X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Picks (5/16/17): MLB DFS Advice

The top FanDuel daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for 5/16/17 by Kevin Luchansky. Expert MLB DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for FanDuel.

After yesterday's mess of pitching options, it's a relief to have some real studs on the mound on this 15 game Tuesday. Two games are taking place today in the late afternoon, so FanDuel has a few options for us today: Early Only (2 games), All Day (15) and Main (13), which begins at the usual 7:05 EDT.

Before we jump into stacks, pitchers and position players, let's see what we can gather from the early morning Vegas lines and odds. The teams with the highest projected run totals are as follows, and could certainly make for stack targets (particularly in cash games): Diamondbacks (5.1), Rangers (5.1), Yankees (4.9), Twins (4.9) and the Astros (4.9). Fairly significant line movement in a positive direction for both the Twins and Astros, who opened at 4.6 and have both climbed to 4.9. As for our heaviest favorites, which can be telling as to which cash game pitchers to target and often times which offenses to fade, we have the Rangers (-198), the Cubs (-189), the Angles (-180), and the Astros (-174).

Mid-morning update: the Reds at Cubs have a monstrous opening over/under of 11.5 runs. The wind is blowing out tonight at Wrigley! The Cubs now have the highest implied run total at 6.7 runs! That is the highest non-Coors figure I've seen this season by a good amount.

Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 30% off using code NEW! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/16/17. They'll range from value plays, to elite and everything in between. If you have any questions, hit me on Twitter at @kpLUCH. Let's get to it.

 

Offensive Stacks

New York Yankees against Jason Hammel 

Vegas has this game pegged for 9+ runs with an emphasis on the Yankees side as their projection is just a fraction under 5 - and one of the top five of the night. It's no secret the Yankees have one of the best offenses in baseball and the matchup they have tonight is one to like. Over his past three starts, Hammel has allowed an opponent wOBA of .380 and an ISO of .250. Those are very poor numbers for Kansas City and very great numbers for Yankee stack backers this evening. In that same stretch of time, Hammel has also allowed a 39% hard hit rate, a flyball rate of 43% and average batted ball distance of a whopping 245 feet. There's a lot of pop in this Bronx Bomber lineup and I'm concentrating most on those who can clear the fence for me tonight, namely Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Chris Carter and Starlin Castro.

 

Chicago Cubs versus Bronson Arroyo

The Reds pitching staff is a mess, and even so, Bronson Arroyo still has no business pitching at this level anymore. Those 2004 days with the Red Sox feel like three decades ago. Luckily for you, me and the DFS clique, Arroyo still pitching at the major league level means we can attack him with as many opposing hitters as possible. The Cubs make for an excellent stack tonight, not only because of the matchup against lowly Arroyo, but also the fact that this is a hitter's park - especially when the wind is blowing out - and the Cubs, thanks to a few slumps, are priced as values. My favorite Cubbies to stack tonight are Miguel Montero, Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras and Anthony Rizzo.

 

Also consider: Texas Rangers versus Jerad Eickhoff

 

FanDuel DFS Pitchers

Yu Darvish - SP, vs PHI ($10,600)

The Rangers are the heaviest favorites of the day and it has a lot to do with Yu. Despite a brutal start in his last game, he has been pretty dominant and consistent this season. In that rough outing against the Padres - a game in which he started with a negative 15 score - he still managed to climb up to 31 points, just missing salary based expectations. This is a good matchup for Yu, though, as he should get ample run support, he faces a team that is projected for just 3.5 runs (compared to the Rangers 5.1) and the projected Phillies lineup strikes out 25% of the time against right-handers this season. That combined with his amazing 11.09 K/9 give him good strikeout upside, and his Statcast data from his past three starts are positive, revealing they he may have been the victim of some bad batted ball luck in his most recent start. In that three-start stretch he's allowed a batted ball distance of just 197 feet, which is more impressive when you consider he only induced ground balls at a 36% clip.

