RADIO
It's a nine game main slate this Sunday, and it's an interesting slate at that. There are a couple big time aces on the mound, as well as a some vulnerable starters to target with the bats.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/6/18. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays across all slates.
You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @ElliottBaasBB
DraftKings Starting Pitchers
P - Max Scherzer, WAS (vs. PHI): $13,400
Scherzer is really tough to fade right now. He’s failed to top 27 points just once so far this season and is performing above his usually lofty standards. Through his first seven starts Scherzer owns a 1.79 ERA, 37.4% strikeout rate, 16.9% swinging strike rate, and 0.60 HR/9, all career bests. The Phillies have a below average .309 wOBA against righties, but what really makes this a juicy matchup is their 26.3% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching. That is second highest in the majors behind the Padres. Scherzer is the top pitcher of the day.
P - Kyle Gibson, MIN (@ CWS): $7,000
Is Kyle Gibson good now? The metrics certainly suggest it. He’s got a career low 3.38 ERA and 3.42 FIP through his first six starts. What’s really intriguing is the huge spike in strikeout rate. Gibson is striking out 26.3% of the batters he faces this season after never having struck out more than 20% in a previous season. His swinging strike rate is also at a career high 11.9%. Gibson has begun to feature his curveball more, throwing it 12.23% of the time this season after throwing it 5% of the time for his career. This has led to increased whiff rates on all of his offspeed pitches. Batters have whiffed at both his curveball and changeup over 20% of the time, and at his slider over 30% of the time. With three plus secondary pitches Gibson is armed for a career revival. The White Sox have been middle of the pack against right-handed pitching this season, with a 100 wRC+ and 23% strikeout rate, but they suffered a blow to their lineup by placing Yoan Moncada on the disabled list Saturday.
DraftKings Infielders
C - Tyler Flowers, ATL (vs. SF): $2,600
Flowers may be just 2-for-12 since returning from the disabled list, but the veteran backstop had a career year in 2017 with an .823 OPS and 120 wRC+ in 370 plate appearances. He makes for a good cheap option against Giants rookie southpaw Andrew Suarez, who has surrendered three home runs in 12.1 innings this season.
1B – Wilmer Flores, NYM (vs. COL): $3,000
Flores is always a good play against a lefty, and gets a great matchup against Colorado’s Kyle Freeland on Sunday. Freeland owns a 4.24 ERA and 4.38 FIP this season, but he is especially susceptible to right-handed batters. For his career Freeland owns a 5.03 FIP and 1.29 K/BB against righties. No Coors? No problem! Freeland has actually been worse on the road. Away from Coors Field Freeland has a 5.90 FIP and 1.16 K/BB ratio against right-handed hitters.
2B – Brian Dozier, MIN (@ CWS): $4,600
The decline of James Shields has continued in 2018, and we want to get Twins hitters in our lineup against him today. Shields’ already poor strikeout rate has plummeted to 12.2%, he has a 1.12 K/BB ratio, and his SIERA has ballooned to 5.78 through 35.1 innings. Despite these negative trends and a 5.35 ERA, Shields has been lucky this season. Lucky to have just a 7.6% HR/FB and 0.76 HR/9. Dozier is the Twins’ best hitter and someone that works either by himself or in a Twins stack.
3B – Todd Frazier, NYM (vs. COL): $3,600
Frazier also gets to take on Kyle Freeland and is putting up some encouraging numbers thus far in 2018. Frazier has a career high 44.7% hard hit rate and his .369 wOBA would be the highest of his career. He’s in a great spot to do some damage Sunday against Freeland.
SS – Eduardo Escobar, MIN (@ CWS): $4,000
Escobar has been playing out of his mind after being thrust into everyday playing time with the suspension of Jorge Polanco. Even if his .327 ISO and .347 BABIP regress Escobar still seems to have made legitimate improvements at the plate. He has career highs in walk rate (8.3%), flyball rate, (46.2%), and hard contact, (39.7%). That kind of profile plays well against a pitcher of James Shields’ caliber.
DraftKings Outfielders
OF – Andrew Benintendi, BOS (@ TEX): $4,700
Texas starter Doug Fister has a problem. Left-handed hitters. Since 2016 (the year that Fister really began to fall apart) he has allowed a .377 wOBA, 5.49 ERA, and 1.5 K/BB ratio to lefties. All Boston bats are fine plays against Fister, but it’s the lefties like Benintendi that we really want to target.
OF – Max Kepler, MIN (@CWS): $3,800
Kepler has quietly made impressive strides this season, with career highs in ISO (.225), wOBA (.369), and hard-hit rate (42%). James Shields is bad against everybody, but we really want lefties against him. Since being traded to the White Sox Shields has a 6.92 FIP, 2.2 HR/9, and .378 wOBA against lefties over 124 innings. Matchups don’t get much better than this for Max Kepler.
OF – Domingo Santana, MIL (vs. PIT): $3,200
Santana finally broke through for his first home run on Friday, and followed it up with a double on Saturday. He’ll get a chance to build on his recent success against Pirates starter Chad Kuhl. Kuhl has a 5.01 ERA, 5.37 FIP, and 1.95 HR/9 this season. He is also coming off a four-homer shelling at the hands of the Washington Nationals. Because of a prolonged early season slump Santana’s price doesn’t match his talent level.
