There's a full slate of games to choose from today with all 30 teams taking the field. Three late afternoon games split the contests up a little, giving you the option to play Early Only, All Day, or the Main contest, which has 12 games. Aces Jake Arrieta, Gerrit Cole and Jose Fernandez all take the bump tonight, as well as young, promising hurlers Aaron Nola and Steven Matz.
As for Vegas insights, the heaviest moneyline favorites tonight are the Cubs (-230), Rockies (-173), Indians (-172), and the Mariners (-170). The contests with the highest over/unders are the Astros at Diamondbacks (9), Yankees at Blue Jays (9), Red Sox at Orioles (9), Cardinals at Brewers (9), and the bell of the ball, Reds at Rockies (11).
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/31/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on FanDuel.
DFS Lineup Stacks to Target for FanDuel
Cardinals versus Wily Peralta
The Cardinals have an absolutely fantastic matchup against Wily Peralta up in Milwaukee. Their hitters get a big park upgrade playing in Miller Park and they take on a starting pitcher that has been getting hammered by hitters from both sides of the plate this season. I normally recommend either the right-handed or left-handed batters, but both have had their way with him in 2016. The right-handed batters have better numbers in the power department, as they own a .641 slugging percentage against him, paired with an uber impressive .461 wOBA. That being said, left-handed hitters like Matt Carpenter, Matt Adams and Jeremy Hazelbaker profile very well today, too. I've also got my sights set on Aledmys Diaz and Matt Holliday.
Rockies versus Jon Moscot
Moscot's numbers from this season don't jump off the page as an obvious target to stack against, but a look at his 12 month averages and his scouting notes reveals a pitcher that is in over his head in this matchup taking place at Coors Field. Over the last 12 months, Moscot has allowed more than two home runs per nine innings while striking out only 4.09 per nine. He also struggles with balls and strikes and is prone to giving up a big inning or two, as suggested by his weak 1.439 WHIP. While the left-handed batters he's faced only have a slugging percentage roughly 50 points higher than right=handed batters, their home run numbers are far better. My favorite lefty targets are Carlos Gonzalez, Daniel Descalso and Gerrardo Parra, while right-handed batter Nolan Arenado profiles very well, too.
Also Consider: Angels versus Anibal Sanchez
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Jose Fernandez (SP, MIA) - $11,100
As far as I can tell from my research, the only real downsides in rostering Fernandez - and they're small - is that the Pirates have a solid lineup and the chances for earning a win go down slightly when the opposing pitcher is also an ace (Cole). Outside of that, I love Fernandez tonight. He's looked dominant in his last five starts, exceeding his price implied value in each of those games. To date this season, he's allowing just 0.57 HR/9 while striking out an average of over 12 batters per nine frames. Consider the fact Fernandez is also pitching in the friendliest pitcher's park today, and you've got enough positive factors to make selecting Jose an easy one.
James Shields (SP, SDP) - $8,100
Over the past few weeks, Shields has quietly regained most of his old form and he's produced more than 30 points in each of his last four starts. Tonight, he moves away from his uber-friendly home park but lands in another one that happens to be quite friendly to hurlers as well. He always has big strikeout upside, but that opportunity is a little brighter tonight as he faces off against a Mariners team that is striking out in 29% of their at-bats against right-handed pitchers this season - a number far higher than any other teams strikeout rate tonight. He isn't cash game safe, but he's very appealing for tournament play.
Also Consider: Steven Matz (SP, NYM) - $10,300
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Catcher (C)
Dustin Garneau (C, COL) - $2,600
Rosgtering Garneau provides me some exposure to Coors Field and a weak, Quad-A type pitcher in Jon Moscot. The price is also very attractive, and while Garneau's numbers aren't great, he profiles much better when facing right-handed pitching. His ISO against righties is .189, which is 128 points higher than his average against southpaws.
First Base (1B)
Matt Adams (1B, STL) - $3,400
Adams is a fantastic option at first base today. He fits in the middle of an order that should get plenty of RBI opportunities, gets a park upgrade, faces a pitcher that has no business pitching in the majors and he also owns strong splits - .223 ISO and .527 slugging percentage - against right-handed pitching.
Second Base (2B)
Jose Altuve (2B, HOU) - $3,900
Altuve was slumping for a week or so and it looks like he's bounced back nicely in his last two outings, while his price has yet to catch up with performance. As such, he's a solid value at this price and he also has a strong matcup in Arizona today against Patrick Corbin. On the season, Altuve sports a very impressive .421 wOBA and a .205 ISO against southpaws.
Shortstop (SS)
Zack Cozart (SS, CIN) - $3,800
Cozart provides nice exposure to the Coors game at a reasonable price. The shortstop position is often devoid of power, so any time I can get a guy with an ISO north of .200 at a fantastic hitter's park, I'm going to find a way to cement him into my roster - especially in tournaments.
Also Consider: Aledmys Diaz (SS, STL) - $2,900
Third Base (3B)
Matt Carpenter (3B, STL) - $3,500
Carpenter may be the absolute best overall value on the entire slate. I'm shocked he's available at just $3,500, and his splits are fantastic. He owns a .378 wOBA and .519 slugging percentage against right-handed pitchers and the one he's facing today - Wily Peralta - is just atrocious.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Carlos Gonzalez (OF, COL) - $3,900
It seems like at about this time every season, CarGO really heats up. The past two weeks have been no different, as he's been tearing it up. Despite the recent tear, his price hasn't caught up to his performance and he's a great value today - especially in Coors Field against a Quad-A type pitcher.
Adam Duvall (OF, CIN) - $3,900
Duvall is facing a promising young pitcher in Jon Gray, but he still has his faults and I'm more than happy to take my chances on him. A guy with his type of power and numbers with a sub 4k price tag at Coors is not something to ignore. Duvall has posted a monstrous .322 ISO against right-handers this season.
Curtis Granderson (OF, NYM) - $3,300
While I think most folks will pass over Granderson today in favor of players at more opportune stadiums, he's absolutely worth your consideration - especially in tournaments. Latos is prone to giving up the deep ball and Curtis has really strong splits with his .379 wOBA and .245 ISO power.
Also Consider: Michael Saunders (OF, TOR) - $3,700 and Jeremy Hazelbaker (OF, STL) - $2,400
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