Also Consider: Dallas Keuchel - SP, at MIA ($10,900)

 

Stephen Strasburg - SP, at PIT ($10,400)

After a shaky outing in two of his past three, the time is now to jump on Strasburg in tournament formats (at this price, you need to find some high upside punts or pair him with a double stack - I suggest the latter, but there's a few ways to skin this cat). Shaky outings - while they do scare off potential owners, giving us exposure with higher leverae - alone don't warrant consideration, but the fact that Strasburg has that "going for him" combined with excellent strikeout upside in a pitcher's park against a pretty weak offense makes for an excellent GPP concoction. For the year, Strasburg boasts excellent K/9 rates (10.7) and he's done a fine job keeping the ball in the yard, too (0.9 HR/9).

Also Consider: Danny Salazar - SP, vs TBR ($9,500) - GPP only

 

FanDuel DFS Infielders

Austin Barnes - C, at SFG ($2,300)

Barnes has been one of my favorite punt cash game plays and upside tournament plays over the last few weeks and I'm going back to the well tonight in what is a pretty optimal spot for Austin. He's near the minimum price which is incredible considering his splits and the matchup. For the season, he owns a .378 wOBA and .250 ISO split against southpaws, and the southpaw he faces tonight - Ty Blach - has surrendered over a .400 wOBA over the past 15 days.

Also Consider: Gary Sanchez - C, at KC ($3,400)

 

Freddie Freeman - 1B, at TOR ($4,400)

This man is on fire and doing oh so many impressive things in the year 2017. He's become a must play in cash games, especially when facing a right-handed pitcher in a solid hitters park, as is the case tonight. His splits against right-handed pitching are herculean, as he's posted a .439 wOBA and a .338 ISO.

Also Consider: Logan Morrison - 1B, at CLE ($3,500) - GPP pivot

 

Rounded Odor - 2B, vs PHI ($2,800)

I love Odor's value today and despite not having the most memorable start to the season, it's not like he hasn't produced at a solid level. The price is way too low today. He's got a good wOBA split (.320) and a nice ISO split (.230), good lineup order value smack dab in the middle for the team projected for the most runs and happens to be competing tonight in a great hitters park. Oh, and Jerad Eickhoff has been struggling quite a bit as well.

Also Consider: Daniel Murphy - 2B, at PIT ($3,800)

 

Joey Gallo - 3B, vs PHI ($3,300)

I don't mind to pick on Eickhoff alone, but this one is just too good to pass up. Gallo has his nights where he fails to hit value, but those are becoming fewer and farther in between while his nights of absolutely crushing his price implied value are more frequent. For the upside he represents, this is quite an ideal price. In 2017, he's the proud owner of a .344 wOBA split and monstrous .322 ISO split.

Also Consider: Evan Longoria - 3B, at CLE ($2,800) - GPP

 

Trea Turner - SS, at PIT ($3,900)

Turner's priced has dropped a pretty significant $500 despite beating value in two of his past three games. What this means is that the FanDuel pricing has yet to catch up and we likely wont see Turner as such an ideal price for a while if he continues the upswing - and he most likely will. Turner sports great splits this season - .395 wOBA, .255 ISO - and he's had an average batted ball distance of 213 feet and a 40% flyball rate in the past 15 days. I smell a home run on the horizon tonight.

Also Consider: Pat Valaika - SS, at MIN ($3,000) - GPP

 

FanDuel DFS Outfielders

Charlie Blackmon - OF, at MIN ($4,000)

Blackmon leaves the opportune confines of Coors Field, and it's that fact that I am hoping he is faded tonight in tournaments because despite the negative park shift, this is a really strong matchup for him. Phil Hughes has been known to get tattooed from time to time and Blackmon with his monstrous splits - .421 wOBA, .308 ISO - is in line to take advantage.

