Happy Cinco De Mayo! Let's win some dinero! We've got a nine game main slate that I'll be focusing these picks on for tonight.
What can Vegas odds-makers tell us about tonight's matchups? For starters, they're expecting the following games to potentially be the highest scoring: Brewers at Reds (9), Mariners at Astros (9), Red Sox at White Sox (8.5) and Rangers at Blue Jays (8.5). The biggest favorites are the Blue Jays (-168) and the Mets (-177). Other than that, not a lot of insights from Vegas in what looks like a day with a lot of evenly matched pitchers. As for park factors, the following teams and hitter sides have the highest positive park factors: Yankees and Orioles left-handed batters, Brewers and Reds right-handed batters, and Red Sox and White Sox right-handed batters.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/5/16. 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
Blue Jays versus Derek Holland
It's always fun (and nearly always profitable) to pick on ol' Derek Holland. The southpaw picked up right where he left off in 2015 - struggling to retire batters, wild around the plate, and allowing far more home runs than pitching coach Doug Brocail would like to see. In five starts this season, he's posted a 1.26 WHIP while allowing a 1.274 Hr/9 - a number I expect to go up after facing the Jays and their team .320 wOBA against left-handed pitching. The players I have my eye on are Josh Donaldson, Michael Saunders, Justin Smoak and Russell Martin, which provide a nice mix of pop and value.
Also Consider: Astros versus Wade Miley
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Jacob deGrom (SP, NYM) - $10,800
I am so thrilled to see that deGrom is *only* $10,800 tonight. He has an absolutely fantastic matchup in what could be the best pitcher's park in the game. On top of the park factors and being one of the best right-handers in the majors, deGrom and his season 0.948 WHIP and 10.01 K/9 face a paltry Padres offense. To date this season, the Padres are striking out in nearly 29% of their at-bats against right-handed pitching. deGrom is an elite cash game and tournament pitcher tonight.
Masahiro Tanaka (SP, NYY) - $9,400
The price is a little higher than I'd like to pay for a tournament-only pitcher (he isn't cash game safe in this matchup), but nonetheless, Tanaka provides the strikeout upside I'm looking for tonight. On the season, he's averaging 8.0 K/9 and there's additional upside when you consider the Orioles hitters have struck out in nearly 31% of their at-bats against right-handed pitchers this season. There's certainly risk involved going into a park that's more favorable to hitters while facing a team with some pop, but he's a solid tournament option on a limited slate.
Also Consider: Adam Conley (SP, MIA) - $6,800 (GPP)
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Catcher (C)
Russell Martin (C, TOR) - $2,200
Big power upside for practically the salary minimum? Sign me up for a few shares. Now, I know Martin hasn't been his normal self this season, but I can't resist rostering him on a limited slate where the solid options are priced more than a thousand dollars higher. Martin has a .344 wOBA versus left-handed pitching this season and he's more attractive today than usual because he faces a weak lefty in a power hitter's park.
First Base (1B)
David Ortiz (1B, BOS) - $3,800
Ortiz and his hot bat, fresh off a home run blast last night, happen to be way under-priced in this matchup. Thus far in 2016, Ortiz owns a .424 wOBA and .343 ISO against right-handed pitching. Papi should be able to tattoo Erik Johnson this evening, who doesn't have great stuff.
Second Base (2B)
Robinson Cano (2B, SEA - $3,900
While Mr. Altuve has a fantastic matchup too, I'll go with the less obvious play in Cano while saving some cash. Cano has been really hot lately, posting more than 12 FanDuel points in each of his last three games, and I expect to see more of the same tonight. In 2016, he's posted a very impressive .371 wOBA and .215 ISO against right-handed pitchers.
Shortstop (SS)
Jimmy Rollins (SS, CHW) - $2,900
In an underwhelming shortstop group, Rollins takes the cake for me. He faces young lefty Henry Owens, who has the stuff to be good-to-great someday, but I have a feeling the veteran gets the best of him tonight. Rollins price allows a lot of flexibility at other positions, he hits high in the order, and his numbers this season against lefties are strong - .402 wOBA and .529 slugging percentage.
Third Base (3B)
Todd Frazier (3B, CHW) - $4,100
Frazier is a tad pricey, but he has excellent park factors today on a clear day in Chicago and he's recently found his power stroke after a pretty slow start. Owens is a solid pitcher, but as it the case with Rollins, I think the veteran could get to him early and often today. Frazier's numbers against southpaws this season are strong - .350 wOBA and a .284 ISO.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Michael Saunders (OF, TOR) - $3,400
On this limited slate, Saunders is my top outfield target tonight. He's listed at a fair price, has power upside with an excellent wOBA against lefties (.458) and faces one of the worst pitchers throwing tonight.
Adam Duvall (OF, CIN) - $2,800
Chase Anderson is certainly not a pitcher to be feared and Duvall is a great value play with power upside, especially in a hitter's park like Cincinatti. So far in 2016, Duvall has posted a .258 ISO and .484 slugging percentage against right-handed pitching.
Giancarlo Stanton (OF, MIA) - $4,800
Giancarlo is just on fire these days. He's pricey, but the type of pricey you want to pay up for when you consider how well he's swinging it, the park upgrade and the fact he faces a weak opposing pitcher in Robbie Ray. Stanton's numbers against lefties in 2016 are nothing short of extraordinary - .520 wOBA, .607 ISO and a .911 slugging percentage. Good lord.
Also Consider: George Springer (OF, HOU) - $3,800
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