 11.4 swinging strike percentage over 37 career innings. Flaherty has allowed fewer than two runs in two of his three starts this season and two or fewer in five of his eight career starts.
Others to consider: Stephen Strasburg, Julio Teheran
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Best MLB DFS Hitters for May 20, 2018
Matt Olson @ TOR ($3.8 DK / $3.3 FD)
Joe Biagini has allowed 20 hits, seven walks, and three homers in his 14.2 innings this season, yet he still has a job (7.98 ERA). Biagini allowed 15 home runs over 119.2 innings last season and hasn’t missed many bats (82% contact rate) in 2018. Oakland’s .332 wOBA and 46 home runs vs. RHP rank third in baseball. Khris Davis leads the way with 11 home runs off righties, but Matt Olson has seven bombs and a solid .368 wOBA. The A’s first baseman checks in with the fourth highest projected point total on RotoQL and the best value of the day.
Andrew Benintendi vs. BAL ($4.5 DK / $4.3 FD)
Spending down on a pitcher will allow you to get a couple Boston bats in your DK lineup, and the matchup really doesn’t get any better than Andrew Casher. The Orioles’ pitcher has allowed 11 home runs, 51 hits, and 24 walks. He will take to the mound against the best offense in baseball supporting an 84 percent contact rate and a 42 percent fly ball rate. Andrew Benintendi bumped his averaged up to .275 last night after his 2-for-3 game and has reached base in 12 straight games. The Red Sox’s No. 2 hitter had a home run, three RBI, a walk and stolen base last night. Oh, and here’s a friendly reminder that Mookie Betts has a .368 average and J.D. Martinez is hitting .339 on the season.
*UPDATED – Baltimore is actually going with righty David Hess as its starter over Andrew Cashner. Benintendi and the Red Sox are still in play.
Nick Markakis vs. MIA ($4.5 DK / $3.8 FD)
Nick Markakis’ price on FanDuel makes absolutely no sense. His 59 hits lead the Majors, and he’s been lights out against lefties in 2018: 22 hits (three home runs), .367 average and a .417 wOBA. Then, Wei-Yin Chen enters with a 4.86 K/9, 5.94 BB/9 and 7.56 ERA. Overall, Chen has allowed 19 hits, six home runs, 14 runs, and 11 walks. He has an 83 percent contract rate and a ridiculous 59 percent fly ball rate. The Braves have crushed lefties all season.
Jesus Aguilar @ MIN ($3.7 DK / $3.3 FD)
Jesus Aguilar is another cheap first baseman you can sprinkle in your lineups to save some cash. He has home runs in back-to-back games (three total) and a solid .327 average on the season. Aguilar had 16 home runs over 311 plate appearances last season and 30 bombs in AAA back in 2016. He’s getting a shot to play everyday as the Brewer’s No. 3 hitter with Ryan Braun sidelined. Jake Odorizzi comes with a 51 percent fly ball rate that has resulted in nine home runs. The Twins’ pitcher has also issued 21 walks.
Tim Anderson vs. TEX ($2.8 DK / $2.8 FD)
Tim Anderson has cooled off after a hot start to the season and continues to move up and down the order of late (hitting leadoff earlier this week). However, this is a matchup of which he may be able to take advantage. Mike Minor has allowed 47 hits, seven home runs and 27 runs over his 43.1 innings. He has a 43.3 fly ball rate and a 41.5 hard hit rate. Anderson is extremely easy on the wallet and has a .333 average and three home runs against lefties.
*Updated – Anderson is hitting leadoff!
Others to consider: Gary Sanchez, Tyler Flowers, Jose Abreu, Jed Lowrie, Gleyber Torres, Rougned Odor, Travis Shaw, Joey Gallo, Rafael Devers, Eduardo Nunez, Jurickson Profar, Giancarlo Stanton, Michael Conforto, Shin-Soo Choo, Kyle Schwarber
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MLB DFS Stacks to Consider for May 20, 2018
Red Sox vs. David Hess
Athletics @ Joe Biagini
Braves vs. Wei-Yin Chen
Cubs @ Tyler Mahle
Brewers @ Jake Odorizzi
White Sox vs. Mike Minor
Rangers @ Reynaldo Lopez