 

Franklin Gutierrez - OF, at SFG ($2,900)

Gutierrez is a strong tournament option tonight and if he's slotted sixth or higher in this potent Dodgers lineup he makes for a pretty solid cash game option as well. He's known as a southpaw killer for very good reason. He strikes out a fairly decent amount, but when he connects, he makes it count. For the year, he has a .263 ISO and 555 slugging percentage split against lefties.

 

Jorge Soler - OF, vs NYY ($2,600)

When Soler heats up he's really not a batter most pitchers like to face. He has a violent, hard stroke similar to that of Gary Sheffield, and when he turns on one, the ball gets out of the park in a damn hurry. Soler has a small sample size for the year but his ISO split is north of .300 and the hard hit rate of 31$ isn't extraordinary, but combine it with the fact he's got a 53% fly-ball rate and you have the makings of a home run recipe.

 

Also Consider: Andrew Benintendi - OF, at STL ($3,600)

 

DFS Premium Tools & Research

Get a free trial of our powerful MLB Premium Tools. Our famous DFS Optimizer & Lineup Generator, daily Matchup Ratings, expert DFS Lineups/Cheat Sheets, and more.

Win more. Try the most advanced lineup optimizer in daily fantasy baseball.

Sign Up Now!

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Logan Gilbert

Leaves Friday's Start With Forearm Tightness

Vikings Select Tai Felton To Finish Day 2

Seahawks Select Quarterback Jalen Milroe With The 92nd Pick Overall

Browns Select Dillon Gabriel 94th Overall

Packers Pick Savion Williams At No. 87 overall

Steelers Snag Kaleb Johnson In Round 3

Broncos Select Wide Receiver Pat Bryant With The 74th Overall Pick

Texans Select Jaylin Noel With 79th Pick

Lions Select Wide Receiver Isaac TeSlaa With The 70th Overall Pick
Jack Leiter

To Start On Sunday

Patriots Add Wide Receiver Kyle Williams In Round 3

Browns Draft Harold Fannin Jr. With 67th Pick
Garrett Mitchell

Makes Early Exit
Luke Keaschall

Removed Early On Friday
Blake Snell

Likely Avoids Major Injury
Cole Ragans

Dealing With Mild Groin Strain

Broncos Add RJ Harvey To Backfield With 60th Pick

Raiders Select Jack Bech With 58th Pick

Chargers Add Wide Receiver Tre Harris In Round 2
Detroit Lions

Lions Acquire 57th Pick From Broncos

Seahawks Draft Elijah Arroyo 50th Overall
Carolina Panthers

Panthers Acquire 51st Pick From Broncos
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Snag Will Johnson At No. 47

Jets Add A Pass-Catcher With Mason Taylor At No. 42

Rams Select Terrance Ferguson With 46th Pick
Houston Texans

Texans Acquire 48th Pick From Raiders, Draft Aireontae Ersery

Saints Snag Tyler Shough At No. 40
Brenton Doyle

Out For Personal Reasons On Friday
Brandin Podziemski

Not On Injury Report For Game 3
Jimmy Butler III

Warriors Optimistic About Jimmy Butler III Playing Saturday
Jae'Sean Tate

To Remain Out Saturday
Jock Landale

Unavailable For Game 3
Terry Rozier

Out On Saturday
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Orlando
Kevin Love

To Miss Saturday's Game
Jaylen Brown

Available For Friday Night's Game 3 Against Magic
Gary Payton II

Iffy For Saturday's Action
Jayson Tatum

Officially Available On Friday For Game 3 Against Magic
Will Smith

Back From Injury On Friday
Luke Kennard

Questionable For Game 4 On Saturday
Darius Garland

Listed As Questionable For Game 3
Ja Morant

To Miss Game 4 On Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Available For Game 3 In Minnesota
Aaron Ekblad

Available To Return Saturday
Erik Swanson

Ryan Burr Progressing
Daulton Varsho

To Return On Tuesday At The Latest
Max Scherzer

Takes Positive Step On Friday
Aleksander Barkov

Questionable For Saturday
Gabriel Landeskog

Set For Larger Role In Game 4
Calvin Pickard

To Start Game 3 For Oilers
Randy Arozarena

Resting For First Time This Year
Jonas Siegenthaler

To Play Limited Minutes In Game 3
MLB

Red Sox-Guardians Game Postponed On Friday
Luke Hughes

Remains Out On Friday
MLB

Tigers-Orioles Postponed On Friday
Patrik Laine

A Game-Time Decision Friday
Yainer Diaz

Out On Friday Against Royals
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Salvador Perez

Sitting Out For First Time This Season
Jaylen Brown

Questionable For Game 3 On Friday
Brendan Donovan

Back In Action On Friday
Jimmy Butler III

Could Miss Game 3 On Saturday
Coby Mayo

Getting On A Roll At Triple-A
Moises Ballesteros

Riding An 11-Game Hit Streak
Victor Mesa Jr.

Starting Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Carlos Prates

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Ian Machado Garry

Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Cade Cunningham

Collects Double-Double In Loss
Jalen Brunson

Drops 30 Points In Game 3
Karl-Anthony Towns

Leads All Scorers In Game 3 Victory
Zhang Mingyang

Scheduled For Co-Main Event
Anthony Smith

Set For His Final UFC Bout
David Onama

Set For Featherweight Bout
Giga Chikadze

Looks To Bounce Back
Abus Magomedov

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Michel Pereira

Returns To Action At UFC Kansas City
Nicolas Dalby

An Underdog At UFC Kansas City
Randy Brown

A Favorite At UFC Kansas City
Andre Muniz

Set To Open Up UFC Kansas City Main Card
Ikram Aliskerov

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Sergei Bobrovsky

Shuts Out Lightning In Game 2
Cam Fowler

Finishes Thursday's Win With Five Points
Robert Thomas

Posts Four Assists In Game 3 Win
Pavel Buchnevich

Celebrates Hat Trick During Four-Point Performance
Dylan DeMelo

Battling An Illness
Marcus Johansson

Exits Early Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Hurt In Game 2
Jrue Holiday

Tagged As Questionable For Friday
Jayson Tatum

Likely Out Again On Friday
Anthony Cirelli

Good To Go Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Looks To Bounce Back In Game 2
Rasmus Ristolainen

To Miss Training Camp
Jonas Siegenthaler

Returns To Practice
Aliaksei Protas

Traveling With Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi

Still Out On Thursday
Max Pacioretty

Set To Join Maple Leafs Lineup For Game 3
Cam Davis

Looking For Better Fortunes At TPC Louisiana
Adam Svensson

Making Third Apperence At Zurich Classic
Max Greyserman

Aiming For Similar Success At TPC Louisiana
Lee Hodges

A High-Upside Player In New Orleans
PGA

Nico Echavarria Looks To Ride Off Of Elite Putting In New Orleans
Gary Woodland

A Player Worth Watching In New Orleans
Max McGreevy

Returns To The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Rasmus Hojgaard

In Search Of Consistency Ahead Of Zurich Classic
Sam Stevens

A Boom-Or-Bust Candidate In New Orleans
Nicolai Hojgaard

Looking To Turn Season Around At Zurich Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks To Sway A Hot Putter In Teams Favor At Zurich Classic
Akshay Bhatia

Looking To Bounce Back At TPC Louisiana
Carson Young

Looks To Turn Things Around At TPC Louisiana
Erik Van Rooyen

Looking For Momentum In Louisiana
Andrew Novak

Making Start At TPC Louisiana After Near Miss At Harbour Town
Ben Griffin

Making Third Career Start At Zurich Classic
Taylor Moore

Competing With A New Teammate In New Orleans
Wyndham Clark

Making Return To New Orleans
Kurt Kitayama

Teeing It Up Again In New Orleans
Collin Morikawa

Back At Zurich Classic For Fifth Time
Thomas Detry

Making Third Appearance At New Orleans Team Event
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF